History of Villa Rothsay Hotel
Built in 1873, when Cowes first became a renowned yachting centre, the Villa was often frequented by the great personalities of the age. Indeed, King Edward VII so enjoyed his visit that he gave his name to the house through his title the Duke of Rothsay.
Sir Philip Hunloke, later to become sailing master for King George V on 'Britannia', spent his childhood here; developing an interest in all things nautical through watching the spectacular racing from the Princes Green just below the hotel.
The war years saw the Villa suffer bomb damage to it's Billiard Room, which subsequental bacame part of the garden patio. The Villa was converted to residential flats in the 1940's.
Aquired by the Ankers family in 1970. Pixie and her daughters, Margaret & Miranda set about returning it to it's original grandeur and started a Carvery Restaurant. They were helped and supported in this endeavour by Edward Heath, the Prime Minister of the day who was a regular vistor to Cowes, sailing on 'Morning Cloud' and was one of their first patrons.
The hotel was a natural extension to the restaurant business and started in 1985. Since then it has attracted many of the World's top yachtsmen, business personalities and celebrities.
