Overview
The much-anticipated rejuvenation of Dorchester's iconic
King's Arms Hotel, famed for it's literary links to Thomas Hardy,
has been four years and £5 million in the making.
The wait has been worth it - Stay Original's most ambitious
pub-hotel development to date has been well received since the
doors were pushed open in September 2020, with a big thumbs-up from
curious Dorchester folk, local foodies, travel journalists, and our
Inn Curator following his very comfortable overnight stay.
Having once entertained and hosted monarchs (Queen Victoria) and
musicians (The Beatles), new life has been breathed into this
striking, 300-year-old building on the High Street following years
of neglect. Ali Guttridge's interior design flair has cleverly
transformed the once faded interior without losing the period style
and retro feel of the place.
Modern fabrics and vintages touches blend effortlessly - think,
soft hues, Victorian patterned tiles in the lobby, revealed during
restoration, original red brick and timbered walls in the cosy
snug, polished wood floors, velvet and bright patterned upholstered
armchairs in the Old Smoking Room, quirky, fringed lampshades, and
etched glass (note the door to the Gents). The new bar is a
fabulous space with an impressive long servery, cosy green walls,
open fires, relaxing sofas, jazzy fabrics on wallbench seating, and
sought-after windows seats to watch the world go by.