Urban Beach Hotel - Bournemouth, United Kingdom     

Stayed for one night on business thought I'd try the hotel given it's location and the excellent reviews. The rooms are good if not a bit small. Mine had a plasma TV DVD player, wi-fi, etc. and a nice bathroom. The room was quite warm and there's no air conditioning apart from a fan in the cupboard which made it bearable. The hotel itself is a large converted house in a residential area a walk from the beach. I turned up late after work and parking was difficult although I eventually found a space in the street next door. The staff are very friendly and the restaurant/bar was lively with good food and a live two piece band. My room was approx. ?100 pounds and no bigger than my bedroom at home so a little bit pricey. But if you want a young and trendy place to stay with a good bar/restauarnt at the bottom of the stairs it's ideal. There was no disturbance from the bar once it closed.

I enjoyed a three night with my husband for his birthday and our anniversary and I have to say to was nigh on perfect! I work in travel and have stayed in many hotels in the world and have to rate this within my top five. The rooms are wonderfully comfortable and cosy, the decor is upmarket but homely and the bistro downstairs serves the most delicious food. We ate drank there every night and ate on two of the evenings and it was devine. The hotel is a mile down the coast at Boscombe and just a five minute walk from the lovely sandy beach that is getting a new reef development - the first in Europe - to improve the area for surfers. For an extra special, relaxing weekend with friends or a loved one I can't fault it!