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What is Room to Reward?
Room to Reward is a UK charity that partners with hotels to say “thank you” to Hidden Heroes – volunteers who go above and beyond to support their communities. Hotels donate unsold rooms; charities and community groups nominate their Hidden Heroes; Room to Reward turns those empty rooms into short breaks that cost the volunteer nothing but mean a huge amount to them.
Since it was founded in 2015, Room to Reward has worked with hundreds of hotels and charities across the country, providing thousands of breaks to inspirational people who rarely put themselves first. A night away in a comfortable hotel, with time to relax and be looked after, is a simple gesture – but it is often a powerful recognition of years of quiet dedication.
How the Royal Maritime Hotel takes part
As one of Portsmouth’s oldest and most historic hotels – and a charity‑owned hotel at that – the Royal Maritime Hotel is delighted to support Room to Reward as part of our wider charitable work.
We join other partner hotels in:
- Donating stays in unsold rooms when we know they are unlikely to be booked by paying guests. These rooms would otherwise stand empty; instead, they become a thank‑you break for someone who has given countless hours to others.
- Welcoming Hidden Heroes as special guests. We treat Room to Reward guests with the same warmth and professionalism as every visitor, while recognising that their stay is a reward for the contribution they make to their charity or community.
- Working with local charities who nominate volunteers. Room to Reward collects nominations from registered charities, grassroots organisations and community groups; many of these are in the same voluntary and veterans’ sectors that we already support as a hotel and Club.
By taking part, we are able to transform a small operational cost – a room that would otherwise be empty – into something genuinely valuable for people who give their time to others.
A hotel run by a charity, supporting other charities
The Royal Maritime Hotel is not a typical commercial hotel. We are owned by the Portsmouth Royal Maritime Club, a registered charity and Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Club runs the hotel as a trading arm: there are no shareholders and no dividends, so all surpluses are returned to support charitable objectives, particularly work with veterans, mariners and the wider community.
The Royal Maritime Hotel's charitable work includes:
- Providing free or reduced‑cost accommodation for the Club’s beneficiaries and discounts for members.
- Hosting events and offering facilities for other charities and armed forces organisations.
- Housing fellow charity Veterans Outreach Support within the building, providing space for long‑term support services and monthly drop‑in days that bring together multiple agencies and charities under one roof.
Room to Reward fits naturally alongside these activities. As a CIO‑owned hotel, we understand how important volunteers and charity staff are – and how rare it can be for them to receive tangible thanks. By donating stays through Room to Reward, we use our building and our hospitality to support a wide range of charities far beyond our own remit.
Why it matters – and how staying with us helps
Hidden Heroes get to enjoy everything our guests appreciate – comfortable rooms, hearty breakfasts, and our pool, spa and leisure spaces, conveniently located in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic waterfront.
Because we are a charity‑owned hotel, every paid stay also supports our own charitable work with veterans, mariners and local communities. When occupancy allows, some of the rooms that would otherwise be empty are donated to Room to Reward, multiplying that impact by giving another charity’s volunteer the chance to rest and recharge.
You can find all of our upcoming events at The Royal Maritime Hotel on this page.
