If you’re looking for a traditional, family-run guesthouse just paces from the sea, why not check out the Tower House Hotel in the heart of Bournemouth’s West Cliff? This beautifully maintained Victorian hotel successfully combines modern touches with old fashioned values to bring you the ultimate seaside holiday – a home-from-home.
Cliff-top vistas
The hotel is perched just westwards along the coast from Bournemouth Pier, where the cliff tops are laid to welcoming lawn inviting you to take a seat and watch the waves awhile. If the golden sand and lapping waves prove just too irresistible, you can take the ‘zig-zag’ path down to the prom, the downhill ramp past the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) or the majestic funicular lift down the front of the cliffs.
The hotel is enviably situated a short hop from many of the town’s main attractions and amenities including the Pier (half a mile), the Square (0.6 miles) and the town centre’s university and college buildings (1.5 miles). It’s just over two miles from Bournemouth University and Arts University’s main Talbot campus and getting there is a breeze by car or bus. The Tower House hotel is two miles from Bournemouth’s main bus and railway stations and seven from Bournemouth International Airport.
Family hotel
If you’re driving here, you’ll be delighted to discover ample free parking (32 spaces for 32 rooms) at the front and rear of the hotel – a real coup during the summer holidays and when the Air Festival is in town. The hotel is open from 8am to 11pm with no night porter, but the family owners in residence are on hand if you need assistance outside of these hours.
The Tower House was originally two grand private Victorian residences and this layout was preserved when they were converted into a hotel. The property has lots of period features characterising the very essence of architecture over a century ago with high ceilings, coved cornices and intricate ceiling roses. Outside, the building still boasts its beautiful original elevations as well as its trademark ‘Tower’ bedrooms. But while you can sink into the splendour of this lavish retreat you can also enjoy all the mod cons, from free WiFi in all public areas to ensuite shower or bathroom in every room.
Ample amenities
There are 32 bedrooms at the Tower House Hotel, ranging from cosy singles to family rooms able to accommodate three or four people. Children of all ages are welcome here and cots are available on request. There are interlinked suites for groups of guests / parents and children and even some four poster beds too!
Some of the bedrooms have views out to sea while all enjoy the convenience of being so close to the coast. All bedrooms are ensuite with complimentary toiletries and provide a television, tea and coffee making facilities, a working / desk area, trouser press, telephone and hairdryer.
Friendly service
You can check in any time from 2pm to 10:30pm and check-out is from 8am to 10:30am unless you make alternative arrangements with the management. The hotel will gladly store your luggage before check-in and after checkout if you want to explore the clifftops and town without bringing all your worldly effects!! Equally, you can leave any valuables in the safety deposit box with the hotel’s reception staff when you don’t need them. The friendly reception team are on hand to help with all those little extras – whether you would like to book an early morning call or borrow an iron and board.
Relaxing stay
If you want to enjoy some downtime, help yourself to a board game or puzzle in the lounge and bar and a cup of tea or coffee, available on tap throughout the day! The bar itself is open and serving drinks from 11am to 11pm and offers an ideal spot to relax after a long day or meet up and socialise with the rest of your party.
Bed and breakfast
The hotel is mainly bed and breakfast, with a buffet table set-up for continental breakfast and orders taken for a good old full English. Breakfast is served from 8:15 – 9:15am, continuing until 10am at busy times. The hotel can also provide an evening meal, which must be booked by 3pm that day and the hotel will gladly cater to any specific dietary requirements.
Disabled guests
Visitors with mobility difficulties can use the stair lift to gain access to the hotel. There are three large ground floor bedrooms and lifts to the first three floors. The hotel cannot accommodate stag and hen parties and large single-sex groups. Small pets can stay in the rooms for a surcharge of £5 per night and guide dogs / assistance animals are, of course, most welcome.
Repeat visitors
The Tower House Hotel is a popular destination for coach parties and group tours as well as families and couples and many of hotel’s customers return time and again, sometimes several times throughout the year. Golf and arts / craft weekenders are a popular reason for people to visit. The hotel is also a hit for its ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ holiday packages, which run from October and all through the festive period.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay with character, charm and old-fashioned values but still offering the treats and luxuries of a modern hotel, the Tower House Hotel is well worth a visit. Its cliff-top setting offers panoramic views of Bournemouth’s beautiful coastline while all of the town’s main attractions are just a short stroll down the hill.