A little bit faulty towers but overall was great ‘budget luxury’ for me in a really convenient location. Lovely old hotel beautiful bar area overlooking outdoor gardens. Comfortable chesterfield lounges and sometimes live music and dancing. Rambling hall ways and stair cases. So your room could be a bit of a walk away through funny little hallways around corners and up stairs so check this before leaving the check in desk! Heaps of people had trouble finding their rooms. Then key cards aren’t programmed properly on several occasions I had to walk back to desk and back to room. But apart from having to wipe some mould off a wall …. overall I was happy with stay and location as I got a good deal on Trip.com £35 nite. And they upgraded my room from no window (is this even legal? To sell a room with no window) to a small double with opening window and bath. So I was happy. There is no servicing of rooms so if staying a few days you need to ask housekeeping or front desk for more supplies.
Finishing off my coast path walk this hotel is located a 25min bus ride or 15min train ride from Poole. Located right next to Bournemath Beach, promenade and pier in Bournemouth on bus routes 5, M1 and M2. Catch the number 5 bus from the train station to drop you a few meters from the door on Bath Rd. For walking coast path bus 50 leaves from top of Bath rd to Swanage for £2 including the ferry crossing at Sandbanks then you can catch another bus to Durdle door should you wish. Check bus times. Walk on ferry crossing from Shell bay to Sandbanks is free or £1 in other direct (Sandbanks to Shell Bay). I walked to Sandbanks from the Bath Spa Hotel along the beach promenade. Really nice long walk.
The hotel features a good buffet breakfast for £12 and average quality buffet dinner (on the night I went) for £15. There was enough tasty items to make it worth while for me. Get in early as they stop replenishing the food if not busy and things run out. It’s a lovely dining ambient overlooking beautiful lawns and outside lounging area. Staff in the dining area were really lovely and helpful and happy. I didn’t use the pool and hot tub but it looked great in a separate conservatory outside area. Some staff were 5 star in their service one bar girl was almost rude and very unhelpful when I asked about wine she just said ‘I don’t know’ and didn’t refer me to the drinks list until I asked a few more questions and she finally said ‘yes there on the bar’ as if I should have known that detail. The rest of staff most helpful and friendly after I stayed a few days. The hotel is vast and a bit like a rabbit warren. One room they gave me was up 21 stairs and I said no way am I lugging my big suit case up there so she changed it to a lift floor no problem. So check these details and don’t accept what you’re unhappy with otherwise they try get away with things if they can. Stand your ground.
翻譯