WORST RATED Hotel - The Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth

I stay in The Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth owned by Britannia Hotels and it's the ninth consecutive year that Britannia has come bottom of the pile in the annual survey by consumer group Which? It's received some very bad reviews on Tripadvisor and some bad press over the last 12 months, BUT is it as bad as some people say? Let's find out!
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#bournemouth #worstrated #hotel​

[@WalkWithMeTim]

More Worst Rated 👉rb.gy/bjxxkq

[@Greatxz2007]

Love the series Tim 😃!!!

[@lja8187]

Great series please do Sasha's in Manchester. 🤣

[@SirBelvedere]

99.9k going to be 100k any minute now, hope you and Gaby have the champers on ice ready to celebrate

[@minuteman4394]

I have had the dubious experience of staying in many of these hotels when I travelled daily for my work around the uk. There was a woman in our office who thought she was doing us a favour by booking us into these places rather than the Lodges and Inns that we preferred. She did not last long !!

[@jujulionesselsa1416]

Thank you Tim I love your series. And also helps greatly for people's does and don't when they want to stay somewhere. Wow your right Tim it is quite historic especially with some of the antique pieces.

[@mailjimmygalaxy]

I did my work experience here aged 15 in the early 90s. It was so posh, we full room service, porters, concierge and silver service. I felt like I was working at Buckingham palace. Such a shame to see how it’s been run down.

[@suemills5108]

This!!! I just commented how this was one of the top houses in Bournemouth and now look at it, it’s criminal! :(

[@RabbitTeaPot]

Aye, I only ever remember visiting this place once for my grandfathers retirement party back in the 90s. Sure it was only for a function but goth damn we were on strictest best behaviour as it was proper posh…and the fact all the guests were police officers lol but yes even as a kid I remember how posh it was.

[@ScottZ370]

It’s a shame people stopped going! Doubt anyone there wants to see it in the state it’s in

[@monicanath4859]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@movieclipsvideos1781]

Fun fact: Old hotels are usually built so staff members can walk everywhere without being seen by guests, where I work has loads of back corridors and side doors and just a really weird layout, but it's super cool once you learn your way around you just disappear and reappear behind someone

[@RiaLunnPhotography]

I work in Bournemouth central premier inn it’s a old hotel and your right my hotel has a service lift where if someone asks for extra stuff you can get to the room before they do frighten the shit out of them lol

[@LiftFan]

@@RiaLunnPhotography Shame that Premier Inn don't buy up more of those old grand hotels, they seem to be doing a much better job of maintaining and modernising.

[@PascalGienger]

@@RiaLunnPhotography I had that at a Ritz Carlton which was also in a posh mundane building. The porter with my luggage was already at my room despite having left the reception area after me.

[@larapalma3744]

You're a ghost aren't you lol

[@monicanath4859]

@@larapalma3744😂😂😂

[@Josh19998]

I can’t get enough of this worst rated hotel series

[@qasimpervase1262]

Same they're weirdly addictive

[@WalkWithMeTim]

:-)

[@iammyself6774]

Aka Britannia+Pontins dissing

[@LongLiveHelghast]

@@iammyself6774 Pontins is owned by the Britannia Group, so the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Wouldn’t surprise me if they both have the exact same management team.

[@iammyself6774]

@@LongLiveHelghast oh- damn. That's sad. I'm sure Britannia has already sent agents looking for our guy. I mean maybe that's why he got an upgrade, there's probably a pic of him in every Britannia hotel and stuff. Like, Beware of him

[@theolderwomansviewagematte2218]

This hotel used to be fabulous and I'm so sad to see how the standards have sunk so low. In the seventies it was THE place to stay, beautiful rooms, fabulous food, staff all uniformed etc. So many famous people stayed too but, now it's shocking to see. You're right, it does have a few ghosts but they are friendly ones and just a little curious.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

omg

[@michellebyrom6551]

I worked in Bournemouth between 1980 and 83. It already had a bad reputation locally for being dirty and underpaying staff. Rumour was it was closed by environmental health for serious cockroach infestation and dirty bedrooms. It had been The place to stay in the past. The cockroaches, they existed at one of the places I worked in so I believed it. A fine looking building in a prime position. I'm surprised it hasn't been refurbished entirely by new owners to the 5* standard it once held.

[@HO-bndk]

The ghosts are probably still trying to find their rooms.

[@rm71991]

You have never been

[@monicanath4859]

O wow! That sounds very interesting.

[@Mannequin59]

The hotel was originally owned by the Russell Cotes family who lived in Eastcliff Hall (now the Russell Cotes Museum) next door. In the museum there are some wonderful photographs of the hotel in its heyday in the early 1900s. Like Eastcliff Hall it was lavishly decorated with painted ceilings, frescoes and had many decorative details, such as the beautiful stained glass. The Russell Cotes’ were avid collectors of bric a brac and paintings from all over the world. A lot of the contents of the old Royal Bath are now on display in the museum. Really interesting video, thank you!

[@bea4726]

As someone that works for the britannia hotels company in bournemouth I can safely say they only care about running cheap prices and cramming as many people in as possible and not the upkeep or refurbishment of the rooms and the hotels and its very sad tbh, even with pleas from the staff like us to make it fresher and generally maintain it so our cleaning doesn't look like its gone to waste in tired rooms.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

wow

[@michellebyrom6551]

That seems to be the way old places are treated these days. It once deservedly had 5*. Given the current holiday climate it would return a big profit on refurbishment.

[@RushfanUK]

Having worked for BH back in the early days of the 80's I can tell you that if Mr L was walking around the hotel the DM would be getting an absolute rollicking for the banqueting suite being unlocked and all the lights left on.

[@outrunninginflation4081]

Good on you for calling them out. Place appears to need to be condemned unfortunately

[@megandunnett7900]

From Tim’s video series a lot of these hotels would be run to a better standard by Basil Fawlty😂.

