Harbour Hotel Christchurch

Our second stay at a Harbour Hotel, there were one or two issues last year at Sidmouth. Our 5 night visit to Mudeford was much better from the start. All staff were incredibly helpful, polite and hardworking – in fact nothing was too much trouble. The hotel was well laid out and clean and tidy. The Spa was a great bonus and the view from our table at breakfast was delightful. Breakfast was excellent, with lots of choice and great service. Our room was spacious, well appointed and the bed was very comfortable. The location was important for us as we wanted to explore the Southern Coastal Path with plenty of walking direct from the hotel or a short drive away.

A couple of issues this year; 1)car parking was free, but stressful at busy times (we arrived in the rain and a very nice concierge parked my car for me), 2)the room was hot and the window had limited opening (a fan was available), 3)The daily complementary Gin and Tonic had stopped from last year – gin topped up every three days, tonic had to be paid for.

Excellent welcome, beautiful relaxing hotel in superb location. Jetty Restaurant dinner exceptional. All the staff were exemplary. They really elevated the hotel, which was beautiful, into a relaxing, welcoming and efficiently run place to stay. Upper Deck restaurant for breakfast, equally good, with thoughtful heaters in place for cooler mornings/evenings.

There was nothing we didn't like but were uncomfortably hot in our standard twin room overlooking car park. Had virtually no sleep and went out for a walk at 1 am to cool down. Small niggle. The interior lights in the wardrobe did not work. We reported this to reception.

The hotel staff Breakfast was varied and well cooked. Dinner both evenings especially The Jetty where the staff were extremely helpful and attentive. Sitting in the garden Views Decor in the bar area and the Jetty

Communication between central booking office and the hotel about my husband's lack of mobility- first room up a steep spiral staircase. Fortunately accessible room vacant. Receptionist very helpful in organising and were helped with luggage , Luckily it was available for two nights. A few things not working well in the room however which we reported on leaving so they can be addressed before next guests arrive. Not being able to take a light lunch in the Upper Deck outside area when there were many available tables. Choice was inside bar or garden. Asked for table to be moved to shade as no sunshades in the garden. Stairs only visible down to the garden. Parking a bit tight around lunch time if you return mid morning or check in time.

We arrived for a short Easter break after a funeral and a very long and tiring journey from Wales. Staff went out of their way to be extra helpful. Our room was really good- I wanted to take the bed home! Complimentary Gin and sherry a nice touch. Phil in the Upper Deck served us a superb Dinner on our first night. Excellent service. Dave 'the Trumpet' the concierge- What a lovely man. Nothing was too much trouble- from parking our car to sourcing umbrellas. . He was great. We ate at the Jetty on the Second Night- Superfresh fish and great service! We loved the whole experience so much that we stayed an extra night and hope to make a return trip in the near future. A Very big thank you to everyone!

The Jetty on our second night was incredibly noisy but the staff there were happy for us to move tables to a quieter spot. The Decking outside was being re-laid during our stay - Yes it was noisy but it was kept to a minimum so not too bad. Should be a fantastic area to eat out in the summer.

Obviously location. Everything a good standard. Waiting staff outstanding. Never had to wait or wonder if anyone was coming back to you despite a pretty busy restaurant. Reception staff excellent. Was particularly heartened by the fact that as we were checking out the room staff had picked up something precious belonging to my Mum and there it was on Reception! Nice ambience around the place.

Unfortunately our first breakfast, overlooking the wonderful view, was very much spoiled by an extremely noisy leafblower which continued throughout the duration. You wouldn't imagine how rasping and intrusive a leafblower could be! Sounded like a chainsaw was attacking the trees. I complained but the young manageress simply said 'Sorry but there's no other time we can do it'. I don't believe that. A reputable hotel does not have a very noisy machine going while guests are dining. We sat down at 8.55 to eat and it was going for a couple of hours at least as we could then hear it in our room. Another guest seemed to be filming it on their mobile phone.

Bathrobes, slippers and cosy room with a beach view. Complimentary gin & tonic with ice on arrival. Air conditioning / fan was a bonus. 2/3 minute walk to the Quay Extra polite and professional staff Booked for my birthday treat and I loved every minute

The swimming pool area could do with a little more tlc although I would still recommend. Not enough plug sockets in the room, having to unplug the coffee machine and move out of the way for the kettle. Breakfast could have been a bit more generous as in bigger. But I would definately visit again

Breakfast was very good, everything nicely done and nicely cooked. Our room was in the annexe and was very nice with comfortable bed and good bathroom. Loved the Spa and the back massage was very good. The Upper Deck restaurant served lovely food and bar meals (pricey but good quality) and really liked the 'Matisse' pictures and decoration and the fireplace/lounge area just outside. Very clean and maintained all day. Location was fab.

In the annexe Spiral staircase was a bit tricky to negotiate with bags but we could have had the Hotel take them up for us. Could do with a draught excluder at the bottom of the door as the weather was v. cold and think the heat was escaping. Would have liked more reclining loungers in the Spa area but the most had been made of the space available. More reclining loungers in the Hideaway would have been nice too.

We went for a romantic Valentine's stay and dinner and it all exceeded our expectations. We had wanted to eat in the Jetty restaurant but it was was full so we booked into the Upper Deck restaurant and were not in the least bit disappointed with the food, wine or service. The view from our room was stunning especially at sunset, the staff were all friendly and efficient and we used the spa facilities before breakfast. We had such a lovely stay we were reluctant to leave.

The only small annoyance was the sound of a fan or motor coming through our bedroom wall at bedtime. We rang reception and they checked everything out but couldn't identify it and offered for us to move rooms but we felt it was too late and not serious enough for the upheaval. It stopped after a while so all was good. The staff were excellent, acted immediately and did everything they could. Thank you.

The check in was great, with help taking the suitcase to the room for us. Comfortable, quiet and clean room, bathroom with shower over bath, plenty of hot water. Nice selection of teas in the room, and we had a complimentary sherry. We used the pool/sauna/steam room twice a day. Breakfast very good, we liked the fresh fruit salad, and banana bread. Lovely friendly staff. Ample parking. A short walk to nearby Mudeford Quay and Avon Beach.

Bar menu a bit limited. Our room was very warm, I couldn't switch off the bathroom radiator. The bed too high and soft for us, could not get comfortable on it. Spa staff at reception did not really engage with people turning up at their desk, I could not find a pricelist to see what was on offer at the spa.

The location, view and spa. We had a deluxe double harbour view room 525 very comfortable and relaxing.

We had a lovely time but just a few niggles The food was tasty but very pricey. I had to check my bill at the end of the stay due to being over charged by £50. The upper deck restaurant were aware it was my husband birthday but he didn’t receive a ‘happy birthday plate’ with chocolates at the end of our meal although the lady on the table next door did ? perhaps it was because we did the two eat for £49 deal :-) No shampoo or conditioner were placed by the bath area?