The Westby Guest House

We booked the family room for ten days, with me, my son and my mum. First, the good bits: the price was good, the bedding was clean, and the small breakfast was nice. Bournemouth town centre was beautiful. The room was very dated, with wall stains and marks. Cleanliness was poor, with mould on the bathroom blind and around the windows. There were only four hangers for three people’s clothes, no wardrobe and nowhere for suitcases. The carpet between rooms was a serious trip hazard, and plug sockets were limited. The sinks and shower drained slowly and filled up quickly, though the shower itself was good. We nearly flooded the bathroom. The toilet brush looked like it had been used in a flower bed, absolutely disgusting. The owner, Duncan, came across as controlling, always right and overly particular. After our seven-hour journey, he was focused on what we wanted for breakfast the next day. The fire alarm apparently goes off when you shower, because of the sensors, and the room folder also warns against using hairspray. Maybe this wouldn’t happen if the bathroom window opened, but it was broken, and the fan clearly wasn’t enough. The road felt busy, noisy and rough to me, and we never went out alone. The door lock was difficult for all three of us. Duncan insisted we just lift and wiggle it, but when all three of us said the loose or misaligned mechanism was a problem, he wouldn’t accept it. If there had been a real fire, we could have been stuck. There also seemed to be no thought for escaping if a fire started on the stairs. Duncan often says in reviews and to guests that they should tell him if something’s wrong and he’ll try to sort it out. I don’t think all of these issues could have been fixed during our stay. They should have been dealt with before guests arrived. We won’t return to The Westby.

The host, Duncan, was really friendly, and the breakfast was delicious, cooked just right. We stayed one night in the family room, which had clean, lovely beds and a nice bathroom. The bunk beds were in a separate but attached room. It’s an easy walk to the beach, and we’ll be back!

A really clean, comfortable room with a lovely bed, and the owner-manager was helpful and fabulous. Breakfast was nice, though a little smaller than I’d serve myself, maybe I’m just greedy. I’d highly recommend staying here.

We stayed two nights and felt completely at home. The rooms were clean, felt chic and homey, and had thoughtful amenities. It’s in a peaceful spot within walking distance of the sea, and the service was second to none. Duncan was so accommodating, helpful and welcoming. He treats guests like friends, and he was one of the friendliest people you could hope to meet. Breakfast was a highlight. Duncan brought a freshly cooked English breakfast to our table, made to our menu choices, and shared advice and recommendations for our sightseeing trips. I’d wholeheartedly recommend The Westby Guest House. We’ll definitely return when we’re in Dorset county again. 👍⭐️