My family and I have just spent a hugely enjoyable late September weekend in Bournemouth celebrating my Dad’s 80th birthday. More about that to come on another post…..

Followers of this blog will know that I rarely write a review of the hotel I have stayed in. More often than not in my experience, the hotel is just the thin end of the wedge of the trip, a necessity to enable you to enjoy your chosen destination.

Every now and then though your accommodation augments your visit and makes it that much more pleasurable. The Tudor Grange situated in the East Cliff area of Bournemouth was just such a hotel.

The family run four star is located in a Tudor style building and from the moment that you drive through the arched gateway, you feel as if you have arrived somewhere special. The crunch of the gravel parking area, the immaculate lawn, neat and tidy flowerbeds and the beautiful facade instantly transform your minds eye into the notion that you are a honoured weekend guest of somebody important.

You half expect a butler and footman to descend upon you to whisk you and your belongings off to your stately chambers as you stroll down the path to the dark wooden entrance door, but instead are welcomed by a charming young lady who turns out to be receptionist, bar lady, manageress and part of the family that own the fine place.

Our bedroom was spacious and spotless, the decor Tudor style in keeping with the whole manor. I was particularly a fan of the leaded windows, a feature of every window in the whole hotel.

Arriving at seven, I was a little perturbed to find that the bar shut at eight, however a swift beer was enjoyed in the bijoux bar, before we walked just a few hundred metres to take our pick of several larger hotels with bars and restaurants.

In fact, the early shutting bar turned out to personify the very essence of the Tudor Grange. Run by a family for families and couples, everything was kept simple and unfussy.

They were obviously trying hard to be different, no big bars, no cheesy cabaret entertainment, no coach parties catered for, just an ambient place of tranquility with uber friendly staff and charm oozing from every Shakespearean nook and cranny.

The Bard himself would have been right at home narrating his sonnets or penning a tragedy or comedy in the airy study, a perfect place to sit in a comfy armchair to read, play cards or find yourself hypnotised by the stone fountain positioned outside the wonderful large windows.

The next morning, after a hearty full English served in the attractive dining room with signature feature windows and ornate stucco style ceiling, we found our bearings.

We were just a stone’s throw from splendid sea views and a genteel twenty minute walk to the pier and sea adjacent cafes.

The Bournemouth International Centre, that plays host to top class entertainment, was also in that vicinity if that is your thing.

We were blessed with perfect Indian Summer weather, all the excuse we needed to take tea and locally brewed cider on the lawn in the late afternoon sunshine.

Booking sites score the hotel at around 8.5 out of 10 at the time of writing. With a bed & breakfast double costing around £70 a night, I would rate it higher than that.

If you are looking for an independent hotel, with friendly staff for whom nothing is too much trouble, in lovely surroundings, in a very convenient location, you cannot go wrong. They are even dog friendly too!

Click TUDOR to see for yourself and make a booking – you will be pleased that you did.