The Charlesworth

The room, bathroom included, was clean and well kept. The shower had good pressure and got plenty hot, and the oil heater did enough for winter. There were lots of hot drinks, hot chocolate too, though the thick, large towels didn’t seem to dry very well. It’s an old style hotel, there’s no lift, and sound carries a little. You can ask for a lower floor if one is available. For a budget place it was a great stay, especially for the price. Bournemouth prices really can triple or quadruple in high season. Parking was easy, £5 a night and reserved for each room, so it’s guaranteed, unlike at some other places. The person who welcomed me was exceptionally friendly and patient. You can’t actually hear the doorbell from outside, but they do come. The location works well for the town centre and beach. There could’ve been a bit of work on the bathroom corners, some limescale removed and the table repainted, but those weren’t big issues.

Wendy and Brian are genuinely sweet and kind, and they made the stay feel special. The hotel’s right in the centre, close to everything, and the price was very good. The building could use some renovation, though. Fresh paint, updated bathrooms and toilets, and new carpets would make a real difference. I expect the nightly rate would go up with those improvements.

It’s a quiet spot in a great central location, handy for the beach and park walks. The dog friendly pub next door has good food and music, and there’s an Indian restaurant across the road, plus bike hire and Italian and Japanese restaurants nearby. The property allows dogs, though it’s £10 a night for one, and parking is tight at £5 a day. The price was very good. The house is old and could do with updating, but it was decent for what we paid. The welcome and check-in were warm. Our bedroom was a good size, though the shower room was tiny, and the area around the cubicle needs work. I hated the old brown towels. Shower pressure was good, but the bedroom sink barely drained and had almost no pressure, so brushing my teeth was a challenge. The coffee in the room was disgusting, but the hot chocolate was great. The bed was comfortable, if small.

By the final day we were told not to use the shower because it was leaking, and there wasn’t another room available. That was very inconvenient and unacceptable as paying guests. At night, the bathroom lights would randomly come on because they were on a sensor, even with nobody inside, and kept disturbing our sleep. We stayed three nights, and the place was extremely dirty. The carpet was filthy, the bedding smelled bad, and cleanliness overall was poor. We had to bleach the sink and shower before using them because they were in such a disgusting state. One of the worst places we’ve stayed. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.