Sea Stone Hotel

The room had a nice view and traditional, rather than modern, decor. We stayed one night on 1 November, and the location was ideal for our concert at the BIC. Reception staff on both the day and night shifts were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Breakfast was the weak spot. There was hardly any continental choice, although the cooked omelette was nice. The three women working there seemed gloomy and uninterested in customers, with no smiles or service to speak of. A young man working there was friendly, smiled and acknowledged us whenever we passed. The older female staff could learn from him about hospitality; they let the place down.

We booked eight rooms as a group at Park Central Hotel, and everything went well from beginning to end. It's in a prime spot across the road from the beach, and breakfast, which was included, was consistently good. Our rooms were well cleaned and kept tidy and fresh by housekeeping. Everyone we met, from reception and the restaurant to housekeeping, was friendly, professional and helpful. Grace at reception deserves a special mention. She was warm, efficient and went out of her way to make the stay smooth and memorable. We'll definitely return, and I'd recommend the hotel to anyone visiting Bournemouth.

For £47 through Agoda, my midweek February stay was a bargain. The room was warm, clean and tidy, with a sea view, and the staff were friendly. Breakfast was okay, and the hotel is well placed for both the seafront and town. Exeter Road car park beside the hotel cost £7:70 for 24 hours. I'd recommend both the hotel and the car park.

I paid £100 for this stay and wish I'd turned around as soon as I walked in. The hotel had changed hands the day we arrived, but nobody told us, and we also hadn't been warned that the restaurant would be closed. The room was cold and the bed was so bad, with awful springs, that I couldn't sleep. I tried lying on top of the duvet, but the heating switched off at 10pm. I was left with my hoodie on and a dressing gown over my legs, and didn't fall asleep until around 0400. The shower room was freezing in the morning. The decor is dated and needs freshening up, including the fittings. Breakfast was a huge letdown too. The first coffee was cold; the replacement pot or flask tasted terrible and was barely hot. The poached eggs were so overcooked they were like boiled eggs.