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Reviews of Grand Hotel Swanage 3 stars

Burlington Road, Swanage, BH19 1LU, United Kingdom

#8 of 9 hotels in Swanage

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 874 hotel reviews

8.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.6

  • Comfort

    8.6

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    8.1

  • Staff

    9.0

  • Value for money

    7.4

  • Free WiFi

    8.3

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 3 June 2024

    9.0
    Considering the bargain deal I stayed on the hotel exceeded my expectations and I will visit again.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Not enough parking space, but in the location there's nothing they can do about that and the car was safe parked on the road.

    The room was well equipped for the single size, comfortable and quiet. Bathroom better appointed than I expected. Staff were helpful and the evening food delicious (I don't breakfast).

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 2 June 2024

    7.0
    Good but has potential to be excellent
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Lux Double Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The breakfast was very average, and over priced. Staff were very inconstant, some very friendly others not very helpful and unfriendly Stayed for 2 nights and didn’t get refresh on tea and drinks in the room. No tidy up in the room between nights 1 & 2 mean dirty mugs, towels etc just left in the room Felt overall that “money saving” measures were put into the wrong places. Lack of maid service, average breakfast quality

    Sea view and the general property appearance was very good

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 31 May 2024

    7.0
    After a sad beginning we had a good time. Such a shame it wasn’t a great start.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A really grim first room so needing to request a change of room. The pool surrounding being painted whilst we were there on two consecutive days therefore a strong sell of paint. The pool opened later than advertised.

    When we arrived the family room that we were given was tired, dated and overlooked a grim car park. Our request for two rooms on the same floor wasn’t catered for. The second room was on a different floor and was really good, updated, wonderful view. We then requested a different room for the family. This was catered for quickly, the staff were amazing and we had a lovely room on the same floor as our family member with another wonderful view.. The entire staff team are amazing and a credit to the hotel. From a very disappointing beginning and needing to move our belongings etc after having unpacked, our stay became excellent.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 May 2024

    9.0
    Clean Room, efficient service. Nice victorian style interior
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very clean room, really good service. Friendly and efficient. Excellent value for money

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 May 2024

    7.0
    A nice break marred by the standard of the breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Inland View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The breakfast was very poor. The fruit was past its best and the cooked breakfast inedible. The hotel only charged for one meal, but all we had was coffee and rock hard muesli.

    A great location

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2024

    8.0
    Great!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Inland View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Thin curtains - woken early by the sun

    Location and grandeur

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 24 May 2024

    9.0
    A grand hotel living up to its name .
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Hotel does really well it’s a hotel with history and it serves that well keeping it in the style that it should have. Very kind staff who showed pride of th rd hotel .?!

    The total experience .Well established hotel with features that fit the hotel. Lovely on suite room with Balcony and sea view. Access to the beach and well kept gardens . Helpful pleasant staff who clearly love their job and the hotel. Good linen and towels. All needs met for a guest,

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 23 May 2024

    8.0
    Great spot. Sad room.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was a big disappointment for the money. Very dated and mediocre quality. Torquay and Poole had rooms with similar locations but much cheaper

    Location

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 May 2024

    8.0
    Swanage bay is beautiful and unspoilt . It had hardly changed from my last visit 40 years ago.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Sea View
    • Stayed 7 nights

    We found the car parking lacking . When it eased off in the week, the parking spaces were inadequate for many cars and we found enormous cars abutting our car. Half the dishes( all beautifully cooked) and all the specials contained celery, a very common allergen ( second after nuts) thus reducing my choice of dishes considerably. The celery was in the stock , presumably a preparation bought in. There are stock sources available which state on the wrapping no allergens.

    The staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. The views from the breakfast and dining areas were beautiful. There was an easy way straight down to the promenade for lovely walks close to the sea.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 19 May 2024

    8.0
    Pleasant stay would use again
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking was tight

    Ideal location for the Jurassic marathon

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 May 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Inland View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Shower could be better. No pressure and blocked jets.

    Location was good. Lovely food.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 May 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking is a nightmare. Hotel has lost some of its character over the years. 1st came many years ago as a kid & have visited a few times since. Not all the changes are necessarily for the better. Breakfast was so so, somehow not satisfying. Main issue - and not the hotel's fault - is lack of staff.

    The view from the hotel is exceptional. The fact you can walk down to the beach is a great bonus. The twin room was a good size, very clean and comfy. Very understated decoration, reasonable selection of tea/coffee in the room. Staff were all very lovely and helpful. Evening meal in the restaurant was good. Bar drinks not too expensive for a hotel.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 May 2024

    8.0
    Value for money, didn’t use all the facilities that were available.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Perhaps the beer prices could be a little less expensive 🤔

    The bar man, pye was very welcoming and willing to chat. The evening meal was very good. Nothing was too much trouble and would stay there again

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2024

    8.0
    Room sufficient for my overnight stay. Staff very accommodating , clean , tidy and relaxing location
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Cost of breakfast unreasonable Shower turned cold after a few minutes and didn’t get hot again

    Friendly environment , lovely building and grounds. Loved the fact you could walk down to the beach from the gardens

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 11 May 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Booking.com quoted dinner at 19.95 but only a la carte in the evenings and easy to spend a great deal more. Breakfast excellent value but dinner overpriced.

    Staff are lovely...well trained and helpful. Wonderful location...views amazing! Steps down to a beautiful quit beach. Excellent breakfast.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 May 2024

    9.0
    Restful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Sea View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The view from room was amazing and the hotel and grounds were beautiful

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 May 2024

    8.0
    Nice
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No hot tub in spa. Room slightly cramped. Glass shelve over sink. Not enough shelving in bathroom.

    Location, terrace, sauna. Heated mirror in room

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night

    VAT added to bill for evening meal made an already fairly expensive meal (chicken supreme) advertised as £22.95 even more expensive. Though the meal was nice it wasn't worth the cost, I would choose to eat elsewhere in future.

    Friendly and helpful staff, lovely view from restaurant and breakfast room and bedroom (sea view requested)

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 April 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Parking can be tricky if you have a large car

    The character and cleanliness

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 April 2024

    9.0
    Loved that we stayed in the same hotel as Enid Blyton
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Sea View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only minor downside is the amount of car parking. We knew that would be the case. It is not a show stopper.

    It was a spacious room with a good bathroom. The shower was excellent. Best one so far. We had a great view of Swanage. It was a good walk along the promenade to town. The staff were excellent. Food was very good. The gym had a jacuzzi and a sauna. Loads of workout equipment.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 April 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel car park spaces were few, and usually full. Parking on the street competes with the local house owners. Day 1 I found a fairly close space, and the receptionist/porter helped me bring my stuff from car to room. On leaving, I had to leave the car outside the entrance while I loaded up. Fortunately, no one was inconvenienced by this.

    A tiny room but all facilities present. Modern and clean. Good dinner and breakfasts (cooked or buffet). Good views across the bay.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 April 2024

    8.0
    A lovely break and a chance to explore Dorset.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Inland View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was in a lovely location overlooking the sea,we had meals and drinks there and used the spa facilities.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 April 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Sea View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Cleanliness of gents toilets sink

    Location, location, location!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 April 2024

    8.0
    Enjoyed our stay. The hotel is in a lovely setting and is comfortable.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Inland View
    • Stayed 1 night

    Having stayed at the hotel back in late 2016, was disappointed with the overall ambience, in particular with the bedrooms. They are looking a little tired and in need of updating and, for this reason, felt that the cost of £174.00/room was too high.

    The food was good quality and value for money. The staff were friendly and helpful which made the experience very comfortable for the younger members of our group.

    Stayed in April 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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