An urban explorer visited a completely abandoned hotel that used to house evacuated disabled children during the Second World War.
Robert Robert Dupon, 38, from Plymouth, went into the Riviera Hotel in Weymouth, which has been mostly empty now since 2015. Drawn in by its 'art deco' style, the curious explorer wanted to see how the hotel's condition has changed over the years. Built in the 1930s, the hotel has been a Grade II listed building since the late 90s- and has undergone a number of changes of ownership throughout the years, as well a couple of fires.
With around 70 bedrooms, a reception, dining hall, dance room and other facilities as well as its own private beach, during World War Two it housed children who had been evacuated to the safety of the country from London. Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 , it served as accommodation for homeless people with nowhere else to go.
The Rivera Hotel in Weymouth is now completely abandoned and has been left in utter disrepair (urbanexboi/ CATERS NEWS)Still full of old furniture and signs of bustling getaway it once was, Robert said about the hotel: "It’s something you don't really see often anymore and once we researched the building and its history we knew we had to check it out, especially as it’s a grade two listed site but has been left to fall into disrepair.
“The hotel itself was huge and most of the time, I was walking around in disbelief that this building has been left to rot like this and I'm sure the locals in the area would be horrified. There were signs of renovation that have completely stopped but it was surreal to find the restaurant, bar, kitchens and reception were still laid out (albeit messy)."
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The hotel is still littered with furniture and signs of the people who once worked and stayed there (urbanexboi/ CATERS NEWS)In December 1960, the grand ballroom of the hotel suffered a huge fire, leaving a 15 foot hole through its wooden floor and a load of debris in the billiard room below. Then, less than a decade later in 1968, another fire occurred further damaging the ballroom, but also the nursery, bar and café. At the time of the fire, the 300 guest staying at the hotel were all evacuated from their rooms in the middle of the night but were soon allowed back.
The explorer shared his surprise at how big the hotel is is, but also how run down the place is. Robert recalled: "The reception and restaurant were highlights and both were still roughly how they would have looked. I was saddened to see that the ballroom had mostly caved in and was told that this was the jewel in its crown.
Even the swimming pool is still in tact and full of toys as if it is still being used (urbanexboi/ CATERS NEWS)"I was also surprised when we came across the pool room which still had that chlorine smell but the water was also crystal clear which we don't see often in these types of explorations."
The hotel has undergone multiple renovations by different owners over the years but repeatedly to disrepair, the owners in 2020 attempted to sell the property for £5.5 million but it failed to attract a buyer.
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