Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

We arrived by car and although the car park was pretty full, a member of staff assisted us to find a space. We found the room spacious, although the mattress was hard. We mentioned it to reception and they fitted a thick 'topper' which made a huge difference. There was a good coffee pod machine, but the mugs did not fit under it. We had to dismantle the front to make room. The sea view was good, and a cheeky seagull stood outside the window looking in - it enjoyed the biscuit. It waited around presumably knowing there were two biscuits on the tray.
Breakfast was very disappointing. Bacon rashers were undercooked and wet. Sausages had an unpleasant tang which I guessed was over-herbed. There was an egg-chef. He had a heated smooth plate, and instead of using an oil, he used a spray-can which he said was cooking oil. The plate was not scraped between eggs. The eggs had a different tang which was even more unpleasant. I don't know why he couldn't use a liquid cooking oil.
The hotel itself seemed tired, and prices, especially wines, were expensive in my opinion.

Visited many many times, but won't be returning, hotel over run with dogs! Awful smell of sewage in reception, parking very difficult & expensive

This hotel used to be a special occasion hotel. Having got engaged here and also holding our wedding party here some years ago, we were excited to bring our children to stay at this hotel. However, it is rundown, poor service and we left thoroughly unimpressed. The rooms have been modernized which was fine but the beds were like sleeping on bricks! We had the worst night sleep!! The power on the shower was pitiful although hot. We went to the bar for some drinks in the evening and were very disappointed with the mess everywhere - food and rubbish on the floor, unwiped tables which I would not expect such lack of attention from Marriott. Finally, when we went for breakfast the next morning, there was a queue of people waiting to be seated - no one was given any apology for being kept waiting, there was no sense of urgency to get people seated considering how many were waiting, and the food offering was simply dire. One option of fruit available, sad looking cooked food and pastries that have seen better days. Tables that looked like they had been waiting to be cleared for some time and general poor service. What a disappointment, and we will opt for our regular cheaper hotel in future where we know what we are getting and is a hell of a lot more satisfying than this!

Lovely stay; staff helpful and pleasant, evening meal and breakfast in the Brasserie Blanc were excellent and parking no problem. As Marriott Gold members we were upgraded to a Sea View room and the views are just stunning. This is a good time of the year to visit as it’s a bit cheaper and less manic than in the summer.

Good hotel with an excellent location overlooking the coast. Rooms were cleaned regularly, and any requests for additional items (such as wine glasses or shower caps) were attended to very quickly.

However, breakfast at Brasserie Blanc felt overpriced, with a limited variety compared to peers. Only filter coffee was included, and there was an additional charge for any other type of coffee, which was disappointing.

Overall, a comfortable stay in a great setting, but breakfast could be improved to match the standard of the rest of the hotel.

Had 2 nights here in room 404, which is located at the rear in the roof space. Thoughtfully decorated and spacious. The room is over warm, and the aircon is fixed with a min of 19C. We got round this by removing the quilt from the cover, and sleeping under just the cover. Bed v comfortable.
The toilet seat isn’t the original to the toilet. And is too small for the pan, and its positioning makes it impossible to use the toilet without leaving skid marks on the pan. No brush is provided in the bathroom. So your companion is obliged to look at this too.
The public rooms are lovely. We ate in Brasserie Blanc, which is in a beautiful room on the ground floor. First class food. Very good value, and professional staff too.
On night 2, we ate at Tiien, the Thai restaurant behind the main building. Again, a memorable meal.
Overall, a very good experience. A mention too, for the reception staff, who gave us a warm welcome.

We recently went to an evening in their large function room with a very well known guest speaker. Have to say the food side of the event was quite disappointing, for a price of '£69 a head' it was very poor value for money.
The starter was gravalax on sourdough bread which was fairly minimal and the bread so hard it was inedable ~ unless one wanted a trip to the dentist. The main was roasted chicken breast with sauce, saute potatoes and spring greens. It was an extremely small portion and contained 2 tiny pieces of bite sized chicken which not really enough to be considered a main course. To follow we had a baked alaska and pineapple salsa on short bread which was fairly pleasant. We were suppoosed to have 'half a bottle of wine each' which wasn't really forthcoming and had to negotiate hard with the staff for more than 2 small glasses of wine in order eto get a top up!. Finally had the coffee, (but alas no sign of the petits fours).
All in a quite a disappointing for functiond event in maybe a 3 star Hotel and experienced very poor value for money.

what happened to the Marriott excellent service we used to get - because I certainly didnt find it during my stay in Bournemouth - from the moment I walked in with a big suitcase and no one to help - to being given a room at the opposite side of the hotel again no help with my suitcases - noisy hotel but most of all disgusting bathroom - if the cleaner / whomever checks room can't see hairS on a white shower - god knows what they've missed on the dark rug - I tend to loose my hair but here it wasn't just one hair - it was a lot and not something I want to see as a cx

We have been visting this hotel for over 20 years.
Our visit to the bar was a little disappointing this time. The happy hour seems to have changed.
The particular barman on this occasion was very abrupt.
We returned another night when he wasn't on.
This time a different bar man was very helpful.

