If you’re looking to stay in a grand and historic, yet timeless destination in the centre of town, why not check out Bournemouth’s ornate Norfolk Hotel (also known as the Norfolk Royale). Formerly two large villas built back in 1870 (numbers 5 and 6 Richmond Hill), this Edwardian hotel occupies a prestigious spot half-way up Richmond Hill – one of the primary thoroughfares leading right into Bournemouth Square.
A right Royal history
The Norfolk Hotel was originally known as Stewarts Hotel back in the 19th century and soon became the firm favourite summer retreat destination for the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. In tribute to these prestigious guests the hotel was renamed The Norfolk Royale in 1910. The hotel was granted listed building status in 1974, which includes the striking art nouveau veranda which was added to the front in 1903.
In the heart of the square
The Norfolk Hotel is conveniently located for all public transport bus and taxi links in the centre of town and is just a mile away from Bournemouth’s main train and bus station. Bournemouth International Airport is less than six miles away, while drivers can reach the hotel just off the main ‘Wessex Way’ dual carriage way, which stretches from Ashley Cross off of the A31 though Bournemouth and into Poole.
Parking is £14 a day and puts you paces away from Bournemouth’s main square with its shops, restaurants and bars. The blue flag Bournemouth Beach with its famous pier attractions is a pleasant ten-minute stroll through the Lower Gardens, which follow the Bourne Stream all the way down to the water. The hotel is also well placed for the town centre campuses of Bournemouth University and Bournemouth and Poole College as well as the many language schools.
Spacious bedrooms
The Norfolk Hotel offers 95 spacious bedrooms and suites with a voice of double, twin, single and family rooms, superior and executive. The rooms are neutrally and tastefully decorated, blending traditional with the contemporary, each with a modern tiled en suite bathroom (with bath and / or shower) and complimentary Molton Brown toiletries. Tea and coffee facilities are provided in all guest rooms, plus free Wi-Fi connectivity, a hairdryer, minibar, satellite television with in-house movies, a direct-dial telephone, personal safe, radio, trouser press, iron and board. Guests also enjoy 24-hour room service and use of the hotel’s leisure facilities.
The entire second floor of 38 bedrooms has been refurbished to a luxury 4 star ‘high-class’ standard of ‘club rooms’. This floor is also home to four specially designed disabled rooms, specifically adapted to accommodate guests with restricted mobility. In fact, The Norfolk can offer a number of facilities for the comfort and convenience of its disabled guests, with lifts to all floors of the building.
Family-friendly retreat
If you’re travelling with the family you’ll be glad to learn that children of all ages are welcome to come and stay at The Norfolk. Children under 4 stay free of charge when using existing beds in the room and under 2s are just £10 per night for use of a children’s cot / crib. Please note there is only space for one cot / crib in a room and no capacity for extra beds. If you like to travel with a family pet they are allowed to stay at The Norfolk Hotel on request and charges may be applicable. As a family and business hotel, the hotel does not accept bookings from stag and hen parties.
You can check in at your convenience from 3pm to midnight on the first day of your seaside break and check-out is equally as flexible – any time between 1am and 11am. As well as handling bookings around the clock, The Norfolk’s 24-hour front desk personnel are happy to store your belongings so you can keep those hands free for building sandcastles or gathering those last-minute souvenirs rather than lug it all around town!
High standards
The bedrooms at The Norfolk range from standards to suites. They may be called ‘standard’ but these rooms are spacious and offer great value for money with single, family, double and twin rooms, all en suite, with the complimentary Molton Brown toiletries.
If you’re treating yourself to an upgrade, the Executive rooms provide all the benefits of a standard bedroom but are more spacious with Queen size beds and luxury bathrooms.
Perhaps you’ll treat yourself to a Deluxe, The Norfolk’s largest double and twin rooms with King size double beds and luxury bathrooms. Some have large flatscreen televisions and some have balconies.
If you’re travelling with family The Norfolk has seven bespoke family bedrooms tailored to your young clan with twin or double beds for the grown-ups and bunk beds or foldaway beds for up to two under fours. Children are welcome to use the hotel’s leisure facilities and under 12s are catered for in the restaurant with exclusive high tea and children’s menus ideal for smaller or more selective appetites!
