26 Derby Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, United Kingdom | (888) 616-5829
Listed building steeped in history with quirky period furniture and even a spy hatch (!)
Edwardian six-course-meal dinner parties every Saturday
Luxury rooms have regal four-poster beds and fireplaces
Some bathrooms have TV's at the end of the bathtubs
Dogs allowed
Free use of the leisure center -- a two-minute walk away
Free Wi-Fi
Afternoon tea
Extra charge for breakfast
No on-site gym or spa
The central heating can get sizzling hot at times
Advanced bookings recommended for the dinner parties that sell out
An upscale, family-owned hotel with a romantic history that dates back to 1877, Langtry Manor was built by King Edward VII as a hideaway to enjoy with his mistress Lillie Langtry. Today, it's one of the most popular pit-stops in Dorset -- thanks to the property being only a five-minute drive from Bournemouth pier, and its kooky rooms that ooze historical character. The 27 room-property has a gourmet restaurant and bar, with a deliciously old world dining room that has a colossal fireplace. The afternoon tea with clotted cream scones is also a big hit with both guests and locals alike. Guests rave about the welcoming and friendly staff, who try to make travelers' experience here as authentically historic as possible; there's really no comparison to other nearby properties.
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Scene
Edwardian history seeps through the nooks and crannies, for a warm ambience throughout
There are some lovely public spaces in Langtry Manor. The lobby has curved doorways and antique chairs, which squeak pleasantly when sat upon. Following through from the lobby into the drawing room are walls neatly decorated with historical pictures and artifacts, and a cozy fireplace. All the communal rooms and passageways are similarly furnished with Edwardian period fixtures and furnishings. The dining room even has raw evidence of its royal heritage -- Edward's spy hatch -- and stained glass that complements the square lead piping in the windows. High ceilings, thick velvet curtains, luxurious carpets, and balustrades complete the look; and antique portraits are under-lit, so that the eyes follow guests'. Langtry Manor is popular with couples thanks to its romantic rooms, though anyone with an enthusiasm for history will enjoy it.
Location
On a quiet road lined with pine trees, a five-minute walk from the coastline
Along a street lined with pine trees, the hotel is set within its own well-maintained grounds. A five-minute walk from the hotel is the coastline, with Blue Flag award-winning beaches running all the way through to Poole. The hotel is also within a five-minute drive of Bournemouth Natural Science Society and Bournemouth International Centre, and within 10 minutes' walk of Knyveton Gardens and Boscombe Chine Gardens Mini-Golf Course. A 20- to 30-minute stroll brings guests into Bournemouth's town center, where there are shops, museums and galleries, theaters, and nightclubs. The gorgeous woodlands of the New Forest are a 15-minute drive, and Sandbanks, with its show-stopping beach, is equidistant in the car.
Rooms
Utterly romantic and cozy, some with four-poster beds
Rooms are named after historical figures from the Edwardian period; there's The King's Room, The Lillie Langtry Room, and The Emily Le Breton Room (Lillie Langtry's birth name), amongst others. The rooms are utterly historical -- think inglenook fireplaces, exposed beams, chandeliers, and four-poster beds (in some). The King and Lillie Langtry rooms in particular are uber-historical, whilst other rooms feel more modern. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with Freeview, and minibars; luxury rooms and suites have iPod docking stations and jetted tubs. Bathrooms are all contemporary and chic, with fluffy towels and rainfall showerheads, and most have tubs. Free toiletries are organic, from the Damana range. Rooms are well soundproofed from noise, and rooms to the back have the best views overlooking the garden.
Features
Beautiful gardens and top-class food in the restaurant
Langtry Manor has some lovely grounds, and the well-maintained lawn and summer house are picturesque. In the summer, guests can walk over the graveled path to the lawns, where afternoon tea is served -- because the hotel is set back from the road, traffic noise isn't a problem. There's no fitness center or swimming pool on-site, but guests have free access to a leisure center a couple minutes' walk down the road. Food-wise, the Langtry Manor Hotel comes up trumps. Christopher Corbett is the head chef at Langtry's restaurant, and gets excellent reviews for regal dishes like rack of lamb. On Saturday, Edwardian dinner parties take place, with six-course meals and historical entertainment such as readings or re-enactments; guests should book in advance, as space is limited. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