[@whiskymacable]

A Hotel that has it's own parking but charges £30 per night is pretty disgusting, these videos of yours are great because they expose these holiday hotels that think more of making money than satisfying their visitors. 😠

[@sambra1979]

30 quid a night on parking they could hire more staff to make sure blood stained pillows don't get put in your room

[@TheClockwise770]

That's not unusual to pay for valet covered parking. I worked at the Old Ship Hotel , Brighton back in the noughties and we parked guests cars for them and washed them if they wanted. The nightly charge was £15 in those days. Guests liked it because their pride and joy was securely garaged which was locked at night.

[@juanitarichards1074]

I worked in hotels and motels in NZ for years. They all had their own parking for guests and it was free. It still is today.

[@martinclifford5462]

Lived in Bournemouth or my life in 80s film & pop stars would stay there bell boy outside carrying your luggage in opening & shutting the door for you £10 cheaper to park next door the dormy hotel which was in Ferndown knocked down now was another one for the stars back in the day thanks for sharing vid take care

[@jamara3330]

It's sadly standard for central hotels to charge for parking these days. I choose the out of town Travelodges on a bus route rather than pay the parking fee in city centres.

[@Paul_Templer]

That pillow!!! Uuurgh. I'm surprised these hotels get any customers! We run a vacation rental company in Florida and if any of our homes were even half as bad , we'd have gone out of business years ago! Can't help a building being old, but no excuse for poor cleanliness. Next time check the tags on the fire extinguishers to see if they've had the annual check 😉

[@fetchstixRHD]

On that note, had to pause at 2:07 to check out what the Food Hygiene Rating was (the green signs). Looks like it has a 5/5 on that front at least...

[@stiannobelisto573]

Just love how social British people are, loved the ladies in the corridor

[@WalkWithMeTim]

lol

[@traceybeerling4776]

We are very sociable here in the UK. We love a good chat . Xx

[@Roadent1241]

@@traceybeerling4776 Can't pass up a good natter with/about some complaints!

[@beethalia168]

We are nice 🤗

[@b8nnytez]

Everyone in UK will stop and chat, except in London. Say 'hello, how are you?' there, expect to get maced! 🤣😁😉

[@wendykelly2642]

It's a shame how it has gone down hill since it was taken over. So much history to it had a casino, regular dinner and dance nights, lots of corporate events were held there and all the celebrities who were appearing on the pier or winter Gardens would stay there .I am a Bournemouth resident and it's heartbreaking to see The Royal Bath now but unfortunately it is going the same way as Bournemouth itself very tired looking.

[@tonyleeson1]

I agree absolutely as I was born in the town in 1931 and lived there until 1967 to live in Norwich! Bournemouth was the most beautiful town. Since that time I have visited the town frequently and watched its very sad decline over the years. The Royal Bath was considered to be the best hotel in the town! I am now very old now. I am am a great fan of Walk With Me Tim!

[@davidharvey8812]

Unless the company who bought the hotel have millions to spend on the hotel to make it “grand” again it will continue to be a budget hotel. If one wants to pay £150 plus for a night for everything to be just perfect then I guess you would choose another hotel .

[@41djbrooks]

My grandad was head porter many many years ago, he had to break the news to roy Orbison about the death of his family. It has always been like since the 90s

[@LexiUnicorn]

So happy you filmed here! We stayed here off season in January for a ridiculously cheap price.. the hotel was so quiet, no-one seemed to mind us running around exploring and just hanging out in the ballroom bit.. I definitely felt something I can’t explain there, not in a scary way, but this place definitely has some serious vibes. I will definitely go back, mainly to wander around, as the rooms are awful haha xx

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes I felt some odd vibes in that room and the hotel

[@lmoein]

My daughter had her wedding reception in The King's Hall - it really is a beautiful setting for a reception. However, the honeymoon suite, which they booked for the night, smelt very badly of mould, and was very small. I'm just looking at you walking the gardens right now, which is where the afternoon reception was meant to be held, but it rained. The staff very quickly took everything into the King's Hall. The service was good, but the following day, when daughter went to get her veil from the hall, the cleaner had put it in a bin bag with the rubbish. Yes, now looking at the beach, where the photographer thought it would be a great idea to take the photos. Have to be honest, I would never set foot inside it again. Far better hotels in Bournemouth than this

[@ravenm6443]

I just found your channel last night and I’m going through this playlist. It’s really sad to see these magnificent buildings struggling with upkeep or someone not wanting to put enough money in beyond the basics. I think it was the first hotel you went to, where you were given a key rather than a key card. I was stunned! A card reader is generally considered far safer than a key. So I wasn’t surprised when you later said some kids/teens broke into a lower room and flooded it. It’s a serious security risk. What’s frustrating is some of these issues are basic issues. Like in this hotel, they took the time to neatly fold the tp but didn’t bother to clean the counter. Folded tp is nice but that’s probably the last thing I care about in staying at a hotel. I think I speak on everyone’s behalf in saying we’d rather a safe, clean hotel over fancy toilet paper. It’s just a real shame. They’re all beautiful properties!

[@jonathantitterton9455]

Tbh, when you revealed it was Britannia I was like “and now I’m no longer surprised!” I stayed at their hotel in Scarborough in one of their basement rooms, never again am I staying there!

[@kimberleyphillips7854]

Britannia seem to own all the grand hotels but can’t afford to maintain them 🤷🏼‍♀️ it’s a shame, you can imagine how grand it would have been years ago.

[@dan44zzt231]

These old building make no economic sense to fix up unfortunately 😕 so they just end up stuck in limbo with minimal maintenance and ever decreasing room rates and occupancy. Shame.

