The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
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The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
Rooms: 170
St Michael's Road
- Bournemouth - England - BH2 5DU - United Kingdom
Hotel Website |
| 44 01202557702
292
Traveller
Reviews - The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
Wished I Had Stayed Elsewhere!
Submitted by: Sharon in 08/10/07 - Age Group: 31 - 40
- From: United Kingdom
- Traveller type: Weekend Breaker
Want to see more hotels? View all hotels in Bournemouth
Historical Traveller Reviews of The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
Never Again!!
from LawyerUK
We stayed at the Marriott simply because our preferred hotel at Sandbanks (5 miles away) was completely full. The Marriott had availability... and we discovered why. The room was a hike away from the main reception. The air con was not working on one of the hotest weekends of the year, and there was a loud wedding reception directly outside our window well into the small hours. Nobody bothered to mention this when we made our booking. Breakfast was a disaster... the restaurant is too small for the hotel... so there was a very long wait to be seated and most of the buffet breakfast was gone! Worst of all, the tiny carpark was full so a concierge offered to take my keys and look after the car. The next morning the car had been bad badly damaged. The hotel manager was less than helpful. A lengthy correspondence then ensued with the hotel not even having the courtesy to reply. After several months the matter was resolved through the hotel's insurers, but without any apology from the hotel or acknowledgement of liability. Marriott's customer service is appalling. I will never use them again, wherever I may be in the world.
Friendly staff
from LDNEJH
I recently stayed here on business for 3 nights and the first thing i noticed was how friendly the staff were at reception. The room i had was overlooking the car park but according to the staff at reception it was a bigger room than the sea view rooms so i was happy to take it. Rooms were comfy and little touches like an ice bucket and plastic bottle opener made a difference.
Negative comments include having to pay £5 to park your car per day. The fridge in the room was sensored and there were signs on each bottle saying, "If you touch you must pay"!! Each liquor bottle had a plastic container over it and i felt too scared to even open the fridge!! A little bit overboard. Another issue i object to is if your room rate includes dinner (half board) you still need to pay a supplement on each starter even the goats cheese salad. So if you pay more for half board why do you then have to pay an extra supplement for every starter!!
Overall i enjoyed my stay at the Marriott and i intend to stay there again. Location is also brilliant.
Negative comments include having to pay £5 to park your car per day. The fridge in the room was sensored and there were signs on each bottle saying, "If you touch you must pay"!! Each liquor bottle had a plastic container over it and i felt too scared to even open the fridge!! A little bit overboard. Another issue i object to is if your room rate includes dinner (half board) you still need to pay a supplement on each starter even the goats cheese salad. So if you pay more for half board why do you then have to pay an extra supplement for every starter!!
Overall i enjoyed my stay at the Marriott and i intend to stay there again. Location is also brilliant.
an extra christmas present
from tiredbuthappy
I was visiting family in St Michaels Road on the 26th Dec and was pleasantly surprised to be given a double room - the room was very well appointed and we spent a very pleasant evening in the bar. Breakfast was slightly disappointing. Not enough waiting staff and a serve yourself breakfast, even down to the toast! Most hotels 3 star and above serve you tea/coffee and toast when you first sit down. However the Leisure Centre was a very welcome bonus and also the sea view. I would visit again
Listen to the waves in bed
from Treehousepig
highcliffe marriott bournemouth
Good points
superb sea views from the front of the hotel. get 2/3/4th floor room
323 or the opposite corner ones for the best views. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach below as you lay in bed at night -
who needs the carribean !
SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. If we wanted anything, it was done really quickly.
father Christmas - all the kiddies got a present, decent ones too. happy parents
Tips.
ask them to empty the automatic mini bar, especially if you have small children.
there is a small conveince store 100 yards away, stock your fridge up there.
excellent value for money when using their 'escape packages'
good clean rooms. very comfortable bed
Not so good
small rooms at the front
bigger and cheaper in the cottages (view not so good)
no wifi in rooms. only in reception at a rip off rate. 6 per hour or 15 pounds a day.Difficult getting a bath full pf hot water
prices in the bar are very high, typical aimed at expense account business men.
restaurant
food was very good. table decorations excellent. plenty of high chairs.
service was quite slow, despite an army of enthusiastic waiters, who seem to have come from every country in the world.
probably because it was Christmas and they were completely full.
we mildly complained one night, and suggested they gave us a free bottle of wine, which they did. It was worth being cheeky.
one night of the three we spent the restaurant service was much better.
breakfast is buffet style, quite good.
The package that includes an evening meal is really worth having.
Good points
superb sea views from the front of the hotel. get 2/3/4th floor room
323 or the opposite corner ones for the best views. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach below as you lay in bed at night -
who needs the carribean !
SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. If we wanted anything, it was done really quickly.
father Christmas - all the kiddies got a present, decent ones too. happy parents
Tips.
ask them to empty the automatic mini bar, especially if you have small children.
there is a small conveince store 100 yards away, stock your fridge up there.
excellent value for money when using their 'escape packages'
good clean rooms. very comfortable bed
Not so good
small rooms at the front
bigger and cheaper in the cottages (view not so good)
no wifi in rooms. only in reception at a rip off rate. 6 per hour or 15 pounds a day.Difficult getting a bath full pf hot water
prices in the bar are very high, typical aimed at expense account business men.
restaurant
food was very good. table decorations excellent. plenty of high chairs.
service was quite slow, despite an army of enthusiastic waiters, who seem to have come from every country in the world.
probably because it was Christmas and they were completely full.
we mildly complained one night, and suggested they gave us a free bottle of wine, which they did. It was worth being cheeky.
one night of the three we spent the restaurant service was much better.
breakfast is buffet style, quite good.
The package that includes an evening meal is really worth having.
Probably the least bad - and most expensive - hotel in town
from Gemakan
If you don’t stay in hotels much, especially outside the UK, you may well find The Highcliff to be a great hotel. It’s very good by Bournemouth and UK standards – the rooms are big and clean enough, the facilities satisfactory, there seem to be enough staff on duty, and it’s in a great location overlooking the sea. But if your benchmarks are international standard hotels, prepare to be disappointed, especially in terms of value-for-money. £100 (USD 175) a night, without sea-view, is about as low as you will get off The Marriott web-site, and you will experience service standards that fall way below international standards, I suspect partly because many of the staff are transient foreign language students, working part-time to fund their stay in the UK – in other words, not career professionals in the hospitality industry. But because it’s the least bad of what’s available, I have stayed there five times in the past couple of years. My most recent stay in October was typical. Room, etc, all satisfactory. Good cooked English breakfast in the restaurant. But a regular challenge in autumn / winter is to get the hotel to provide heating in the bedrooms. In my stay last month, I checked-in in the evening and the room, especially the bathroom, was very chilly. There is air-con available, supposedly controllable from individual rooms and supposedly offering heating as well as cooling. But you have to get Reception to switch it on if you want it – you “opt-in” to having your room heated. Once you’ve done this, don’t expect any heat to come from the room radiators. They always seem to be switched off. I stayed in early January 2005 when it was really cold outside, and still they refused to turn on the radiators. On my last trip, they simply offered me a portable radiator, which was better than nothing. But remember, this is supposedly a four-star hotel, charging the highest rates in town, yet you have to negotiate to get basic heating in your room! Other gripes – look out for the £5 daily charge to use the car park – if you can actually get your car into it; admire the grotty, old lifts (elevators); the auto-charging mini-bars (you dare so much as to even inspect an item, and it’s charged automatically to your bill). Oh yes, on my last trip the light-bulb above the bath/shower had blown, so I asked Reception if they could get it fixed the next day. Surprise, surprise – nothing happened. As I say, this hotel is good relative to the competition, but it’s pretty grim in value-for-money terms and certainly compared with what foreign visitors to the UK will rightly expect. Manage your own expectations!
s best
from A TripAdvisor Member
Hopeless check in, overcrowded and slow. Fire alarm at half past midnight sounded for two hours continuously and rooms evacuated. TV worked intermittently, breakfast was poor with half the buffet empty and general standard was very poor, not a good advert for the Marriott brand. No room heating, until well into the evening. Poor quality room fittings.
Nice view, expensive bar
from mistopheles
Stayed for a friend's wedding and requested a seaview in advance. The room was great with superb full-on seaview. Breakfast was great too and the staff were friendly. Only gripes would be having to pay for parking (when the hotel rate is high already and land in Bournemouth isn't exactly the same rarity as it is in Central London or New York) and the price of drinks at their bar are astronomical...the most expensive I've found in Southern England - including London! My wife wasn't drinking and ordered a lime and sodawater....£2! £1 for a small dash of cheap lime cordial and £1 for less than half a pint of sodawater. Daylight robbery and indefensible. Think it was around £5 a pint of beer too. If you drink there I urge yoru to avoid getting a round in!
Nice hotel, not that modern and very expensive. The place itself isn't exactly value for money, but the seaview and breakfast probably are. My friend paid a more expensive rate and ended up in the rubbish rooms in the carpark annex. My advice would be to only stay at this hotel if you can get a good discount/promotional rate with a guaranteed seaview....otherwise stay elsewhere and save enough £££ to pay for drinks and meal whilst you're at it.
