The best hotels in Poole

What are the best hotels in Poole?

Poole is a lovely spot on Dorset’s south coast, famous for its enormous natural harbour, sandy beaches and pretty coastal neighbourhoods. There’s a good choice of places to stay, from characterful pubs-with-rooms to smart townhouses with a little extra luxury. Our top pick is The Canford, a brilliant spot near Canford Cliffs beach, where colourful bedrooms, a welcoming bar, excellent Sunday roasts and quirky garden huts make it a real standout.

There's plenty to see and do around Poole, too. Spend a day on the beautiful sands at Sandbanks, hop on a boat to Brownsea Island to spot red squirrels, or take a wander around the gorgeous gardens at Compton Acres. Back in town, the harbour front is full of seafood restaurants, independent shops and waterside pubs, while Poole Museum is well worth a look if you fancy a bit of local history. Families are spoilt for choice, with water sports, boat trips and various lovely spots for a day outdoors.

Scroll down the page for our full selection of recommended hotels in Poole or, for a look at different areas, read our guide to the best places to stay in Dorset.

The Best Places to Stay in Poole

For Historic Charm

• Poole’s ivy covered Hotel du Vin has been converted from an elegant, Georgian townhouse, with arched windows and wood-panelled communal spaces. The 38 elegant rooms are decorated with a feeling of classical luxury, with good quality linens, large contemporary bathrooms and wood-panelling. The restaurant is quite glamorous, but with cuisine that errs towards heartiness, and a real emphasis on slow-cooking.

For Great Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Plantation is a chic pub-with-rooms in the smart area of Canford Cliffs. From here it’s just a short stroll to Compton Acres and the long, sandy beach at Sandbanks. There are ten rooms, all of them light and colourful, with contemporary decor, feature wallpaper, and crisp, white linen. The pub is welcoming, and has a great reputation for food, offering British classics mixed amongst more tropical options.
• Just outside Poole, The Canford is a characterful pub with rooms, just a short stroll from Canford Cliffs beach. Inside, colourful décor gives the 11 rooms plenty of personality, while some feature freestanding baths and four-poster beds. There's a seasonal restaurant known for its Sunday roasts, a pretty garden dotted with quirky beach and tiki huts, and dog-friendly accommodation. A great pick for a relaxed coastal escape.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Poole’s closest airport is Bournemouth Airport, which is only about 20 minutes away by taxi, or about an hour away by bus. Southampton Airport is another convenient choice, about 45 minutes away by car or taxi, or about an hour by train. If you’re travelling from London, or via London, Poole is around two hours by train from Waterloo, or about two hours in the car. And, of course, Poole has the ferry port with connections to northern France and the Channel Islands.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Summer is Poole’s busiest season, because it’s a wonderful bucket-and-spade seaside pick for families — this is the kind of place families want to return to year after year. Spring is a really lovely time to visit too; the town is known for its mild and sunny springs.
• If you’re not restricted to travelling during the school holiday window, you’re going to benefit from very affordable accommodation options, and having more of the place to yourself. The weather is changeable whatever the season, but there’s still plenty of sunshine in winter, and this can be a lovely time to visit Poole.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Dorset,
• Consider some of Poole’s neighbours, such as Bournemouth, Wareham, Lymington and Blandford Forum,
• Or, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.