Sandbanks Hotel

Hotels
7.8 (1360 reviews)
15 Banks Road, Sandbanks , Poole , gb

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good location
Beautiful views
Cons:
Tired decor
High drink prices
Inconsistent room quality

Categories

Cleanliness
6.91
Multiple mentions of tired decor and some rooms needing cleaning.
Service
8.88
Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful.
Location
9.42
Consistently praised as excellent and convenient.
Room Quality
7.37
Some rooms are spacious but mention of tired decor and issues.
Amenities
7.4
General feedback on facilities; some perceived as basic.
Value for Money
6.86
High costs of drinks and some comments on basic rooms.
Food and Beverage
7.41
Mixed feelings on breakfast quality with some complaints.
Overall Experience
8.18
A mix of appreciation for location and enjoyment despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 00:58

Property Description

Spectacular Views and Beach Access
Located on the famous Sandbanks with direct access to a Blue Flag beach, our modern hotel offers breathtaking views. Some rooms even overlook the sea or harbour, providing a truly mesmerizing experience.

Award-Winning Dining and Relaxation
Indulge in culinary delights at our Sea View Restaurant, boasting panoramic views of Sandbanks Beach. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and dinner experience. During warmer days, unwind with a refreshing drink on the Sandbanks Terrace.

Exciting Water Sports Academy
Make a splash at our Watersports Academy, where you can try your hand at windsurfing, kite surfing, water skiing, and sailing. Our qualified instructors and top-notch equipment ensure a thrilling aquatic adventure.

Book your stay now to experience luxury, relaxation, and excitement all in one place.

Important information:

Children are charged a discounted rate if sharing parents' accommodations. Family rooms include 2 children in the rate.
Please liaise with the hotel directly after making your reservation.

Please note that some rooms are affected by noise from hotel functions at weekends and on other special occasions. Please contact reservations directly for more detailed information.

Guests should note that the elevator only goes up to the 2nd floor. The 3rd floor is accessible via stairs.

Please note that some facilities are not available all year round.

When booking more than 6 rooms, a GBP 50 nonrefundable charge per room is required.

Please note that additional guests cannot be accommodated. All guests must be indicated at the time of booking.This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
Swimming pool: Closed from Sun, Oct 11, 2026 until Fri, Apr 30, 2027
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:30 AM
Airport code: BOH

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

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

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for £5 per person per night when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for £5 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 4 years old to 14 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 4 years old to 14 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.8
Based on 1360 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.91
Service: 8.88
Location: 9.42
Room Quality: 7.37
Amenities: 7.4
Value for Money: 6.86
Food and Beverage: 7.41
Overall Experience: 8.18
L
Leah • solo_traveller • gb
3
No aircon - not great for summer stays unless you like sleeping in a sauna
Pros:

The room was clean

Cons:

No aircon at all in the rooms, the portable fan provided didnt work well at all, room was stiflingly hot couldn't sleep.

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • couple • gb
8
Enjoyable break away, will stay again
Pros:

Location

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
4
Beach and location superb, hotel very disappointing.
Pros:

The location of the hotel and how close it was to the beach was great

Cons:

The hotel itself is desperately in need of a good makeover and thorough clean. There was a distinct lack of staff albeit those who were there and were multitasking did the best they could and a good job, The room certainly didn't match the the photos as posted on the site. The internals and furniture were very dark and dated and we had constant issues with fly's or mosquitos in our room, the breakfast was just about edible but wasn't great and it tasted like it had been cooked hours before, especially the sausages and then was not very well reheated. Certainly not good value for the money.

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
R
Rodney • couple • gb
1
Despiratately in need of refurbishment.no fridg safe or air conditioning
Pros:

position

Cons:

everything

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
4
Pros:

The location and the view.

Cons:

When you pay £300 per night, you have certain expectations. The room had NO SAFE and NO FRIDGE.