[@SuperHorsecow]

@@dan44zzt231 It does make economic sense. The Royal Bath could have filled the place of the Hilton hotel, and been the cream hotel in Bournemouth. Instead other places have filled its shoes. Its a gorgeous building. What doesn't make economic sense is leaving the building to decay, which effects the town at large.

[@battenburg6089]

@@SuperHorsecow I wouldn't be surprised if they are forced to close in time, and then either bought out or knocked down like the eye-sore that was next to it.

[@simonadams71]

Britannia are only interested in squeezing as much cash out of their hotels as possible with the bare minimum investment in maintenance

[@jakovm1070]

​@@SuperHorsecow How many rich and posh people go to Bournemouth on their vacation? Rich people nowadays go to Dubrovnik in Croatia or Santorini in Greece, Spain, Italy... Maybe it's better economically for this hotels to stay cheap.

[@simonbradshaw3708]

Hi Tim, thanks for another review, I couldn't see the connection at first until you showed the Britannia soaps. The hotel seems quite nice, but car parking is very expensive and there is no way I'd let someone else drive and park my car for me. I look forward to your next trip.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes I thought the same and for £30 no!

[@Nurofaen]

I thought the same! Both with the Haven sites and these hotels being run by Britannia it's no surprise they're as run down as they are. It's a shame too because I believe independent owners would take more pride but when Britannia don't invest any money back into these things it's hard for them to care or do anything about it.

[@pauloneill2986]

Britannia. Where lovely old hotels go to die. Fantastic video as always Tim. You’re far too warm and nice about the people who run these places. It looks like a fascinating building with so much history!

[@h4rold948]

£30 parking just summed this place up. that is complete robbery. It's like the Ryanair of hotels! bargain basement rooms with ridiculous addons lmao

[@timmystwin]

Worst thing about these is they have such promise. They could be incredible getaways, they could be a holiday within the UK that you go to, enjoy, see the sights and entertainment, and leave happy. But they're run on a budget to get the max profit and if that's not modern Britain I don't know what is.

[@LeeJohn70]

Tim what went wrong. I stayed in this once great Hotel in 1988 and 1989 for my Companies annual Christmas Party. It was at that time the best Hotel I had ever stayed in. From the moment I pulled up in my car I was greeted by Savoy like porters who parked my car for me. I had a great Seaview, I when I required room service they were spot on, just shows how things can change. Back in the eighties it might have been owned by De Vere. Back in the eighties it was over £120 per night

[@WalkWithMeTim]

wow .. you can tell it was once very grand and the place to be !

[@LeeJohn70]

@@WalkWithMeTim Tim I felt like Royalty, back in the day I would say it was the Savoy of Bournemouth. The Door porters were dress liked Beefeaters, in a blue colour costume.

[@patricialongworth2520]

I grew up in Swanage and the Royal Bath used to be a beautiful hotel and I always dreamed of staying there. I now live in Australia and on one trip back, we booked, not realising Britannia had taken it over. We had the same experience, didn’t have the room we booked and put us in this huge old room, outside there was a courtyard full of cigarette ends. We complained and got moved to a newer room but that had a constantly leaking toilet. All in all a huge disappointment. So sad the Britannia absolutely ruin these beautiful old hotels.

[@Simesnz]

My wife and I spent our wedding night at the Royal Bath back in 1989. It was one of Bournemouth’s best hotels back then and we loved it. Thanks so much for the review, Tim (or should we now say ‘young man’? 😄). It’s not the worst Britannia by the look of it but it’s a shame how it’s been allowed to deteriorate.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

lol

[@Kill3rballoon]

As a person born and raised and Bournemouth the Royal Bath Hotel has, for my lifetime at least (I was born in 1992) been seen as a source of embarrassment for the town, only sustained by its history and its location. There have been a lot of attempts by people to try and have it replaced or at least rejuvenated but this has consistently been blocked by the owners and the council (most of whom being rather old themselves only seem to remember the glory days rather than seeing it through more critical eyes)

[@hugobossdog2769]

Huh, what are you talking about . what attempts, by whom?

[@PiglipsMaximus]

31.

[@davidwatts968]

These reviews you do are so good for the detail. Having stayed in many hotels all over the world, I must admit our U.K. offering is very poor in quality of rooms and food is usually pretty poor. These once very posh hotels were very good back in the day, but sadly the hotel stock in the U.K. is very variable. The price of course dictates what you are going to get. The sadness is the once old grand hotels are not what they once were. Keep up the tours, always very interesting.

[@danieladams9950]

Respectable reaction from David Watts.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

thanks David

[@adamlea6339]

These once very posh hotels are almost a reflection on the UK as a whole. The UK is a great place to live but it does have its issues, many of which it appears no-one in authority can be bothered to address, so they slowly get worse over time.

[@vulgivagu]

I lived in Bournemouth 33 years ago. The Royal Bath was one of the best 5 star hotels in the country then. From uniformed doorman to marvellous suites and great food. It is in a magnificent setting but sadly that is all gone .Grand Hotel Scarborough went that way as well.

[@chinnyvision]

Yep. And it's where John Prescott had his 400 yard Jag drive from the BIC after a day at the Labour Party Conference. They all used to stay at the Royal Bath from Prime Ministers to Russ Abbot in Summer Season!

[@anthonypaterson7066]

Britannia seems to excel in wrecking lovely hotels.

[@rain_down_]

Used to live in Bournemouth in the 90's, and this was a 5-star hotel then - possibly the best hotel in the town. Shame to see what it looks like now, but it’s nice to see a video where you can see glimpses of its former glory. Strange in a way that a hotel in such a great location has declined so much, but it must be difficult to maintain a building of that size to a very high standard when people's travel habits and expectations have completely changed.

