Pros
- Large guest rooms, many with unobstructed sea views
- Formal restaurant serves lunch and dinner
- Popular spa and small fitness center
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- On the oceanfront, a minute’s walk from the beach
- Five-minute walk to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
- 10-minute walk to Bournemouth International Centre and Pavillion Theater
- Cocktail bar with sun terrace
- Free Wi-Fi
- Meeting rooms and a conference space for business travelers
Cons
- Breakfast not included in the room rate
- Traditional decor feels dated
- Ongoing refurbishment project
Bottom Line
The mid-range, 76-room Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton is a chain spa retreat set on a cliff-side road in the seaside town of Bournemouth, overlooking the ocean. Since 2015, the hotel has been undergoing a large refurbishment project to update guest rooms -- plus the swimming pools, cocktail bar, and fitness center, though upgrades are ongoing. The guest rooms are large and many have impressive views, but, decent recent improvements, the style is somewhat dated. In addition to its popular spa, the hotel has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a formal restaurant (with a hit-or-miss buffet breakfast for a fee), and a library-like bar. The location is ideal for exploring Bournemouth, with most of the major attractions within walking distance and the beach just across the road. Room rates are slightly lower than at the neighboring Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth East Cliff, so the hotel offers good value, especially for those who prefer traditional decor.
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Jacuzzi
- Pets Allowed
- Pool
- Spa
Scene
A traditional vibe with attractive outdoor areas
Right on the seafront, the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton has an imposing frontage, with a landscaped driveway and marble steps leading up to the hotel’s entrance. The lobby is done up in grand and traditional decor, with white columns, chandeliers, and plenty of armchairs; the blue and orange patterned carpeting looks quite dated, though. Traditional decoration runs throughout the hotel; the restaurant has heavy brocade drapes, crisp white tablecloths, and a deep red carpet, while the bar feels like a library, with its wood paneling and leather chairs. The hotel has plenty of outside space, too, for the warmer months, including landscaped gardens with a well-maintained lawn, as well as a gazebo and a pond. Thanks to its location and spa, the hotel attracts a range of guests, including couples, families, and business travelers.
Location
Across from the beach and within walking distance of the town center
Located on a cliffside road overlooking the ocean in Bournemouth, the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton is in a convenient location for tourists. It’s just a minute’s walk to the cliff top where an elevator or a zigzag path leads down to the beach. There are plenty of other attractions within walking distance, too, such as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, the historic St. Peter's Church, the Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre, and the Bournemouth International Centre. The town center's shops, restaurants, nightlife, and mile-and-a-half of landscaped gardens are 15 minutes on foot from the hotel, too. Bournemouth Airport is within a 20-minute drive.
Rooms
Large and traditional, if a bit dated, with expansive sea views
Rooms in the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton have traditional, chain-style decor that, despite recent improvements like new furniture and carpeting, largely looks dated, with cream walls and deep red and dark wood furnishings. All are large and clean, and many have unobstructed sea views, some taking in the iconic Bournemouth pier and the Isle of Wight. Bathrooms are large enough, with signature toiletries, dated tile-work, and a combination shower/tub. Some rooms have private balconies. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities, bathrobes, a flat-screen TV, and extra touches like bowls of candy and mini boxes of chocolate. Families can request connecting rooms and cribs or infant beds.
Features
Spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a formal restaurant, and a library-like bar
Breakfast is not included in the price, but a mediocre buffet breakfast is available daily in the restaurant, which turns into a white-tableclothed affair for lunch and dinner, serving international favorites. The cocktail bar is a library-like space with dark wood paneling and a red leather banquette. 24-hour room service is available too, and there’s a small fitness center, small indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a spa. The spa treatments includes massages, facials, and body wraps, and the spa also has a sauna and a spa tub. There's also an outdoor terrace with rattan furniture and a view of the outdoor swimming pool, which was re-landscaped after our visit. There's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and there's also free parking. The hotel is well set up for business travelers with its selection of wood-paneled meeting rooms and a conference space.
Things You Should Know About Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton
Also Known As
- Menzies Carlton Hotel
Address
East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth BH1 3DN, United Kingdom
Website
Scene
A traditional vibe with attractive outdoor areas
Right on the seafront, the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton has an imposing frontage, with a landscaped driveway and marble steps leading up to the hotel’s entrance. The lobby is done up in grand and traditional decor, with white columns, chandeliers, and plenty of armchairs; the blue and orange patterned carpeting looks quite dated, though. Traditional decoration runs throughout the hotel; the restaurant has heavy brocade drapes, crisp white tablecloths, and a deep red carpet, while the bar feels like a library, with its wood paneling and leather chairs. The hotel has plenty of outside space, too, for the warmer months, including landscaped gardens with a well-maintained lawn, as well as a gazebo and a pond. Thanks to its location and spa, the hotel attracts a range of guests, including couples, families, and business travelers.
Location
Across from the beach and within walking distance of the town center
Located on a cliffside road overlooking the ocean in Bournemouth, the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton is in a convenient location for tourists. It’s just a minute’s walk to the cliff top where an elevator or a zigzag path leads down to the beach. There are plenty of other attractions within walking distance, too, such as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, the historic St. Peter's Church, the Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre, and the Bournemouth International Centre. The town center's shops, restaurants, nightlife, and mile-and-a-half of landscaped gardens are 15 minutes on foot from the hotel, too. Bournemouth Airport is within a 20-minute drive.
Rooms
Large and traditional, if a bit dated, with expansive sea views
Rooms in the Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton have traditional, chain-style decor that, despite recent improvements like new furniture and carpeting, largely looks dated, with cream walls and deep red and dark wood furnishings. All are large and clean, and many have unobstructed sea views, some taking in the iconic Bournemouth pier and the Isle of Wight. Bathrooms are large enough, with signature toiletries, dated tile-work, and a combination shower/tub. Some rooms have private balconies. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities, bathrobes, a flat-screen TV, and extra touches like bowls of candy and mini boxes of chocolate. Families can request connecting rooms and cribs or infant beds.
Features
Spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a formal restaurant, and a library-like bar
Breakfast is not included in the price, but a mediocre buffet breakfast is available daily in the restaurant, which turns into a white-tableclothed affair for lunch and dinner, serving international favorites. The cocktail bar is a library-like space with dark wood paneling and a red leather banquette. 24-hour room service is available too, and there’s a small fitness center, small indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a spa. The spa treatments includes massages, facials, and body wraps, and the spa also has a sauna and a spa tub. There's also an outdoor terrace with rattan furniture and a view of the outdoor swimming pool, which was re-landscaped after our visit. There's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and there's also free parking. The hotel is well set up for business travelers with its selection of wood-paneled meeting rooms and a conference space.
Best Rates
Amenities
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Air Conditioner
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Beauty / Hair Salon
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Business Center
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Cabanas
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Cable
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Concierge
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Cribs
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Dry Cleaning
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Fitness Center
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Internet
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Jacuzzi
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Kids Allowed
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Laundry
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Pets Allowed
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Pool
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Poolside Drink Service
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Room Service
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Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
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Spa
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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.