Spitbank Fort, on the shoals of Portsmouth, provides its guests exclusivity, efficient luxury and spectacular views; all this bang in the midst of the sea.
The coolness factor of this hotel is stratospheric. In its 19th century avatar, the Spitbank Fort was one of the forts built on the Spitbank shoals of Portsmouth in Hampshire County, England, as part of an extended coastal defence strategy. The fort, along with its other detached sea fort neighbours, remained largely underutilised, since its completion in 1878.
After suffering significant damages in WWII, it hurtled towards de-activation, and finally in 1956, was de-commissioned. The ministry of defence sold it in 1982 and since then the fort has been in private hands. Today, it has been transformed into a luxury hotel offering spectacular views, and exclusively posh partying and holidaying possibilities. Developed by the Clarenco group, Spitbank adds to the firm’s UK-wide list of unique locations suitable for hosting weddings, corporate events, and exclusive luxury festivities.
Now back to the coolness factor. Spitbank Fort the hotel pitches itself as a possible private, exclusive ensconce while being essentially marooned; where parties, birthdays, get-togethers, anniversaries, et al may be celebrated with the intent of creating lifelong memories. And it indeed will be special to be here, wake up as one will to some of the most awe-inspiring sunrises, and breathe in the august winds of the sea, with almost no man-made distractions to block the views.
Standing a mile out to sea, the journey to the fort begins with a ride by car, helicopter or plane; arriving on the neighbouring No Man’s Land Fort the guests have to then reach the £350-a-night hotel via taxi boat. At this point on one may dawn the true extent of the detachment of the fort from the mainland. This aspect of being whisked away so far from all the known, into the posh arms of the unknown, is the strongest selling point of the hotel.
The detached aspect of the hotel does not in any way take away from the carefully built, warmly maintained facilities of the hotel. The fort now is home to 8 double bedrooms.
The Officer’s Mess is the stunning restaurant of the premise, draped in the cosy comfort of exposed brick, warm, dull lighting and unpretentious furniture. Akin to a cave in the nights, this space transforms into a sunlit bubble in daytime.
The visual theme of the restaurant is a vertical contrast – sophisticated and clean below; edgier and slightly coarse above, with metal hooks from the past poking out and stealing a peep. This is especially apparent in The Victory Bar, sponsored by the Champane house, Laurent-Perrier.
The Crow’s Nest boasts of its own terrace from which one can soak in the beauty of the Solent and the Portsmouth Harbour, and even host intimate barbecues. But the literal cauldron of unbelievable beauty is The Fire Pit. The pit is surrounded by benches, looks out to the Isle of Wight, and affords guests some of the most unforgettable views of the sun’s ascent and descent.
The belly of the fort has been transformed into a recreation zone, complete with a poker table, a pinball machine and more. The roof is home to a hot pool and sauna, sunk into which guests can dreamily try to locate the ends of the horizon, or stare with smug understanding at the other forts.
Hovering in one corner is a gleaming red lighthouse, brought back to life and fashion after its 19th century skin had begun to wrinkle. It is taller now than it was previously, has a new copper roof, and like any good lighthouse, presents guests with the best viewing galleries of the surroundings.
The bedrooms traverse a great range, moving from simple cosy, to enough ornate, bling and fur to suit James Bond. But the tenor throughout still manages to be about simple efficiency, a quality essential for any hotel.
Spitbank Fort’s quaint simplicity of interiors represents the presence of a caring staff, and promises a feeling of home even in the midst of the sometimes choppy, always azure sea.
Spitbank Fort is undoubtedly a marvel. Shaped like a large concrete button in the almost blinding blueness of the sea, its re-incarnation as a luxury pad for the adventurous is the result of clinical planning. Its façade may be a totem of times gone by, but its interiors are slick enough to provide the most fun-loving, modern, and leisure-seeking guests the best of times and views.
No wonder it invites corporate events, birthday parties and weddings with confidence. Spitbank Fort most definitely knows how to stand the test of time.
