Bournemouth East Cliff Hotel

That sea view was amazing, but the room and service were a letdown for the amount we paid for two nights. The furniture looked old and unlike the photos, and there were holes in the ceiling, broken tiles, a broken toilet, rain dripping through the roof into the bathroom, mould across the bath sides, and a badly scaled kettle. Room service only replaced the cups and emptied the bin. They didn’t make the bed, bring fresh towels, or take away our glasses from the bar the night before. Breakfast was limited to sausages, bacon, scrambled egg, hash browns and tomato for the hot food. Forty minutes into breakfast service, most tables were still uncleared, with only two staff working, and I waited 12 minutes for a clean juice glass. There was no cash at all. For a Best Western, it was appalling. The photos I took of the executive room after we got back in the late afternoon show what we actually had, not what was advertised. Never again.

The outside of the hotel might give you the wrong idea. We found it well maintained, and our three-night stay was pleasant. The city centre is walkable, buses are available, and the beach is right in front of the building, though being on a cliff means about a ten-minute walk to reach it. Our room had an amazing sea view and a balcony shared with another apartment, which wasn’t a problem. The shower worked, but took a few minutes to get warm. With the pool closed for renovation, we could use the gym and other areas at the neighboring sister hotel Carlton, which was a definite plus. We didn’t have breakfast, so I can’t comment on it.

We’d stay again for the value compared with nearby hotels. The room was spacious, clean, in good condition, and had a new carpet. It was cleaned well each day, with fresh towels. Some things are dated, and the toilet flush wasn’t great, but it wasn’t as bad as some reviews make out.

The staff were genuinely lovely, warm, kind and helpful, and that made our stay much nicer. The best part of the location is being right by the sea, with a ramp to the beach directly in front. Guests can also use the pool, sauna and gym at the nearby sister hotel, just a short walk away. Our family room was big enough, with one large bed, two singles pushed together and a sofa bed. There was no air conditioning or fridge, and the hotel itself feels dated and a bit tired. The facilities are basic, so don’t expect a lot. We spent most of our time outside at the beach and came back mainly to sleep. If you want somewhere no-frills with a great spot and nice staff, it could still work, and it was cheaper compared with other hotels.