The Best Hotels to Book in Poole, Dorset

Planning a round at the Donald Steel-designed championship golf course in Dudsbury? Make a weekend of it by booking one of the simple, comfy ensuite doubles at the club. If you’re travelling as a family or a group of friends, take over the Farmhouse, a Grade II-listed, red-brick Tudor building with beamed ceilings, arched stone fireplaces and a private garden and driveway that sleeps six across two twins and one double bedroom. On-site Bentley’s Restaurant hosts jazz evenings and does a mean Sunday roast. Poole is just a 20-minute drive away.

This two-room B&B is named after the beehive and honeycombs that the owners found under the floorboards. It’s located on the Castleman Trailway, a 26km (16m) path along the old Dorchester–Southampton railway line, and is a great option for hikers and cyclists, with an on-site bike locker. The owners will set you up for a day in the Dorset countryside with a full English breakfast, or lighter options such as fruit salad, cereal or scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on a toasted muffin.

Dressed in pale rose, white and beige, each of the four doubles at this early 1900s manor has an oversize window with views of the gardens, or over the woods towards the beach. After breakfast, hire a Mary Poppins-style bike from reception to cruise along the sandy shores of Dorset, or for a pleasant 30-minute ride into Poole. The owners will rustle up sandwiches and soup for supper if you’re arriving late, and there’s a guest kitchen for self-catering.

Here’s a truly unique place to stay in Poole. As indicated by the blue-and-orange lifeboats docked outside, the name of this waterfront behemoth is no gimmick. It’s primarily used as a training facility for volunteer lifesavers, but its ensuite rooms are also available to the public, offering views of Holes Bay from compact spaces decorated in the RNLI colour scheme. Take a guided tour of the premises before hitting the lighthouse-shaped Riggers Restaurant for burgers, pizza, pasta or seafood.

Turning up at this Georgian mansion on Poole Quay feels more like visiting a mate than booking into a bed and breakfast. Once you’re settled in your room – a simple, cosy space with sash windows and a huge teddy on the bed – ask owner David for his local sightseeing tips and dinner recommendations. Don’t miss the cooked-to-order full English breakfast starring home-made sourdough, or the inventive vegan offering. Guests can also eat breakfast at the affiliated Oriel on the Quay restaurant just down the street.

Bag a deluxe double at this modern four-star hotel in Poole and you’ll have your very own brass telescope through which you can survey Poole Harbour from your Juliet balcony. In summer, the on-site View Restaurant offers a coastal-themed menu and chilled beers on a huge, Mediterranean-style terrace overlooking the islands. Try the fritto misto (mixed fried seafood) or the smoked fish and cured meat platter. Alternatively, visit Ocean Palace for spicy Asian treats.

Ideal for a stay on the beach, this late 19th-century boutique hotel has nine individually themed rooms with enormous bay windows, four-poster beds and vintage design touches. The breakfast offering ranges wide, from smoked haddock, ham and eggs to a full English made with local produce. After a soulful walk on Branksome Chine Beach (less than five minutes on foot from reception), kick back in front of the TV in the lounge with a tipple from the bar.

Offering luxury accommodation in a Georgian building, each room at Hotel du Vin boasts tasteful, muted tones and understated yet luxurious fixtures and fittings. The bistro, as the name of the hotel suggests, is all about matching sumptuous food with top-notch tipples, and the evening menu sees hearty dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The hotel is right on the quayside, so the sea is steps away.

Fancy staying in a welcoming pub with rooms? Look no further than Inn in the Park, just off Branksome Dene Beach. Upstairs, you’ll find cosy double rooms; beds are topped with tartan throws, and fluffy bathrobes await after a long day exploring the city. However, the real highlight is the food, with delicious seasonal pub menu every night, and a full English on offer in the mornings. Situated on the other side of the bay to Poole, you’re well placed here to explore everything from Bournemouth to Sandbanks and beyond, such as the Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve.

An award-winning guesthouse in a restored Victorian building. Amarillo is ideally situated in a quiet area just outside the town centre, between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. Lavishly and tastefully decorated, the hotel offers a complimentary continental breakfast, or a cooked breakfast for an extra charge. Owners Jane and Ged will gladly offer up their local knowledge to help you find the best local things to see and do.