Once a luxury retreat built atop a historic sea fort, a floating hotel off the UK coast now sits eerily abandoned. Located in the Solent waters near the Isle of Wight, No Man’s Land Fort is a 150-year-old Victorian sea fortress that currently stands empty and uninhabited. Originally built in the 1860s as part of a network of defences against a possible French invasion, the granite fort spans nearly 99,000 square feet over four floors.
The luxury hotel it was transformed into, however, now features 23 en-suite bedrooms, five themed bars, restaurants, crew quarters, and a full spa complex with hot tubs, a sauna, and a treatment room, all surrounded by panoramic sea views. The abandoned hotel even has a rooftop featuring a bar, fire pit, BBQ area, and even a laser battle arena, while the lower levels include game rooms and private dining spaces.
Completely off the grid, the fort has its own freshwater well, diesel generators, and sewage treatment plant, making it fully self-sufficient and accessible only by boat or helicopter.
Previously operating as a four-star hotel for around five years, it closed in 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19, and its doors have remained closed ever since.
It then went under the hammer and was bought at auction last year, in June 2024, for £1.25 million
The buyer, Edward Ward, a London-based investor, described the purchase as an “impulse buy”, admitting it was a major departure from his usual investments in tech stocks.
Although Ward has no direct background in hospitality, he sees potential in the site.
Ward said: “It’s a one-of-a-kind property, and I felt like it’s an opportunity that’s unlikely to come up again. I know it’s a bit of a risk, given I don’t have any experience in property or hospitality, but with advances in technology like drones and improved energy management, maintaining the fort will only get easier over the next decade.”
Now, commercial real estate firm Colliers has been tasked with finding a tenant to breathe new life into the structure. Opportunities range from restoring it as a hotel or exclusive members’ club, to other ideas like a scuba diving training facility or data centre.
Ed Jefferson, from Colliers Hotels team, said: “This isn’t just a quirky building; it’s a rare opportunity to make a mark in a truly unique location.
“The remote location provides either great privacy or exclusivity for potential guests and clients. Edward is open to working with different multiple operators who recognise the opportunity to be based at this historic site.
“It could be a great location for multiple hospitality and leisure operators together, or one tenant could take the whole site, we’re open to proposals.”
