News stories

For over 15 months the Riveria Hotel at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth has been closed to the general public. The Hotel will reopen in Spring 2012 following a £4 million refurbishment by the current owners the Dhiafah Group who purchased the hotel in 2009 for £3.5 million.

The Riviera Hotel is the first investment for the Dhiafah Group however this family owned company also own hotels in London, Paris, Saudi and Geneva. The new owners instantly saw the potential of the iconic Weymouth hotel and its facilities and immediately got to work with ambitious design plans. The Dhiafah Group, (Dhiafah means “hospitality”), own over 18 hotels worldwide with hotels in London, Paris and Geneva.

In Spring 2012 the 3 star hotel will reopen and new facilities will include the brand new “Bowleaze Restaurant” which can seat up to 200 people. The Restaurant will serve fresh, first class quality local produce at affordable prices to both residents and the general public. All 98 bedrooms have been completely refurbished with new ensuite bathrooms, plasma screen tvs, handpainted canvases and exclusive furnishings in stylish surroundings.

The hotel will employ over 80 members of staff at the peak of the Summer season and General Manager Kevin Bungay has some interesting plans on how to recruit the perfect team for the Riviera Hotel. Mr Bungay said “ I have been in the hotel and pub trade for over 25 years and during that time I have developed an interesting interview process which takes the form of a “staff audition” each applicant will have the opportunity to share their appropriate talents. We will be holding recruitment days on 2 & 3 February at the Spyglass Inn 10am – 6pm and I have already received many CV’s and applications. The hotel will be recruiting Chefs, kitchen staff, baristas, service staff and porters, Management and Reception staff plus housekeeping staff. I am also on the look out for an excellent Entertainments manager as keeping our guests happy and entertained is one of our top priorities”

The hotel will release more information and images of the newly refurbished hotel in January, in the meantime if anyone is interested in applying for one of the positions at the new Riviera Hotel please contact : General Manager, Kevin Bungay 01305 836600 or email : via our contact form

For press enquiries call Julie Cleaver, Popcorn Marketing 01305 774629 or email julie@popcornmarketing.co.uk