Pros

  • In a tastefully renovated historic building on a quiet residential street
  • Elegant and chic decor throughout; some rooms have balconies
  • Fine-dining restaurant and more casual brasserie
  • Acclaimed spa with indoor pool, sauna, and steam room
  • Courtyard garden
  • 10-minute walk from the beach and town center
  • Free parking
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Five meeting rooms and a conference center
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Cons

  • Some of the rooms are small
  • Breakfast not included in most rates
  • Neither on the beach nor in the city center
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Bottom Line

This upscale, 56-room chain hotel, located in an historic building, is a cozy place to stay just a few blocks from Bournemouth's beach. Renovated in 2013, the hotel's interiors are elegant and refined, with subtle Art Deco furnishings and some original features. There are two high-end restaurants, and the excellent spa and indoor swimming pool attract many guests. Bournemouth's beach and town center are each a 10-minute walk away, and the hotel also offers free parking, which can be hard to come by in this town. Rooms are simply and elegantly decorated, although many are on the small side. While it's not right in the town center, the hotel's rates offer good value for those who will make use of the on-site facilities. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Best Western Plus The Connaught Hotel

Scene

An elegant mix of old and new decor in a restored 1850s residence

Green ivy and baskets of colorful flowers adorn the outside of this 1850s property, originally built as a private residence. The lobby is light, bright, and stylish, with taupe wood paneling and polished, cream tile floors. Chesterfield-style leather chairs provide fireside seating, and Art Deco-style mirrored furniture, topped with lamps and white orchids, lends an elegant atmosphere. A large skylight floods the rooms with natural light. Some original features of the hotel still remain, such as the large open fireplace. There’s a private outdoor courtyard with a brick patio, stone statues, and perfectly manicured gardens. The hotel is popular with both tourists and business guests, and has a tranquil atmosphere. 

See More Scene

Location

In Bournemouth’s West Cliff area, walkable to the major attractions

The Connaught is set on a fairly quiet residential road that houses many bed-and-breakfast-style hotels. It’s on a steep hill, so walking down into town is easy but be prepared for a workout on the walk back up. While it’s not right in the town center, the hotel is well-placed for exploring Bournemouth as many attractions are within a 10-minute walk, including the beach, the pier, plenty of bars and restaurants, Bournemouth International Centre, the town square, Bournemouth Lower Gardens, and the Oceanarium. Bournemouth Airport is a 10-minute drive away. Free parking is available for hotel guests, although spaces are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Rooms

Simple and elegant, some small and others larger with private balconies

Standard rooms at the Connaught are on the small side, with rooms getting larger the higher the category. In the smallest rooms, there's not a great deal of room to walk around the bed, and closet space is limited; larger rooms and suites are significantly larger, with large windows and private sitting areas. All rooms are decorated simply but elegantly, drawing on the building's Victorian history in dark wooden furniture and a feature wall boldly painted a terra cotta hue. Bathrooms are small, too, but are similarly clean and modern with signature toiletries and either walk-in showers, combination shower/tubs, or -- in suites and specialty rooms -- separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Some rooms have balconies, and all have free Wi-Fi, a desk, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and free mineral water, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and biscuits.

See More Rooms

Features

An acclaimed spa with a pool, high-end dining options, private garden, business facilities

One of the highlights of the Connaught is its spa: it has three treatment rooms, a sauna, spa tub, and a steam room. There’s also a small fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. The area is spotlessly clean and well-maintained. There are two restaurants and two bars on-site. Blakes is a fine-dining restaurant that overlooks the hotel’s garden and serves modern British cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Meals can be served in the hotel's garden during warmer months. There’s also a brasserie, which serves brunch, lunch, and dinner in a less formal setting. Breakfast -- both continental and à la carte -- is not included in most room rates, but it's a good value, with a range of options. 24-hour room service is available too, as is a computer station in the lobby. Business travelers are catered to, as well, with five meeting rooms and a conference center.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Best Western Plus The Connaught Hotel

Scene

An elegant mix of old and new decor in a restored 1850s residence

Green ivy and baskets of colorful flowers adorn the outside of this 1850s property, originally built as a private residence. The lobby is light, bright, and stylish, with taupe wood paneling and polished, cream tile floors. Chesterfield-style leather chairs provide fireside seating, and Art Deco-style mirrored furniture, topped with lamps and white orchids, lends an elegant atmosphere. A large skylight floods the rooms with natural light. Some original features of the hotel still remain, such as the large open fireplace. There’s a private outdoor courtyard with a brick patio, stone statues, and perfectly manicured gardens. The hotel is popular with both tourists and business guests, and has a tranquil atmosphere. 

See More Scene

Location

In Bournemouth’s West Cliff area, walkable to the major attractions

The Connaught is set on a fairly quiet residential road that houses many bed-and-breakfast-style hotels. It’s on a steep hill, so walking down into town is easy but be prepared for a workout on the walk back up. While it’s not right in the town center, the hotel is well-placed for exploring Bournemouth as many attractions are within a 10-minute walk, including the beach, the pier, plenty of bars and restaurants, Bournemouth International Centre, the town square, Bournemouth Lower Gardens, and the Oceanarium. Bournemouth Airport is a 10-minute drive away. Free parking is available for hotel guests, although spaces are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis.

See More Location

Rooms

Simple and elegant, some small and others larger with private balconies

Standard rooms at the Connaught are on the small side, with rooms getting larger the higher the category. In the smallest rooms, there's not a great deal of room to walk around the bed, and closet space is limited; larger rooms and suites are significantly larger, with large windows and private sitting areas. All rooms are decorated simply but elegantly, drawing on the building's Victorian history in dark wooden furniture and a feature wall boldly painted a terra cotta hue. Bathrooms are small, too, but are similarly clean and modern with signature toiletries and either walk-in showers, combination shower/tubs, or -- in suites and specialty rooms -- separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Some rooms have balconies, and all have free Wi-Fi, a desk, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and free mineral water, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and biscuits.

See More Rooms

Features

An acclaimed spa with a pool, high-end dining options, private garden, business facilities

One of the highlights of the Connaught is its spa: it has three treatment rooms, a sauna, spa tub, and a steam room. There’s also a small fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. The area is spotlessly clean and well-maintained. There are two restaurants and two bars on-site. Blakes is a fine-dining restaurant that overlooks the hotel’s garden and serves modern British cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Meals can be served in the hotel's garden during warmer months. There’s also a brasserie, which serves brunch, lunch, and dinner in a less formal setting. Breakfast -- both continental and à la carte -- is not included in most room rates, but it's a good value, with a range of options. 24-hour room service is available too, as is a computer station in the lobby. Business travelers are catered to, as well, with five meeting rooms and a conference center.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.