I liked to go to Mariot because it's so close to the beach but unfortunately the service by staff specially the reception staff they are all not friendly and so serious as well as being not helpful. I was amazed see they charge £8 for parking even for a very short time. The only hotel on that i've experienced charging for going to the bar just for a drink. Parking in all other hotels hotels is free for up to 2 or 3 hours as, some only require to enter the number place on a display screen to register as a guest for free.
Mariot is the only hotel that charged the visitors for parking. I found tje attitude of receptionists are all rude and offensive, I would never go there again while I can go to any of the surrounding hotel and receive excellent welcome and be treated well.

Such a beautiful hotel, the view was lovely. The room was so much bigger than the pictures. It was absolutely unreal. Could not believe how stunning the view of the sea actually was from the bedroom great size room super clean very friendly and helpful stuff.

Excellent location, lovely hotel, great room, friendly helpful staff.

Had a lovely weekend stay, easy to park (although costs £15 a day there is plenty of space)
Great location and staff very friendly.
Room extremely comfortable and spacious, hairdryer, ironing board and iron provided.
Only negative was the coffee was not refilled when the room was cleaned.
We would Definately book again.

Lovely stay, food very good and staff were very attentive and excellent service. The only thing was there was a problem with the hot water and the bathroom door handle was broken. This was sorted out as soon as we informed the staff who were extremely helpful. We will definitely be staying there again!

Hotel in our opinion is tired, our deluxe room had a fabulous view and was well appointed, breakfast service was disappointing, no instruction on entering of procedure, sat down at a table, we went and got some juice and then walked around to see what was on offer, fresh fruit and yoghurt, lovely continental selection , selection of breads for toast and pastries, a variety of cooked items including an omelette station. My husband chose an omelette and added a sausage (which had been reheated) and bacon. I toasted some bread and added scrambled egg (not sure it was made from actual eggs) young lady came to ask if we’d like tea/coffee eventually, I ordered a latte and was told it was extra (have never in any hotel been charged extra at breakfast service for a latte) so opted for the regular coffee, it was bitter and to me, not fresh. My husbands tea arrived in a dirty teapot and his mug had lipstick on . We had booked to celebrate our anniversary in Raymond Blanc, but our breakfast experience put us off, so we cancelled.
We had looked forward to dining in the evening in this hotel but, on arrival decided to venture into Bournemouth and dine……all in all a disappointing stay in this fabulous located hotel

We had the most wonderful stay at The Marriott. Our room was truly lovely and very clean. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast was superb.
I do not understand the bad reviews because we thought the hotel was splendid. We cannot wait to return.

Such miserable and rude staff in the Brassiere Blanc - Raymond Blanc you should be ashamed
The decor is tacky old fashioned and not in keeping with a potentially beautiful hotel in a stunning location
Cheap and nasty breakfast dirty cups poorly trained staff and ridiculous rules - doors into lounge locked but you can get in another way etc -bar staff very rude
Rooms ok windows filthy - old pool a dumping ground

Improve breakfast menu, floor makes a lot of noise

A huge disappointment. Was quite pricey and very busy. Put in a cottage room which was freezing cold, not as clean as you’d expect in a Marriott and very poor soundproofing. So cold I could not sleep - very meagre bedding. Cheeky for over £200 quid a night. All this made worse by when I raised these issues the next day having really dire customer service. When I pushed things they tried their best but only gave me a 50% refund which didn’t really cover it for me as I ended up paying over a ton for a cold, dirty room and getting no sleep. I’d avoid this hotel until they’ve worked out the basics

Reception was of a good quality, sadly the rest of the hotel looked tired, and really 30 years out f date, Breakfast was good, disappointed that I had to purchase a Quality "Americano Coffee" from the bar, restaurant coffee was shockingly poor, typically to what you would get at an old department store 20 years ago.

It's a real pity as the building is in a prime area overlooking the amazing beach, idea for a 5 star hotel. People would pay more myself included for an amazing hotel experience.

A good example is The Grand Hotel in Lytham St Annes. not the cheapest place to stay but memorable experience, and customers return over and over again.