Bay View Court Hotel

We booked a two-night break at this hotel, the package included bed & breakfast with dinner. They took a deposit of £100 (the price for 2 nights was £140) when we booked over the phone and failed to inform us that this deposit is non-refundable. The hotel is dilapidated and does not have a very friendly atmosphere. The whole hotel and the room we had was probably not updated since 1970 and did not smell very nice. The bathroom was dingy and dark, and carpeted!!!! Walls are very thin so you hear your neighbours – even just talking. The worst of all was the food…I did not fancy any starter so went straight for main – the chicken was undercooked with blood coming onto the plate mixing with the gravy!!! When bringing this to the waitress’s attention I got offered a glass of wine in the way that made me think that they have to do this very often…Potatoes and vegetables were just bland and tasteless. After barely touching this I thought I would treat myself to a sherry trifle - I got a bowl full of bright orange custard, weird red jelly stuff – all made from powder – this topped up with whip cream made from powder and mini marshmallows!!! I wouldn’t even want to know the amount of E numbers and chemicals in this ‘dessert’. A big fan of anything sweet, could not touch this at all…My husband’s dinner was something similar and so was the breakfast. We left after the first night, disappointed and disgusted. The reception staff was unpleasant and not a bit interested in all that was wrong with this place… The location is good, right on the cliff, so a nice walk if you want to go to the beach or town centre. They have an indoor pool but we were so put off by everything we did not even try it out. Please stay away from this hotel, it is not cheap and it is not nice in any way. Treat yourself to one of the many lovely hotels along the cliff – we certainly will!!! The art-deco style Cumberland hotel looked just amazing..

I was in a single room which was I suppose the usual size (but had to keep suitcase on suitcase stand in the wardrobe) but the bathroom was TINY. It had a perspex divider (because of shower attachment) which was half way across the bath. The bath was so near the WC that it was extremely difficult to get into the bath and use the shower which was incidently attached to the bath taps then on to a loop connection on the wall and higher up you could attach it securely. The bathroom waste bin was broken. There was no paper seal on the toilet seat. The towels were good though. Unfortunately, the room was directly in front of some sort of air conditioning outlet from the restaurant (?) . It was like the engine of an aeroplance but fortunately, was turned off late at night but was told it came on the next day at about 7.30am but it came on at 6.30am. Also, there were two square things outside my window which looked like radiators and on the Saturday (30th August 2008) they came on and off three times between 1 & 2am making an horrific noise - like aeroplane engines. I mentioned this to reception Sunday morning and was assured that they would remain off that evening. Also had someone in room over me like a baby elephant! The bed cover had nasty brown staines on the white inside so I never used it and the green blanket was quite mucky with bits all over it. There was a sheet fortunately which I turned over the blanket about 10" which kept the blanket away from my face as much as possible. Should have asked hotel to change the cover land the blanket - but would they have had cleaner ones? Parking cars was a nightmare. It was the weekend of Bournemouth's first air show and the hotel found it hard to cope. Friday evening I parked my car where I thought it would be OK and a member of staff was passing so I asked him and he said that it would be fine there. Saturday morning I was woken by the phone by someone requesting me to move my car! Someone came and collected my keys from me, moved the car and returned keys to me. I use a walking stick so of course this all made my stay more stressfull AND there are a lot of steps at this hotel AND the hotels either side of this one (the Cottonwood and Ocean View) so I would not recommend them if you use a walking stick. Otherwise, the stay was lovely although I didn't have breakfast or dinner there I did have a bar snack on the Saturday whilst watching the magnificent air show. ALL OF THE STAFF WERE VERY HELPFUL AND NICE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURE ON THE SATURDAY. BUT I don't think this hotel should offer this particular room to anyone OR it could change the perspex divider to a shower curtain. For my next break at Bournemouth I will have to ensure that I book a decent size room and bathroom with a power shower and should really find one that has been adapted for people with disabilities. One great thing was tha I attended the Brietling Ball at the BIC and had a lovely evening and we watched the firework display on the Saturday night from the balcony area of the BIC.

