Published: February 5, 2021 | Updated: 6th February 2021
Several of Bournemouth’s hotels have taken advantage of the lockdowns to spend millions of pounds on upgrades and refurbishments.
Their actions are seen as a big vote of confidence in the resort with predictions of a staycation ‘boom’ when the pandemic restrictions are eased and eventually lifted.
The hotels include:
In addition, a £2m refurbishment of the Hotel Royale, including full air conditioning, is underway after ambitious hotel group Nq2 took joint ownership with Oceana Hotels in an equal venture.
As first reported on Dorset Biz News, the rebranded ibis Styles is expected to open by this Easter.
Tim Seward, pictured left, Chair of BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA), which represents hotels and accommodation providers, said: “The investments are the clearest possible evidence that hoteliers have hope for the future.
“With people reluctant to travel abroad, some hoteliers are preparing for better days by investing during lockdown.
“Hopefully, we’ll see another bumper staycation season on the south coast.”
The hotel improvements include:
Hotel Collingwood
Eytan Krips, Owner, pictured right with his wife, Michelle, who designs and oversees all the renovations at the hotel, said: “Reinvention, restoration and conservation are at the heart of what we do.
“We are undertaking a huge project on our bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms, creating a new guest category ‘Signature Rooms’.
“These will provide guests with extra comfort, in a space that is welcoming and colourful.
“Another goal is to become one of the greenest hotels in Bournemouth and demonstrate to other hotels that reducing their carbon footprint is achievable.
“In light of this goal, we’ve taken the following measures:
“We plan to do even more to enhance the experience for families who stay with us.
“We have created a ‘Coast with the Most’ package offering local activities/experiences such as paddle boarding, surfing or crazy golf.
“Along with a family friendly atmosphere, a games room, swimming pool, bespoke menus, cookies at bedtime and cocktails for Mum and Dad.”
Hotel Miramar
During the first lockdown, the management team took advantage of the temporary closure to fast track the planned refurbishment of their bedrooms and bathrooms.
Working with hotel specialists Welltex and decorators DR Property Solutions, the team were able to complete the refurbishment of 20 bedrooms and bathrooms on the first floor of the 42-bedroom four-star hotel.
Theo Iakimov, Hotel Manager, pictured with Marcin Kalinowski, Operations Manager, said: “In one way the initial lockdown presented the ideal opportunity to crack on with the scheduled and pre-budgeted refurb with no disruption to guests.
“When in a position to reopen under Covid secure guidelines prior to Christmas, we were able to test drive the new rooms and garner feedback from guests, which has been very positive indeed.”
Known as Bournemouth’s ‘Country House Hotel by the Sea’ it was important that the styling of the rooms was in keeping with the hotel’s charm, while being contemporary, practical, and comfortable.
Theo said: “We are grateful that the Blakemore family, proprietors of the hotel, have continued to invest in the business despite difficult trading conditions.
“Visitors who have stayed in the new rooms have had nothing but praise for the quality and standard, and all we need now is for a good summer season to recoup some of the losses of the lockdown.
“Hopefully, towards the end of the year, we will be able to continue with the second phase of bedroom refurbishment, plus we have some exciting plans for the ground floor bar area too.”
Marsham Court Hotel
Rosie Radwell, Managing Director, pictured left, said: “The first lockdown at the end of March 2020 led to us taking the early decision to close the hotel for accommodation and banqueting from the end of September 2020 to March 1, 2021.
“This was largely due to the uncertainty around group travel for the autumn/winter months – our biggest source of revenue during this period.
“With an empty hotel, it made sense to utilise the time wisely but as with any older building the question was – what should we prioritise?
“The list was long and, as quotes started to come in, we changed our original list several times, finally identifying the areas that are most difficult to address when the hotel is busy with guests.
“In October work started to totally refurbish all of our sea facing balconies and address repairs to the flat roof above them, replace several bay windows on the front of the building, update electrics and refurbish several bedrooms, lay new flooring in the kitchen and upgrade equipment and utilities.
“At circa £700k so far, there is still much to do and some projects have now had to be postponed until we can start to generate revenue once we are allowed to re-open.”
