Bournemouth West Cliff hotel

On a recent business trip to Bournemouth, I discovered that there are actually 3 Premier Inns in Bournemouth. There is not much to choose between them. I selected this one because it has a secure underground car park. Parking is always a prerequisite for me. It was handy to have a large forecourt and drop off area out front, where you can conveniently stop and unload luggage etc. On the downside, this is also a designated guest smoking area, with the unenviable result that you pull up to the hotel to be confronted by a proliferation of hangers-on smoking and vaping around the entrance - really not the best first impression. Access to the car park is actually around the back, so you have to drive around the block to park. You need a valid room key to enter the car park, so luckily, I had checked in first. This is the first time I've walked into a Premier Inn and not been greeted by anybody on reception. However, getting to grips with the automated check-in kiosk is very easy. You enter your name or booking reference to check in and then take a plastic key card from the pile, hold it up against the screen, and your room key is programmed. It is easy if everything goes smoothly - not so good if you encounter a problem or have any queries. Room wise, you basically get what you pay for. The offering is fairly standard with Premier Inn, so you know what to expect. This particular property is purpose built, and fairly new by Premier Inn standards, so the rooms are quite well-appointed. I particularly liked the novelty of a full-length window. There is a Thyme restaurant on site, but I did not sample it as there are other more interesting and diverse choices within walking distance. Other handy touches are that the lift goes directly down to the car park, and there's a handy box to deposit your room key on departure, so you don't even need to check out at reception. All round a very handy location.

I've stayed in quite a few premier inns and this one was the worst! The room was way too hot and you can't open a window and the temperature control wouldn't work so had a really bad night's sleep! The car park was a nightmare not easy to find and not clearly signed and you had to pay, it was a lot of hassle to get to reception not much fun when you have restricted mobility, I definitely won't be staying here again!

Dark and inhospitable throughout. Room basic and bed comfy but only one pillow so bare minimum provided. Understaffed at meal times and not equipped to provide enough food or coffee for demand. Lack of veggie options cooked and ready. Staff friendly and helpful despite this.

It took me around 40 minutes to get into the building. I first tried to enter through the car park, but nobody answered the intercom. After waiting 30 minutes, I left my car outside and walked to the main entrance. Since it was nighttime, the door sensor was off, and I needed a room card to enter—which I didn’t have before check-in. Again, nobody was at reception to let me in, and I had to wait another 10 minutes until someone came out for a smoke and let me inside. When I finally got in, I noticed the staff were working at the bar and had left the reception area empty, which explains why no one responded to the intercom at either entrance. I understand it may have been a busy period, but leaving guests locked outside for 40 minutes at night is unacceptable. After a long day, it was a frustrating experience, and unfortunately, I would not stay again under these circumstances.

Great hotel and location. Good selection in restaurant. Staff very helpful. Quiet. Well located from town and beach. Car park reasonable.