Hotels in Bournemouth

Bournemouth in England is the perfect destination for the seaside escape that you’ve always wanted to take. It was voted the UK's best beach in the recent TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards and for good reason. The seven-mile stretch of beautiful coastline and Blue Flag beaches provide the perfect destination no matter what the season. Bournemouth encourages people to love the outdoors and provides them with many opportunities with its beautiful sandy beaches, Victorian gardens, and just beautiful panoramic sea views.

And as with any city in the UK, Bournemouth is also filled with museums, amusements, and a huge cinema complex that reminds you of the good old days. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars that everyone will enjoy. There are also luxury shops for the avid shopper. Truly, there is something for everyone at Bournemouth!

How to Get There

Whether you want to arrive via plane or train, there are many options for you to arrive in Bournemouth in style. Bournemouth International Airport is the number one choice for travellers from all over the world. Previously called “Hurn Airport”, it is located four miles north-northeast of Bournemouth in Southern England. It was opened in 1941 and for a short period served as Britain’s only international airport before opening Heathrow. Over 700,000 travellers from all over the world pass through Bournemouth Airport yearly.

There are many options to get from Bournemouth Airport to the city centre, especially since the city centre is a good 12 to 15 minutes away by car from the airport. As with any airports, there are private car transfers available for tourists as well as taxis and rideshares.

Taking the train is also hassle-free because Bournemouth Airport conveniently connects to the Bournemouth Train station and easily links to many destinations including Southampton and London. There is also a designated B1 route Yellow Buses services that operate from the airport to the city train station.

Getting Around

Travelling to Bournemouth is made easier by the fact that it provides both tourists and residents alike with many options to travel to different parts of the city and other neighboring cities. Depending on personal preference, tourists can choose to travel by bus. Bournemouth is served by Yellow Buses and Wilts & Dorset and they have extensive networks that stop in every major shopping area.

Another option is to take the train. The South Western Railway operates services through Bournemouth and the local area with stations at Lansdowne, Pokesdown, Christchurch, and Poole. For easier navigation, taxis and rideshares are also available while designated bike lanes are also available to those who are more adventurous.

Top Things to Do

Bournemouth spells freedom like no other place in the United Kingdom. The reason for this is not only because of its beautiful coastline but also because travellers who have visited in the past have always felt a sense of freedom from their “regular” lives the moment they step foot in this beautiful city.

The Victorian seaside resort on the South Coast of England provides many gardens, beaches, and warm temperatures that make it the perfect sunny destination. The beaches are also enveloped by green cliffs and funicular railways that make it both modern and majestic.

A must-see destination is the Bournemouth Beach. Defined as the best in the country, it is a section that provides a wide strip of golden sand that is skirted by the Undercliff Promenade where there are cafes, ice cream, and wooden beach huts with painted doors. Not only is it the best place to frolic but it is also the best place to have those one-of-a-kind Instagram photos.

Do check out the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum as well when you visit Bournemouth. Located on top of the East Cliff, the beautiful Art Nouveau villa was built by Merton Russell- Cotes of the Royal Bath Hotel. The villa is filled with unique and interesting tales that the owners picked out themselves. It’s more than enough to interest both die-hard art fans and just curious ones.

The Lower Gardens is another must-see destination. Located at the bottom of a three-kilometre string of green spaces - it is conveniently five minutes away from the main beach and the town’s main shopping area. It also has a golf course, an aviary, the Pinewalk Bandstand, and an outdoor art exhibit. It also hosts an ice rink in the winter.

What to Eat

When it comes to food, Bournemouth has a lot to offer - everything from fresh seafood, local produce, traditional cream teas, and even offers award-winning restaurants. Tourists are left floored with the many choices offered to them. There are the traditional fish and chips that one just has to try but there are many other options as well.

Notable restaurants to try are Urban Reef, Bournemouth Pizza Co, Tiien Thai, Cafe Boscanova, and Chicken and Blues. Afternoon tea is also well noted in Bournemouth (this is Britain, after all) so make sure to drop by the famed names in the area to get your British tea kick.

Nightlife

Bournemouth University boasts of a young population and this is why the nightlife in Bournemouth is also booming with many opportunities to enjoy the night scene. There are many to choose from including pubs, microbreweries, and bars. If the nightlife is your scene, be sure to check out The Canva, DMYK (Does Your Mother Know), and The Xchange Club.

Where to Stay

When it comes to accommodations, Bournemouth has a lot to offer. A weekend in Bournemouth is more than enough to help you relax from the bustle of the city and gives you many experiences to choose from whether you would like to stay at an iconic hotel, period hotel or even in family-run accommodations.

If you wish to stay close to the city centre, staying in the town centre would be the best option for you. Located near the beach, it is the perfect destination for first time Bournemouth travellers. It has grand five-star hotels and mid-range hotels that makes it the perfect choice for couples and families. Hotels in Bournemouth’s city centres have a lot of options for all kinds of travellers.

Boscombe is the perfect destination if you prefer to be in the quieter part of town. A small village east of Bournemouth, surfers have always found solace in this quiet town because it provides surging waves and thriving vintage shopping haven. It's perfect for the quirky travellers who wish to experience something beyond the regular tourist destinations.

Travel Tips