REVIEW: A Cosy Autumn Family Getaway at The West Cliff Hotel, Bournemouth

As a parent of two energetic young girls (7 and 4) and with a husband who is on a long military deployment, I'm very keen to keep the kids busy while having a bit of a break myself.

We live in Poole just down the road from Bournemouth, but with the summer crowds having dispersed while the autumnal vibrant hues of orange and gold are adorning Bournemouth’s coastal scenery, we decided to have a much-needed break at the West Cliff Hotel. Nestled just a short stroll from the iconic Bournemouth Pier, this was a perfect hotel to make the most of the hotel's fantastic amenities while enjoying all that Bournemouth has to offer for families.

Warm Welcome & Family-Friendly Vibe

We headed to the Hotel straight from the school run and the kids were hugely excited as we walked into reception. We were warmly greeted by the Hotel staff including Tony the General Manager who was so kind to the children, they became rather smitten and despite there being so many highlights to our stay,  Tony was clearly top of the list as they kept asking if they could go and speak to him and were thrilled to have a photo taken with Tony (they're still talking about them even now we're at home!). The friendly nature has clearly spread to all members of staff as everyone we met were extremely happy and couldn't have done more for us.

Spacious and Comfortable Rooms

Our Hotel suite was huge - with a huge King size bed and 2 singles for the children it more than catered for our needs. The room was light and airy with high ceilings and cosy decor. 

The room was well-appointed with all the amenities you'd expect – tea and coffee facilities, a flat-screen TV, and plenty of storage.

After the kids had satisfied themselves with eating the biscuits left in the room and jumping on the beds, it was time to further exhaust themselves out by going for a swim.

Indoor Pool & Leisure Facilities

One of the highlights of our stay was the indoor pool and we had two very different experiences. The pool area was clean and well-maintained and the water was very warm. During our visit on Friday evening, apart from a swimming lesson, we had the pool to ourselves and the gentle steps into the pool were safe and great fun for the children, with dusk setting in it felt very cosy and atmospheric. We enjoyed it so much we had another swim before we left the following morning and a contrast to the cosy swim the night before, we had a gorgeous start to the day with the light of the morning sun shining through the glass ceiling and we had the pool completely to ourselves and it energised us for a day of fun in Bournemouth perfectly.

Dining: A Feast for All Ages

We were so lucky with the timing of our stay, although if you stay on a Friday evening, the chances are you will have a similar experience...

As we headed into reception we could hear the sound of fantastic live music coming from the bar. When we entered the bar area it was buzzing with people relaxing and enjoying good food and drink to the sound of Jinder (a very talented local musician who I'm now following on Spotify).

We had booked a table in the restaurant for dinner but the children asked if we could stay in the bar so we could enjoy the music and the staff were extremely accommodating and we had an incredible spot enabling us to take in the atmosphere and with space for the children to dance to the music.

As any parents will empathise, going out for a nice meal with young children can actually cause anxiety in case they disturb fellow diners, but the atmosphere was so happy and relaxed, the kids and I felt totally at ease - in fact everyone seemed to really enjoy watching the kids happily singing and dancing the night away and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating.

The food menu is impressive and there is something for all tastes. We began with the halloumi fries with a generous fresh salad, crusty bread and marinated olives. For mains the kids had Fish Goujons chips, peas and beans, while I had the Lamb rump with potato croquettes, and a generous portion of broccoli and carrots with a deliciously creamy mint sauce; a perfect accompaniment to the lamb and potatoes. 

Although satisfied from the starter and main, we couldn't go without dessert, so my eldest and I shared the banana and date sticky pudding while my youngest chose a Fab Ice Lolly after our friendly waiter took her over to the ice cream freezer. 

The children absolutely love a hotel breakfast and the choice here was superb; with a generous buffet spread offering everything from cereals and pastries to a full English breakfast. There were also healthy options including fruit and yogurt, which surprisingly the kids opted for (after toast, cake and pastries of course) while I had the full english; I was very happy to have black pudding and the sausages were very high quality. 

Autumn Activities in Bournemouth

The hotel's location is ideal for family adventures. We took a 15 minute stroll down to Bournemouth Pier and enjoyed a few hours at Rock Reef - a 28 Clip 'n Climb fun, themed, indoor climbing walls from ages 4 upwards (read my full review here).

As it was a gloriously warm and sunny autumn day we had a paddle and snack on the beach before we headed into town to do a spot of Halloween shopping. 

The Bournemouth Gardens, with their beautiful autumn colours, were perfect for a leisurely stroll.

By the time we'd finished shopping, we were only a 5 minute walk from the Hotel and the friendly staff there kindly allowed us to leave the car there for the day.

The children were so smitten with Tony at the Hotel, they talked about him all day so we couldn't leave without popping in; they were delighted they got to see them again and to say goodbye but they're already asking when we can see them again!

I think that is what makes the experience at The West Cliff Hotel so special; although it's big enough to have fantastic amenities and entertainment, it's still small enough to have a personal touch and intimate feel. 

Final Thoughts

The West Cliff Hotel in Bournemouth offers the perfect blend of family-friendly amenities, a great location, and warm hospitality. Whether you're looking for a short break or a longer stay, it provides a great base for exploring all that Bournemouth has to offer in the autumn months. 

Even after just one night we left feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and with plenty of fond memories to take home.

We used to travel all the way from Poole to Cornwall to have a short break at a similar hotel, but it was a lot more expensive and a long way to travel. If ever we're in need of some family R&R it's great to know we have the West Cliff Hotel so close by. We will definitely be back very soon.