Sometimes you don’t need to travel too far to take advantage of that all-important holiday vibe! The cities and towns scattered across the English coast, such as Brighton, Eastbourne, and Bournemouth, attract thousands of visitors each year.
Case in point: currently, I live on the South Coast, so whilst the prospect of guaranteed sunshine, exciting cocktails, and new places to explore certainly pique my interest (and then some!), if you are time-poor like myself, a quick one-night break away somewhere beautiful like the charming town of Bournemouth more than ticks all of the right travel boxes.
A stellar seaside staycation on the South Coast
However, at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, you can stay as long as you want – and why wouldn’t you?! Perched on a majestic clifftop overlooking the award-winning Bournemouth Beach, it was like we were staying on the French Riviera.
Dating back to the Victoria era where Bournemouth was the place to be, the imposing building still has plenty of historic charm, but inside has a real cosmopolitan feel thanks to its eclectic and stylish decor. For a quirky gal like me, the interiors — and in particular, the bar area with its flamboyant scenic-print wallpaper — were totally Instagram-worthy!
Quirky yet cool decor and sundowners on the terrace
Other standout decor points of interest included the ruby-red bar stools and rattan lamp shades. There’s also an impressive outdoor terrace overlooking the sea front where you can drink sundowners or even enjoy a light lunch. Outside, there are private cottages you can hire, a tennis court, and a fun outdoor games area that has beanbags, soft chairs and games you can play that are situated just by the pool.
The bedrooms had a slightly different approach to design and reflected the hotel’s proximity to the sea. In a complete contrast to the public areas, the room we stayed in was calm, soothing and decorated in neutral tones. We even had a sea view of the main area of Bournemouth beach which when sat with a cup of coffee or glass of wine makes for quite a mesmerising view.
Immerse yourself in the heated outdoor pool
We headed straight to the outdoor pool, which was in pristine condition with the hotel’s dedicated team regularly checking the water temperatures. A heated outdoor pool that overlooks the sea (which stretches for an impressive seven miles) is truly special in the UK, and we spend hours there, followed up by chilling by the pool catching some serious rays.
The food was brilliant — as we had dinner plans that evening, we opted for a light bite at the acclaimed Brasserie Blanc which, for me, was a beetroot terrine, immaculately presented, and for dinner, a beautifully cooked steak and chips. Breakfast was absolutely fantastic — one of the best buffets I have seen in the UK.
Why you should book a trip to Bournemouth
If you are looking to explore the South Coast — and Bournemouth in particular — the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel is an absolute dream. Location-wise, you couldn’t ask for anything better; it’s also very close to the shops, restaurant, and bars of the town centre too.
There’s also an impressive live music scene at various venues throughout Bournemouth which has hosted gigs from the likes of Noel Gallagher, Groove Armada, Bob Dylan, Paloma Faith, and many more.
The staff at the hotel were so warm and helpful, with the charming Renato going out of his way to provide the exemplary service the Marriott group pride themselves on. If you are coming from London on the train, it’s around 2 hours 20 minutes, or if you are driving to Bournemouth, there is a good car park on site (simply just register your car when you arrive at reception).
Set high above the Bournemouth coastline, the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel effortlessly blends coastal charm with timeless sophistication. Its prime clifftop location offers sweeping sea views, while the elegant interiors and beautifully maintained grounds create a sense of refined retreat. With every detail designed for comfort and style, it’s the kind of place that turns a weekend away into something unforgettable.
Room rates at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott start at £84 per night.
