The Richwood
A short history of the Richwood
The Richwood, named after one the earlier owners, was built in the Victorian era as a holiday residence for a family of the London gentry. At some point in the thirties the building was turned into a hotel.
From the front, the Richwood does not do justice to its size. Inside there seems to be a warren of halls, stairs and corridors leading to the rooms; in the main building the walls are up to a meter thick.
The dining room - now the Beirut Bistro - was, we were told, added in the 1950s and the ‘West wing’ soon after.
The Richwood also has an aquarium with many beautiful tropical fish in the Beirut-Bistro-Bar.
The Richwood has undergone a lot of renovation in recent years. New heating was put in by the last owners. The rooms are simple but pleasant and all of them have had new shower rooms installed - or been renovated - over the last three years. All the matrasses have been replaced recently and double glazing was installed throughout in 2011.
The bar - now the Beirut Bistro-Bar - has been revamped and is a really cozy place for a drink and a bar snack.
The heated swimming pool with its Spa has been renovated within the last four years.
The Richwood was awarded a three star silver award in December 2011.
The resident owners, Veronica and Saida, have also graced the front of the building with murals of Baalbek in Lebanon: one of the oldest and largest roman ruins in the Middle-East. Today Baalbek is one of the favorite venues for musical concerts of all kinds in modern Lebanon. It seems the stars love Baalbek!
A new colour scheme on the Hotel façade rounds off the ‘New Look’.
As you drive down the Newton Road in Torquay today, you cannot help but see the Richwood!
The Richwood, the Baalbek Murals and the Richwood Dolphins Snack-Bar
Our murals were painted by a very talented artist, Gawayne Le Gall. You can view his many creations at www.gawaynelegall.moonfruit.com