'Abandoned' art deco hotel in popular seaside town set for incredible comeback

Overlooking the beautiful Weymouth Bay at Bowleaze Cove in Dorset, this Art Deco hotel was designated a Grade II listed building in 1997 and has long been one of Dorset's most recognisable coastal landmarks. Built in 1936 and 1937, the Riviera Hotel has seen everything from summer holidays to wartime evacuations and celebrity guests. After closing its doors in late 2022 following severe storm damage to its roof, the hotel appeared to fall into disrepair.

By 2023, it was officially listed on the Twentieth Century Society's 'Buildings at Risk' register, with concerns raised over its "decline and neglect." Now, however, the hotel is reportedly undergoing a full restoration to bring it back to its original splendour.

Dorset News reported that, contrary to widespread rumours, including claims of demolition, squatting, or criminal activity, the hotel is neither abandoned nor forgotten.

In fact, its current owners, the Diyafa Group, a Saudi Arabian hospitality firm, are investing in its full restoration. The group bought the hotel in 2009 and previously oversaw a £4 million refurbishment between 2010 and 2012.

The refurbishment included making the rooms bigger, updating the interiors and repainting.

The ballroom roof has been repaired, though the flooring remains unsafe and off-limits. On-site security has also been in place to protect both the site and the public while work is underway.

The Diyafa Group has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the building into a modern yet heritage-sensitive destination, preserving its Art Deco charm while updating the facilities for 21st-century guests.

The three-star hotel has 98 rooms and is 2.5 miles away from the town centre and a 15-minute drive from Sandsfoot Castle, which was built by Henry VII.

The Riviera Hotel was built at a cost of £40,000 and designed by local architect Lionel Stewart Smith, who incorporated a striking modernist, Spanish-inspired style that set it apart from other seaside resorts of the time.

From its grand opening, the hotel quickly became a favourite destination for visitors seeking the perfect blend of luxury and seaside charm. It had around 70 bedrooms, each equipped with central heating and modern amenities, which was rare in the 1930s.

During World War 2, the hotel even served as a refuge for disabled evacuee children.

The hotel's many facilities included a private beach, tennis courts, bowling green, and a stylish ballroom, which over the decades hosted many dances and social events.