Guests staying to mark an occasion or in need of a treat can upgrade to a junior or one-bedroom suite. These grand residences have King size beds and come with a sitting area or separate lounge plus a luxury bathroom. If you’re here as part of your wedding celebration, perhaps you’d like to check out The Norfolk’s beautiful bridal suite to start your married life in style.
Businesses and meetings
The Norfolk is a popular destination for business meetings and functions to accommodate 2 to 150 guests with its extensive range of purpose-built conference and events suites (many of which named after various Dukes of Norfolk through the ages: The Arundel Suite, Beaumont Suite, Maltravers Suite and Surrey Suite). The remaining conference facilities; The Alum, Durley, Branksome and Isle of Wight; are named after local chines, affirming the hotel’s links with and pride in the local area.
Business services and presentation facilities offered at The Norfolk to help your event run smoothly include complimentary WiFi in all areas of the hotel, hard-wired Internet access, air conditioning and programmable and controllable lighting. Plus, flip chart, marker pens, projector and screen. Guests staying at The Norfolk on business might take advantage of the fax and photocopying facilities as well as the venue’s meeting / banqueting services.
There are various set rates for the hire of facilities depending on your requirements for stationery and AV equipment plus catering options including a two-course lunch, buffet lunch or barbeque on the lawn. Conference hire is available to book as an 8-hour or a 24-hour package, which also includes overnight accommodation, morning coffee with biscuits, full English breakfast, hot and cold buffet lunch, afternoon tea and coffee with pastries, a three-course dinner in The Echoes Restaurant and free use of the pool, sauna and steam room.
If you’re booking the 8-hour option you either enjoy the same refreshments and treats as the 24-hour package without the evening dinner or you can plump for the Executive Day Package which sets you up for the day with tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches on arrival.
Adventure away-days
The Norfolk Hotel has been helping to organise and host corporate events for many years and, as local experts, can help you plan the most effective function or away-day using some of the town’s top attractions. Their dedicated team will help tailor a package with a corporate rate to make sure you meet the business and budget objectives of the event. Options include exploring the water and Jurassic Coast, golf and paintballing, cycling, 4×4 off-road driving and more.
The Norfolk Hotel has a dedicated business and events planner who can help you consider your options, plan your day and be on-hand for support during your conference to make sure everything runs smoothly. The hotel’s business centre can also provide secretarial support, translation services and a concierge service where required to show your colleagues and customers you mean business.
Your special day
The Norfolk Hotel is a well-established wedding and private events venue, whether you’re looking for the ideal retreat to host your whole day or a base to welcome your guests for a formal wedding breakfast or private banquet. If you’re having a church ceremony, The Norfolk is easy walking distance from nine different churches around Bournemouth town centre and can be ready to welcome the new bride and groom and their guests for an unforgettable family celebration.
Licensed wedding venue
The hotel is also fully licensed to host your wedding ceremony, blessing or vows renewal. Take your guests out into the elegant private garden and walled courtyard for a champagne wedding reception or ask The Norfolk how to arrange to have a ceremony on Bournemouth Beach itself – currently the only beach in England where you can get married.
If you’re looking for the perfect backdrop for a big birthday bash, christening celebration or retirement shindig, the team at The Norfolk are experienced in planning and delivering gatherings of all types, for any occasion. The hotel can offer a choice of banqueting suites to match the size and set-up of your party, from intimate dining rooms for a small gathering to lavish reception rooms reflecting the venue’s Edwardian roots.
When it’s time to let your hair down, the Dorset, Sussex or Surrey Suite can be set up for celebrations of all sizes with private bars, programmable disco lighting and portable dance floors to party the day away.
Guests attending your special occasion are entitled to take advantage of a preferential rate on a room – leaving no reason to cut the party short.
Bespoke wedding menu
Catering is another important aspect of your day and the hotel chefs will work with you to create a menu to match your personal taste and the style or theme of your wedding. Whatever your idea, your style or your occasion, simply contact The Norfolk’s dedicated wedding planner and start planning the most special of days.
Spa and leisure
Whether you’re staying at the Norfolk on a seaside break or you’re lucky enough to find yourself here on business you’ll undoubtedly find occasion to enjoy the hotel’s lavish glass-domed indoor swimming pool with steam room, sauna and spa bath. There’s no better feeling than soaking away the stresses of a long day in the boardroom or grabbing a quick, refreshing dip after a lazy day on the beach.
