Description

This early Victorian version of a French château, with towers and bay windows looking out over the bay and Purbeck Hill, dates from June 28, 1838, the very day of Victoria's coronation. After the adolescent Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) stayed here, the hotel added "Royal" to its name. Over the years, it has attracted notables from Oscar Wilde to Rudolf Nureyev to the great prime minister, Disraeli. In luxury and style, it is in a neck-and-neck race with the Carlton. It's located in a 1.2-hectare (3-acre) garden where cliff-top panoramas open onto the sea. The mostly spacious bedrooms are furnished with a certain English style and grace, and the larger rooms have sitting areas. All rooms are nonsmoking. Most bedrooms have been recently refurbished, and the bathrooms are well maintained, luxurious, and come with Neutrogena bath products; superior rooms also offer bathrobes and slippers. Facilities:
2 restaurants; bar; indoor heated pool; spa; Jacuzzi; sauna; beauty salon; limited room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; 1 room for those w/limited mobility Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.