Bournemouth

Bournemouth has seven miles of Blue Flag beaches. It has been a favourite holiday destination for many years. The resort has two piers, one at Bournemouth and one at Boscombe (currently closed).

Bournemouth is different from many UK holiday resorts in not having a row of hotels on the seafront and a traditional style promenade. Instead it has beautifully landscaped gardens and gently sloping zigzag paths take you down to the sea. There are also two cliff lifts if you don't fancy walking.

There is a special "Kidzone" scheme in place on Bournemouth's beaches. Families can take colour-coded wristbands to give to young children. The wristbands mean that the child should be in a particular 200m stretch of beach. Lifeguards, beach rangers and deck chair attendants can then spot children who are likely to be lost, having stayed out of their "zone".

Bournemouth is a great place for all kinds of shopping. If you are into antiques and collectables nearby Boscombe is ideal for hunting down a bargain. It is walkable from Bournemouth, but there is also a Noddy train which runs along the beach.

In recent years Bournemouth has shed some of its walking stick image. It now has its fair share of bars and night clubs and some trendy restaurants. Overall I would say it is noisier than it used to be, but I've not seen any trouble.

Bournemouth is also an ideal base for exploring the New Forest.

Bournemouth - Best

• Fantastic Blue Flag beaches [editor]
• Visit Ashes Menswear (86 Old Christchurch Road) - great place for up-to-the-minute style [editor]
• Plenty of free on-street parking [editor]
• Early sixties Boscombe Pier now a listed building [editor]
• Valentio Italian restaurant - traditional Italian food, family atmosphere, stylish sixties round building - highly recommended [editor]

Bournemouth - Worst

• Imax Cinema spoils the view - now X listed [editor]

Bournemouth has many hotels and guest houses to suit all tastes and pockets. If you are looking for relaxation rather than all night partying, I recommend that you ask whether the hotel caters for stag or hen parties. Also be aware that many of the larger hotels have wedding parties at the weekend.

Top tip: Don't book online - 'phone the hotel direct and negotiate a cheaper price.

Opinions

Cumberland Hotel

Stayed in: August 2004 Rating: Fair Official rating: 3 Star

The Cumberland is a magnificent Art Deco building. It had been modernised in the 60s to early 70s and then pretty much left as is. This meant it had quirky and interesting style. Its best feature was a first class restaurant with an excellent chef and professional waiter service. It used to be our favourite hotel in Bournemouth and became our default place to stay.

Now they've redecorated - it's much more of a bland, modern hotel. But worst of all they have replaced the restaurant with a buffet service with food sitting around on heated trays trays - yuck!

The Cumberland is now under new management (from when we last stayed there).

Go to: Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth

Montague Hotel

Stayed in: December 2009 Rating: Good Official rating: 3 Star

We stayed here several times for club dinners and short breaks. It was redecorated a couple of years ago and they had done a good job. It didn't blow you away with style, but was ok. The rooms were fine - everything worked and we had no complaints. Food was also good. We would stay there again.

The hotel is now part of the Best Western Group.

Go to: Montague Hotel, Bournemouth

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