Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

Great setting overlooking the super beach but this hotel is lucky to be described as four star. I was staying in the back part, in a separate building, lacking charm and rather tired in its decor (a wheezy lift, window latches from a generation ago, creaky doors and a corporate-function air downstairs). The buffet cooked breakfast was barely lukewarm and the reception desk operation was a bit shoddy, staff forgetting I had ordered newspapers and showing little glunt of recognition at second and third encounters.

Had a lovely break here. Staff were friendly and attentive. Breakfast was amazing loads of choice with the continental and cooked breakfast. Swimming and the amenities were looking a little tired just hope that will be the next thing to be updated in the hotel. The rest of the hotel was beautiful and felt so relaxed last night in the bar over looking the sea. Will definitely be back.

Stayed at the Marriott Highcliffe Bournemouth in December last year and it was going through a refurb of bar and dining areas. This time all was complete and was very impressed. Nice classy decor in keeping with the history of the hotel and immaculate. Dinner was great (fillet steak) and nice selection at breakfast. Bottle of water in fridge appreciated along with free drink at bar upon arrival. No exec lounge but free breakfast in leui as am Gold card holder. Room fine with nice sea view but a bit warm so opened windows as the air con was a bit noisy even with ear plugs. Staff friendly and efficient. Didn't use the pool this time but good yo have the option. Was good standard first time around. Thanks v much - J.Blanch Marriott Rewards Gold

I went to the Marriott specifically to gain a massage from a pro, I asked for a neck and back massage despite paying for a full body, the girl was demure and polite however, I has specifically requested firm focus on shoulders and neck on paper and discussed this on the way to the room. Sadly what I got was her fingertips rubbing parts of back bone with zero firm grip. Perhaps the wrong person was chosen, I wasn't in a place to make comments on her lack of skill for the role but I left feeling foolish for opting in, definitely feel like I need another massage after this waste of an hour and £55. The hotel itself has a great view but the massage is sadly lackluster. Such a shame

We've just returned home to Wimbledon after a lovely few days at this hotel. Yes the rooms are comfortable with huge television and a sea view to die for but the bathroom though perfectly functional could do with updating/refurbishing to bring it a little more up to date..note to hotel; put a sliding door on rather than a creaking bathroom door that is in the way and wakes one's partner up when taking a nightime wee in the dark! (Room 405) Everything else was superb from the excellent swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and changing rooms to the elegantly presented reception area (first impressions are SO important! ) and spacious bar and snug, gorgeous! Breakfast was as good if not better than we've had in any five star hotel around the world; the lovely Camilla was warm and welcoming every day and made sure you want for nothing. A good selection of juices and cereals, petit pan, bread, croissants etc with the most perfect sausages and bacon we've ever had...consistently.. I'd love to know where they source the sausages from mmmmm! scrambled egg, baked beans, mushrooms, fried eggs all cooked to perfection and a cook ready to make one an omelette or pancake etc to order. Tea or coffee topped up as often as one likes by very pleasant staff. Breakfast at this hotel gets a 10/10 from us! Dinner in the hotel's Brasserie Blanc was also SUPERB. The food really was beautifully prepared and presented, we had fillet steak, and ravioli both delicious, fish cake; plenty of salmon in it but a bit on the thin side and abeage rather than superb. Wine list fair, not huge but a big enough selection to satisfy most tastes. Service impeccabe Karolyn,Zsanetta and the blonde english waiteree whose name we didn't catch all well trained and a delight to be served by; all three a credit to the restaurant. A thoroughly enjoyable stay. Thank you! We are recommending to everybody who'll listen. We'll be back!

After reading recent reviews I nearly cancelled my reservation but I am glad we didn't. We stayed In a superior sea view room which was spotlessly clean, tea/coffee facilities,mini fridge, massive comfy king bed and beautiful views- the bathroom is old fashioned but was spotless. We used the leisure club that was included twice- much nicer early morning when it's quiet. Pool, jacuzzi steam and sauna were all good. Good changing rooms with lockers that don't need change, fresh towels provided, dryers for swimming costume. Breakfast was really good- omlette station aswell as cooked buffet, fruit, pastries and cold selection. Tea and coffee topped up several times without asking. We did also eat in the restaurant in the evening- the food quality was good but it was a little overpriced and a 10% service charge automatically added to be aware of. Location is the best thing right on the sea front a 5 min walk into the town centre. The only downside was check in that took about 40 minutes with a very confused receptionist that could definitely use some more training- all other staff members were helpful.

Every year my family and I go the Marriott to watch the famous Bournemouth Air Show. It has always had a great, buzzy atmosphere there, with a couple of bars outside, a barbeque where you can get really tasty burgers etc from - but this year, it was abundantly clear that the Marriot had no interest in earning from this event. The front drive which was where they had always placed the bar/barbeque in past years, was full of parked cars. Seating had been removed, no food available outside, no bar whatsoever, so when you wanted a drink, you had to go the lounge bar inside where they had ONE member of staff serving on one side. Nine people deep at the bar, I have never heard so many disapproving, negative comments about a hotel before. One customer who I happened to start talking to said that she uses the Marriot for events as she is an events organiser in London - but never again - she was absolutely horrified by the lack of service and care. This is a really sad review to write as the Marriott is a land mark in Bournemouth - but they've lost it :-(

Back in March my partner and I were treated to a night away to this fine hotel by my father. All in all it was the most wonderful experience I had ever had. The room was outstanding as well as the service. To top it all off the staff went above and beyond to accommodate for this special occasion. Definitely worth a visit.

Well, I have stayed here on and off over the last 15 years and this year's trip was the first for around five years. The greeting was the standard UK hotel nonchalant welcome. Not so much a welcome, more of an inconvenience for the staff, but we're in the UK so the staff have been trained to extend the kind of welcome we expect! The facilities on the ground floor have improved massively and the bar area, Brasserie restaurant etc are really lovely. The black and white striped carpet in the bar area looks really nice, despite the stains, spills and dirt. The prices are good too. Sometimes its £11.50 for a pint and a glass of wine, the next time £10.75 and so on. Its good to see that they have their finger on the exchange markets and alter the prices as they day / evening proceeds. After a great day watching the airshow in glorious weather and a wonderful meal at the Brasserie (despite the "For Christ sake, more customers" greeting). Its time to retire, to a 1980's two star hotel. The room is adequatly sized and we've paid extra for a lovely sea view, which you can't complain about. However, the room is battered. Its dirty, brown grouting around the toilet, scuffs all over the bath panel, screws evident on it too. The door to the en suite looks like its been emulsioned and its filthy around the handle. The door frame is battered and the bathroom has been over tiled two or three times. There is half a roll of toilet paper. By day two, despite housekeeping, as the Americans say, the bin was still full. Then there is the seating. I'm 49 and my parents had chairs the same as these when I was 13. Okay, so the room has a massive television, big deal. Its nice and modern but its like putting a sat nav on a Penny Farthing - Modern it is not!! Breakfast was not great either, being questioned at the table, in front of other guests, about us having to pay for breakfast (which we'd paid for in the package) was so embarrasing and unforgiveable. It was also tepid at best and we were glad it was eventually cleared that we had paid for it. What a shame, We'd got fond memories of this place and have had some great times here, the location is brilliant. Sadly, a hotel trading on its location alone is no good for us. We won't stay here again, which is such a travesty. It could have been so good. Great location, fantastic food in the Brasserie, staff (not all I hasten to add) that seem to view paying guests as an inconvenience, but the overall experience was really poor. Highcliif - You have let us down.