Bournemouth emerged as a popular seaside resort in the Victorian era, drawing visitors with its clean air and picturesque surroundings. This influx of tourists led to a boom in hotel construction, and the Imperial Hotel was one of many establishments catering to this growing market.

The site of the modern Roundhouse Hotel was once home to a substantial villa named Bowood.

Built in the mid-1860s, it occupied a prominent corner plot at the junction of Meyrick Road and Bath Road.

However, Bowood was demolished to make way for the ambitious Imperial Hotel, which opened its doors in 1887 at a considerable cost of more than £10,000 - The Imperial Hotel stood as a prominent fixture of Bournemouth’s skyline for nearly a century before closing its doors in the mid-1960s.

Its replacement, the Roundhouse Hotel, marked a significant departure from the town’s traditional architectural style.

Opening in 1969, it was the first major hotel built in Bournemouth for three decades.

Its bold, contemporary design represented a daring and innovative approach for a town typically associated with more conservative tastes.

The circular shape of the building was unusual for the time, and it quickly became a recognizable feature of the Bournemouth skyline.

Over the years, the hotel has undergone several name changes, operating as the Crest Hotel, the Crest Motor Hotel, and the Forte Posthouse before reverting to its original name, the Roundhouse Hotel.

The building’s ground floor has also seen transformations, with the original Cave Bar giving way to Little Peters, then Liquids, and finally, the Wave restaurant and bar.

The Roundhouse Hotel has played its part in Bournemouth’s history and is a testament to the town’s ability to embrace change and innovation.