15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, United Kingdom | (888) 635-3814
Family-friendly hotel with a kids' club
Direct access from the hotel to the beach
Less than a 15-minute drive to Bournemouth and Poole
A short ferry ride to Brownsea Island
Large guest rooms, many with balconies and stunning sea views
Great restaurant and lounge bar
Indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness center
Freebies include breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking
Rooms, and some public areas, need updating
Wi-Fi can be spotty
The upper-middle-range Sandbanks Hotel is a family-friendly, beachfront hotel right on Poole Harbour that's part of a small, local hotel chain. It has 108 rooms, the majority of which have unobstructed views of the water, but many are dated and worn and could use a refresh. There are
loads of facilities here, including a small indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and
fitness center. There's also a restaurant and bar, and breakfast is
included in the room rate. One of the main draws is the hotel's direct
access to an untouched sandy beach. Facilities for children are excellent, too, and include a kids' club that hosts a wide range of activities and allows parents to put
their feet up. All in all, the facilities here are extensive, but the tired
guest rooms are a let down. Those looking for a quieter escape might want to check
out the nearby Harbour Heights, with more modern rooms and fewer family-friendly amenities.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Family-focused hotel with kid-friendly atmosphere and direct beach access
The exterior of the hotel has a contemporary style, with
silver signage and glass sliding doors. The lobby is smart and modern too --
the flooring and reception desk are made of dark wood, and the walls are adorned with nautical artwork. The bar and restaurant are bright and breezy, if a bit bland, with wooden furniture, and neutral-colored couches in the bar. The other public areas could use some TLC: parts of
the stair carpet are held together with sticky tape and the elevators are old
and clunky. The hotel is especially popular with families, thanks to its many kid-friend facilities. Some couples do vacation here, but, during school holidays, the pool and beach are dominated by children.
Location
Right on the beach at Poole Harbour, 15 minutes from Poole and Bournemouth towns
The Sandbanks Hotel trades on its location. Perched on the Sandbanks
Peninsula in Poole, it has Poole Harbour at the front and the sea -- and
stunning beach -- at the back. This mean that there are panoramic ocean views from all sides and plenty
of water activities, like windsurfing and kayaking, to get involved in right
outside the hotel. There’s no road between the hotel and the beach, meaning you can literally step out of the door and straight onto the sand. It’s a
fairly quiet area, too, surrounded mostly by private homes and apartment
complexes. Brownsea Island is just a 10-minute ferry ride away and
offers the chance to see some rare wildlife. It’s also less than a 15-minute
drive each to Poole's town center and train station, and to Bournemouth’s
center; both have plenty of shops and restaurants.
Rooms
Panoramic sea views, but decor needs to be renovated
Rooms at the Sandbanks Hotel are large and the majority have
great views, either of the sea or Poole Harbor. Many also have balconies with a
small table and chairs. Most are in need of updating, though; the decor is dated -- with wooden furnishings, wall-to-wall carpeting, and pops of color in pillows and curtains -- and there are many signs of wear and tear, such as stained furniture and
threadbare patches in the carpets. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations, but are also in need of renovation and better cleaning. All rooms have free Wi-Fi (although
it's spotty), a hairdryer, and flat-screen
TV. Room service is also available, and connecting rooms and cots can be requested.
Features
Kids' club and play areas, fitness center, indoor pool, beach access
The Sandbanks Hotel has an extensive program of kids' activities. An
entertainment team puts on shows throughout the school holidays, and parents
can either stay with the children, or leave them in the care of the team. They
also organize games on the beach, face-painting, craft activities, and talent
shows. For an extra charge, children can also have breakfast with the kids' club mascots. The indoor swimming pool is a big hit with children of all ages,
and for very young ones there’s an indoor soft play area.There are plenty of
facilities for grown-ups too, including a sauna, steam room, and small fitness
center. For business guests, there are seven meeting rooms available. The
restaurant serves a free buffet breakfast daily and is also open for lunch
and dinner; it serves fresh, local cuisine alongside views of Poole Bay and the Jurassic Coast.
There’s also a bar that has an extensive cocktail and wine list,
and a beachfront terrace with plenty of comfortable chairs
and tables. There's free Wi-Fi throughout, and free
parking.
