Walk into the entrance of The NICI hotel and you are instantly transported to South Beach, Miami. Candy coloured prints, raffia beach bags and opulent gold touches are scattered around this stylish five-star destination resort. Unlike the dilapidated B&B’s that flank the Bournemouth seafront, The NICI is a cool, chic coastal gem that gives all the SoBe vibes.
My sea-view suite is a generous size and comes with a free-standing bath, a retro drinks trolley loaded with complimentary rum and an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool, ideal for sundowners. The room is light and airy with accents of green and further nods to the hotel’s art deco style. There’s 84 luxury bedrooms, many with spectacular coastline views, garden hot tub suites and family rooms. Each one comes with fluffy white bath robes and a supply of Malin+Goetz toiletries.
Relaxed dining is the focus at the hotel’s restaurant, South Beach. With floor to ceiling views of the pool and gardens as well as a terrace for alfresco dining, it’s the perfect spot for a late supper. The menu is versatile and caters for those who want healthy light bites as well as more substantial dishes. There’s an afternoon tea menu too.
Beyond the luxurious accommodations and outstanding dining options, The NICI excels in providing a range of exceptional amenities. Having undergone a £20m refurbishment, it is bringing a slice of style to the south coast. A 30m outdoor heated pool complete with pretty pastel striped loungers, cabanas and firepits makes it the most Instagramable spots in the town. The team behind the hotel has pulled out all the stops to make sure guests are catered for and have access to top notch facilities. The kids club and cinema room are great additions for the less sunny days. Wellness lovers can explore the ten miles of coastline using the complimentary bikes or hit the waves with one of the paddleboards and kayaks, all free of charge. The spa will also run a programme of outdoor fitness sessions from boardwalk runs, to exhilarating sea swims and beach fitness classes.
The spa facilities are an oasis of relaxation, offering a range wellness solutions designed to rejuvenate both body and mind. The NICI Spa features a 18m heated indoor pool and hydrotherapy pool, alongside a steam room and aromatherapy sauna. There’s also a fully equipped gym. With eight treatment rooms, including a treatment room for two, they have partnered with award winning spa brands, OTO CBD and OSKIA, to create a bespoke menu of holistic therapies, which includes bamboo massage, sound therapy and innovative anti-ageing techniques. The OTO Signature treatment is 90 minutes of zen, using a CBD oil tailored to your needs the therapist gets to work on releasing any stress or tension in the body while delivering the optimum amount of CBD. The spa is one of the hotel highlights and after my OTO massage I spent the afternoon on the crystal energy loungers, making the most of the opportunity to tune out.
What truly sets The NICI apart is the level of personalised service. From the reception team to the restaurant staff, they all have the knack of making you feel like a truly valued guest and ensuring your stay exceeds all expectations.
Rooms from £230 per room, per night. Visit www.thenici.com
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