The Alexandra

Famed for its dramatic scenery, Lyme Regis is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the pearl of the Jurassic coast. It still conjures up memories of Meryl Streep’s Oscar-nominated performance in the film version of John Fowles’ book ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’. But today, a quarter of a century on, there is now another reason to remember this beautiful Dorset seaside town, for The Alexandra Hotel and Restaurant, which looks out over Cobb harbour, is rapidly gaining a deserved reputation for the warmth of its hospitality and the quality of its cuisine.

Originally built in 1735 for the Dowager Countess Poulett and later the home of the Duc du Stacpoole, the Alexandra became a hotel in 1901 and for over a hundred years has continued to uphold its tradition as a timeless haven of English peace and charm. Today, the hotel could not be in better hands, for proprietor, Kathryn Richards, was born into the hotel business, has first hand experience of the global hospitality industry and is the second generation of her family to own the hotel.

The Alex, as it is affectionately known, is set in its own picturesque gardens offering magnificent views over the famous Cobb harbour towards the historic fossil-strewn coastline of Lyme Bay. Grades of bedrooms are named after erstwhile owners of the property – ‘Poulett’ and ‘Stackpoole’, of course — but also ‘Gould’, after John Gould the famous Victorian ornithologist (whose father was once gardener here) and ‘Peek’, who in his time turned the stable block into a beautiful chapel. There are two restaurants, the AA rosette Alexandra restaurant – a formal setting with white linen, crystal glasses, candles, silver tableware – and the less formal Conservatory restaurant for morning coffee, light lunches, afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks.

The cuisine falls under the auspices of Executive Chef, Ian Grant, whose experience at London’s Park Lane Sheraton and the 4-star, 2-AA rosette Bedford Lodge in Newmarket is evident in an award-winning wine cellar and inspirational food, which he describes as a fusion of the traditional and the contemporary. Where possible, Ian sources ingredients locally and is so proud of his suppliers, they are credited in great detail on the hotel’s website.

For the past two years, the Alex has been using Café du Monde’s free loan cafetière service with portioned packs of Fairtrade coffee, served from elegant stainless steel cafetières. Also installed is a traditional La Spaziale Vivaldi espresso machine supplied by Café du Monde and again using Faitrade coffee beans.

“I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable coffee supplier” says Kathryn. “In the time we have dealt together, they have never once let us down and the quality of the coffee is unsurpassed – and that’s the view of our customers as well.”