Known for its spectacular Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, ancient settlements, coastal resorts and some of the best blue-flag beaches in the country, Dorset is a small county with big character.
From the golden sandy beaches in Poole to the charming coastal resort of Lyme Regis, nicknamed the 'Pearl of Dorset', this diverse county boasts unspoilt scenery and some of the most luxurious hotels in the UK.
Find your next luxury stay with our list of the finest luxury hotels Dorset has to offer! For more inspiration, take a look at the Slingo lifestyle blog.
1. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot
Quintessential English country house set in four acres of beautifully tended gardens.
Encased in the beautiful countryside of Evershot, the Summer Lodge Country House Hotel offers its guests a cosseting experience. Its many accolades prove true from the Three AA Rosette fine dining restaurant and a luxurious spa to the beautiful rooms and cottages.
All guest rooms and suites are cosy and peaceful with touches of regal decor. No two rooms are the same, but each provides its dwellers with a classic country house feel. Expect elegant furnishings, rich fabrics, luxury amenities, and enveloping bathrobes. For extra privacy, there are also private cottages, some with their own hot tub.
Delicious meals and drinks can be enjoyed in the either light and airy conservatory, the exquisite restaurant, or the cosy Whisky Bar. The restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine accompanied by the award-winning, in-house sommelier's exclusive wine selection.
With the fragrant landscaped gardens, spa facilities, and miles of Dorset countryside at your fingertips, Summer Lodge provides the perfect luxury escape.
2. Hotel Du Vin, Poole
A luxury hotel tucked into the medieval port town of Poole.
Hotel Du Vin Poole, a beautiful old Georgian mansion adorned by creeping ivy, sits on one of England's most beautiful seaside towns, Poole. Tucked against the historic quayside, the relaxed maritime atmosphere of the hotel promises a relaxing weekend break or a happy summer holiday.
This impressive Georgian-style building features 38 timelessly styled bedrooms and stunning suites that are perfect to lay anchor for the night. All are equipped with custom-made beds, fine Egyptian linen, drenching monsoon showers and roll-top baths, TVs, and air conditioning.
The elegant and informal setting of the hotel's Bistro du Vin is warm and inviting while it serves a wide array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel also has quirky and unique private dining rooms, varying in sizes and styles, where you can enjoy the bistro's distinctive menu in the comfort of your own intimate setting.
The hotel's convenient location sets its guests near all the local attractions and sights, including Poole Harbour, the Sandbanks peninsula, and Poole's stunning stretch of sandy beaches.
3. The Pig on the Beach, Studland
A romantic and whimsical seaside villa with views of Dorset's Jurassic Coast.
Set on cliffs overlooking the beautiful curve of Studland Bay in Dorset, The Pig on the Beach is a revived 16th-century manor house with a romantic and whimsical facade worthy of a fairytale. Its perfect location is truly rural with uninterrupted views of Dorset's long sandy beaches.
The hotel's 23 rooms provide homely charm, a sense of nostalgia, and a little bit of "higgledy-piggledy". Some rooms have stunning sea views, while others look out over the surrounding countryside. But the best asset of each is the full-size larder that's stocked with an abundance of savoury treats, retro sweets, and delicious wine.
Food is at the forefront of the PIG hotels and The Pig on the Beach is no different. The Kitchen Garden brings delicious dishes with a focus on simple and fresh flavours to your plate. And in the cosy panelled Bar, guests can enjoy chilled tipples of their choosing from classic cocktails to English wines.
4. Alexandra Hotel, Lyme Regis
A luxury oasis since 1901, set atop the 'Pearl of Dorset'.
Alexandra Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in Dorset for those looking for a seaside escape. Set within an acre of private gardens, the hotel's garden is complemented by a grandstand view overlooking Lyme Bay and the rugged Jurassic coastline.
As you’d expect with a historic house, each bedroom is completely individual, but all are decorated in a simple yet traditional English style. All have a TV, free WiFi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms have 6ft super king beds and offer breathtaking sea and coastal views.
The Alexandra Restaurant brings the sea to your fork with a delicious selection of interesting and varied dishes using local producers in the West Country. Perfect for a celebration are the hotel's private dining options, which include a beautiful 18th Century Chapel, light-filled Orangery, elegant Dining Room, and romantic Garden Lookout Tower.
With such a great location, guests have easy access to explore the town centre of Lyme Regis and all its sights and attractions.
5. Avon Causeway Hotel, Christchurch
A beautiful traditional "pub with rooms".
