Kingston Country Courtyard

We booked at the last minute for one night and had a fabulous stay. The staff we met were all so happy and friendly, and the room was clean and spacious, with a huge, very comfortable bed. We brought our little dog, and the pretty gardens were lovely for a morning walk while watching the sunrise. We’d had a late lunch in Swanage, so didn’t eat dinner there, but seeing the Sunday roasts coming out of the kitchen made us wish we had. I’d gladly recommend it to anyone after a quiet getaway.

We stayed five nights as a small group and had two rooms. Both were sparkling clean and in excellent shape, though I much preferred the deluxe room, with its full bathroom, mini fridge, and electric fireplace. The basic room’s shower room wasn’t for us: water ended up on the floor, and the drain had a musty smell. Management, please check the bathroom smell in Forge, room #4. The staff were friendly and attentive to anything we needed, and breakfast had a great range of choices. The location is handy for getting around Dorset. We could set off on coastal hikes right from the door, and there’s ample parking if you drive. A public bus stop at the end of the driveway serves local attractions, including Corfe castle and Durdle door. We’d stay again :)

Breakfast was a treat: tasty scrambled eggs and a generous pot of coffee, served in a long hall with big windows looking onto one of several courtyards. Our overnight room was large and airy, and the place was beautifully presented. There’s also a little garden and a pretty walk with lovely views. I’d definitely come back.

We enjoyed the friendly, helpful staff and the lovely atmosphere throughout, and breakfast was super. The setting is attractive, and on arrival we found a rare layout: a separate sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom spread over two levels. That arrangement also meant dealing with the bathroom downstairs. In the Carpenter Rooms, and I suspect most rooms, the stairs from bedroom to bathroom are creaky. If you’re getting on in years with creaky bones, the trip down can be difficult, and the noise from the next room’s stairs can disturb you too. There were a few easy-to-fix annoyances. The bathroom has only a tiny glass shelf and no clothing hook, and there’s no power point by a mirror for using the hairdryer. The walk-in shower works very well, but takes up almost the whole bathroom. Water doesn’t drain properly and keeps dripping, so you end up paddling to use the toilet and basin. Owners could spot these things by trying the accommodation as guests and looking at it objectively. We’d have eaten at the restaurant more, but the first night wasn’t the best. It seemed that parties got priority over hotel guests. Fair enough, that’s where the money is.