The Ship Hotel: Chichester

SBT’s Editor Simon Skinner visited The Ship Hotel in Chichester and he’s glad to report that the visit was every bit as good as the 5 star experience…

Harbour Hotels is a group of properties with an expanding portfolio of luxury hotels with great restaurants and spas, set in some of the UK’s finest locations.

With properties now established in Dorset (Christchurch), Devon (Salcombe and Sidmouth), Cornwall (St Ives), Hampshire (Upper Froyle) and Surrey (Farnham), the Group has recently confirmed ambitious plans for expansion to locations including Brighton, Bristol and Southampton.

The group now includes the Ship Hotel in Chichester. A hotel that we’ve been to before and one that has scored highly in our pages, so with the new takeover, we popped back to see if everything’s still ship-shape. The hotel is the former home of Admiral Sir George Murray who fought alongside Nelson. The Grade 2 listed building dates from the 18th century and retains much of its Georgian interior.

Admiral Sir George Murray’s career saw him serving with both Admiral Sir John Jervis and Admiral Lord Nelson. In 1801, he led the fleet in the attack on Copenhagen and in 1808 he was made a Rear Admiral. Sir George Murray was nominated for the Kings Cross for bravery in 1815. The building remained a private house for many years before becoming a dentist surgery, then an antique shop and finally a hotel prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. General Eisenhower, Field Marshall Montgomery and Air Marshall Cunningham all dined there.

We know that Chichester is an up and coming business area. Growth in industries has accelerated Chichester’s position in the market. Big brands such as Rolls Royce and Goodwood exude luxury and affirm the city’s British heritage and high-end mix. The hotel boasts great relationships with a multitude of corporate clients. With a mixture of its central location, great transport links, opulent surroundings, free parking and wifi; the hotel is the perfect host for an array of occasions.

Soon to become the ‘Chichester Harbour Hotel’, The Ship Hotel will be re-branded in 2016, with the addition of luxury facilities and an award-winning restaurant concept.

We’re glad to report that our visit was every bit as good as the 5 star experience we had the last time we stayed here. Top drawer.