A storied hotel where history meets distinctive hospitality

The Warwick Arms Hotel is located on Warwick’s High Street, and has stood in one form or another since 1591. Back then, it was a coaching inn, bustling with horses and weary travellers making their way to the resplendent Warwick Castle, just a stone’s throw away. Owned originally by the Earls of Warwick, it was part of the heartbeat of a town already steeped in legend.

Like many fine old ladies of architecture, she’s had her share of drama. In 1694, a dreadful fire ravaged much of the town, including the original inn. Yet, phoenix-like, the hotel was rebuilt within just two years, stronger, grander, with handsome stonework and a gracious Georgian façade that we still admire today.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the hotel flourished, evolving from rustic inn to sophisticated establishment. By 1834, it had rebranded itself as a “hotel”, a proud nod to its rising stature.

Under the stewardship of Victor Ellison in the 1920s, the hotel expanded into adjoining buildings and adorned its frontage with Lord Warwick’s coat of arms, a detail that still quietly impresses passers-by.

And oh, the guests! Admiral Nelson, Mark Twain, even the inimitable Frank Sinatra have passed through its doors. During the Second World War, it became a haven for officers and civil servants, its old fireplaces and deep armchairs offering warmth and a sense of home amidst the chaos.

Today, lovingly run by the Coaching Inn Group, the Warwick Arms is still brimming with charm. Boutique bedrooms, cosy lounges, and the occasional clink of glasses in the bar, it’s all terribly civilised. It remains a beacon of gracious hospitality, echoing with the footsteps of centuries past, yet thoroughly ready for the stories still to come.