[@paulkeay5032]

Taken over by Britannia Hotels. They run some dreadful hotels, many of which used to be much better under previous management.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

wow I get that vibe it was very grand once

[@chinnyvision]

@@WalkWithMeTim Even in the 90's it was THE place to stay in Bournemouth. Everyone from Prime Ministers at party conferences (at the BIC) through to whoever was in Summer season. It's also where John Prescott had his infamous 400 yard car journey from the party conference that made the headlines. But it went out of fashion, got run down and was then purchased by Brittania who are running their usual business model.

[@tomthomas2268]

It would be great if you could include a morning after review. Opinions can be very different after a night on a comfy/uncomfy bed. Thanks for all the videos, love them.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Imagine how grand that place was back in the day.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

I know you can see

[@ellenkellett6529]

Hi Tim what a lovely place shame about the hotel 😟🤢🤮you wouldn't get me to stay there

[@FuntCaseUK]

As a life long resident of Bournemouth and someone who's actually stayed in this hotel, i find this video hilarious. The whole place makes 0 sense but thats a weird charm about it. It needs a MASSIVE revamp but you can definitely tell it was prestige at some point back in the day. Unfortunately though, that's where it stays lol. Good video!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes agree thanks for watching

[@garywateridge]

My friend works in a seafront large hotel in Weymouth, as a maintenance person and tells me of the shocking lack of money not being invested in the upkeep of the hotel and these are the results.

[@SakkaraKirax]

Ten or twelve years ago, my partner used to have training for work in Bournemouth a few times a year and this was by far the nicest Hotel on the list of ones they were allowed to use. I would always go with because it was only an extra £10 a night to add me on, including breakfast. We usually had the same room on the ground floor as it was disability friendly for me. That room was gorgeous, huge and had a beautiful view. We never ate any meals there other than breakfast, so I can't comment on that, but we always were very satisfied with the breakfast buffet. I was honestly always sad to go when the training was over! The last time I was there was about 8 or 9 years ago as those kinds of training sessions no longer happen. The only thing I could complain about when we went was that there was no free disability parking with a blue badge anywhere, but that's not the hotel's fault.

[@TillyWasher]

My boyfriend and I stayed here back along, they ended up giving us the key to the wrong room which was already occupied by someone else. We then had to rush out and we were then given a room in the basement of a hotel in the middle of summer with no air con and a window that didn’t open. It was a nightmare.

[@servianu]

that sounds horrible

[@WalkWithMeTim]

omg sound like hell

[@pmduk69]

A friend started in one in Manchester, went out for a meal, when he returned, they'd let his room to someone else.

[@HamterMum]

OMG

[@philfrancis5121]

I worked as a Porter / Car Valet at the Royal Bath in the late 90s (before Uni) when it was 5 Star and owned by the De Vere Group. Was very prestigious then, some rooms were ageing but some were amazing. We had to wear, jacket, waistcoat, tie, the Concierge wore a top hat and greeted everyone at the door. If you had money/celebrity/sportsman in town you would stay there. Such a disappointment to see it now but a great walk down memory lane. Thank you Tim

[@WalkWithMeTim]

oh wow Phil , I bet it was so posh! is it haunted?

[@philfrancis5121]

@@WalkWithMeTim It wasn't then. I suspect it is now from the management who let it slip and the sale to Britannia. The wing you stayed in wasn't really used and has clearly been renovated. Celebrities asking you to speed up when trying to carry 4 cases behind them with attitude haunts me :). Their girlfriends (20 yrs their junior) accepting delivered packages at the door 'starkers' does not :)

[@jessicaevans7445]

Thank you for making this video! This used to be a 5* hotel, until the company that owns the roundhouse (so bad someone actually died because of the poor water quality) took it over.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

so sad

[@maureenwilson4249]

I wish someone could stop the Britannia Group from buying all the beautiful hotels in the UK. It would make far more sense to sell them to a property developer, to be converted into apartments. The government keep saying we need more housing and these buildings are so much nicer to look at than a modern one. (rant over) haha.

[@mig7290]

Why more apartments? So many only go to foreign investors

[@davidburrows4801]

Total heathen!

[@davidburrows4801]

@@mig7290 ,or to fill them up with dingy divers to totally wreck them

[@courtneyadams5474]

I've seen rooms in the royal bath on sites like openrent and spareroom, meanwhile last week it took 5 days for any 1 bed council flats to become available to bid on in the BCP area, so while a shiny grand hotel would be nice I totally agree with you, Bournemouth just can't afford that kind of opulence any more

[@louis8072]

Quickly becoming one of my favourite youtubers! Appreciate all the travelling and time you take for this channel 👍

[@WalkWithMeTim]

that means a lot .. thank you Louis

[@ascarby]

I booked a stay here in 2018, stayed 5 minutes and immediately demanded a refund. They gave me one without hesitation and didn't seem surprised. The state of my room was disgusting and it was right by the busy road. There was also a stench of very strong chemicals throughout the hall by my room, with very poor ventilation. They were clearly using very strong carpet cleaner to try and cover something up. There was mold everywhere and it was absolutely disgusting.

[@adamlea6339]

The car parking seems incredibly expensive. I looked into the cost of parking in Farringdon for the day and it came to £22, so charging £30 for a car park at a somewhat run down hotel sounds like a piss take to me, but then again, welcome to the UK.

[@will2778]

I thought that. it cost nearly as much to park the car than stay in the room

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes agree crazy

[@chimpbabe]

What an amazing place. It must have been spectacular back in the day. That dirty pillow was completely unacceptable as whoever put the pillow case on would have seen it.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes so why did they not change is the question

[@ve2vfd]

There is little doubt the people at check-in recognised you and you got an on the spot "upgrade". Amongst all the different styles of decor I really liked the Art Deco section around 19:30, and I'm sure there was a time then this was a really nice hotel.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

agree pat

[@freefreespeech6428]

I worked at Carrington House Hotel (another Britannia in Bournemouth, where the reviews are worse and a good laugh to read) and they most likely lied about not overselling. All the open Britannia Hotels in Bournemouth are always minus on their outdated booking system 😆

[@zaprese]

One thing I would have done, would be to make sure he gets a clean room.

