We stayed for two nights. Michael, a member of the management team was quick to resolve an issue we had on the first night and went that 'extra mile' to make sure we had a superb room with views that couldn't be bettered. His calm and reassuring professionalism was in stark contrast to other members of staff. There seemed to be two new bar staff working together during our stay - they were unable to do a white wine spritzer so we ordered white wine, soda, glasses, and made our own. The next guest had similar difficulties. To be fair, there are plenty of bars within fifteen minutes' walk of the hotel so it doesn't have to be an issue. Breakfast staff were similarly poorly trained - no attention to the guests, cold toast, food that had spent too long in the bain maries, no orange marmalade on either day, tables uncleared. Menzies Carlton you really should have a close look at this part of your operation, it lets you down badly. Front desk staff were efficient but uncaring, at least some of them being new too. Maybe we should return later in the season when they've all had chance to improve. The hotel is in a great location with superb views, good sized rooms, decent facilities, ample free parking. As others have said, it probably was a bit pricey, but that has to be taken in the context of the surrounding hotels and the time of year of one's stay. We thought it was ok. Michael thank you, you made our visit to Bournemouth! With just a bit more staff training and a better breakfast offering, you have the feeling this could be a top hotel.

I was booked into the hotel for a conference and whilst the hotel is nice enough, a bog standard 3-4 star I cannot believe how much it cost! It was booked through our works travel agent so i expected that we would pay a bit over the odds but I calculated we were charged ?80+ more than the quoted rates in the hotel. The public areas have obviously had a lot of money spent on them but my bedroom was a let down. It was reasonably comfortable with some nice touches ( 'jellybelly' jellybeans in the room etc) but it was let down by a poor refit. It was as if they got halfway through and ran out of money. For example the bathroom had cheap vinyl wood effect flooring, and the carpet in the bedroom hadn't been replaced so didn't match the new decor. The breakfast was one of the worst it have had in a while (and i stay in a lot of hotels!!) Again some one had made an effort, they served cafetiere coffee but the cooked breakfast was grim and alot of the continental breakfast eg cheese and meats wern't available. That said on a positive note the staff were friendly and helpful and the room service burger i had was excellent( pity the room service menu was so limited!) I know these arn't major points but just be warned don't go expecting the luxury experience you might expect from the price.

excellent stay, friendly staff, great food and lovely room, our toddler loved it and they were child friendly. Would definately recommend it.

We stayed in the hotel for 1 night, the room we booked was a superior double with sea view. Firstly the room, i was really pleased with the room, it was huge and very comfortable, it was also nice and clean. The staff- from the moment we walked in we felt welcomed and the staff could not do enough for us. A nice touch is that when we had settled in to the room the receptionist phoned up to check we were happy with everything. Later we sampled the cocktail bar downstairs, the bar manager was very capable and made a nice cocktail or 2 for us. Location wise- easily within walking distance of the seafront and attractions and taxis readily available if not too keen on walking. The breakfast was buffet style and very high quality. All together a good hotel stay- bit expensive but thats what the going rate is for a nice hotel in bournemouth.

Oh dear, what's happened to the Carlton? For so long one of Bournemouth's best hotels, its rooms and health club are now looking decidedly down-at-heel, despite pleasant public areas and good restaurant dinners (breakfast is another mater). We stayed there between Christmas and new year. We hadn't stayed for a few years and were disappointed. We moved rooms three times in as many days, which is a sad indictment of the hotel. You simply don't expect peeling wallpaper, blown plaster, heating you can't control (and which mostly doesn't work), cracked windows and worn fittings in a 4* hotel. And you certainly don't expect there to be no hot water all morning and no maintenance people available 'til 2 Jan. The staff were under too much pressure and there were too few of them. At breakfast they ran out of hot food, toast, glasses and plates. Simple orders for toast and hot drinks didn't get delivered or took up to 35 minutes to appear. Reception had no details on times of local attractions and didn't offer to find them out. Waves, its health club, apparently had a refurbishment a year or so ago. You'd never know it. Broken fittings, no soap or shampoo, showers that don't drain and which have no hot water. Not what you need on a winter's day in England. And it's a real pity, as the hotel is in a great location, on the cliff-top above a good, sandy beach. It's a short walk to the town centre but the hotel is in a lovely spot, away from the hustle and bustle and yet near enough to be walk-able to everything. Parking's free and there's a load of things within an hour's drive to occupy adults and families whatever the weather. The reality is that this hotel needs major investment and hasn't had it. In the 1970s this used to be a 5* hotel, before dropping a star in the 1980s. It's in real danger of dropping again and we're sad about that as we have fond memories of the place. But a great location, a few good staff, and a nice dinner simply won't cut it any longer.