The History of
the Dart Marina Hotel
A Historic Hotel in Dartmouth, Devon
Nestled along the banks of the River Dart, Dart Marina Hotel has a rich maritime heritage that dates back over a century. Once a bustling shipyard, this iconic location has transformed into one of the most prestigious historic hotels in Dartmouth, offering luxury accommodation while preserving its deep connection to the past.
From Shipyard to Marina
The site where the hotel now sits had been a shipyard from the late 1800s and was twinned with the shipyard at Noss under the ownership of George Phillip (the company’s founder).
Then in 1958, a decision was made to move all of the shipyard’s work to Noss and develop the Sandquay site as a marina. At this point, a separate company was set up (Dart Marina Ltd) to oversee this development.
The Birth of Dart Marina Hotel
Work began to convert the once offices and workshops into a 3-star residential hotel to serve yachtsmen and other guests. The hotel, which had 19 bedrooms, was officially opened in June 1961.
With shipbuilding in decline and mounting financial losses, Phillips was forced to sell both the Noss site and the hotel site to A.H. Reeves.
Early Years & Management
The Dartmouth Hotel Ltd company was established in 1970 and was run as an independent company. Mrs. Pemberton was appointed as manageress, and The Trust House Group was brought in to provide expertise, access to a worldwide booking system, and the group’s greater buying power.
In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree were appointed by Trust House to manage Dart Marina. They remained in charge for the next 30 years, introducing:
- A computerized booking system, a forward-thinking upgrade at the time.
- A building extension, increasing the number of rooms to 35.
A New Era & Expansion
In 1994, Richard Seton bought the company from his father-in-law and initiated a £1.5 million refurbishment, expanding the hotel to 50 bedrooms.
The work was completed in spring 1997, and the newly updated hotel was officially opened on May 28, 1997, by Lisa Clayton, the first woman to sail solo around the world from the northern hemisphere.
New features included:
- A riverside terrace extending over the river.
- A new lounge and reception area.
- A dedicated building with showers and changing rooms for yachtsmen.
110 fully serviced berths with water, electricity, telephones, and TV connections.
Trust House & Private Management
The hotel was run under the Trust House management contract for the next 10 years, after which it returned to private management.
Redevelopment & Luxury Residences
In early 2002, the company obtained planning permission to transform the north end of the site from a hard-standing winter boat storage area into a residential development featuring 45 luxury homes.
- Construction began in December 2003 and lasted almost three years, during which the hotel remained operational.
- The redevelopment required:
- Demolition of old offices, cottages, and marina facilities.
- Strengthening of the site’s river wall.
- Reclaiming waterfront space and filling in two slipways.
By July 2006, the redevelopment was complete, featuring:
- 45 new houses and apartments.
- A Health Spa & Wildfire Bar & Bistro.
- A new marina amenities block and office.
A Modern Luxury Hotel
Once the site was completed, a full hotel refurbishment began, including:
- A redesign of all 50 rooms and corridors.
- A brand-new kitchen.
- A refreshed reception area and ground floor.
The upgrades resulted in:
- AA 4-Star Status (awarded in 2007).
- An AA Rosette for dining excellence.
The New Dart Marina was officially launched in March 2008, with all 33 waterfront properties sold.