Anyone walking past the Queens Hotel recently might have spied that something major is happening in our garden.
Being in the fortunate position of having such a glorious outdoor space for guests and visitors to enjoy, we wanted to make the most of our garden so everyone can fully enjoy it.
We have called on designer Lorien Loten from Garden Angel to work her magic on the grounds and her design will see the creation of 15 garden pods with Mediterranean style planting where you and your friends can unwind and enjoy special times. In 2001 Lorien created her own business with just 1 van and a couple pieces of equipment. Today, she is the proud owner of a successful business. We are thrilled to be working with Lorien, and we cannot wait to see the fruits of her labours in our garden.
Each of the pods will be booked via our events team and you can enjoy food and drink from our garden menu.
We will have more information to share in the coming weeks – keep an eye on our social media for updates.
To launch our year of regal events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we held ‘a right royal’ tea party for little princes and princesses to enjoy during the half-term break.
We welcomed 130 people to the hotel and if the squeals of delight were anything to go by, the young people who came along clearly loved to meet their Disney heroes including princesses Elsa, Moana and Belle.
The Queens Hotel already has a wonderful reputation for creating a fabulous afternoon tea experience but we really rolled out the red carpet so mums and dads could have a totally magical time with their little ones.
King Charles and our Fairy Godmother welcomed families and every child received a glittering tiara or crown.
As well as being a teatime treat, the afternoon was a feast for the eyes with balloon decorations and sparkles on the tables and a balloon feature wall for photos with the princesses.
While they tucked into sandwiches and cakes, the youngsters enjoyed activity packs on the table.
Events Manager Nicole Morris, said: “It was wonderful to see the children having such a great time and we look forward to having more events like this soon.
“The afternoon tea for princes and princesses was just the start of our year of events to mark the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and we will have more information circulating soon.”
Each child left with a goody bag and big smile on their face – thank you to all the families who came along.
When it comes to being bold with colour, Southsea stylist Roxanne Morris certainly isn’t afraid of making a statement.
While most of her time is taken up with styling for magazine shoots and music videos, Roxanne loves nothing more than working with businesses in her hometown to create colourful content for her social media.
She recently came to the Queens Hotel and used the public areas as a stunning backdrop for her own personal fashion shoot.
“I really want to encourage people to have fun with colour and to not feel daunted by it. I’m hoping that I can share ideas of how they can wear the clothes they already own and inspire them with a bit of a fashion boost,” said Roxanne.
Roxanne is a former accountant who decided to turn her back on figures in favour of a life of fashion. She ran ran Rokii in Albert Road for several years before taking the business online.
She has always loved colour and the psychology behind how colour makes us feel.
“I do have a few items of black clothing but I don’t wear it much. If I do, I use it as an accent. At one time, black was only worn for mourning. I think it’s a shame that so many women hide behind wearing black.
“Life is too short to always wear black. We’ve got a whole spectrum of colour out there and I want women to have fun with it,” she said.
Talking about returning to Portsmouth to live, Roxanne explained. “I love being able to spread my time between London and Southsea, especially as I became a mother and my daughter was 9 weeks old when we went into the first lockdown.
“I am 41 years old and I want to show women they can have fun with fashion whatever their age. I don’t use any filters – what you see is what you get.
“It’s important to make what you see on social media more real so people can relate to it.”
To launch our year of regal events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we’ve got a right royal tea party planned for you and your little princes and princesses.
It’s the perfect way to create a magical memory for you and your family this half-term. There will be plenty to keep your little ones amused.
The Queens Hotel already has a wonderful reputation for creating a fabulous afternoon tea experience. Now, we are rolling out the red carpet so parents can experience a magical time with their little ones.
On Wednesday February 23, King Charles will welcome you and your family. Our very own Fairy Godmother will ensure every prince and princess has a wonderful time.
She will be ably assisted by princesses Elsa, Moana, Rapunzel and Belle. Together, they will perform a coronation ceremony for each child as they arrive and will give out tiaras.
As well as being a teatime treat, the afternoon will be a feast for the eyes too. We will have balloon decorations and sparkles on the tables. We’ll also have a balloon feature wall for photos with the princesses and our very own Fairy Godmother.
While they tuck into sandwiches and cakes, the youngsters can enjoy activity packs on the table.
As if that wasn’t enough, each child will leave with a goody bag. Ask our events team about VIP packages for princes and princesses to enjoy a birthday party treat. Mums and dads pay £25 and £15 per child.
There will be two parties taking place from 12pm to 2pm and from 2.30pm to 4,30pm.
To book email events@queenshotelportsmouth.com
Bar and restaurant team members had a chance to kick back and enjoy cocktails and delicious food at the Queens Hotel in Southsea when the tables were turned for just one day.
With so many new staff members joining the hotel in recent times, training manager Jodie Chamberlain, was keen to ensure everyone working in the bar and restaurant was fully versed in the details of good table service.
“We decided to make our training session fun and interactive by having the managers serve our bar and restaurant team members.
“It was an opportunity for them to see how our classically trained managers take food orders, serve dishes and clear tables.
“They also had the chance to see things from the customer’s point of view – and we hope there will be important lessons learned by everyone,” she said.
