One of the most historic hotels in Portsmouth, The Royal Maritime Hotel was first established in 1850. As the Sailors' Home it was set up to look after sailors and mariners who were "between ships". The Royal Navy treated its sailors terribly when they returned, after two or three years at sea, an unkindness our founders could not bear. The Sailor's Home aimed to provide respectable home comforts as well as a safe place to leave money! The club gained 'Royal patronage' in 1855, after Prince Albert visited the hotel. Queen Victoria then became our patron.
There have been royal visits throughout the 20th century too, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 (patron till 2007) and Prince Charles (patron since 2007) a year later. Like so many others, the Club did not make it through World War II unscathed. On 10th January 1941, half the building was bombed, only for the remainder to be destroyed two months later on 10th March. However, the hotel was not abandoned. The Royal Navy built it again from the ground up, reopening on 4th March 1952. It has been a home from home for many ever since.
The Club gained charitable status in 1883. Membership is open to all serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and their families as well as those of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Merchant Navy, for whom it was founded.
The Royal Maritime has recently formed a prestigious 'Bond of Friendship' with HMS Prince of Wales, which is designed to benefit all those who serve on board and their family and friends.

The Royal Maritime Hotel & Club is more than just a hotel – we’re owned by a Charitable Trust – therefore, unlike a conventional hotel all of our profits are donated back to fulfil the charitable objectives of that Trust. The Hotel & Club hosts a variety of military charity functions and events, and provides Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) their headquarters.
Other charities such as Help for Heroes, Seafarers UK and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity support the Club with grants and donations for extra facilities.
So, by staying with us, you are contributing to a Charitable Trust rather than filling the pockets of shareholders and institutional investors!
By entering the Portsmouth Lottery with as little as £1 you get the chance to win lots of valuable prizes whilst also helping to provide funds to our charity and thereby further our charity work. In addition and to mark Christmas, John Lewis has recently added a prize of a John Lewis Gift Card worth £1000 to the Portsmouth Lottery prizes. 
To support us and give yourself a chance to win cash prizes as well as other excellent high-quality items visit our page on the Portsmouth Lottery site and buy your tickets from there.