Chocoholics beware if you were planning a virtuous stay at the seaside – the Chocolate Boutique Hotel promises a lavish and luxurious retreat centred around the rich and delicious indulgence of chocolate. The hotel is situated on Durley Road in the West Cliff area of town just a 10-minute stroll from Bournemouth’s beautiful beach and pier.
If you’re coming here by car, the hotel is just off the main A338 “Wessex Way” through town and parking at the hotel is free and unallocated. The town’s main train and bus station is two miles away from the hotel and Bournemouth Airport seven miles. You can get to Bournemouth Square, with its shopping, restaurants and bars, in less than ten minutes on foot and the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre are half a mile away. Visitors for Bournemouth and Poole College and Bournemouth University’s Lansdowne Campus are just a couple of miles away when they choose to stay at The Chocolate Boutique Hotel and Bournemouth University and Arts University’s Talbot Campus is only two miles in the other direction.
A rich history
The Wilton family bought this striking 19th century grade II listed building back in 2006 and renovated it over the course of a year to create the world’s very first chocolate themed hotel. They were already running a successful chocolate fountain business and making a name for themselves in film premiere and celebrity wedding circles and brought to the business a wealth of expertise as well as a passion for chocolate.
There are 15 bedrooms at the hotel ranging from the lavish Montezuma Suite to the Cocoa Bean single, the Chocolate Truffle Suite and Mocha standard to the Seventy Percent deluxe. The rooms are lavishly decorated in warm hues of chocolate, cream and caramel, with doubles and twin accommodation too.
Every bedroom has an ensuite bathroom (some shower, some bath) with hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. There is a flatscreen television and tea and coffee making facilities and free WiFi in all bedrooms and around the hotel. The room rate includes breakfast (try the chocolate pancakes!) and daily helpings of hand-delivered chocolate. People stay here for all reasons, from celebrating an occasion to business trips, romantic escapes to the fact it offers a local base for the town’s clubs and theatres.
Time for a treat
You can check in to the Chocolate Boutique Hotel between 2pm and 10pm and check-out is from 7:30 am to 11am. The hotel is unable to accommodate children and pets cannot stay. You can book your room using our ‘Book Now’ link to the right of the page or check availability directly with the hotel. You can see the individual features of each of the bedrooms on the hotel’s main website and book a variety of little extras for an even more memorable stay.
Little extras
Why not make your stay that little bit sweeter with your choice of ‘extra’ from The Chocolate Boutique Hotel’s list of treats? You could arrange for a chocolate fountain to be waiting in your room on arrival, perhaps a bottle of two of chocolate wine (with chocolate glasses, of course!) Other room extras include a selection of chocolate hampers, a branded dressing gown and cava to make your stay extra special.
Bed and breakfast
Whether you’ve got your heart set on that chocolate pancake or you fancy a more savoury start to the day, pop to the breakfast room and help yourself for your choice of continental options from the buffet plus a cooked dish (full English, eggs on toast, salmon and scrambled egg or the inevitable chocolate pancake!)
Themed weekends
Although the delicious guest bedrooms are a real temptation, The Chocolate Boutique Hotel has also made quite a name for itself with its drop-in chocolate workshops and themed weekends. Grab a group from the office for a truffle making workshop or chocolate portrait painting session. Round up the girls for a bean to bar workshop or sign up for a chocolate and wine pairing session, where you discover how to match your choice of tipple to your perfect chocolatey treat. You could even fashion yourself a tasty accessory like a chocolate shoe and matching handbag. Who knew you could make quite so much of a hobby out having a sweet tooth!
The in-house chocolatier can often be found creating and crafting in the Chocolate Boutique Hotel’s kitchen so if your stay doesn’t happy to coincide with a scheduled workshop make sure you have a word with the team, who might be able to organise a sweetener just for you.
Chocolate cocktails
When not wolfing down the daily complimentary truffles in your bedroom or taking another trip past the chocolate fountain in the lobby, another favourite for visitors is the bar, which, as to be expected, serves up a pretty mean chocolate cocktail, a ‘choctail’ if you will. You’ll discover an extensive line-up including the Choccywocky Minty and the Chocini Bikini Martini alongside more recognisable tipples! It’s an ideal pitstop for guests on a chocolate sleepover party or chocolate weekend to refuel before another visit to that chocolate fountain or a trip around the town.
Honesty bar
The hotel’s ‘honesty bar’ is another popular idea – you’re trusted to pay for the drinks you take. Settle down on an inviting sofa or, if the weather is on your side, take your drink out to the beautiful garden complete with (non-chocolate) water feature and Italian statues! The hotel’s central location puts you close to a variety of restaurants offering all types of cuisine and dining styles to match your occasion and (post-chocolate) appetite.
The Chocolate Boutique Hotel has an original forte and a passion that’s clearly dear to the owners’ hearts. Whether you’re a dedicated chocolate monster or you don’t mind the occasional treat, you’ll be very well looked after in decadent surroundings, with sweet temptation at every single turn!