If you’re feeling more energetic you can always go and work out in the gym – all facilities are available at no extra cost to hotel guests. Perhaps you could do with an indulgent pampering session in The Orchid Rooms beauty salon. Go on, you’re worth it! You don’t even need to dig through your cases for towels as these are provided too. The Norfolk’s leisure facilities are open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.
If your leisure tastes are a little more traditional you could always borrow a board game or puzzle to enjoy some downtime in the beautiful and relaxing gardens of the Norfolk Hotel. Go on, grab a coffee or cream tea from the bar and make an occasion of it!
Corporate partners
If you would like access to an even more comprehensive range of facilities you’ll be pleased to discover that Norfolk Hotel guests also have full access to the 17-metre indoor pool, sauna and steam room, spa, tennis courts and fully-equipped gym at the exclusive West Hants Club, just a short walk or five-minute drive away.
The Norfolk has also arranged an exclusive deal for guests at Westover Beauty, a luxuriously appointed beauty salon along the well-heeled Westover Road close to the Pavilion Theatre. Westover Beauty offers themed treatment rooms, a spray tan room and a variety of holiday spa treatment packages tailored to people visiting the town.
Time to dine
The Norfolk’s Echoes restaurant is elegantly designed in art deco style and conservatory surroundings to provide a lavish backdrop for your dining pleasure. It’s open to the public and to residents but although walk-in customers are very welcome, you are strongly advised to make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. Breakfast is served from 7am to 9:30am Monday to Friday and 8am to 10am at the weekend with a choice of continental or full English.
Lunch is served in two or three courses every day of the week from 12:30pm to 1:45pm. Echoes prepares modern British cuisine with a choice of a la carte or three-course table d’hote menus. Dinner is served Sunday to Thursday from 7pm to 8:45pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30pm to 9:15pm.
If you’d rather dine from the comfort of your room, why not treat yourself to room service or a breakfast in bed? The choice is yours! In the warmer months you might prefer to dine al fresco overlooking the beautiful grounds with ornate water feature.
Lounge and bar
If you wish to enjoy a more informal meal or a quick bite with colleagues, the Norfolk’s elegant lounge and bar is open to residents and the public to satisfy any appetite. The extensive bar menu serves up a selection of light bites and salads, triple decker and toasted sandwiches, pizzas and hearty fillers including burgers, fish and chips, pasta and pie. Or you could just skip straight to the sweet with temptations including a toasted teacake and a traditional slab of Dorset Apple Cake.
Pleasurable surroundings
If you want to have a drink or a casual lunch why not chose a table in The Norfolk Hotel’s lounge area? For a little indulgence how about taking the Norfolk Afternoon Tea Collection on the terrace? Or in the grand Lounge, bar or conservatory? Barbecue facilities are also available so you can catch the last rays of the day while you dine and the hotel gardens are open at all times if you just want to sit and enjoy these beautiful surroundings with a drink from the bar or the daily newspaper. If you fancy a cocktail before a night out on the tiles, go and discover the bar and Art Nouveau Veranda as you watch the world go by.
If you’re heading out for the day or you don’t have time to stop you can order a packed lunch from the hotel, leaving you free to explore as far and wide as you wish without that inevitable nagging question of what’s for lunch! If you fancy going on a day trip the staff can organise or recommend a variety of day trips to many of Dorset’s top attractions and beyond, whether you want to explore he water, the Jurassic Coast or nearby town and country.
Where to park
The Norfolk is very privileged in its location but this means parking is offered on a first-come, first served basis. Guests can park on site (reservation not required) for a charge of £14 per day. There are several public car parks and side roads available for parking in the immediate area too if you’d prefer to find your own.
At your service
Whether you’re staying here on business or heading out to a show or club and your wardrobe hasn’t taken too well to the journey down, The Norfolk Hotel can offer shoeshine, dry cleaning and laundry services to make sure you make the right impression. If you’ve got valuables you don’t want to carry about with you, The Norfolk can take care of them until needed in a safety deposit box.
Whatever your budget or reason for your stay, The Norfolk Hotel is ready with a warm welcome right in the heart of town. Why not book up your next seaside break today?