We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of William Bailey, owner of The Royal Hotel, Ventnor for 30 years until November 2024. William passed away on Tuesday afternoon, 25th February 2025 after a very short illness. The thoughts of all at The Royal Hotel are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
William Bailey came from a well-known family of hoteliers who had been managing important hotels on the Isle of Wight since 1947. He purchased The Royal Hotel in 1994 when it was in a run-down state and, with the support of his family, transformed it to re-establish its status as the Premier large 4-star hotel on the island, gaining and maintaining 2 AA Rosette and Michelin awards for the restaurant over decades. It is due to William’s dedication that The Royal Hotel is treasured by islanders and by visitors to the island alike as a very special place to go.
Mohamed Bathich, new owner of the hotel, said “William highly valued the team at the hotel, and it is a sign of his commitment to their welfare that so many of the team have been at the hotel for many years - some from shortly after he bought it. Few hotels can claim such loyalty and such a dedicated commitment to high standards of service from their teams. It was this achievement by William that so attracted me to purchasing the hotel.”
William Bailey was a significant figure on the island and was highly valued as a friend, as well as an employer, by all at The Royal Hotel who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
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