Durley Dean

Firstly did not get room paid for. Booked standard was given compact ( could touch walls led on bed) even though they said was standard. Said no other availability but ' found' a standard room after saying we would not stay and have a refund as not getting what we paid.
2nd room much better ( definately proves first room was compact. We were below the breakfast room so music before 7am that woke us with lots of what sounded like tables being moved and alot of heavy walkjng back and forth, Probs from kitchen.
Cant call it a spa. Small cool Pool with no where to sit on side to relax. 10 people and was crowded. Steam room not working. Sauna seats 3 people max Paid 200 for 2 nights no breakfast included plus 30.00 parking fee in hotel grounds. More 3 star at a push

The location is good in the heart of the chines area. Walkable to the beach. I was attending a training course in Boscombe but feel safer in this part of the area.

Staff were very friendly, food was excellent

Staff were very helpful

Everything was spot on !! The receptionist was so helpful and attentive and a lovely smile to add !! Will be back very soon with my 5 year old boy as he loves the underground pool !!

Air conditioning in the bedroom

Cheap and comfortable. food was O.K.

We recently stayed at the Durley Dean as a family with young children and it will be a holiday we remember for all the wrong reasons.

On arrival we were placed in a basement room adjacent to the pool. The hallway and room smelled strongly of chlorine, paint and bleach. A staff member who dealt with this informed us they had just painted a bathroom wall which we suspected was covering damp. We requested and were moved to another room.

The hotel throughout was very tired and dated, not reflected in the price we paid. I was surprised that there was no fridge or safe in the room which are quite standard for most 4* hotels.

Most seriously, on our final night our 3-year-old daughter became trapped alone in a small toilet near the pool due to a faulty lock on a heavy wooden door. The door could not be opened from either side as the lock had completely jammed shut. She was trapped for approximately 15 minutes in a state of considerable distress. We called the Fire Brigade who arrived just as my husband and the maintenance manager had smashed in the door using a crowbar and brute force.

We raised a formal complaint with the hotel director. Despite the severity of the incident involving a young child, our request for a refund was refused and we were offered a single complimentary mid-week night valid in a restricted window and told this offer would be withdrawn if we pursued our legal rights or posted reviews.

We are now pursuing this matter through formal legal and regulatory channels including the Environmental Health Officer.

We would not recommend this hotel to any family with young children.

It was very welcoming, even with me having a dog with me.
It was good having air con in the rooms as we had unexpected heat wave.
24 hours access to outside, not being locked in at certain times. Especially I had to go out in middle of night for the dog to go to toilet.

Love the Durley Dean it's my go to on a number of occasions dog friendly staff friendly children friendly what more can I ask for comfortable rooms slightly smells of damp but otherwise I always enjoy my stay with the family great breakfast parking can cause a few issues but all in all highly recommended

breakfast poor due to very poor ingredients sadly, old faciliities
ties

The location was good.

Breakfast was great, comfy bed, close to the seaside.

Fantastic breakfast!Variety to choose.

location