Spitbank Fort in Portsmouth transformed into luxury hotel

The Spitbank Fort is 134 years old and is found a mile off the coast of Portsmouth in Hampshire, UK. Originally the fort was used for defending the coast of Britain against attacks from light aircraft and ships but now it has undergone a transformation costing £3 million and has become a luxury exclusive island retreat.

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

Nine 12.5 inch muzzle loading guns were once on the fort and in 1884 they were taken over by 12 inch breech loading guns. These were in service until just after the First World War. The fort was decommissioned in 1982 by the Military of Defence and it then became a landmark and fell into the hands of private owners. The current owners of the fort purchased it in 2010 and finally in 2012, the luxury hotel opened its doors for the first time, welcoming visitors.

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

Spitbank Fort Hotel offers nine luxurious guest rooms, three restaurants along with bars, a champagne bar on the roof, wine cellar, library, hot pool on the rooftop, a sauna and sun decks. The majority of the original features of the fort were kept; guests can see the exposed brick walls, along with the original fortress windows and even a cannon or two.

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

Visitors to the hotel are met at Gosport and then taken to the luxury hotel by private boat. An alternative, should you wish, is to be flown by helicopter to land on the No Man Land Fort, which is big brother to the Spitbank. You can then take a boat ride of around 10 minutes to the smaller fort.

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

The Spitbank Fort is truly a unique hotel which offers Sunday lunch or a Twilight dinner, both of which make for a day out that you will not forget. The fort is available for private hire, for weddings, private parties and sailing weekends. However a stay there is not cheap, a night in the fort costs £350 per person, but you do get a full English breakfast.

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]

[Image Source: Spitbank Fort]