Bournemouth, Poole?

[HeritageVegetable]

I need to stay for a couple of weekend nights in East Dorset at the end of June while attending a family event. Have left it a bit late so most of the charming little B&Bs are full and it looks like the best options will be the big hotels of Poole and Bournemouth, possibly a Travelodge or Premier Inn. I've never been to either so don't have a clue.

We're just looking for a clean room, a hearty breakfast, a parking place and somewhere within walking distance to have an edible supper: Burger King or KFC would do but a nice gastropub or pizzeria with a view would be preferable.Somewhere where we could have a nice walk to the seaside in the morning before we set off home would be a plus point.

A recent MN thread has painted a pretty grim picture of the streets of Bournemouth but Poole seems to consist entirely of industrial estates according to what I can see on Google Maps. Does anyone have any top tips as to where we should look please?

I quite like the Holiday Inn in Bournemouth!

Never had breakfast there but a great cafe round the corner which does a great breakfast & the hotel has parking. Pretty central for other restaurants.

Premier Inn Bournemouth Central is okay, I've stayed their loads. Right in the town, few mins from the beach and there's a KFC about five doors down Premier Inn breakfast is always good and there's an NCP car park linked to the hotel - you have to pay but get the rate slightly discounted.

But there are tons and tons of places to eat in Bournemouth itself. Also look at Westbourne area if you want to be somewhere a little quieter. It's more residential but lots of lovely independent restaurants.

Try The Bridge House Hotel just outside Bournemouth

Where in East Dorset is the family event.

Just stayed in Premier Inn, Holes Bay, Poole- everything you describe with Whitebread pub attached. Will definitely stay again when I need to be in Poole

Thanks all. I'll try all of the above - I just needed some reassurance that I wouldn't be accidentally staying in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Its not a wasteland, staying at the bournemouth east cliff pi is fine, the other one would be the Royal Bath hotel, on the Bournemouth beach, opposite the gardens, a few minutes walk to the shops and restaurants. Like pp said Westbourne is a bit quieter and the beach is not so busy.

The canford in Poole is a gorgeous pub/restaurant with rooms - we've stayed a few times and keep going back. Can't recommend it enough!!

Alas just one of the many charming little places which is already booked up. Thanks anyway.

I stayed at the Loch Fyne in Poole many years ago - the rooms were above the restaurant and the food was lovely.

Bournemouth is absolutely fine if you're used to cities/big towns.

We often stay at the Premier Inn Bournemouth Central. On the beach, walking distance to the main town and there is a Wagamama downstairs.

Premier inn Bournemouth is fine and the travelodge that's just on the edge of town

The one that's by the sea still is the worst night I have ever had in a travelodge. I am not from the uk and went down to visit my sister about 10 years ago. Let's just say ds was asking why the lady had a wedding dress on and a penis on her head (hen do with inflatable sex toys) and why was the man (stag do) vomiting on the pavement at 9am. The doors of the rooms on our floor were slammed and people shouting and screaming down the corridors all night long, like literally all night! I think the only 30 mins of peace we got was about 530am to 6am and then my kids woke up anyway! I wouldn't stay there again and I never realised Bournemouth had that reputation.

Have stayed subsequently in the premier inn in the centre and it was fine and I like the ones nearer Christchurch too!

The lifeboat college at Poole is lovely!

I've stayed in the Premier inns at Bournemouth West Cliff, Bournemouth Westbourne and Bournemouth East Cliff. I slightly preferred the locations of Westbourne and West Cliff but liked all 3 and would happily stay in all of them again.

I often stay at the Travelodge Bournemouth (the one on Christchurch Road, NOT the beachfront one) for work. It’s usually pretty quiet as it’s a little bit away from the beach - but still walkable to the seafront (about 15 mins away). If you walk down to Holdenhurst Road (about a 10 minute walk), there is a KFC and a decent Wetherspoons, but also some nicer places eg an Italian called La Piccola. There is also Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, which is more of an American diner style but I can personally recommend!

How about Christchurch? There is a travelodge in the centre of a Premier Inn about a ten minute walk from town if you are looking for chain hotels

Another cote for Poole Loch Fyne. As long as you avoid arriving at lunchtime or at 7 you can usually park. It used to be quite reasonable.

Thanks again everyone. I'll settle down to book tomorrow and I've now got lots of decent options.

Christchurch is a bit far to the east unfortunately because we're going to Wool and we ideally don't want to be more than half an hour or so away. Poole probably a better shout.

If you're going to Wool have you considered Dorchester?

Poole consists entirely of industrial estates? Where on earth are you looking? Absolute nonsense. Poole has done if the most beautiful stretches of beach in the area - Branksome, Canford Cliffs, Sandbanks. They surrounding areas of these are certainly not ‘industrial estates’.

And now ‘post apocalyptic wasteland’. Charming OP.

How about Wareham. I really like to visit here in the day and us close to Wool. Don't really know about hotel situation there though

We’re just back from Bournemouth Central Premier Inn, we love it there. One word of caution - the NCP car park is closed so we had to park in the council car park, which costs £20 for 24 hours with a max stay of 24 hours so you need to budget for that.

Well yes, I don't have a clue - I was just looking at the areas around the Premier Inn/Travel Lodges on Google Earth and couldn't see where the nice bits were, so asked for help, which people have kindly given me.