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?

Bournemouth got a bit of a kicking on another thread which is again why I originally asked for a bit of reassurance. I plead guilty to exaggeration for comic effect.

We love the RNLI college in Poole!

Thanks, will bear in mind.

Lovely place to stay but we're coming from the East so it's the wrong side.

We stayed at Park Central Hotel in Bournemouth recently. Got a pretty good rate on Booking.com I think and includes breakfast. You have to park at the BIC car park opposite but its very close to the beach and a short walk through the gardens to town

The travel lodge in Poole next to the train station is walking distance to the quay. Lots of nice places to eat there for all budgets. The RNLI college is nicer but more likely to be booked out

Poole town centre is a bit run down and industrial looking in my opinion! The quay isn't too bad & the park is nice for kids but to me it feels like more of a residential area and not particularly fun. Bournemouth has great shopping/eating areas and lots more to do - i.e. modern cinema complex, bowling, crazy golf, aquarium etc. and just has much more of a holiday vibe. The beach is also nice and there's a land train you can travel on to get to Alum Chine which is very pretty.

Why is the car park closed @Bearsinmotion? That's worth knowing, as it's really handy!

I don’t know but it seemed proper closed, it was boarded up

Oh that's annoying @Bearsinmotion Although I will say, it was a bit run down. Maybe they are giving it a makeover!

Monkey World is near Wooll.

Another vote for Bournemouth Westbourne Premier Inn - have stayed there many times, great quiet location as mentioned above

If you are considering Poole avoid the Holiday inn express. I went there recently and it was in need of refurbishment. Poole high street is a bit 1960s and they have lost their marks. However the area near the Quay is nice with a few good eateries. I also found people very friendly there.