Langtry Manor Hotel - Bournemouth, Dorset

Lillie and Edward were the only residents at the hotel for many years, so it is perhaps fitting that Lillie is still often seen around the hotel by both guests and staff in the form of a grey shadow.

The hotel was recently stayed in by a team of paranormal investigators, with some surprising results. The team were locked into one of the hotel’s bedrooms for over seven hours and they experienced a number of paranormal goings-on, including a pendant that moved on request in a number of different directions, loud footsteps, voices, and cold areas in the room that were previously warm. Items in their hotel room were also moved and small lights were seen.

Brief History

Langtry manor was built by King Edward, fondly known as Bertie by his family and friends, for his lover and official mistress, Lillie. Lillie was an actress and has been referred to as a supermodel of her time.

Lillie designed the vast majority of the hotel and this is evident in the choice of colours throughout the building. Apparently, she wasn’t a fan of dark wood, so all of the wood in the house was painted with white enamel. Their designs are seen throughout the hotel, with the outside wall of the King’s room bearing the inscription ‘Dulce Docum’ – meaning ‘sweet home’. The ceiling of that room was made to be especially high and lofty so that the king’s cigar smoke could disperse, and the pair also showed their love of the theatre via the hand-painted fireplace surround, depicting scenes from Shakespearean plays.

Life wasn’t always smooth-sailing for this pair – Lillie had a daughter, named Jeanne Marie who was originally bought up as her niece. Jeanne Marie was reportedly fathered by Prince Louis of Battenberg, not by Kind Edward. Jeanne was only told who her father was on the eve before her wedding day. The hotel was bought 100 years after it was built, in 1977, by Pamela Hamilton-Howard, who is still actively involved in running the hotel with her daughter Tara.

About

This stunning boutique hotel has won a number of awards and accolades, including the Best Small and Medium Hotel awards at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards. They have also been very highly commended by both NatWest and the Bournemouth Tourism Awards for their customer service, and the Guardian newspaper awarded them the title of ‘Best Hotel in Bournemouth’.

The Langtry hotel offers a number of different rooms, including doubles, twins, four-poster rooms, Jacuzzi bathrooms, luxury rooms and they also offer a suite of rooms, named the King Edward Suite which was reportedly the king’s bedroom. All of the rooms are decorated in a stunning, luxury style, and throughout the hotel, that same sense of luxury is extended throughout the communal areas and the restaurant.

The restaurant at the Langtry Manor offers a range of regional speciality dishes made with fresh, local produce. Every Saturday evening, there is a six-course Edwardian banquet, and through the summer there are a number of barbeques. Langtry’s also offers traditional English afternoon tea. With such a friendly team working at Langtry’s, you’re sure to have a fantastic stay here.

Features

Fantastic mix of old and new
Themed weekends
Murder mystery weekends
Facilities for weddings and conferences
Free Wi-Fi
LCD television in every room
Luxury fixtures and fittings
Antique furniture
Edwardian wall-hangings
Tea and coffee-making facilities

Things to do

Langtry Manor is located in Bournemouth, which is one of the UK’s top beach destinations. The coastline of the area is stunning and many of the beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status. There are a huge amount of things to see and do in Bournemouth, including going on the Bournemouth Eye, visiting the Oceanarium and going to many of the area’s coves and harbours. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

Room Tariff

Small double room available from £125.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
Large double room available from £150.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
Four poster or Jacuzzi room available from £150.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
Four poster and Jacuzzi room available from £190.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
Luxury room available from £220.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
King Edward VII’s Suite, available from £270.00, including breakfast, based on two people sharing.
Double room for a single person, including breakfast, available from £85.00.

Related pages: 11 Most Haunted Places in Dorset