Surf bet
Wax down your surfboard and head for Urban Beach Hotel – perfect for a weekend getaway, says Dominique Afacan

BOURNEMOUTH is coming up in the world. Footballer Sol Campbell and Noel Gallagher, from rock band Oasis, have all bought property here, and the seaside town is regularly being tipped as the UK’s answer to the French Riviera. The Sandbanks area — right on Poole Harbour — has, amazingly, been named the fourth most expensive place to live in the world.

A trip to the coast still doesn’t have to blow your budget though, as the Urban Beach Hotel will testify. Located in the less exclusive Boscombe, it’s still only fi ve minutes from the beach, which has surprisingly white sands and inviting seas. And in high season there is an adorable land train to get you from Boscombe to Bournemouth Pier.

The hotel opened its doors as a boutique hotel in March, and there’s a selection of room sizes and grades, with rates from just £60, rising up to £150. At these prices, you might be expecting the usual chintzy interiors of a seaside hotel, but even the smallest rooms have top-notch design touches, such as Egyptian-cotton sheets, fl at-screen TVs, gorgeous toiletries and luxury bathrooms. Plus there’s a DVD library in reception should you fancy a night in.

Communal areas are by no means up to the same standard as the bedrooms — a chipped reception desk here, peeling wallpaper there, and an uninspiring breakfast room. But the staff more than make up for this, especially the owner Mark Cribb, whose genuine enthusiasm for the hotel ensures you’ll get the most out of your stay.

Moving outside and there’s a treat in store if you’re visiting in summer — the atmospheric outdoor terrace is full up with guests and locals all-day long. Food is served there until 10pm and you can enjoy cocktails until 11pm.

Hip hotels are few and far between in Bournemouth, so this is a breath of fresh air for trendy weekenders and surf fanatics, who head here for the waves. And with the arrival of Europe’s fi rst artifi cial surf reef, due in the near future, this hotel looks set to be a big hit. 23 Argyll Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, tel: +44(0)1202 301 509, www.urbanbeachhotel.co.uk

Blow the budget…

DE VERE ROYAL BATH HOTEL
For a more traditional — not to mention more expensive — stay in Bournemouth, check in to this landmark hotel. With a large Victorian frontage, it boasts panoramic views over the seafront, and has an indoor swimming pool and spa. Stay in one of its nine fi rst-class suites and enjoy a private balcony or garden. Double rooms start from £220, with breakfast. Tel: +44 (0)1202 555 555, www.devere.co.uk

While you’re there…

EAT
West Beach
Amid the many unappealing “chippies” stands this award-winning beachfront fi sh restaurant, with live jazz every Thursday and outdoor seating for the summer months. Try the whole crab. www.west-beach.co.uk

DRINK
Café Shore
For a splash of London lounge life on the south coast, this is the place to come. With stunning interiors and a fabulous setting on Poole Harbour, it’s strictly for the chic. The dining area boasts fl oor-to-ceiling windows and views out over the water. www.cafeshore.co.uk

SKIP
Oceanarium – the Bournemouth Aquarium
Despite laying claim to the world’s fi rst interactive dive cage (read: TV screens in a partially enclosed space), the Oceanarium is a rather tired attraction and you end up leaving disappointed. Avoid. www.oceanarium.co.uk

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 16th, 2007 at 9:53 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.