Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

On the 11th June I completed a Satisfaction Survey and enclosed a Complaint letter. Six months on I haven’t received a reply. The issues were: 1. Firstly the lunch and bar food really is appalling. The chef needs sacking; you get better quality food in MacDonald’s. The food was simply pre-processed and heated up. 2. We found out only upon arrival that there was a large amount of building work going on especially in our block on the first floor. The property should notify guests prior to arrival of any works in progress, this is normal industry practice. Leaving it until arrival and putting a note in the rooms is not good enough. 3. The Air Conditioning didn’t work in any of our rooms. I asked for it to be rectified twice. The fans worked within the air con units but the compressors to blow out cold air were obviously in operable, possibly because of the extensive building work? One of the rooms was very hot and uncomfortable and is why staff continually left the windows open thought the block. Overall this hotel needs a considerable amount of money spent on it (not just a new paint job). We come down to Bournemouth twice a year to visit family. This is the last time we intend to stay at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel.

Booked through the net on a special rate of a winter warmer offer £99 per room per night with £50 worth of vouchers to spend on drinks or food in the hotel. We have an 18 month old Daughter so my Husband rang up and just checked that it was ok to bring her they said that was fine and would make sure we were in a bigger room and that we wern't above the function room. We arrived and it was easy to check in car parking is charged at £10 a day which we paid the first night though was unable to find a space the 2nd night so we parked on the road which was free. The room was really big and they provided a travel cot for our Daughter, tea and coffee facilities good and a mini bar which we could fit a 1 pint of milk in, the bathroom was a really nice size and the complimentary toilletries were nice too. We had a meal the first night in the resturant lovely good quality food but not big portions as it was more of a taste thing and freshly cooked, our Daughter was well looked after too she was given bread and made to feel welcome and they had children's meal deal for under 6 year olds . She had pasta and you could have a choice of potaoes and veg we paid 5.99 for 2 courses and a fruit shoot drink. The breakfast was lovely and so much choice english, continental,ceareal, fresh fruit, yoghurts, omlettes, waffles, pancakes, mini danish pastries, toast and dried fruits which was all self service. The only thing was they did seem a little slow on the sunday morning getting food out and they only did seem to have 2 highchairs, which were both being used but they were very helpful in trying to find one our Daughter quite happily sat on a normal chair and they went and got a cushion for her. I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful and they liked children which does make a difference. The hotel is close to the seafront about a 20 min walk to the centre the only other thing I disliked though it's probably personal choice is we did find the bed to be too firm. We would definetly stay at this hotel again.

It has been a while since I stayed in a Marriott and this hotel reminded me why they should still be on my list. I once took the trouble to read the complementary book on the history of Marriott and I love the business ethos they promote. (I also loved the book). The staff truely seem to enjoy their jobs and it is almost like a family welcoming you back to a residence you haven't visited since last summer. Top marks to the team in Bournemouth. The room was lovely overlooking the sea - is there anything better than being able to stay in bed and see the sea!!!!!!!!! Open the windows and hear the waves crashing! I know the hotel is going through renovation but we just loved it as it is. I must say the pressure in the shower was weak but we were assured that this was not the norm and the support staff would address this. Would we stay again? For sure!

I stayed at the Bournemouth Marriott as part of a conference of ~100 people for a week. The hotel itself was being renovated, although I was very impressed the workmen were using super-quiet tools (I could barely hear them from a few meters away) and it didn't affect our stay at all. So, on the room front, I had a nice room (sadly no view of the sea), but with a good bathroom, a sofa, chairs, large bed and the 'usual' Marriott bathroom (i.e. well stocked, modern & pleasant enough). I was quite happy with it, although it was pretty far from reception and quite a trek to the restaurant. I think that the room was just the 'standard' I've come to expect from a Marriott (where I spend ~150nights a year at the moment), and the hotel and facilities were also to the usual standard. What impressed me about this hotel was however the food. Those that stay at Marriotts know they tend to have the same standard menu,. and then a few extra specials. With my being on a conference I was on a dinner bed and beakfast rate.... as well as being provided with nibbles and drinks at hourly intervals throughout the day. The reception staff said that the hotel had a new head Chef – and he was clearly making his mark. The food was great, a different meal every day, good quality, hot and interesting... to say they were serving ~100 people it was a very impressive quality of food (better than a lot of restaurants I've eaten at) and in a buffet style during breakfast/lunch, and the evening meal in a formal sit-down style. The staff were also very attentive - for example, refilling glasses in the American style (i.e. the moment you finish it), being extra polite/courteous and the other things you'd expect more in a restaurant than a hotel. The location, right on the sea front, is very pleasant as well, and, if I was staying in Bournemouth again I'd happily stay at this hotel... and if there was a conference or a D,B&B rate going then I'd definitely stay here. The only negatives point from the stay was the usual extortionate prices for internet access, which was only available in 24 hour chunks for £15, which is a poor Marriott standard, and that my room could have been closer to reception of the hotel.