Nice hotel, not that modern and very expensive. The place itself isn't exactly value for money, but the seaview and breakfast probably are. My friend paid a more expensive rate and ended up in the rubbish rooms in the carpark annex. My advice would be to only stay at this hotel if you can get a good discount/promotional rate with a guaranteed seaview....otherwise stay elsewhere and save enough £££ to pay for drinks and meal whilst you're at it.
A Reasonably Comfortable Hotel for a Short Stay
from Westonian
This is a very large, stately old hotel in a wonderfully quiet location right on the edge of the cliff at the end of a dead-end street; freedom from the usual city traffic noise is guaranteed. Rooms that face the sea have spectacular views across the enormous bay.
I stayed in a "Seaview Junior Suite" for 2 nights, September 13-14, 2005, for 160 pounds ($300) per night on their "Escapes" package rate which simply requires a minimum of 2 nights. The rate included full breakfast and dinner.
According to the staff, this hotel was taken over by Marriott 4 years ago and refurbished. The lobby, lounges, dining room and my own room did indeed look reasonably fresh and clean, not at all faded or run down, no nicks or stains.
My Junior Suite was actually just a moderately large bedroom, with a sofa that just fitted in the bay window. The quality of the carpet and the fabrics was borderline motel, i.e. designed more for durabiity than for comfort. However, as noted above, everything was neat and clean. The large, old-fashioned bathroom included a deep tub which was not in an alcove and so had a shower curtain hanging from a rectangular curtain rod that was suspended over half the tub -- looked a bit like a D/I/Y arrangement. Two major positives about the room were the truly extraordinary amount of bright lighting, and the quiet and efficient air conditioning. Two negatives were the thin walls which made it impossible not to eavesdrop on the neighbors' conversation, combined with the creaky floor above which loudly signalled every movement of the guest upstairs (but perhaps these negatives are to be expected in an old hotel); and the lack of broadband Internet service.
A further negative is that wireless broadband is available in the hotel lobby area (only) at the outrageous cost of 15 pounds ($28) per day. Marriott provides free broadband at all its hotels in the USA, and even the Four Seasons charges only $10 -- and that is in your room.
Other plusses include the ability to make reservations in real time on Marriott's user-friendly website. Also, the included breakfast and dinner were of high quality and ample quantity. Possibly the biggest plus is the high level of competence and eagerness to help on the part of every member of the staff that I encountered -- no exceptions. The young and enthusiastic Polish porter relieved me of my car while I checked in, parked it, and returned immediately to the lobby to show me where the car was and take me to my room, where he clearly explained how everything worked. I had asked for a bathrobe to be in my room (not a standard amenity at this hotel) and it was waiting on the bed (albeit with a 20 pounds deposit charge on my account). The TV remote was missing, and I was told it was too late at night to get another one; but when I approached the Reception in the morning to follow up, I didn't have to ask a second time: the night shift had passed it on to the day shift, and a new remote arrived soon after. The correct newspaper was outside my door early in the morning.
Given the generally lamentable quality of hotels in provincial UK cities, I believe this one deserves a decidedly "above average" rating.
I stayed in a "Seaview Junior Suite" for 2 nights, September 13-14, 2005, for 160 pounds ($300) per night on their "Escapes" package rate which simply requires a minimum of 2 nights. The rate included full breakfast and dinner.
According to the staff, this hotel was taken over by Marriott 4 years ago and refurbished. The lobby, lounges, dining room and my own room did indeed look reasonably fresh and clean, not at all faded or run down, no nicks or stains.
My Junior Suite was actually just a moderately large bedroom, with a sofa that just fitted in the bay window. The quality of the carpet and the fabrics was borderline motel, i.e. designed more for durabiity than for comfort. However, as noted above, everything was neat and clean. The large, old-fashioned bathroom included a deep tub which was not in an alcove and so had a shower curtain hanging from a rectangular curtain rod that was suspended over half the tub -- looked a bit like a D/I/Y arrangement. Two major positives about the room were the truly extraordinary amount of bright lighting, and the quiet and efficient air conditioning. Two negatives were the thin walls which made it impossible not to eavesdrop on the neighbors' conversation, combined with the creaky floor above which loudly signalled every movement of the guest upstairs (but perhaps these negatives are to be expected in an old hotel); and the lack of broadband Internet service.
A further negative is that wireless broadband is available in the hotel lobby area (only) at the outrageous cost of 15 pounds ($28) per day. Marriott provides free broadband at all its hotels in the USA, and even the Four Seasons charges only $10 -- and that is in your room.
