Hotels With bar in Dorset, United Kingdom

The location is great, just a ten min walk from the beach, or a five min walk to get a ten min bus to Boscombe or Bournemouth (although these only go every half hour, seem to always be late and stop running by 6.30pm so plan carefully, or take a stress free taxi ride instead - just £6 to Boscombe).  The hotel is clean and tidy, but the reception staff I met were sullen and unhappy to help, the beds we had were awful (feel every spring, I padded it with two quilts to be able to sleep, luckily it was very hot so we didn’t need them) and unfortunately our window was broken so I couldn’t shut the noise of people entering/leaving the hotel directly below the window out. However, the man sent to try to fix the window was extremely polite and helpful, and respectful of my request to be really quiet and softly spoken around my autistic son who was trying to get to sleep. And he fixed the window.  Luckily we were only staying for one night, so despite the painful bed, I would come back for another cheap, brief stay.

Booked 2 nights, fantastic friendly front of house staff. Manager was welcoming and knowledgeable on local dry cleaning and local parking. Room was spacious and clean with a balcony upgrade overlooking the gardens and sea view. Briefly saw the in-house entertainment and was being enjoyed by the people there. We snuck off to the lounge for a couple of drinks and a few bar games and was comfortable and peaceful. Entertainment guide print out was a lovely touch. Only criticism would be no plugs by the bed for chargers but charging across the room was no problem and maybe a menu for dining in the room but nit picking tbh. Will be visiting again later in the year and will 100% look to book here again. I'd recommend

I had the pleasure of staying here in October 2020. John and Christine did everything possible to keep us all safe from Covid but still maintained a house party atmosphere. The rooms may not be modern but they are spotlessly clean and the food was lovely and there was plenty of it. Our tutor was Sharon Hurst who was fun and inspiring and ensured everyone had a great time. I will definitely visit again

Clean room, ample space, bed was super comfy and great TV with many channels. Could hear next door’s TV slightly. Bathroom smelt like someone had been smoking in there for years, even showering and leaving the door open wouldn't help clear the smoky/musty smell. Felt like it was stuck to the walls. Otherwise, great stay! 15 min walk to town.

Great location with parking space, which is quite luxury in Bournemouth at this popular season. We were arranged a large room next to the road. However, the night club was so annoying in the evening. After complaining, the staff immediately changed a quieter room. The high ceiling in the guest room is a good selling point. However, the swimming pool is a bit tiny and close too early at 8:00. Over all, it meets our expectations.

Room was ok, couldn’t fault it, there was an inroom kitchen with microwave, fridge freezer, sink, plates cups cutlery, for the price it’s actually decent value, breakfast available, it’s not Dubai, it’s bournemouth, not far off the beach like a 10 min walk. Room was very spacious, digital tv, ac works (very cold under the correct settings), car was parked right outside my room, smoking outside the room, it was actually a decent place to stay for £100, if you want posh standard, go pay £300 for h!ltons. Bed was comfy as my misses had to drag me out for breakfast. Pool was under construction so hopefully that gets sorted soon

Double sea view room with balcony. Spacious bedroom with nice seating area. Clean and in good decorative order. Comfy bed, quality linen. Wonderful, original metal-framed window and French door opening out onto huge balcony. Unfortunately, the sea view tuned out to be when looking left from the end of the balcony and not from the actual bedroom. Kettle needed descaling. Bathroom well appointed, nice towels and quality Elemis toiletries, but would benefit from a really thorough deep clean and a lick of paint. Absolutely fabulous public rooms, not ‘dated’, as some reviews suggest, but furniture and fixtures appropriately in keeping with the style and period of the building. Wonderful! Beautiful outdoor pool area and indoor spa. Lots of outdoor seating areas. Extensive woodland to the rear of the hotel. Just a few minutes walk to Knoll Beach, through the hotel’s extensive grounds (which includes tennis courts and a golf course) just over the road. Absolutely no information provided about any of these brilliant amenities, or indeed anything at all, in our bedroom. Also, no information about Wi-Fi, no information about breakfast times, no information about how to even contact Reception on the telephone provided in the room … The food at the evening meal was exceptional but was let down by the very slow service as staff focused on setting tables for the following day’s breakfast - which turned out to be so disappointing that it was hard to believe that both meals had originated from the same kitchen.

This was our second visit to this hotel, we have unfortunately had the same experience twice. The hotel itself is lovely with great facilities. Rooms are lovely, Beds are huge and extremely comfy. Fluffy, luxury towels. The Pool area and pool are lovely, feel like you are abroad on a hot day. Although it is a fight for a Sun lounger. However it’s completely let down by the staff. The bar staffs attitude was appalling, it was an inconvenience for them to get our drinks each time. We had a Roast dinner at Old Harry Rocks - staff were much better in there and v accommodating, although I do believe this this a separate company to the hotel and it shows. Beef was tough in parts but still nice. Pork was lovely. On booking, breakfast is charged at £22 at but in the hotel it’s £15 so don’t fall into that trap. The staff had no idea what they were doing. They first couldn’t get our drinks order right, then they messed up our simple breakfast order. Some of us nearly finishing our breakfast before others even got their meal. The breakfast itself was very small, we were also only given half a mushroom?? For £22/£15 I would at least expect to have a whole Mushroom… They then didn’t know how to use the card machine..  Before we left we used the Spa, small but nice. Sauna was closed & pool was freezing. Hot Tub also wasn’t very warm.  Overall it was not a great experience, we will not be returning. To pay £260 minimum for a room for extremely poor service is criminal.

Upon checking in was told breakfast is till 10 am Next day in the morning was coming to have breakfast with kids at 9:40 apparently too late. Went back to the reception they said oh sorry it’s open till 10 am on weekends. Left with 2 kids without breakfast and no complimentary was offered considering misleading information from the receptionist on check in. We travelled on hottest day by train with delayed service 4 hours to get here. Also, felt intimidated by pool staff teice on 2 different days asking me who I am and are we were guests ?:( seriously? Did they think I just walked in randomly from the street? Shocking! Me and my two kids felt unwelcome and placed in embarrassment in front of others because I had to verify that I am guest and I had paid to be here:( that’s not 4 stars customer service! I travel around the world but here felt either ****** or discrimination not sure what it was felt odd. Had to book another hotel because didn’t like the whole experience and attitude from the staff! Also their spa and indoor pool is actually in the other hotel next by. Which was odd we never made as didn’t want to move around from one building to another for spa. Receptionist were abrupt and couldn’t be bothered to spare simple smile. Not happy at all. Bathrooms shower it terrible no power couldn’t even wash my hair off the soap. Basically not recommend due to these issues I had experienced.

I had read the reviews so I was not expecting much. All the staff appear to work really hard. Unfortunately, the hotel itself is really grubby and in much need of new carpets, redecoration and maintenance. (Sorry you maintenance guys, it might be a case of not enough hours in a day). Its NOT good enough to say ”there is only one pump” when no water comes out of the shower and then its brown for several minutes! I believe the pool is a new addition but why let the weeds grow up around it? The room was disappointing, my clothes hangers kept falling out of the holes and my clothes were then laying in the bottom of the wardrobe. I requested some hangers from reception, but no hangers existed? It was recommended that I book a table for dinner, I opted for 7pm and the steak. Forty minutes later it was still being chased up! Chatting around the pool it appears two people can stay for £80 per night but I was charged £133 with breakfast. Breakfast was buffet style and barely warm. I visited the hotels in the group and they are by far better. I will not recommend this hotel or stay again!