[@kmm62627]

I lived in Bournemouth in the 1970's - the Royal Bath Hotel was the best hotel and it is a shame to see how dilapidated and unloved it has become. If you were given an upgraded room and that is the standard you got then I would be horrified at what room you would have been given! It looks like you were put in an old disused or staff accommodation room. I would have refused to stay in a room like that to be honest.

[@froogsleegs]

Bournemouth peaked as a tourist resort in the mid 20th Century, these days it is in a bit of a dire state and many of these old grand hotels are falling apart. Travelled over to Brighton last summer and was blown away by how much nicer and well-preserved it was, with a lot more to do.

[@jessicaevans7445]

I have lived in Bournemouth my whole life, and it is a hollow shell of what it once was. I no longer feel safe here and certainly don't go to Bournemouth on my own anymore.

[@froogsleegs]

​@@jessicaevans7445 Agreed, pretty much every part of the town is neglected now and problems with drugs and crime are really visible. nobody's gonna want to come on their holidays to bournemouth anymore, it's earning a bad reputation!

[@Johnnygstring]

I've lived in Bournemouth for 30 years, and was born only 30 miles away so have always known it. The town centre isnt what it once was and is in the transition to finding its new identity. However Boscombe, Westbourne, Southbourne and a lot of the areas that were once ghost towns are vibrant and thriving. The whole town is alive with tourists and young foreign students. Maybe those that breed negativity should visit other Victorian seaside towns and see how they compare.

[@jeanettehodges5158]

@@jessicaevans7445 it's the same everywhere now. Villages and towns have drug problems, homelessness and crime unfortunately. Broken Britain. I visited Bournemouth in 2016 and could see the decline. Especially in Boscombe, empty shops, looking tatty and run down 😔

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Gosh, this one makes me feel old: stayed here in 1985 when it was a 5 Star De Vere hotel. Vince Hill performed in that grand hall and it was jackets and ties in the restaurant. How standards have dropped in our country! I seem to remember an outdoor pool, but maybe that tacky extension obliterated it. Terribly sad. But thanks for taking me back!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

oh wow, it was a 5-star hotel!

[@rundattmedia2106]

I was born in 1985. I can always tell when people are old on KZbin. They double space their sentences like they are still using typewriters lol.

[@karenblackadder1183]

The DsVere Hotels were, what my late grandma would have called 'Fur coat and no knickers' DeVere Hotels, like Brittania = APPALLING

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@rundattmedia2106 in my defence, I was 16 when I went there!

[@jeanettehodges5158]

That's how I remember it, yes ! , it was a de vere hotel , I actually didn't know until I saw this that it had changed. such a shame how things change

[@donnamorris2993]

I'm shocked at how rundown the (Royal Bath) is because back in the day it was the highest rated hotel in Bournemouth and Celebrities used to stay there. I can't believe how neglected it is now

[@lmoein]

The Party Conference ministers stayed there, because it was 5 star. Huge headlines when one government minister had a car drive him from the hotel to the BIC

[@davidhills389]

I was a manager of the casino that used to be in the basement during the mid 1990’s. There was reportedly a ghost, the lady of the Royal Bath, who walked through the restaurant. In the many, many times I was down there locking up, on my own and in the middle of the night, I never encountered her.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

omg

[@ironclad57]

How is this company allowed to buy these once beautiful hotels when it’s clear they don’t have the money to upkeep them

[@matthewlovell5376]

Probably because no one else will. They are absolute money pits. How many of these type of hotels do you see owned by the other chains? Brittania is the only chain that seems to want them unfortunately.

[@TheDaveWoods]

In the late 1980s I worked at the Palace Court Hotel (now Premier Inn just across the road the Art Deco building) Back then the Royal Bath was a 5* hotel elegant and luxurious & was one of THE places to stay in Bournemouth even then and had a long history. Service there (like the Palace Court) was grand, the restaurant was Silver Service (full waiter service) not a buffet like today. Sad to see its demise. I would have definitely complained about the bedding Tim and asked for housekeeping to replace.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes you are right but tbh I didn't want to draw attention lol

[@bar10ml44]

This hotel is a great example of how far the UK has sunk. I guess eventually what history there is within its walls will be lost forever. There still some stunning examples of times gone by.

[@theatretechlance]

Great to see a review in my Local Area. I once used the Pool here never again it was disgusting. Such a shame brittania own these once beautiful hotels and ruin them.

[@markysurfboy25]

WoW how sad it is to see this beautiful hotel let go. I worked here in 85 / 86 when it was 5* and owned by the De Ver group of hotels and was pure white glove service all round.. Eric Bruce was the Ex Chef, Ziggy March was the Maitre D, Steve Greenhouse was the F&B Manager and Ian Taylor Bret was the GM. They were the good old days.

[@BonzoDogg]

This was indeed a very beautiful hotel when it was run by De Vere Hotels. Tragic what has happened in the space of a few short years. I knew Eric Bruce well when he worked at The Belfry. Lovely guy. He was since passed away. RIP.

[@markysurfboy25]

@user-yo3zf1vy4d Hey thank you for your reply. Yes as sad as what it is with the Royal Bath at least we are lucky to have the awesome memories. It's very sad about Eric and his passing, do you know if he ever got round to making his cookbook ? He always used to say to the girls in pastry 🎂 🥮 🍥 one day your be mentioned in my cookbook and he was going to call it something something By The Sea 🌊

[@PhilSmith71]

I had the misfortune to stay here a few years back. We checked out after the first night and got a full refund for the whole booking. Absolutely appalling condition generally, but especially the suite that we stayed in. The service from the staff was lukewarm to say the least and the breakfast was a truly depressing experience! As others have said, what a shame that this once grand hotel had slipped so far.

