The historic Spitbank Fort may not have fulfilled its original purpose as a naval defense, but it turns out it was destined for far more glamorous things. Now one of the most exclusive and unique hotels in the British Isles, this private island playground features spa facilities, a Laurent-Perrier Champagne bar and eight luxuriously converted rooms.

The story goes that back in the mid-1800s, Britain thought France might ambush the homeland.


So they built this monolithic island fortress about a mile off the Isle of Wight. In the end, the French never showed up. Thankfully, however, some enterprising hoteliers did.

Built in 1878, Spitbank Fort was later blitzed by the Nazis during World War Two before being decommissioned by the Ministry of Defense in 1982. After a massive restoration project, many of the fort’s original features have been kept intact, with the gun ports transformed into bedroom windows offering sea views and gunpowder rooms enlisted as cosy snugs.

With its own departure lounge in Royal Clarence Marina, the experience starts before you're even on the water. You'll travel by private boat across the Solent and check in to a room complete with super kingsize beds, high riveted ceilings, cowhide rugs and masses of space - enough for each room to have been divided into two if the designers had felt less decadent.

There are three bars at this five-star retreat, alongside a wine cellar and game rooms. Up on the decked roof, there's a fire pit, hot pool, sauna and restored red lighthouse with an observation deck for surveying those far-reaching views of the South Coast and Isle of Wight.

After disembarking from your water taxi—the only way in or out—you’ll notice they’ve done some remodeling. The two lookout points now include a fire pit and hot tub. The old soldiers’ barracks: replaced by some lavish mega-suites capable of bringing Robin Leach out of retirement. It’s just way more supervillain friendly nowadays. (Or weekend getaway friendly. Up to you.)

But your main objective: plant a flag atop the roof deck. Claim it as your own. Then get right to sun-basking, rooftop barbecuing and blasting dubstep remixes of “Rule, Britannia” over the loudspeaker without a care in the world.

Though if you see a French flotilla, pick up the red phone.

Spitbank Fort

Latitude: 50°44'27.0? N, Longitude: 1°05'45.8? W
Portsmouth Harbor
Portsmouth
United Kingdom
+44 14 9468 2682