If I had to sum up this hotel in one word, it would be "complacent". It is in a truly stunning location, on top a cliff overlooking the beach. The decor in the lobby and bar area is very beautiful. Indeed, all the public areas of the hotel are well presented and presents the aura of a classy Victorian British seaside hotel. However, this is where the praise ends. Car parking is diabolical - there is a tiny car park sandwiched in the rear courtyard of the hotel which seems to be permanently full, and which costs a fortune to stay in. Staff attitudes are very mixed - some are excellent but many seem quite miserable. Rooms are cramped and a bit shabby - there was a broken curtain in my bathroom. The room was stuffy, the windows were locked, and if I turned on the air conditioning, it was so noisy I could barely hear myself think. On the plus point, however, the bed was extremely comfortable. Breakfasts are quite boring, and really no better than you may get in a Travel Inn! Well, except for delicious fresh fried eggs, cooked perfectly in front of you. The hugely overpriced dinner was unimpressive - service was slow, portions were tiny, and the very expensive soup tasted like it was out of a tin. Marriott have a beautiful hotel here, but they really need to get their act together in raising the standard and keeping it there, and not resting on their laurels.

My partner and I stayed in the Marriot Highcliff for the weekend and to put it simply, we were stunned. We have been lucky enough to stay in several 5 star hotels overseas and have noticed that UK counterparts can rarely match the attention to detail and incredible service. The Marriot Highcliff is the exception though. The staff were so courteous and friendly and really seemed to be making the effort for you. Our room was immaculate as was the rest of the hotel and I'm still day-dreaming about the incredible breakfast! The only problem we encountered was with the Car Parking as they just don't have enough of it. To be fair though, you can double park and leave your keys at reception, but this seems like a short-term solution. We only chose the Marriot because the Bournemouth Hilton has gone, but boy were we glad it had! In short, the Marriot Highcliff is the best hotel we have stayed in in the U.K. and we can't wait to go back there!

Just spent a long weekend here with the kids and grandparents Hotel is mid refurb. The bedrooms are all done but there is scaffolding on the sides and rear We did not experience any noise issues due to the works The GPs had a sea view room and it was glorious, definitely worth the extra We had a suite with a huge bed and sofa bed for the kid. Cot was provided for the baby. Room service food was of a good standard and fast The GPs ate in the restaurant one evening but found the service slow Breakfast buffet was good. Staff were helpful and polite. Location is very central but there are steep steps down to the beach. There is also a lift service which runs daytime and costs 60p down and 1quid up. Good for the elderly/pushchairs

My boyfriend and I have just returned from a long weekend at the Marriott in Bournemouth. The best thing about this hotel by far was the beds!! We couldnt get over how comfortable they were, very luxurious. The second best thing about this hotel was the great views from the hotel itself. I would say a great location but it may not be to everyones taste as on a steep hill and it was quite tiring walking up and down all the time, but then there is the cliff lift right opposite which takes you down to the beach. - The beach by the way is amazing, lovely and sandy and ideal for relaxing on, although quite windy this time of year so we had to invest in a wind breaker! Which really did help. The food wasnt as good as I would have expected but not bad by no means. The rooms and hotel itself was very clean and tidy and the staff helpful enough. After reading reviews I did find out that you have to pay £5 a day car park charge at this hotel which is a bit of a cheek we felt considering how expensive it is to stay at the hotel. I dont think ive ever had topay to park at a hotel before. And the car park was very small, we got the last space, so I dont know what happens if they run out of spaces!! We found Bournemouth to be a complete stag/hen do heaven which wasnt really our cup of tea!! The bars in the town were good but not really couple kinds of places. However, we did find a great bar called Bar So just down the road from the hotel, a much classier place than the rest!! On our last day we took a drive down to Poole and Sandbanks and had lunch and a walk about. Well worth doing, not a great deal there but nice pubs by harbour and much more prettier than Bournemouth itself.

Great Staff on front desk and concierge, very helpful. Rooms and bathrooms are good- have recently been revamped. The public areas I believe are going to be refurbished shortly - they are very old english style but not in bad condition. The hotel is spotless. The Spa is fairly average and the outside pool has seen better days. Breakfast has an excellent variety and was good, sometimes they ran low on items on the buffett but was pretty well managed. Overall a good experience with very friendly staff and def one of the best hotels in bournemouth!