The Green House

An eco-friendly boutique hotel set in a restored Victorian villa, the Green House is set back from the road and has a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. Many of the building’s original features are intact, such as ceiling roses and cornicing. The decor is modern and elegant, with a nature theme; whites, greens, and browns are used throughout, with leaf and tree prints on walls and fabrics. The bar and restaurant have hardwood floors, clean-lined lavender- and cream-colored chairs, understated wallpaper, and plenty of natural light; as local culinary destinations, they are lively in the evenings, with a convivial atmosphere.

The hotel is proud of its environmental credentials, and goes the extra mile to reduce its impact on the planet. The solid wood furniture is made from trees felled by storms or tree surgeons, the paint and wallpaper is specially sourced to be eco-friendly, and the carpets are locally-made from 100% wool. The hotel even keeps bees to make its own honey, and generate its own power to heat the building.

Although the Green House is located on a quieter street not directly on the beach, it is just a 10-minute walk away. Bournemouth’s other main attractions are all within walking distance too, including the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre, the Bournemouth International Centre, the Lower Gardens, and the town center's shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Bournemouth’s train station is also a 15-minute walk, or a five-minute cab ride, away and Bournemouth Airport is just a 15-minute drive. Free parking is available at the hotel.

Each individually decorated room at the Green House is named after a type of tree, and its decor themed accordingly, with clean-lined and natural wood furnishings in calming hues, tree-themed wallpaper, and large windows letting in natural light. There are four room categories: Small Double, Double, Large Double, and Master Double. The Small Doubles really are small, with little space to move around. Some rooms have an open plan bathroom attached to the room, not always popular with those who prefer more privacy. Bathrooms are beautifully decorated with stone basins, rainfall showerheads, rustic wooden shelves and mirrors, and natural stone tiles; Large and Master Doubles have a Victorian roll-top bath tub. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a DVD player, coffee- and tea-making facilities, an iPod dock, flat-screen TV, laptop-compatible safe, bathrobes and slippers, eco-friendly toiletries, free mineral water, and 24-hour room service. Those traveling with children should be aware that the hotel charges extra for cribs and infant beds.

A major draw for the Green House is its excellent, award-winning restaurant, Arbor, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant serves locally sourced, modern British cuisine; thanks to the seaside locale, there's plenty of fresh seafood on the menu. The dining room overlooks the hotel's garden, and has a striking floor-to-ceiling paper tree as its centerpiece. There’s a relaxed lounge bar with comfortable armchairs and lots of large windows, romantically lit each evening with tealights. An extensive hot and cold buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel also offers beach gear that you can borrow for a seaside outing. Wi-Fi and parking are both free, and there are two meeting rooms and a conference space for business guests.