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • couple • gb
7
Was lovely
Pros:

It was situated in the most amazing place. The staff were accommodating. Room was dated but had the most amazing view

Cons:

The one thing which was frustrating is the Bar not being open. If you wanted a drink you had to go the the beach bar. When dressed to go out at 6oclock and want to sit and have a few drinks, to be told you have to have them from the beach bar in a plastic cup and that there are no staff available to work the bar. The staff were working the beach bar which was full of people who were not staying at the hotel. I don't like drinking wine out of a plastic cup. They were however serving drinks to the restaurant. We did speak to someone who said they didn't have the staff. Just disappointing when you pay a lot of money and just want to sit in the lounge with a glass not a plastic cup.
The only other thing was only a few sunbeams which got taken up before we could even get to them. Though there would be sunbeds to take on the beach at least.

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
C
Corinna • solo_traveller • de
7
Pros:

Die Lage, der Pool.

Cons:

Es ist alles schon sehr in die Jahre gekommen, das Bett war nicht gut, das Zustellbett eine Zumutung.

2026-07-09 • via Nuitee
S
Suzanne • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Breakfast was good, large selection

Cons:

Some parts were a little tired looking - balcony had cracked glass, shower had a shower curtain rather than a screen so was cold and stuck to me.

2026-07-09 • via Nuitee
M
Marilyn • solo_traveller • gb
6
A beautiful hotel that needs financial investment to bring it back to its recentsmart, slick standard.
Pros:

Gorgeous location. I have stayed here many times and the location is what makes me come back.

Cons:

This gorgeous hotel that used to be well staffed, serving excellent food both on the beautiful sun terrace and in the main restaurant is now looking very tired and understaffed. The main restaurant is no longer open (except for a buffet breakfast)and the sun terrace only serves pizzas/burgers. Such a disappointment. I booked into their Italian restaurant, but whilst friendly, the service was slow and the food was not good!
Overall, for £185 per night, I had expected a choice for lunch and quiet plumbing - the pipes were very loud and noisy!

2026-07-09 • via Nuitee
P
Pauline • family_with_children • gb
7
We enjoyed our short stay as hotel in a superb location right on the beach
Pros:

The location was excellent as was breakfast

Cons:

It would have been nice to have a separate shower as husband has bad knees stepping over bath

2026-07-08 • via Nuitee
L
Liz • family_with_children • gb
8
Would recommend
Pros:

Location, clean, helpful staff

Cons:

Room was very hot, no fans or air con

2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • gb
7
It was generally good.
Pros:

Rooms were fine.
Restaurant very good.

Cons:

The hotel is a bit dated.
It needs up-dating.

2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
S
Smith • couple • gb
10
2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • couple • gb
8
Fabulous location and think the cost reflected this
Pros:

Breakfast was adequate, we’ve had better

Cons:

Thought the evening meals were quite expensive

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
N
Niki • solo_traveller • hu
10
2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
A
Aquib • couple • gb
5
Nothing
Pros:

Location

Cons:

I have lived many hotels,and at this price the hotel room should have all the facilities.
Fridge nice big tv iron box many things were missing

2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • couple • gb
8
2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
8
Enjoyable stay and great location especially when the weather is great
Pros:

Location and ease of getting to the beach or walking around the harbour. Good parking. Good leisure and spa facilities

Cons:

Room furniture a little dated however more than acceptable

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
R
roger • couple • gb
3
beach great.hotel faded
Cons:

No aircon in rooms.
No black pudding at breakfast (although shown on website)
No cheese as a pudding.

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
J
james • family_with_children • gb
5
Perfect location but hotel very dated.
Pros:

The staff were very helpful and attentive. The location was perfect for access to beach and ferries. There was a good selection at breakfast. The Amalfi restaurant was very good.

Cons:

The rooms had sea views but other than that the hotel and rooms were very dated. The rooms had no air conditioning, ripped main curtains that had to be closed during the day as no net curtain to block people on the beach seeing in. The inside and outside bar areas were pleasant. Although breakfast had a good selection the actual restaurant needs updating.

2026-06-30 • via Nuitee