Premier Inn Bournemouth Central Hotel

This handsome building dates back to the 1930s, and it has been many different hotels over the years. Its current version is modern but pays homage to its Art Deco roots with dark and decadent design touches such as lavender velour furniture, black and white tile floors, and tiger wood paneling. The cozy Manhattan Bar and Lounge enhances the artistic feel, with more velour furniture in crimson and olive shades and striking carpet in geometric patterns. This quiet hotel has a friendly and comfortable vibe. Given its proximity to both the Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre, it attracts a mix of leisure and business travelers who are often attending conferences, concerts, or other events at  nearby venues (or spending the day at the nearby beach).  

The hotel is centrally located near most of Bournemouth’s top attractions. The beach and pier are only six minutes away on foot, as is the Bournemouth International Centre. The Grosvenor Casino and Art Deco Bournemouth Pavilion are just one minute away by foot. Several restaurants are equally close, and many more are only a couple of minutes further. The lovely Lower Gardens is a four-minute walk, and the heart of Bournemouth’s town center is about eight minutes on foot. Travel connections also are nearby, with the railway station a five-minute drive and the airport about 15 minutes away by car. The New Forest, an untouched wilderness area with ancient trees, is a 30-minute drive. 

These clean and contemporary rooms feature the Premier chain’s signature lavender as the primary accent color. It appears on the branded bed throws and upholstered bed skirts. Olive velour chairs provide an additional pop of color. Black and gold accent walls behind the beds have a striking damask pattern. The other walls are neutral beige, as is the patterned carpet. Tan leather padded headboards are a nice touch, and the tiger wood-like wood furniture makes a statement. High ceilings and generously-sized windows help keep the rather traditional decor from being too stuffy and bland. Desks, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers are standard amenities, as are air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Most bathrooms have shower/tub combos with glass partitions, but some have only walk-in showers. White ceramic vanities, ample counter space, and lovely gray and white tiling make the bathrooms pleasant and appealing. Some rooms have sliding doors that lead out to balconies with sweeping ocean views, but some rooms without balconies have unattractive views of roofs and buildings. Double-glazed windows generally keep ambient noise at bay, but the busy casino next to the hotel generates some noticeable noise in some rooms. 

This mid-range hotel has a full-service restaurant (Thyme British Bar & Grill) that serves a hot breakfast buffet as well as contemporary British cuisine for dinner including salads, steaks, and burgers. The restaurant also has bar service, and there is a second bar (Manhattan Bar & Lounge) with lots of cozy nooks to relax. For business travelers, the hotel has space for small meetings and a computer that guests can use. Wi-Fi is free. While parking is not actually on-site, an independent garage behind the hotel offers discounts to guests.