Cunard Hotels & Resorts

Cunard Hotels and Resorts

From the 1970s through the mid-1990s, Cunard ran some of the world’s most prestigious real estate.

In 1971, the independent Cunard Line was purchased by the Trafalgar House Company, marking the first time since 1839 that Cunard was not independently owned.

Trafalgar House merged its diverse leisure operations with Cunard’s maritime fleet to create the Cunard Trafalgar Hotels division.

The hotels division expanded during the 1970s and 1980s to include several exceptionally prestigious properties.

United Kingdom

  • The Ritz Hotel, London: The crown jewel of the portfolio, managed by Cunard from 1976 to 1995.
  • The Stafford, London: A prestigious luxury hotel in St. James’s.
  • Hotel Bristol, London: Located on Piccadilly, near the Ritz.
  • The London International: A large, modern property in London.

United States

  • The Watergate Hotel, Washington D.C.: The iconic property involved in the Nixon scandal, operated under Cunard’s management division.
  • The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia: Part of the luxury urban portfolio.
  • Properties in New York City: Various management interests and hotel operations maintained across the city.

Caribbean & International Resorts

  • Cunard La Toc & La Toc Suites, St. Lucia: The centerpiece of the “Sail and Stay” program, featuring a golf course and private beach.
  • Paradise Beach Hotel, Barbados: A key resort for passengers sailing on the Cunard Countess.
  • Mallard’s Beach-Hyatt, Jamaica: Operated as part of the Caribbean resort network.

Cunard’s “Sail & Stay” Offering

By the 1980s, the division was renamed Cunard Hotels and Resorts and pioneered the “Sail and Stay” concept. These offerings allowed guests to combine a week at sea with a week at a luxury shore-side resort, such as the stunning Cunard La Toc in St. Lucia.

Passengers from Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess would spend days ashore enjoying white-glove service and buffets that mirrored the onboard experience.

Sadly, by 1995, the landscape shifted. Facing financial pressure, Trafalgar House divested its interests; the division was folded and the properties were sold to international hospitality groups.