[@kennykennington5876]

I grew up in Bournemouth in the 70s and this was a 5 star hotel then. Russell Coates museum, which was next door, was a regular rainy day visit, and had lots of history of the heyday of this once charming hotel. Great review and such a shame that the hotel has lost it's way

[@williamcoulter5462]

In the 1990's I worked for Hewlett Packard and they booked the Hotel for a function and they only used the best at the time, It must have been before the take over as the rooms were immaculate and the staff courteous with excellent food. So sad to see how much it has declined since being taken over everything looks exactly as it was nearly 30 years ago so obviously they have just run it into the ground. The building would be worth a fortune if turned into flats so maybe that is their eventual aim to run it down and apply to change it to residential and make a quick profit in the process.

[@jeanettehodges5158]

Wow just imagine how much those apartments would sell for ! I always remember driving past regularly when I lived in Bmth and the view of the sea was beautiful, only I visited a few years ago and some complex has been built which blocks out most of it now.

[@hugobossdog2769]

@@jeanettehodges5158 That was the IMAX building, which was torn down in 2013.

[@neilwelsh6882]

I lived in Bournemouth for 23 years I swear they never washed those net curtains in any given time .That hotel is gross

[@groovydonkey]

I lived in Bournemouth and had friends that stayed there and said the rooms were awful and also a couple of friends said they had experienced something they couldn't explain. I does look it needs a good facial make over outside and it always surprises me why they spend so much on the appearance as you walk in and not on the rooms and restaurant. This is important to get people coming back, but I use to work in a pub opposites a huge hotel in Westbourne, which is now apartments I believe and we use to get a lot of coach parties from up north and get a cheap 3 day deal and come over to us and spend a fortune, so maybe the Royal Bath has become the new place to go. I have been thinking of going back down to Bournemouth for a few days and considering staying there, but now I'm not so sure!

[@anthonymattock4754]

Jesus Christ. I'm 37 years old and used to stay in this hotel with my family and grand parents when I was a kid. It was a lovely place to stay with great rooms, service and facilities. I can't believe it has come to this in such a short space of time.

[@LittleKitty22]

Makes you wonder whether Britannia are deliberately running hotels into the ground... that takes some serious sabotage to let such a grand hotel fall into such disrepair within a few decades!

[@TheBabyjode]

It looks like it has so much grandeur, this could be incredible. I love the long spooky corridors

[@MrDac1969]

Thanks for the video. I used to work at The Royal Bath Hotel from 1988 to 1990 as a chef in the kitchen. The hotel used to be a 5 star hotel and was owned by Devere hotels. I used to work in Oscars restaurant kitchen (the smaller posh restaurant)

[@edenmoon8275]

Great review Tim, looks so grand, would love to explore. As for haunted, well there are recorded deaths at the hotel, including a woman that died in a bath tub in one of the rooms, so if you are getting creepy movie vibes look no further!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

:-(

[@jeremyfielding2333]

Those old carpets will hold the smell of stale smoke for decades. I'm pretty sure I spent a dirty weekend in this hotel in 1989 when I was an art student in Bournemouth.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

wow

[@markbutler7426]

I stayed there years ago when it was actually a 5-star hotel with liveried doorman and a requirement for jackets and ties for dinner! Looks like it has gone downhill now though.

[@DonaldTrumpton]

I stayed in the Royal Bath many years ago when it was on Owned by De Vere Hotels. It was a lovely hotel then it had a car jockey service as the cars have to be taken up on a lift. Who owns it now, is it McDonalds hotel group (not the burger Mc Donald’s).

[@stubru16]

Why are Britannia hotels always bad?

[@coopa2002]

@@stubru16 Because they buy historically grand hotels from failing companies and completely neglect them to make as much money as possible while putting the bare minimum in maintenance. They’re notorious for it

[@DarrenJCalvert]

Understatement, Britannia hotels are terrible

[@DarrenJCalvert]

@@stubru16 underfunding, monies going to directors and shareholders, no investment. This hotel holds one of the most renown positions In Bournemouth and was once a 5 Star, today it’s horrendous and needs a multi million redevelopment - will close finally

[@RolyWestYT]

That food really did look depressing! Reminds me of the terrible food they’d give us in the school canteen in primary school 😅

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes just like desert too .. with only 2 or 1 option

[@antonclark3420]

Don’t forget even the most exclusive hotel is still recovering from Covid, it decimated the industry and now imagine the electric and heating costs for these huge buildings. A prominent hotelier, in the business 50 years recently said any hotel is for sale at the moment for the right price for an exit. Sadly I believe standards will slip a lot more before they get better.

[@carolebavidge2276]

My mum and I were on a coach trip to Bournemouth about 4 years ago. Stayed in a hotel a bit further from the town centre. Was nice enough but the lift was only the size of a single wardrobe. We walked into town one day and popped into the royal Bath hotel to use the loo. From what we seen it looked quite posh and we were fairly impressed. Glad we have now seen behind the public areas. Just hearing it's a Brittania hotel says it all really.

[@JB-hp5ii]

It looks like you're exploring that Escher painting "Relativity" - staircases leading to nowhere, spooky! It would be great if you went into more of the history of these legacy hotels - amazing to see such grand places looking so rundown, and it would be cool to hear their story.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes doing a history video on them would be good but a lot of work lol and research

[@nelliemelba4967]

Tim, put it out to your viewers! I love doing a bit research. In fact I often look up each of the old hotels you go to get some history. I'm sure there's plenty of us that could furnish you with historical details of the places you visit. They could be posted on one thread in the comments, to avoid too much repetition.

[@QF_Flyer]

Another great one mate, love these worst hotel videos - these types of hotels I’ve genuinely never seen in other countries, they’re very “UK”. Grand old buildings which were probably the epitome of luxury 100 years ago, now just decaying and it’s a vicious circle - no money to maintain them, but because of the state, they can’t charge a room rate which would bring in the money for the upkeep, they’re just too big and expensive to run/maintain.

