The Riviera Hotel

Built in the 1930s and steeped in history (the hotel was supposedly used as a military hospital for American troops during World War II), the Riviera Hotel gets widely mixed reviews from guests, who find it either dated and tired or quirky and charming, though all seem to agree that it could use a little TLC. 

Travelers can use the hotel's exterior as a litmus test to determine which camp they'd join. Built on a small hill overlooking the ocean, this two-story building is designed in an Art Deco style from reinforced concrete. White with bright blue accents, the Riviera has two long wings with arched facades that meet at a small, rising central tower. Exterior details include eccentric wavy railings and banisters.

The interior of the Riviera Hotel offers decor in varying stages of wear and tear, with some areas more recently refurbished than others. The small, modern lobby has a tiled floor with marble accents, several velvet-blue chairs surrounding square tables, and hanging chandelier lights. Hallways, on the other hand, are outdated and nondescript, with white ceiling panels, neutral beige walls, brown carpeting, and a mixed bag of hanging art. With an indoor and outdoor pool and its close beach proximity, the hotel is mainly geared toward couples and families on vacation. 

The Riviera’s prime asset is its location right along the coast of Weymouth Bay -- guests can walk down to the beach in mere minutes. This section of the waterline along the English Channel is also part of the so-called Jurassic Coast (named in part because of its ancient cliffs), which was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and geological history. Fantasy Island Fun Park, a small fair for children, is a one-minute walk from the hotel (conveniently or annoyingly close, depending on which guest you ask). The hotel is also less than three miles from downtown Weymouth, about 10 minutes by car or on the local 503 bus, which has as stop just a four-minute walk from the hotel. The Riviera is an hour drive from Bournemouth International Airport and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from London.

In general, guests find the Riviera Hotel’s rooms acceptable -- small, moderately clean, with generic decor. Rooms have gray walls and carpet and white furniture, and they're accented with yellow or blue pillows and drapes. A large, close-up photo of a yellow flower hangs over the bed. Bathrooms look considerably more updated than the rooms themselves, with gray tiled walls, glass or wet-room style showers, and Mason & Miller toiletries. The most common complaint about the rooms is poor water pressure in the showers. Some rooms also have bathtubs, and all rooms come equipped with a plasma television, hairdryer, a hot water kettle for tea or coffee, a mini-fridge, a safe, and free Wi-Fi. Connecting rooms are also available. 

Guests suggest paying extra for a seafront room, where the door leads to an open-air corridor between the room’s windows and the arched facade. Rooms at the back of the hotel have more generic motel-style exterior hallways and a less exciting view of a grassy field. 

Like other aspects of the Riviera Hotel, its features and amenities are a mixed bag. The hotel’s main draws, besides its beachfront location, are two pools. The indoor pool has tiled walls and a row of arched front windows that let in natural light, while the heated outdoor pool has spectacular ocean views. Note that the outdoor pool is open to the public (for a fee), as is the indoor pool for one to two daily fitness classes, which include Aqua Zumba, Aquafit, and Splash Together. Both pools are monitored by lifeguards. The hotel also has a small, plain, tiled steam room that needs refurbishment, and a small, all-wood sauna. There are two pool tables, one in a separate, unadorned room and the other in a ballroom. A medium-sized fitness room offers a weight machine, dumbbells, stair-steppers, and a treadmill.

The breakfast room has a dated, dining-hall feel with plaid brown carpeting and red and gold chairs, though it’s surrounded by windows and gets lots of natural light. Breakfast is included in the room rate, though guests vastly disagree on its quality. The other on-site dining options are the renovated Bowleaze Restaurant with wood floors, distinctive spherical pendant lamps, blue mood lighting, and a modern bar. Overall, guests say the restaurant offers adequate food for the price. 

Finally, the hotel offers two large rooms that can jointly hold up to 500 people and are used mainly for wedding receptions. The Ballroom is large and modern, with a wood dance floor with overhead lighting, tables and chairs, a dedicated bar, and a pool table.