A favourite seaside haunt of the Victorians, Bournemouth still remains a popular spot for Brits looking for a break by the sea. With a wide, sweeping beach, an old-fashioned pier with arcades and plenty of sea view hotels, this coastal resort is well worth a visit.

What will take your Bournemouth holiday to new heights though is a spectacular view. Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than waking up to the ocean right outside your window. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top picks of the very best hotels in Bournemouth with a sea view. The most sought after Bournemouth hotels tend to be right on the beachfront, on the east and west cliffs. While you might end up paying a little more for a Bournemouth hotel with sea views, we can guarantee it’ll be worth it!

So, go ahead and discover our favourite hotels near Bournemouth beach and be sure to check out our guide to the best dog-friendly hotels in Brighton, too.

Best Hotels in Bournemouth 2022

The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: spacious rooms

Set atop the East Cliff, The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel is one of the best hotels in Bournemouth on the seafront. With plenty of bedrooms located on the coastal side, you’ll be able to make the most of this Bournemouth hotel’s sea views. Each room modern and spacious, decorated with a subtle, neutral colour palette with large windows to ensure natural light fills them during the day. There’s also a perfectly pruned lawn out front, perfect for al fresco dining, whether it’s afternoon tea or Sunday lunch. With a prime beachfront location, you can reach the sea in just 5 minutes walking, as well as most of the town’s other major attractions and restaurants. The Cottonwood Boutique hotel in Bournemouth is certainly one of the best for sea views, sometimes even being able to see the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks on a clear day.

Another one of the best boutique hotels in Bournemouth with sea views is The Connaught Hotel, a large Best Western Plus hotel set high above the town on the West Cliff. This spa hotel in Bournemouth is one of the best when it comes to the offering of facilities which is next to none. Complete with everything from massages and a sauna to a steam room and a hydrotherapy pool, this Bournemouth hotel near the beach is sure to keep you entertained and relaxed during your staycation. The rooms are bright and airy, decorated with blue hues to be in keeping with the ocean views and the leafy exterior. Featuring a grassy area out front with a patio, this is the perfect spot to admire this Bournemouth hotel’s sea views while nibbling on a fancy afternoon tea. On evenings, you can also enjoy dinner at the two-rosette Blakes Brasserie, where head chef Ben Nicol whips up some incredibly delicious dishes, from local crab to mussels. Ultimately, this is one of the best sea view hotels in Bournemouth for a romantic getaway where you can simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Highcliff Marriot Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: families

One of the best hotels in Bournemouth for kids, Highcliff Marriot Hotel is set on the West Cliff with incredible views of the 7-mile beach and ocean below. You might be wondering how you get up to this clifftop, seafront Bournemouth hotel. Well, not to worry; the West Cliff funicular, which is over 100 years old and still in daily operation, runs directly from the beach up to the Highcliff Marriot Hotel. This Bournemouth hotel’s sea views and enviable beachfront location is complemented by the stunning interior and the award-winning Brasserie Blanc, the hotel restaurant by renowned chef Raymond Blanc. There’s also a large outdoor pool complete with sun loungers aplenty – perfect for admiring the spectacular sea views of this Bournemouth hotel. The rooms at this hotel near Bournemouth beach are light and elegant with crisp walls and bedding, as well as 49-inch LCD TV and facilities for making tea and coffee. So, if you’re looking for one of best hotels in Bournemouth for taking the whole family along, Highcliff Marriot Hotel should be top of your list.

Washington House Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: Victorian grandeur

If you’re looking for a traditional boutique hotel in Bournemouth with sea views, Washington House Hotel offers stylish accommodation in a Grade-II-Listed Victorian Villa in the centre of the town. This beachfront Bournemouth hotel is sat in a prime location for access to all of Bournemouth’s main attractions, being just a 5-minute walk from the beach and pier, 10 minutes from the Central Gardens and the Pavilion Theatre, as well as being close to restaurants, bars and shops. Each room is decorated in a neutral grey colour palette, giving it a high-end glam feel. The rooms at this boutique hotel in Bournemouth are also fully kitted out with a TV and free WiFi, and breakfast is served every morning for an additional charge. If you’re wanting to stay in a classic, sophisticated hotel in Bournemouth with sea views, the Washington House Hotel is the real deal.

The Strand Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: cosy vibes

Situated just 500 metres from Boscombe Beach and 650 metres from Eastcliff Beach, The Strand Hotel is one of the best hotels in Bournemouth for beachfront and sea views. The rooms at this seafront Bournemouth hotel are intimate and cosy with free WiFi, wardrobes, coffee and tea making facilities, and a flat-screen TV. Guests of this hotel with sea views in Bournemouth can enjoy a continental breakfast, play tennis at the guest house and walk just down the street to some of the town’s best attractions, including Queen’s Park, O2 Academy Bournemouth and Shelley Theatre. So, if you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Bournemouth with sea views and cute, intimate rooms, The Strand Hotel is your go-to.

Cumberland Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: 1920s decadence

Another sea view hotel in Bournemouth, the Cumberland Hotel is an iconic, 1920s Art Deco-style building that overlooks Bournemouth Bay. Inside this Bournemouth hotel on the seafront you’ll be welcomed by a black, white and chrome colour scheme and quirky period pieces. There’s a stylish 2 AA-Rosette bar and brasserie where guests can book a 3-course evening meal, as well as 3 other restaurants, 3 bars and an illy coffee shop. Meanwhile, this spa hotel in Bournemouth is complete with Asian-inspired treatments, a beauty spa, a seasonal outdoor heated pool and a lido deck. Within this Bournemouth hotel with sea views are a total of 100 rooms, with 26 of them overlooking the Channel. Each is decorated with 1920s-style floral motifs, bold wallpapers, and modern furniture. So, if you’re looking for a touch of luxury, this hotel near Bournemouth beach offers everything you’ll need for a great seaside getaway.

Bournemouth Carlton Hotel

The best hotel in Bournemouth for: family-friendly vibes

This Victorian beachfront Bournemouth hotel is located on the East Cliff, with the traditional Bournemouth pier just half a mile down the road. Having been run as a hotel for over a century, the Carlton Hotel still encompasses hints of the past, with a statement twin staircase, a curved reception desk and red carpets running throughout the corridors. Each room features large bay windows through which you can marvel at this Bournemouth hotel’s sea views. This seafront hotel in Bournemouth features a leisure club with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a large terrace and a bar. Here, guests can relax on the sun loungers, enjoy classic cocktails and fine wines. Meanwhile, guests can visit Frederick’s restaurant to taste the modern British menu, including a full English breakfast served every morning.