From Worst to Wonderful: Bognor Regis Hotel's Dramatic Turnaround
In a bright, modern hotel room with sweeping sea views and blazing sunshine pouring through the window, one might easily imagine being in the south of Spain—perhaps somewhere chic near Malaga or down the coast towards Portugal. But this is not the case. This is the United Kingdom, specifically Bognor Regis, a seaside town ignominiously dubbed the country's worst by consumer group Which? last year. The purpose of this visit is to investigate how this coastal spot could possibly deserve such a dreary title, especially when considering establishments like the Navigator Hotel.
A Boutique Hideaway in the Spotlight
Tonight, this pleasant little boutique hideaway is set to star in the next episode of The Hotel Inspector, the Channel 5 TV show where Alex Polizzi assists ambitious, entrepreneurial hoteliers in transforming their businesses. Invited down by Alex herself, the 'Inspector', to explore this 12-room beach-front property, the transformation is immediately apparent. Despite it being a Wednesday lunchtime, almost every table in the restaurant is full, creating a warm, bustling atmosphere. Locals chat over plates of generously portioned, freshly battered fish and chips, while owner Kathleen Lamb's young daughters serve customers and her son manages reception.
The operation runs slickly and efficiently, though the journey to this point has been far from plain sailing. Since purchasing the hotel from its previous owners of 22 years in September 2024, Kathleen, a former design and technology teacher, has tirelessly refurbished the place, pouring her energy, heart, and savings into it. 'I called on Alex because I was getting a little bit out of my depth,' Kathleen admits. 'While I had the creative ability and a clear vision of what I wanted, I was spending a lot of money and it was not coming back in. I was running myself ragged. It was a case of recognising there were certain things I was not doing right and needed guidance.'
Transforming a Tired Property
Kathleen also confesses that when she bought The Navigator, it was 'a little tired, dated, and old-fashioned'. She adds: 'Everything was dark green and brown – it felt very unloved. I've been working hard to put the love back into it.' With Alex's help, the first space Kathleen tackled was the restaurant, now freshly painted in crisp white and blue to echo the sea outside. 'We took down the curtains, gave it a brand-new paint job and laid new carpet,' Kathleen says. 'A lot of the windows had been jammed shut, so we opened those up and fixed the fans.'
Upstairs, improvements include newly made-over sea-view suites. As Kathleen and Alex give a tour, the transformation is breathtaking. Everywhere is freshly painted with nice nautical touches, and light floods in from uninterrupted Channel views. Kathleen's decision to increase the price of the seaview rooms from £110 to £135 appears fully justified, with guests heaping praise on the changes and the hotel's finances improving as a result.
Championing Bognor Regis
It's easy to see why Kathleen—originally from London, though she has lived in the US, Hertfordshire, Bristol, Reading, and Crawley—chose to settle in this seaside town. She makes a great local ambassador, laughing as she asks, 'Why wouldn't you come to Bognor? It's got such a lovely feel.' She is quick to defend her adopted hometown from its critics, describing it as 'a little bubble here. Everyone's friendly and community-based. Locals actually talk to you – they don't just sit there thinking: "Who's this stranger?"'
When asked about her reaction to Which? naming Bognor the UK's worst seaside town last year, just months after she bought the hotel, Kathleen admits, 'I was horrified. I thought: "That's so unfair! How can this be the worst seaside town?" Before I moved here, I'll admit, I thought: "Bognor? That's just Butlin's, isn't it?" But once you come down, you get it. It's beautiful.' She concedes that the weather is not always great, with 'classic British seaside miserable, grey weather', but notes this could be said of anywhere in Britain.
Future Plans and Serene Views
As for what's next for the Navigator Hotel, Kathleen shows no signs of slowing down. She plans to expand the property—'maybe add two more floors'—and introduce craft workshops, including painting and sketching by the seaside. Gazing out across the water, a look of contentment spreads across her face, mirroring the serene vista that captivates visitors. 'There's nothing like this view,' she says quietly. 'Just sea as far as the eye can see.'
The Navigator Hotel, featuring a cameo appearance by our writer, can be seen on The Hotel Inspector on Channel 5, March 5, at 9pm. Travel facts: Doubles at the Navigator Hotel start from £125 B&B, singles from £70 B&B (navigatorhotel.co.uk).