The Queens Hotel has been undergoing a major transformation, restoring the building to her former glory. Since the current owners took over in 2017, a multi-million pound restoration and redevelopment project has been undertaken allowing her Edwardian elegance to shine once more.
General Manager, Catherine Austen, explained that having worked so hard on the building project, attention was now turning to the all important service that is provided for guests and visitors.
“We have always been known for our friendly team members and we are now ensuring they have the right training to be able to deliver great service.
“Our management team brings a wealth of experience to the hotel and they are helping us to deliver a wonderful training package for our team,” she said.
Bartender Omaid Sayed, said: “ I really enjoyed the training because it was a completely immersive experience rather than being lectured to, we got to be the customer.
“We learned everything from how to talk to customers and ask the right questions and the importance of knowing all about allergens.
“I only joined the team a month ago and I had limited knowledge but now I feel more confident to be out on the floor,” he said.
Watch the video HERE.
Anyone staying at the Queens Hotel, can’t help but notice the wonderful era defining images taken by the photographer known as ‘Mr Sixties’.
The black and white photos capture the glamour and full on rock n roll lifestyle of the swinging sixties and they are the work of celebrated photographer, Philip Townsend.
Credited with taking the first professional photos of the Rolling Stones, he also photographed the likes of Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton along with aristocracy and scenes of Carnaby Street – the epicentre of cool in the sixties.
A close friendship with the Rolling Stones first producer Andrew Loog Oldham, allowed Philip to gain access to the group. He photographed the band around Chelsea and in one memorable shot, got them to wear check jackets – the opposite of their bad boy image.
Another memorable shoot involved the meeting of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi with the Beatles in 1967. He captured candid shots of the band relaxing including Paul McCartney with his girlfriend Jane Asher.
It was still early in their career and the Beatles were accessible, allowing Philip to record elements of their life away from the stage.
A colourful character, Philip was once detained by notorious gangsters, the Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie, until his mother paid her gambling debt. He survived the experience and even went on to photograph the infamous brothers.
Philip died in 2016 at the age of 75. He worked as a photographer from 1960 to 1969 and his work is held at the V&A and the National Portrait Gallery.
With so much talk about the hospitality industry struggling to fill thousands of jobs, we are delighted to welcome apprentice chefs, Ketan Dixon-Whiteaway and Jack Breach to our kitchen.
The youngsters are being supported on their career path thanks to a new apprenticeship programme offered at the Queens Hotel.
General Manager, Catherine Austen explained: “We are keen to promote the career opportunities that are available in hospitality. We want to develop the skills of our talented team.
“By offering an apprenticeship programme, we can develop the talent of the future. We can also help to retain team members who are gaining work experience at the same time as learning.”
Ketan,21, explained he has been working in local restaurants for a number of years. However, being supported to do his Level 3 qualification (the equivalent to an A Level) as part of a day-release at HSDC South Downs College means he can take his cooking skills to the next level.
“I love cooking and this will give me a chance to gain even more understanding as well as new skills.
“It would be great to be able to progress at the Queens and do more qualifications. Ultimately, I would love to run my own restaurant,” he said.
Jack,17, joined the kitchen team as a Kitchen Porter. Executive Chef, Simon Hartnett, soon spotted his potential and let him know about the apprenticeship programme.
“I enjoy doing different styles of cooking. I’m doing my Level 2 and loving it,” he said.
Simon said: “The great thing about working in a kitchen is that you can literally start as the pot washer and go all the way to the top. You just need a bit of determination.
“By offering the apprenticeship programme, we are helping people to progress in their career and providing the right structure for them to thrive.”
The Queens Hotel is developing more apprenticeship opportunities. Please take a look at our social media for more details.
Southsea DJ Kim Little is looking forward to spinning some vinyl in the sunshine at the Queens Hotel on Saturday.
He’s been sharing his vinyl mix of R&B, soul and sixties music for the past five years or so at the hotel under the mantle of New Breed Boogaloo and Kim can’t wait to get back to the decks once more.
“When the sun is shining and you’ve got the right mix of people, there’s nothing finer,” said Kim.
Come and relax with friends from 12 to 7pm – booking is recommended.
To book your table, please click here.
It was such a joy to welcome national treasure Christopher Biggins to the Queens Hotel. He stayed with us ahead of the four-day naming ceremony for Viking Cruises’ latest ship, Venus, departing from Portsmouth International Port.
With more cruise ships choosing to operate from Portsmouth, the Queens Hotel is keen to provide the perfect place to stay the night before the voyage begins.
And the former King of the Jungle was happy to endorse the Queens Hotel as a great place to stay.
He told us: “It’s such a beautiful hotel. It’s great to be able to stay the night before we embark so we don’t have to set off early and worry about getting stuck in traffic.
“We love to go on cruises. It makes it so much more relaxed and enjoyable if you can stay in a hotel like the Queens before you depart.”
We wish him Bon Voyage and look forward to welcoming him and husband Neil once again to the Queens Hotel soon.
Introducing 1865..
A brand new, relaxed fine dining restaurant in the heart of Southsea at the Queens Hotel, opening Thursday, 20th May.
To try our modern cuisine prepared for you by our highly specialised team of chefs, book your table HERE.
More information to follow..