Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel was built in September 1855 and opened in August 1857 and was originally named The Schnapper Point Hotel. Following a visit from the second son of Queen Victoria, Prince Alfred, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1876, the historic accommodation changed its name to The Royal Hotel.

As a half-way depot for the famous Cobb & Co coach service between Sorrento and Portsea, The Royal Hotel enjoyed further fine repute and patronage, the rooms being graced by some of Melbourne’s most prominent members of society, even royalty. In 1920, Edward the Prince of Wales (later the Duke of Windsor) held a civic reception in the historic hotel’s Victoriana Room during a state visit to Australia.

Steeped in local history, the iconic Royal Hotel, placed neatly in its Mornington location, is the heart of this seaside community and overlooks Royal Beach with Melbourne and the surrounding area set in the distance across Port Phillip Bay.

After a period of closure, The Royal Hotel re-opened its doors in late 2012 to the delight of locals and holiday makers alike. Owners Maria Bourke, Dane and Phillipa Shaw are the family behind Melbourne's Walter's Wine Bar, which has successfully operated for over 20 years in the bustling Southgate area.

Stage 1 of the renovation has seen the Bistro and Victoriana Room renovated and injected with a fresh new lease on life. Combined with Dane's incredible menu and a selection of outstanding wine and beer offerings, The Royal Hotel is now a dining destination for locals and tourists alike from Melbourne to The Mornington Peninsular.

The Royal Tavern, or back bar, has been updated to offer a modern twist on Royal fare. A combination of industrial and British furnishings, the Tavern is a relaxed environment to drink and eat. The outdoor beer garden offers spectacular bay views with Melbourne CBD on the skyline, and live entertainment includes an acoustic soloist on Saturday nights and DJ on Sunday afternoons.

Stage 2 renovations, has seen the full transformation of The Royal Hotel by December 2013. The hotel exterior has been renovated to resemble its original colour scheme of slate with dark green and regency white; a makeover which will restore this historic building to its former glory!