Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

Make sure you guarantee your room requirements

The hotel is nice and the location/view is good. The pool is also very nice. I was just really disappointed with the whole booking process. Two months before arrival, I booked a non-smoking room with 2 single beds (even says on the confirmation out). They have us a tiny room with 1 double bed. We complained and their response was "you requested 2 single beds, non smoking room, but it’s not guaranteed you will get it". What a joke. They moved us to a bigger, smoking room with one bed. Really disappointed as we thought we were treating ourselves. I’d rather stay at the budget hotel as you know what you’re getting.

Total ripoff, no way four star.

No-where does it say that this hotel charges you 10 pounds a night for a parking place even though it’s on their own grounds, non-refundable. No complimentary papers either, even though the rooms are silly expensive. We booked an all-inclusive including dinner and was treated like second-class citizens, quote from the waitress ’Oh, you’re all-inclusive we like to hurry you through!’ and we weren’t allowed to sit in the window seats as they were reserved for ’proper’ dinner guests even though they were empty all night. On inspection of our room, we asked to be moved as we were put into a room that overlooked the carpark but main reason it smelt stagnant, bad smell of damp. This was a ’deluxe’ room. They did move us but only to the floor above, same room. Because it was a birthday treat I booked a fruit platter. We asked where the fruit platter was by calling at least three times hours after booking in and they said they prepared it fresh and it would be sent up. It arrived, two clingfilm wrapped whole apples. Wow. Don’t book it! Great location but there’s other hotels too.

Excellent location ... no airconditioning or it wouldn’t work

The hotel was well located with good views and excellent service by the staff. Very helpful and knowledgeable about where to go and eat. The only frustration was the room was warmer than we like and the airconditioning did not work or was not turned on centrally (most likely). We called, they came and still no air. You should not be allowed to advertise airconditioning when it is only turned on at the hotel’s convenience.

Traveller's tip on local attractions

Bournmouth is a great town, far better than other SW England locations. Very upto date with shops, cinema, restaurants, etc. and yet still maintains a pleasant seaside location.