History of Highcliff Marriot Original Windows

Perched on West Cliff, boasting spectacular sea views, The Highcliff Marriot Hotel has been an integral part of Bournemouth’s tourism for almost 150 years and was even host to an event that would change the course of World War II.

Highcliff Marriot windows

Window repairs in Bournemouth Hotel

HRG Services were contacted in late 2018 on behalf of CLC and the hotel to restore over 100 sash windows in an annexe of the hotel.

The origin of the hotel can be traced back to 1873 when a terrace of four large mansions were being constructed at West Cliff.

The terrace never opened as the four mansions as planned as within a year a company was formed with the purpose of “finishing it and opening it as a monster

hotel with all the most recent improvements”.  The new hotel was named Highcliffe Mansions.

 

During its rich history, the hotel has seen many rich and famous guests pass through its doors, from aristocrats to politicians.

In May 1940, after a meeting of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee at the hotel, Labour leader Clement Attlee telephoned Downing Street with the news that Labour would join a National Government but only if Chamberlain was no longer Prime Minister.

Within the next couple of hours King George VI had sent for Winston Churchill and asked him to form a government and the rest is history.

Over the years the hotel has undergone many changes, including its name.  Originally spelt Highcliffe, the hotel was forced to change its name due to confusion with the Highcliffe Hotel in Highcliffe, Christchuch.  It was decided by a simple coin toss, the other Highcliffe won so The Highcliffe Hotel at West Cliff became Highcliff.

Highcliff Marriot windows

History of Highcliff Marriot Windows

 

In May 1940, after a meeting of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee at the hotel, Labour leader Clement Attlee telephoned Downing Street with the news that Labour would join a National Government but only if Chamberlain was no longer Prime Minister.

Within the next couple of hours King George VI had sent for Winston Churchill and asked him to form a government and the rest is history.

Over the years the hotel has undergone many changes, including its name.  Originally spelt Highcliffe, the hotel was forced to change its name due to confusion with the Highcliffe Hotel in Highcliffe, Christchuch.  It was decided by a simple coin toss, the other Highcliffe won so The Highcliffe Hotel at West Cliff became Highcliff.

These former coastguard cottages have now been into 15 luxurious suites of varying sizes.  Understandably, due its prominent position on West Cliff, the windows have been exposed to the elements and HRG Services were called in to repair, draught proof and repaint the interior and exterior of those windows

 

Rotten window repair

Repairing rotten wooden windows in Bournemouth

With a job of this magnitude, the planning of the job was all important to minimise disruptions to the hotel and its guests.  It was not financially viable for the hotel to close all the suites at once, so it was agreed that we would send a small team and work from left to right of the suites, meaning that only a couple of suites would be off limits to guests for just a couple of weeks at a time.

As our team progressed through the suites it became obvious that the windows that faced the sea were in a far worse condition than those on the other side.  In some cases a lot of the frame work had to be rebuilt such was the condition of them.

Many of the windows were suffering from rot so all rot was dug out and spliced timber and resin added in its place.

Once all the rot had been removed and the windows and frames were repaired, they were primed and undercoated before two coats of top coat were applied in Sikkens Rubbol Satura which gives a stylish and long lasting finish which is essential when located in area exposed to the elements.

All windows were then fully draught proofed, to help keep the sea breeze at bay,

We are on target to complete our project in the next couple of weeks.  It has been a challenging project in places but all the problems have been overcome and looking back, it is a project that all of us at HRG Services are very proud of.  We would like to thank CLC and the Highcliff Marriott Hotel for the opportunity to work with them on their project.

At HRG Services we specialise in timber window refurbishment, if you have big or small then please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 246 1947 for more information.

 

Highcliff marriot original windows

Highcliff Marriot restoration of original windows

All windows were then fully draught proofed, to help keep the sea breeze at bay,

We are on target to complete our project in the next couple of weeks.  It has been a challenging project in places but all the problems have been overcome and looking back, it is a project that all of us at HRG Services are very proud of.  We would like to thank CLC and the Highcliff Marriott Hotel for the opportunity to work with them on their project.

At HRG Services we specialise in timber window refurbishment, if you have big or small then please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 246 1947 for more information.

Our team can fully restore your rotten, old timber sash and casement windows back to their former glory. We can install draught proofing, changes sills, overhaul, add slim double glazing fully prepare and paint and much more. To learn more, please click here: https://hrgservices.co.uk/our-services/