RNLI College

The staff make this hotel. We supported a disabled gentlemen on holiday here for a few days, the staff were incredible, going out of their way to make him feel welcome and included in all aspects of his holiday. Making the effort to talk to him, even some of the factory workers next door went out of their way to have a chat. Thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast each morning and dinners each evening, very good quality food. Nice and spacious rooms with sea views and interesting tour of the nearby factory where they make the boats.

Accessible room was good but was difficult to manouver wheelchair in and out of room as door didn't catch and no door stop. The person we supported would also have benefitted from more bars in the bathroom but for most this would of been suitable. Mattresses weren't to any of our tastes but that is personal preference. Shame about being woken up at 7am one morning by drilling by the workers doing work on the hotel.

This is the RNLI college hotel, primarily intended for volunteers and staff when undergoing training. The facilities are excellent including a proper restaurant, bar with bar meals, terrace overlooking the harbour, all very clean and new. Going down to the bar or restaurant you pass seminar and meeting rooms, recognising the familiar inshore and seagoing training lifeboats moored next to the quay and taking note of displays on the corridors showing the history and work of the RNLI. Very atmospheric. Our double room overlooking the harbour was clean but somewhat utilitarian. Comfy smallish bed, tv, iron & board, unwelcoming sofa, fridge, air con - it’s a college after all, and suitable for periods of study, and the likes of us, stays of a couple of nights.

Not a lot to dislike. It cost £170 per night B&B, which is on the expensive side, whether value for money depends on how you value things. We decided that whatever it cost we would support the institution!

Location easy walk to old town. 3 minute drive to the event I’d entered 15 drive to Compton Acres gardens. Money spent in shop & restaurant partly going to very good & important cause. Staff& complex very friendly and clean. Bedroom was very good for what we wanted.

“Didn’t like “ is too strong a fraise but I thought a bit overpriced as it is still a college. Food in restaurant you wouldn’t book if outside,but it was ok for first night. Although service very slow but you couldn’t blame front off house staff as they didn’t have enough of them. Also very limited selection.

Staying here supports the RNLI. Great room, bathroom, seating / desk area. Great breakfast setup - great variety and quality that was far too tempting to eat it all. Early check-in and late check out. Room fridge. Ease of walking into old town and safety. Onsite easy parking included. Cleanliness and state of repair were excellent.

minor suggestions - Bedroom lighting good but very bright for eve chilling . Could be covered by desk light. Would have liked to have had supper here but put off by online reviews saying food was good but service poor (this surprised me as all the staff I did meet were great.). But other diners may have been excessively picky judging by our dining experience

Having visited Poole on several occasions staying in a variety of hotels in the High street area including high end boutique. We found this hotel to be superior in all aspects, the room was well laid out with comfortable seating area and well appointed bathroom, cleanliness was faultless and the decorations and fittings well kept and up to date. This is probably the only hotel in this location to have an uninterrupted marine view, although not open sea or beach, Holes Bay to which you look out over is full of interest including the added interest of watching the RNLI training boats in action. Breakfast was the best we have had in the area and the staff from reception to restaurant welcoming, efficient and were fully engaged in making our stay enjoyable. The restaurant and bar areas overlook the water side and provide a comfortable area to relax and watch the goings on outside and as with the rooms are faultlessly clean and well appointed. As the name suggests this is an RNLI training college, so the presence of RNLI personnel and volunteers engaged in training activities and whom use the same facilities as you is to be expected. From our point of view this was part of the charm of staying here, there are tours available of the training facilities, free to guests, though unfortunately not operating within the duration of our stay, (start on the 4th of March). There is free parking associated with the hotel but it is not guaranteed, though the car park is relatively large and we were able to find spaces when we used it, compared to other hotels that we have stayed in where their very restrictive onsite parking is charged and on a first come basis, or not available at all. One of the not so obvious bonuses of using this hotel is the fact you feel that you are given an insight into the activities and everyday working of a laudable institution such as the RNLI and directly supporting it by giving it your custom.

Friendly, helpful staff, good location - Quayside and restaurants are within a 10 minute walk. Our room had a lovely view across Poole harbour overlooking the lifeboats below. The bed was very comfortable. Tea, coffee and biscuits are supplied. Everything was very clean. The bar has a beautiful panoramic view, especially in the evening. We didn't eat dinner in the restaurant but the buffet breakfast was really good. It's interesting to see all the training facilities for the lifeboats. There was nothing we didn't like and would happily return.

Arrived late and tired to warm friendly and helpful welcome. Travelling with family and were allocated adjoining rooms which was a big help. Rooms clean, sofa bed already made up for my daughter without prior arrangement. Room was well-stocked with tea, coffee, biscuits and milk in fridge. Very comfortable beds, slept well, no noise either outside or elsewhere in hotel. Lovely breakfast with good range full English and pastries etc eaten overlooking harbour and lifeboats. Bonus that all profits go to RNLI. Will definitely stay here again and highly recommend to others.

no improvements needed, absolutely brilliant for the price

We have stayed a few times now, as we love the view and like that our stay contributes to the charity. The staff are always very helpful and pleasant.

* We were given a room with scaffolding blocking the view. - A new room was allocated after speaking with reception. * While breakfast was good, there was a noticeable aftertaste from whatever oil is being used for eggs/sausages etc. and especially odd taste to mushrooms. ( maybe tinned?). * The bathroom vent was noisy and didn't shut off when light was off. * The bin had different sections for recycling, but no labels to give us a clue what went where.

The RNLI College is in a great location, near to the waterfront with plenty of restaurants etc. The staff were all friendly and welcoming and the room was perfect, very comfortable with lovely views across Poole Harbour. The restaurant gas good, sensibly priced and better value than most hotels; breakfast was fabulous, so much choice and delicious. Added to all of this, you are surrounded by history and information about the RNLI and contributing to the charity at the same time, All in all, the RNLI College exceeded our expectations.

The room was modern, clean and spacious with an excellent view of the harbor and distant landscape. All staff were friendly and very helpful. Great choice at breakfast and very good food quality in the restaurant for dinner, everything was freshly prepared. RNLI based throughout with a lot of opportunity for learning about the organisation.

Entering the car park at night was slightly confusing... that could have been impacted by the combination of it being dark, bad weather and tired travelers ......