1850: A Sailors' Home
The hotel began its remarkable journey as the Sailors' Home, providing a sanctuary between voyages. Rather than facing harsh conditions on land, sailors found decent accommodation, warmth, and security for their money.
1855: Royal Patronage
Following a visit by Prince Albert, the establishment received royal patronage. Queen Victoria herself became patron, inaugurating a proud tradition of royal connections that has flourished through the decades and continues to this day.
The Club gained charitable status in 1883.
1940s: War & Revival
During the Second World War, the building suffered severe damage from enemy action. On 10th January 1941, half the building was bombed, only for the remainder to be destroyed two months later on 10th March. However, the hotel was not abandoned. The Royal Navy built it again from the ground up, reopening on 4th March 1952 to continue serving those who serve.
OUR HISTORY
Today the Royal Maritime Hotel stands as a hotel open to all but our history dates back to 1850.
An extract from Hansards be found in records from 9th April 1861 https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1861/apr/09/sailors-homes-resolution
"At the Portsmouth sailors' homes during the last three years the number of boarders (at a small daily cost in contribution upon their part) was £1,703. The sum of money taken care of was £7,859, the amount placed in the savings banks £772, and the sum remitted to the seamen's families £248. These institutions were not only useful to the sailor in good diet, healthy and well-ventilated rooms, but other consequences too obvious to require any comment from him which conspired to promote the value of the sailor to the service and the country in connection with the manning of the navy. Sailors, he could assure the House, fully appreciated kindness and consideration; they were peculiarly open to generous influences, and never forgot any act of kindness that was done them."