Other plusses include the ability to make reservations in real time on Marriott's user-friendly website. Also, the included breakfast and dinner were of high quality and ample quantity. Possibly the biggest plus is the high level of competence and eagerness to help on the part of every member of the staff that I encountered -- no exceptions. The young and enthusiastic Polish porter relieved me of my car while I checked in, parked it, and returned immediately to the lobby to show me where the car was and take me to my room, where he clearly explained how everything worked. I had asked for a bathrobe to be in my room (not a standard amenity at this hotel) and it was waiting on the bed (albeit with a 20 pounds deposit charge on my account). The TV remote was missing, and I was told it was too late at night to get another one; but when I approached the Reception in the morning to follow up, I didn't have to ask a second time: the night shift had passed it on to the day shift, and a new remote arrived soon after. The correct newspaper was outside my door early in the morning.
Given the generally lamentable quality of hotels in provincial UK cities, I believe this one deserves a decidedly "above average" rating.
Gorgeous Views!
from BPWaterson
My girlfriend and I stayed at the Bournemouth Marriott for an overnight at the beginning of September 2005. The hotel is in an excellent location, the staff friendly, and the seaviews amazing. I was a bit disappointed with the small size of the room and bathroom, but definitely only a minor complaint. We enjoyed the pool facilities and the breakfast buffet. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Bournemouth!
First Class Hotel.
from A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I stayed at the Hotel for 4 nights. The first night we could only get a room on a side wing of the hotel, this room was large and well furnished. The remaining nights we spent in a room at the front of the hotel with superb sea views. The room was large, bright and spotlessly clean. When we changed rooms we only had to pack and leave our belongings in the room and the hotel did the rest. No humping heavy suitcases down to reception, which we have experienced at other hotels. The hotel in my opinion has one of the best positions in the resort, on the Westcliff directly overlooking the beach with a short walk to the pier, gardens and town. Another bonus is the fact that the cliff lift to and from the beach is located directly in front of the hotel, ideal after a long day on the beach. The food at the hotel was superb as was room service. I must finally comment on the staff at the hotel they were superb, nothing was to much trouble for them. A truly memorable stay.
Top Local Tips for Bournemouth
It's usually better weather there I normally find that the weather in Bournemouth is better than in London and also the surrounding areas. With the new surfing reef being built at the eastern end of the resort it is going to be even more of a 365 day holiday location. Congratulations to acouncil that is not only looking to the future, but actively doing something about it.
Incredible Nightlife, faszinating nature Whenever you are looking for relaxing places, golden beaches, faszinating nature, fine dining and vibrant nightlife than go to Bournemouth
The Print Room (Restaurant) Whoever owns this has clearly been to The Wolseley in London. It is a great restaurant brasserie set in the old local newspaper building. Fantastic setting, brilliant food, good value.
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Other names for The Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
- marriott bournemouth
- bournemouth marriott
- Address: St Michael's Road - Bournemouth - England - BH2 5DU - United Kingdom
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We arrived on Friday 28 Sept, checked in ok, went to our room and found that the safe had been locked shut so we had to wait approx 20 minutes for a maintenance man to come to the room. Our wardrobe was also off its runners but we were able to sort this out ourselves, but surely these 2 items should have been picked up when the room was serviced.
Later on we went to the restaurant for dinner, again this is usually a pleasureable experience, however this was not the case, and it was a very average meal.
Breakfast the following morning followed the same pattern and when we queried why only half of the hot buffet was available we were told quite sharply by a member of staff that it was cooking - this was at 9am and breakfast runs from 7am - 11am so I would have thought that it should have been cooked!
We complained to the Duty Manager but all she said was that our comments would be noted. We went out for the remainder of the day and also out to dinner, I couldn't bear the thought of another average meal.
We got back to our 'quiet room' at around 11pm, at 4.15am we were woken up by loud music but couldn't work out were it was coming from, at 4.45am it still hadn't stopped so we phoned reception to complain, at 5.15am it was still going on so we complained again. A member of staff could then be heard downstairs from our cottage and the noise was coming from the room below us. They wouldn't answer their door and had to be telephoned, again more unnecessary noise. The music was turned down but we could still hear it along with voices laughing and talking loudly - needless to say we did not get back to sleep.
Upon checking out of the hotel we complained about the noise and again saw the same Duty Manager, we explained that we wanted the cost of our room for that evening to be removed from our bill - £220, we were quite happy to pay for the breakfast we had eaten, meaning that we should have a reduction of £190 on our £560 bill - she was 'unable' to do this as she did not have the authority but would reduced it by £60!!
She said that she would get the Hotel General Manager to contact us to try and remedy further, he has since emailed and asked that the next time we visit we let him know - I will not be returning to a hotel with such shoddy customer service values and will try another of the 4 star hotels in Bournemouth next time.