Bay View Court is one of three 'sister' hotels situated a little back from the East Overcliff road and overlooking the sea. I note that previous reviewers have commented on the place being "shabby and in need of refurbishing" - well, that may be but it is an older hotel and, personally, I don't go to hotels for the decor - what's an avocado bathroom or faded curtains as long as it's clean, tidy and comfortable, all of which the BVC Hotel is. We were lucky enough to stay in the 'Cottage' - a separate converted house next to a small car park at the rear of the hotel. Our room was large, with a double bed and a single, and a whole wall-full of built-in cupboards! Often, I have a job to get all our belonging stuffed into a single wardrobe and three drawers (since we always seem to pack for three weeks rather than five nights) but we had space galore and were even able to stow the suitcases out of sight. The decor was fine, OK, a little shabby, and the bathroom was orange but it was clean and comfortable. Oh, and we had a sea view! The food is fine- the menu changes nightly as does the veg - the service is quick and the staff friendly, even when we turned up at the very last minute (2030) for our evening meal one night. My only gripes are- too much water in the veg. I'd like to suggest that the chef uses a slotted spoon to dish the veggies into their serving dishes and the inevitable poor water pressure in the bathroom. It would take a day just to fill the bath. I must also mention the swimming pool - it's hot in there, but the water is blissful- always really warm. There's also a sauna and a small jacuzzi. The separate changing rooms are a bit on the small side tho' and do bear in mind that the pool is also shared by the other two sister hotels. We were fortunate to mostly have the place to ourselves and swam twice a day. The guests seem to be mostly older people and/or coach parties and the entertainment is generally aimed at them, I think, but the music wasn't too loud and didn't disturb us. All in all, we had a very pleasant stay at this hotel and would certainly go again.

We arrived to be met by a rather sullen receptionist who had obviously missed out on the customer care course. The whole hotel was shabby and our room was dreadful. Although we had paid I went to reception and asked for our money back. The receptionist asked if we wanted a different room but by that time I couldn't wait to leave. We wouldn't have stayed there if they had paid us.

We stayed at the Bay View Court over the New Year and had a great time. Yes there were little things wrong with the room that could have been better, but in a hotel it is nearly impossible to keep all the rooms perfect. But the room serviceing, (tidying & cleaning) was very good. The food was truely excellent, the service was absolutely faultless and everything was done to make your stay as good as it could possibly be. The entertainment was good, although this is something we weren't particularly interested in. I find it hard to understand how previous reviewers could possibly be so scathing, perhaps they are born whingers!!!!!!!

The weather was fantastic but the Bay View was awful. The hotel needs total refurbishing, how it has retained its 3* I'll never know. Reception is totally disorganised, the staff are miserable except for the waitress', the food was disgusting, Chefs Special for breakfast was a joke, they should come as normal with breakfast (black pudding yuk! fried bread yuk). I do not think there was a chef!! maybe that was the problem. Carpets were filthy, bathrooms awful with holes in bath, odd toilets seats and showers which you could not use. Blankets on the bed were smelly. I could go on forever, but just don't waste your money.

Myself and 6 femail friends have just returned from a weekend break at this hotel and would like to say thanks to the staff for being very welcoming and friendly, althougth the hotel could do with refurbishing, the food is excellent, rooms warm and clean with comfortable beds, swimming pool also warm - good value for money

Although the hotel is extremely shabby and old fashioned, over the last 7 years that my father sister and I have visited we have had a thoroughly pleasant stay and have had overall an enjoyable experience. The staff on reception are very polite and helpful, and the waitressing staff are always very friendly. The food is of quite decent quality but wouldn't recommend the steak as its an extra £14 and fills about one fourteenth of the plate! The swimming pool is quite small but is almost always empty, which is good as we have it mostly to ourselves and are free to play ball games etc. There is a jacuzzi but I wouldn't count on using it as half the time it doesnt work. The rooms are quite old fashioned and the decor is in desperate need of an upgrade, but over all everything works and the rooms are comfortable. The best room we've found is number 210, so if you get a chance ask to stay there. Oh and don't go in the tiny lift that has the massive sliding black doors - you feel like your being locked away and transported plus it is not very stable. One of the best things about the Bay View is its location, and the fact its a 10 minute walk from the beach and a 15 minute walk from Bournmouth town. By the way if you've got some time spare I would really recommend taking a walk on the pier and going on a speed boat ride! We've been on the speed boat twice now and its absolutly great fun!

We arrived to spend the weekend at the end of a touring holiday of the West Country, and found that the room allocated was not on the floor which we had been promised.We have stayed in Bournemouth many times, and know the area. Bedroom was in the 'attics' of the Hotel, and very cramped. Towels for the bathroom were left on the bed: no space for even a rail in the pokey bathroom!The entire place resembled a downmarket B & B: a deposit was even required for towels to use in the swimming pool! In a 3 Star Hotel?! Minute car park, and unhelpful staff. Does not warrant 3 Star Rating.