[@enochroot9438]

The Royal Bath is a perfect metaphor for the decline of Bournemouth, It was once the most prestigious high-class hotel in a prestigious high-class town. Now it's a shabby shell of its former self, rotting away....a lot of the rooms as with many in Bournemouth Hotels are actually occupied by escorts who advertise on adult sites, a hidden scandal that the council and police ignore

[@froggiewrench1]

You are right, Enoch. Old X'Church Road going down towards the centre takes ugliness to new depths. A total eyesore.

[@enochroot9438]

@@froggiewrench1 when I 1st came to live in Bournemouth in the 80's Westover road was full of Jags, Rolls Royces, luxury shops...now it'sall empty units and crackheads looking for victims

[@froggiewrench1]

@@enochroot9438 Indeed. Known as the "Bond Street" of Bournemouth. Sadly, in an era of high profile woke tolerance of everyone and everything, small wonder that nationally similar declines are in evidence. Bournemouth itself is rotting from the inside, and many parts including Boscombe deprived and beyond help.

[@jeanettehodges5158]

@@froggiewrench1 😔

[@Sharon_Mc]

🇬🇧 we booked the night before and were given a balcony room overlooking the sea. Lovely. I love Bournemouth. 🏖 🌴

[@avidpix]

This is very sad to see, I ‘lived’ there in a suite with its own lounge for 12 months in the 1990’s, thank’s to ChaseManhatten, as it was, and it was a stunning hotel back in those days, as I say, sad to see the passing of time hasn’t been kind to the old place

[@gabriellechung356]

Thanks for taking one for your subs! I’d never be able to sleep after looking at all those dried stains!

[@BBROPHOTO]

I’ve been back to back watching these videos.. and the thing that really stands out is that these buildings used to be SO beautiful. You can see the faint glimpses of how truly stunning these buildings must have been at their peak. How wonderful it would have been to see these in their prime, the way it was seen and the glamour when people came to visit. It’s such a disgrace that so many are being run into the ground - all by the same terrible group.

[@oliverdingley5449]

I worked there in the late 80's when it was a top 5* Hotel owned by De Vere......the place was full of very professional staff at the top of their game hence the quality and service was 2nd to none. Stars and celebrities would stay there who were performing in Bournemouth, from professional snooker players, music industry bigwigs - a young Simon Cowell, George Michael, Status Quo and actors, diplomats and the Conservative Party Conference! The way it's gone downhill since then is nothing short of a tragedy and my heart breaks 💔 😢 whenever I drive past it! Oh Btw......PS - The room you're in is the old staff canteen....that whole corridor was once all back of house offices and are.....chefs changing room, housekeeping office, managers offices, financial control offices, staff canteen, managers canteen, staff toilets, celler for barrels of draught beer, staff entrance via garage, rear stairs to the Buckaneer bar (now the sports bar), dry stores, rear of kitchens, staff quarters fire escape!

[@blastithenry]

'Oliver' not so sure all the staff were exactly at the 'top of their game' then. Oscars did have a good reputation though. You were very kind not to mention the kitchen or plate wash.

[@oliverdingley5449]

@@blastithenry were you there too then?

[@tillysanders2593]

Oliver thank you for your comment.I enjoyed reading you describing the atmosphere and charisma this hotel once had.

[@samsrc8302]

So happy another video from this series has been released! As said earlier I love this series!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

:-)

[@TwoSopranos]

Basically I lived in Bournemouth in the 80’s and experienced the true five star 🌟 rating this hotel used to enjoy. When you went in you talked in hushed voices. It was beautiful. I then stayed there about three years ago and I literally couldn’t believe what I saw and experienced! I was really shocked at how low-life this once grand palatial hotel had sunken to. Everything, literally everything was decaying including standards in every single area. I came away terrifically sad and disappointed as well as in serious shock !

[@jeanettehodges5158]

😔

[@jamestoffer7297]

Great Review. I come from this area and have always wondered what it’s like inside, and now I know, Thanks! Definitely has The Overlook hotel vibes with all grand rooms. Maybe with more staycationing it might get some investment fingers crossed.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

lets hope

[@kierancleall1426]

Sad to see such a beautiful building with so much potential

[@Dear-Rhiannon]

4:31 - 22:50 This woman was so lovely and her friend or family too! This hotel was mind boggling! So many older design styles and it seemed to go on and on!

[@cyj9892]

Would you ever consider doing a ‘Best Rated’ series? for hotels, restaurants etc? That would be really good to watch! Love your videos! 🧡

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes first is coming next week

[@lisasou9784]

It’s going to cost him a fortune haha but would be good to watch

[@helgeron4655]

The hotel was actually built in 1838, it has been extended several times as the number of holiday makers grew. Sadly it seems to be falling into disrepair and as I've said in some of your previous reviews, you are far to tolerant with your comments. that pillow almost made me vomit, surely the cleaner must have seen that when she changed the pillow case. Regardless of what grade of room you book and we all know that you book these rooms on a budget, it should include at the very least, all the basics what you seemed to have, table, chair, desk, cupboard, dressing table, television, telephone, coffee/tea maker and a private bathroom. However, the general standard of cleanliness in your room starting with the pillow, the windows, the bath surround, the carpet, sorry Tim, totally unacceptable, great review as always and I'm sure many viewers check out your reviews first before they go to Trip advisor.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes the pillow was beyond grim

[@busylawbee]

I honestly thought that when they said they had parking for £30 and it was 'er...' under the hotel, they would take your car and put in the £20 car park. I was shocked it was real.