The coolness factor of this hotel is stratospheric. In its 19th century avatar, the Spitbank Fort was one of the forts built on the Spitbank shoals of Portsmouth in Hampshire County, England, as part of an extended coastal defence strategy. The fort, along with its other detached sea fort neighbours, remained largely underutilised, since its completion in 1878.
After suffering significant damages in WWII, it hurtled towards de-activation, and finally in 1956, was de-commissioned. The ministry of defence sold it in 1982 and since then the fort has been in private hands. Today, it has been transformed into a luxury hotel offering spectacular views, and exclusively posh partying and holidaying possibilities. Developed by the Clarenco group, Spitbank adds to the firm’s UK-wide list of unique locations suitable for hosting weddings, corporate events, and exclusive luxury festivities.
Now back to the coolness factor. Spitbank Fort the hotel pitches itself as a possible private, exclusive ensconce while being essentially marooned; where parties, birthdays, get-togethers, anniversaries, et al may be celebrated with the intent of creating lifelong memories. And it indeed will be special to be here, wake up as one will to some of the most awe-inspiring sunrises, and breathe in the august winds of the sea, with almost no man-made distractions to block the views.
Standing a mile out to sea, the journey to the fort begins with a ride by car, helicopter or plane; arriving on the neighbouring No Man’s Land Fort the guests have to then reach the £350-a-night hotel via taxi boat. At this point on one may dawn the true extent of the detachment of the fort from the mainland. This aspect of being whisked away so far from all the known, into the posh arms of the unknown, is the strongest selling point of the hotel.
The detached aspect of the hotel does not in any way take away from the carefully built, warmly maintained facilities of the hotel. The fort now is home to 8 double bedrooms.
The Officer’s Mess is the stunning restaurant of the premise, draped in the cosy comfort of exposed brick, warm, dull lighting and unpretentious furniture. Akin to a cave in the nights, this space transforms into a sunlit bubble in daytime.
The visual theme of the restaurant is a vertical contrast – sophisticated and clean below; edgier and slightly coarse above, with metal hooks from the past poking out and stealing a peep. This is especially apparent in The Victory Bar, sponsored by the Champane house, Laurent-Perrier.
The Crow’s Nest boasts of its own terrace from which one can soak in the beauty of the Solent and the Portsmouth Harbour, and even host intimate barbecues. But the literal cauldron of unbelievable beauty is The Fire Pit. The pit is surrounded by benches, looks out to the Isle of Wight, and affords guests some of the most unforgettable views of the sun’s ascent and descent.
The belly of the fort has been transformed into a recreation zone, complete with a poker table, a pinball machine and more. The roof is home to a hot pool and sauna, sunk into which guests can dreamily try to locate the ends of the horizon, or stare with smug understanding at the other forts.
Hovering in one corner is a gleaming red lighthouse, brought back to life and fashion after its 19th century skin had begun to wrinkle. It is taller now than it was previously, has a new copper roof, and like any good lighthouse, presents guests with the best viewing galleries of the surroundings.
The bedrooms traverse a great range, moving from simple cosy, to enough ornate, bling and fur to suit James Bond. But the tenor throughout still manages to be about simple efficiency, a quality essential for any hotel.
Spitbank Fort’s quaint simplicity of interiors represents the presence of a caring staff, and promises a feeling of home even in the midst of the sometimes choppy, always azure sea.
Spitbank Fort is undoubtedly a marvel. Shaped like a large concrete button in the almost blinding blueness of the sea, its re-incarnation as a luxury pad for the adventurous is the result of clinical planning. Its façade may be a totem of times gone by, but its interiors are slick enough to provide the most fun-loving, modern, and leisure-seeking guests the best of times and views.
No wonder it invites corporate events, birthday parties and weddings with confidence. Spitbank Fort most definitely knows how to stand the test of time.
Contact
email: hello@spitbankfort.com
