Sleeping Bear Hotels Dorchester

Hotels
8.7 (1285 reviews)
32 High West Street , Dorchester , gb

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Children allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Non-smoking throughout
Shared lounge/TV area
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Physical distancing rules followed
Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Comfortable rooms
Cons:
Cleanliness issues in some rooms
Noise from adjacent rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
7.91
Several comments were made about cleanliness issues, particularly with hair found in one of the rooms.
Service
9.38
Staff received high praise for being friendly and helpful in multiple reviews.
Location
9.42
The hotel location was frequently noted as a big plus, being close to the town center.
Room Quality
8.37
Most rooms were reported as comfortable, though there were specific complaints about cleanliness.
Amenities
8.9
Facilities such as tea/coffee options and room features were appreciated.
Value for Money
8.86
Value was mentioned positively, especially in relation to the room's comfort and amenities.
Food and Beverage
7.91
The lack of breakfast options noted in a review negatively affected this score.
Overall Experience
8.88
Overall experience was favorable despite some criticisms regarding cleanliness and noise.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 07:21

Property Description

Delightful Georgian Hotel in the Heart of Dorchester

Premium Amenities: Enjoy free WiFi, premium digital TV channels, and modern en suite bathrooms with a bath and power shower in every room.

Historic Charm: Built in 1756, the hotel boasts classic features such as fireplaces, panelling, and a magnificent grand staircase, offering a truly unique and charming stay.

Perfect for Relaxation: Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, The Wessex Royale provides an ideal setting for a peaceful and rejuvenating break.

Book now to experience the historic charm and modern comforts of The Wessex Royale in Dorchester.

Important information:

No elevator available.

Guests should note that we have limited parking available on site, and this is charged at £10 a day through Just Park, and needs to be booked in advance .

Please note, group bookings of more than 6 rooms will be subject to a 7 day cancelation policy - if canceled later than 7 days before the day of arrival the first night's stay will be charged.

The Reception Desk is staffed between the hours of 10.00am and 6.00pm. Outside of these hours, please use the self-service reception kiosk located in the lounge. It's quick and easy and takes less than a minute.
No elevator available. Guests should note that we have limited parking available on site, and this is charged at £10 a day through Just Park, and needs to be booked in advance . Please note, group bookings of more than 6 rooms will be subject to a 7 day cancelation policy - if canceled later than 7 days before the day of arrival the first night's stay will be charged.Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: BRS

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed) and costs GBP 15 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.7
Based on 1285 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.91
Service: 9.38
Location: 9.42
Room Quality: 8.37
Amenities: 8.9
Value for Money: 8.86
Food and Beverage: 7.91
Overall Experience: 8.88
O
O'Leary • family_with_children • gb
8
good quality for money but do upgrade pillows
Pros:

central location, lovely bedroom and communal rooms. great tea/coffee provisions station. nice staff member. good parking (but book beforehand)

Cons:

really uncomfortable pillows which affected my sleep

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • couple • gb
8
2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
D
DEAN • extended_group • gb
10
Warm and welcoming.
Pros:

Kind staff.

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • gb
9
An ideally situated, clean and modern hotel with great facilities.
Pros:

Clean - comfortable - central location - good decor.

Cons:

Nothing comes to mind.

2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
M
Martin • couple • gb
9
If we were to visit Dorchester again we would choose to stay here.
Pros:

Communal coffee machine; choice of fresh milk and plenty of biscuits, convenient for the town centre, clean and comfortable.

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
H
Hannah • couple • gb
10
2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
P
Pamé • couple • gb
8
Friendly staff
Pros:

Good location

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • family_with_children • gb
7
Pros:

Clean easy to use

Cons:

No staff a bit strange but was fine. Parking expensive so used local car park instead

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
A
Anne • solo_traveller • gb
10
It was really good
Pros:

N/A

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
S
Sandor • solo_traveller • hu
7
was good for a single night based on price range.
Pros:

It is located close to Dorchester South railway station so that was a plus and also many restaurants are close to the hotel. like 5 mins of walk tops.

Cons:

Bed was to soft for my lower back issues but that is my personal problem. Bigger problem for me was that the room has almost no sound insulation. This resulted me waking up 2-3 times during the nigh clearly hearing conversations happening on the corridor in front of my room just as other guests walked by.

2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
J
Jo • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Location to town

Cons:

Customer service exemplary

2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
N
Nicholas • solo_traveller • gb
5
2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
R
Rona • couple • gb
8
2026-03-25 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
9
Excellent short stay
Pros:

Lovely period building in perfect location
Accommodation really good.

Cons:

Was all good. Would have been nice to be able to buy a nightcap!!

2026-03-25 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
10
Excellent value, perfect for leisure or work
Pros:

Great value room. Very comfortable with lovely bathroom. Really liked the lobby area with cutlery and dishes for evening take away. The most relaxed I’ve been on a hotel stay for a while. If I were working away, this place would be perfect. Staff really friendly and the hotel very clean

Cons:

Not a big deal but the scaffolding on the front of the hotel was unexpected. Don’t play the parking rates, there is a cheap council car park over the road

2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • gb
9
No toilet brush in bathroom, shower mat had black mould on the underside
Pros:

Very peaceful

Cons:

It was central to every thing we wanted

2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • extended_group • gb
9
We booked for a funeral we were attending. rooms comfy and spacious
Pros:

Perfect for what we needed it for

2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • couple • gb
10
The hotel was perfect and felt like a home from home.
Pros:

This is a no frills hotel, so no food or drink are available. However, the room was spacious, clean and warm with a super king bed and good bathroom. A kettle with tea, coffee and biscuits were supplied in the room. There was a welcoming communal sitting room and a canteen where guests could eat takeaways and a tea and coffee machine.
Staff were friendly and the hotel is in a good position at the top of the town with pubs, cafes and restaurants within a couple of minutes walk.

Cons:

If I’m being really picky, a hand towel by the wash basin would have been good instead of across the bathroom and larger water glasses please!

2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
J
James • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-03-19 • via Nuitee