[@russykh]

Loving this series. As soon as you got to the front it reminded me of a local one to me (I’m in Stoke On Trent), then saw the Britannia branding and thought it sounded familiar, and sure enough it’s part of the same chain - the North Stafford hotel in Stoke. It’s surprisingly similar in a lot of ways, from the opening that sticks out to the street, to the odd, almost maze like interior with places that seem to go off in random directions, the old and often baffling decor, to even the dining hall with its buffet style food that isn’t that great. It’d be interesting if your ever in the area for you to have a stay there to compare the 2!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

thanks for the tip

[@zetametallic]

I've stayed there a few times and yes there is a maze of corridors, it reminds me very much of the Royal Bath with all the random furniture. Tim you have to visit it is well worth a trip. The swimming pool and jacuzzi isn't bad though.

[@Bobrogers99]

I would not call this one of the worst hotels. Once elegant, it's getting shabby and worn. I could excuse that bed but not the stained bed linens. Still, the staff is making an effort to make the place habitable. I was surprised that the lights were on in some empty areas. Because of its classic style and the location right on the beach, with some renovation/restoration, this hotel could again be worth staying at.

[@selinaoakley3613]

It had creepy vibes as you were walking through those corridors...reminded me of the overlook in The Shining. Anyone staying with asthma would of suffered terribly sleeping in that room...the mould on the inside of those windows was a health hazard... Can you take a germ tester with you? To show the bacteria levels....that would be interesting to see... I definitely think they recognised you, or your channel whilst you were booking in...hence the upgrade. Great video. Would of loved to of seen this building in its prime. Thank you Tim 🙏

[@WalkWithMeTim]

yes I think so too .. I dread to think what my room would have been like

[@castawaybeachbungalows]

Hi Tim, just found your superb channel and subscribed. As a hotelier it’s absolutely fascinating to see these grand hotels and the feeling of faded seaside glamour! I’m now on a beach in Thailand but despite the state of some of the hotels and the parking charges, wow! I must admit to feeling a tiny bit homesick watching your videos. Thanks for all the work, appreciated.

[@WalkWithMeTim]

Awesome, thank you for the sub

[@paulleonard1862]

My Mum grew up in Bournemouth and it was so posh that in the 70s we couldn't even afford to go there for a cup of tea and a cake. We had to go to a local cafe 😅. As a kid I loved driving past and seeing the uniformed staff at the entrance. Years later I got to run a business conference there. The door staff were long gone but the sea view room I was given was good quality. It seems to have gone badly downhill since then (2009). My Mum was very proud I got to stay there in the end. The problem is, we want to see these old grand and historic seaside hotels survive but we go abroad for cheap holidays. The two things are simply not compatible. Shame though.

[@gracierhiannhamilton1991]

I stayed here about 6/7 years ago and it was an absolute dive. Felt like I was staying in an abandoned building. Such a shame as it's in an amazing location and has so much potential! Used to be incredible many years ago.

[@Da-pf5ke]

I noticed the old ladies saying the food was crap were indeed eating the food that evening. They must like eating crap lol. Sad to see no mention of the newly renovated leisure facilities, while hearing from the outside it looks as though it will fall down. Having stayed there I would agree the overall feel is that the place is tired and needs a lick of paint etc, some of that review was about feeding a narrative.

[@malcolmclements9254]

I once stayed in a hotel in Paddington for a month where the walls were still being painted. You would go out the next day and the painters would come in and continue the job but it was cheap £35 a night. The wardrobe was stood on bits of wood becouse the floor was not level. "Oh they come next week, fix floor" the Greek owner would say.

[@coffeekatk4067]

Yes I think you've been ID! Time for a disguise! Lol! I dislike that wallpaper so much on such a beautiful building! It's nuts how large this place is!! Lovely walk nonetheless! Thanks so much! Also cheers to such candid ladies helping you find your way! Hilarious!

[@WalkWithMeTim]

I know time to get a wig

[@callumengland198]

Anything old fashioned I love so long as it's looked after

[@vichoughton1118]

I’m absolutely gobsmacked as this used to be a 5* hotel. As a kid we always used to look at this hotel and wish we could stay there. Wow

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

If Britannia Hotels need money, they could pay a game developer to create a video game franchise where the player wanders through old dilapidated hotels and collecting key cards to gain access to secret historic rooms.

[@laratomoon1837]

this hotel looks super fancy and elegant, it’s obvious that there was a time when it was an amazing experience to stay there. it just hasn’t been taken care of lately so it’s starting to fall apart, which is quite sad to see

[@dianesilva1078]

The Royal Bath hotel was once arguably the premier hotel in Bournemouth. The public areas and garden are still good but the rooms can be dated. I stayed for a couple of nights and even though travelling on business alone was given a large family room with a sea view. 2nd time room was dark, depressing and faced the back it also had a bad vibe. I went to reception and said I didn't fancy staying in it. A lovely girl on reception upgraded me to very large sea view room. Bathrooms were dated with poor finish but I only paid £34 per night including a pretty good breakfast so I didn't feel I could complain and the exterior gardens were lovely to relax in and there was an indoor pool to use as well .

[@sallykidson9426]

Looks similar to the imperial in Blackpool, but that’s expensive., beautiful grand building.but price you pay you’d expect room service etc

[@davethewrongun]

Hi I am the new duty manager at The Royal Bath. We are in the start of a large refit and the spooky wall paper has all gone. The whole hotel has been greatly refurbed. We cannot have air conditioning in all the rooms due to being a listed building. The leisure club is £5 all day for guests, we have new chef and the menu has been overhauled.

[@jmarshal]

The fact that this is probably AFTER an upgrade really scares me.

[@mrpscorpio]

Thank You for your review 😃 Great as always. I am going to Bournemouth and the review has convinced me on booking here 😊

[@WalkWithMeTim]

:-)

[@joannejohnson]

Thank-you Tim for your video sad to see how this hotel that was once so grand is so tired and rooms not clean