The Norfolk Royale Hotel is a Grade II listed building and 4 star Victorian hotel in Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset in England.[1] The hotel is one of Bournemouth's most historic buildings and stands behind St. Andrew's Church, Richmond Hill and opposite the Sacred Heart Church.

The hotel pictured in 2009.
The hotel at night.

History

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The hotel was built as 2 large villas between 1840 and 1850 for Henry Fitzalan-Howard, the 14th Duke of Norfolk. It became a hotel in 1870.

In 1946, hotel guest Doreen Margaret Marshall was murdered by serial killer Neville Heath.[2]

In November 1992, Price Waterhouse offered the hotel for sale at £4 million and two years later it was on the market for £6 million. The hotel was put up for sale again in 2008.[3]

In 2017, the hotels owner took a 10 million pound loan.[4] In April 2022 it was reported that the hotel had been put up for sale for £9 million.[5] The sale was reportedly intended to clear the owners debts.[6]

In early 2023, the hotel was purchased by coach operator Alfa Leisureplex Group.[7] They bought it from Peel Hotels for an undisclosed sum.[8]

 
Hotel blue plaque

In October 2023, an elderly woman was rescued after her car accidentally reversed into a ditch in the hotel car park.[9] Later that month the hotels new owners applied for planning permission for a remodelling of the interior including 31 new bedrooms and a larger entertainment space.[10]

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References

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  1. ^ "Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset | The Norfolk Hotel Bournemouth". thenorfolkhotel.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Neville Heath: Murderer who brought horror to Bournemouth 70 years ago". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  3. ^ "History for sale as top hotel is put on market". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Norfolk Royale hotel owner in £9.9m finance deal". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Four-star hotel on the market for staggering £9million as owner looks to clear debt". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Four-star hotel on the market for staggering £9million as owner looks to clear debt". uk.finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Hotel in Bournemouth town centre is sold to coach operator". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Four-star hotel opens under new ownership after sale is completed". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Car ends up in ditch at car park of Bournemouth hotel". Bournemouth Echo. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Iconic Bournemouth hotel could get major revamp with 31 new rooms". Bournemouth Echo. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.

50°43′23″N 1°52′48″W / 50.723°N 1.88°W / 50.723; -1.88