De Vere Royal Bath Hotel - Bournemouth, United Kingdom     

We have just returned from Bournemouth where we stayed the night (well part of it) at the Royal Bath. We decided on a whim to go down to Bournemouth for a night, we normally stay at the Highcliff but this was fully booked, we booked a suite at the Royal Bath thinking that it would be the best room they had, well at ?250 a night it should have been. In fact all that we got for our money was two rooms that were badly decorated and fitted out with what looked like 1980's Mfi furniture, and the heat was unbearable, the windows opened no more than 6 inches and there was no air con, well not unless you count the ?9.99 fan stood in the corner!!! When we returned from having our meal at night (harry ramsdens not royal bath) we walked back into the room and decieded that there was no way on earth we would get any sleep in that heat, so we booked out, having to pay for the previlage I might add. We walked across the road and booked into the new Premier Inn which I might add was superb, at a third of the price. So in short unless you love the heat and have a passion for bad decor and furniture dont stay at the Royal Bath.

When you have a location to die for, when you have great staff who are friendly, fast and attentive why on EARTH would you allow your hotel to look like a set from 'Terry and June'? This hotel is in dire need of major refurbishment. The reception areas are chintzy but pleasant. HOWEVER our ?190 'deluxe' room was tatty and dated with grubby walls and aged decor. The mini bar was empty ( you can order a 'beer pack' or 'savoury snack pack' from reception! ) We opted for room service - great food, great service and quick. In fact - all the staff were 5 star but the hotel is 3 at best. It probably was at the top of it's game in the 80's but it's 2008 now..... AND DON'T PARK IN THE HOTEL CAR PARK. It's ?15 and there was a HUGE crowd at checking out time as it's the staff who drive the cars in and out. Again great staff - just not enough of them. The public car park next door is cheaper and far more convenient. In summary - this is a hotel resting on long past glories. If De Vere don't want to look after it I would urge them to give it to someone who does. It has every potential to be a first class hotel in a first class location - it's criminal that they are letting it stagnate.