Nestled on the scenic Ryde Esplanade, The Royal Esplanade Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian masterpiece that has stood proudly by the sea for over 150 years. As its current independent owners, we are proud to be the latest in a long line of caretakers, committed to preserving its rich heritage and restoring its rooms with care and respect for the original features. This historic gem has seen many chapters, and we invite you to step back in time with us as we share the remarkable story of The Royal Esplanade—beginning in 1865...
Before The Royal Esplanade Hotel graced the seafront, the site was home to a thriving public baths facility known as Kemp's Original Royal Baths. Popular throughout the early to mid-1800s, the baths were a well-loved establishment run by the Kemp family, a successful father-son team. By 1865, however, shifting sands along the coast moved the bathing demand eastward toward what is now Ryde and Appley Beach. With this change, Joseph Kemp (the son) made the decision to close the baths and invited tenders for their demolition. With a vision for the future, he commissioned architect Francis E. Drake and local builders Parsons and Saunders to transform the site. By 1867, the Esplanade Hotel opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Ryde’s rich seaside history.
When The Esplanade Hotel opened its doors in 1867, it quickly became a seaside success. By 1870—around the time this postcard was created—the newly introduced bank holidays meant that working-class Victorians could finally enjoy affordable holidays by the sea. Sea-bathing was widely believed to cure a host of ailments, and Ryde’s shoreline offered the perfect setting. The hotel thrived during this golden era, and by 1873, Joseph Kemp seized the opportunity to expand. He purchased and demolished the brewery next door, extending the hotel to meet growing demand. Today, that very extension is home to our charming Coffee Lounge and the Coach House—still welcoming guests over 150 years later.
In the mid-1890s, following the death of Joseph Kemp in 1892 at the age of 70, the hotel was sold. This change in ownership brought with it a new chapter—and a new name. Rebranded as The Royal Esplanade Hotel, the addition of "Royal" signaled a shift in identity, though the exact reason for the title remains a mystery.
By 1898, the hotel was under the management of Mr. Henry Sirkett, who held the position until 1904. While detailed records from this era are scarce, it is known that the hotel temporarily closed its doors in the early 1900s, entering a brief hiatus.
The story resumed in 1912, when the hotel reopened under the management of Frank Band—also the manager of the neighboring Marine Hotel. Band led The Royal Esplanade for over a decade before retiring in the late 1920s, at which point Mr. W.E. Gilmore succeeded him.
In 1940, like countless buildings across the country, the Royal Esplanade Hotel was requisitioned to aid the war effort. Rechristened HMS Osborne, it was transformed into a naval support office and accounts department, operating under the direction of the Admiralty. The hotel remained in military service throughout the duration of the conflict.
Today, a photograph displayed in the snug of Harry’s Bar offers a rare window into this extraordinary period. Capturing the HMS Osborne pay and administrative staff, the image stands as a powerful tribute to the hotel’s unique and vital role during wartime.
In 1954, the Royal Esplanade Hotel entered a new era under the ownership of Pamela and Lionel Bailey, marking the beginning of its longest period under a single family. Their purchase laid the foundation for what would become a celebrated hotelier legacy on the Isle of Wight.
Pamela, born on October 23, 1926, in North London, moved to the island with her parents and five siblings after the Second World War, in search of a new beginning. She settled in Ryde with Lionel Bailey, whom she married in 1948. Together, they transformed the Royal Esplanade into a vibrant and successful hub of local life.
During the 1960s, the Baileys introduced a chic new feature—a cellar bar that quickly became a favourite hangout for Ryde’s youth. With its jukebox, cappuccinos, "chicken in a basket," and even French wine (a rare treat at the time), it was a lively reflection of the changing times. Today, that same space serves as our private hire function bar.
Pamela quickly earned a reputation as a determined and formidable figure. In one memorable 1950s encounter, she boldly confronted a group of Hell’s Angels in her bar—and stood her ground. And when a hot dog van dared to obstruct her restaurant’s view, Pamela didn’t hesitate to defend her business—with a well-aimed bucket of cold water.
After Lionel’s passing, Pamela continued to manage the hotel single-handedly until its sale in 1996. Her influence remained strong, both in the daily running of the Royal Esplanade and in the generations of her family who continued the tradition of hospitality on the island.
In 1996, a new chapter began for the Royal Esplanade Hotel under the ownership of Shearings, a well-known coach holiday company. This marked a shift from traditional hotel operations to a bustling base for coach tour guests. The hotel flourished in this phase, with a dedicated staff house and seasonal teams—often including young Spanish staff on summer placements—ensuring warm hospitality for the many holidaymakers passing through its doors.
Two decades later, in 2016, the hotel returned to its independent roots. Mike Stickland acquired the Royal Esplanade from Shearings, bringing it back under family ownership. His vision sparked a period of significant renovation and renewal, including the acquisition of a dedicated car park to enhance the guest experience.
Today, the Royal Esplanade Hotel stands as a harmonious blend of its past and present—welcoming both coach groups and independent travellers alike, all while upholding the tradition of first-class service that has defined it since its 19th-century heyday.
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