Built in the 19th century as a conversion of the Hurn railway station, Avon Causeway Hotel is nestled on the edge of the New Forest National Park and is just a 10-minute drive from the historic market town of Ringwood.
The small historic pub and hotel have 12 modern and comfortable ensuite bedrooms which come with a TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries, and free parking. Family and dog-friendly rooms (with your pooch's very own bed!) are available too.
Expect delicious seasonal menus and exciting takes on pub classics at the hotel's restaurant. And behind the bar, you'll find a selection of award-winning beer from the hotel's Butcombe Brewery.
Just 10 minutes from Bournemouth Railway Station and Bournemouth International Airport, it's the perfect base for exploring New Forest, Dorset, and other local attractions.
6. Chewton Glen Hotel, Hampshire
An 18th-century luxury Country House Hotel set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside.
A quintessentially luxury 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and spa, Chewton Glen Hotel is one of the best-known spa hotels in the UK, attracting celebrities year round.
Countryside meets the coast with the hotel's array of rooms, including traditionally-styled garden rooms and unique treehouse cottages. The guestrooms and luxurious suites are fully equipped with everything you need for a luxury getaway, while the private treehouses are completed with terraces, hot tubs, and deluxe furnishings.
Dining at the Chewton Glen Restaurant showcases a 50-year love affair with food; and a variety of local cuisine and drinks can be enjoyed in the Dining Room or The Kitchen, a laid-back feasting spot in the hotel. For aspiring Culinarians, there are cookery classes with the hotel's award-winning chefs on offer.
The hotel's idyllic setting lends to some of the most special and luxurious experiential times. Treating yourself at the hotel's wellness spa is a must and best after a day exploring New Forest with equestrian and hiking activities.
7. Plumber Manor Hotel, Sturminster Newton
A timeless country house steeped in 400 years of history.
Plumber Manor Hotel is an archetypal Dorset country hotel that has remained in the ownership of the Prideaux-Brunes family since the early 1600s. The homely and familial feel of the country house hotel gives guests a warm welcome and perfect home-from-home.
So comfortable is the hotel's accommodation that it will make you feel as though you're staying with friends. Six rooms are positioned in the main house while the remaining 10 are in the beautifully restored natural stone barn that surrounds the topiary courtyard. All rooms boast stunning views, modern amenities, and tea and coffee facilities.
Plumber Manor has been in the Good Food Guide every year for 40 years, so it's not surprising the restaurant has quickly become one of the most popular in Dorset; with their Sunday Lunch being supremely regarded locally.
With beautiful gardens and an air of laid-back sophistication, it's easy to create an interesting and absorbing holiday in Dorset at this Jacobean country house.
8. The Bull Hotel, Bridport
A beautiful Georgian coaching inn located in bustling Bridport.
Originally built in 1535, The Bull Hotel has a long and rich history, reflected in its frontage and interior. It's a historic hotel that's seen the likes of Princess Victoria and King George VI.
Promising a stylish stay just 2 miles from West Bay, the hotel's 19 boutique rooms combine historic charm with contemporary comfort and an electric blend of British, French, and East Asian design. All rooms feature a TV, Nespresso machine, and 1600 pocket-spring mattress; with some featuring four-poster beds, rolltop bathtubs, and scenic views of Bridport.
The Bull Hotel's restaurant is considered one of the finest in Bridport and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. The head chef cooks up a fine dining experience with a nod to classic British dishes and traditional pub favourites.
Its location in West Dorset's historic market town of Bridport makes it easy for guests to explore farmers' markets, quaint cafés, and well-curated vintage shops.
9. The King's Arms, Christchurch
A charismatic and cosy Georgian boutique hotel.
Made famous in the tales of Thomas Hardy, The King's Arms is a landmark hotel that's been recognised as the "jewel on the Dorset coastline”. Housed in its Edwardian frontage, the interior blends traditional character with contemporary design, and a fine dining restaurant and bar cover the ground floor.
The hotel has 20 rooms that all come with little luxuries, including Egyptian cotton sheets, Bramley toiletries, and tea and coffee facilities. Many of the rooms have views of the Stour River, Norman-era ruins, or the hotel's beautifully manicured bowling green.
Under the culinary supervision of one of South England's most respected chefs, Alex Aitken, the multi-award-winning restaurant brings mouth-watering flavours to your plate. It's a foodie haven with the very best seasonal ingredients, all locally sourced.
Just a 10-minute drive away are the historic buildings such as Sherborne Castle and Abbey Church while 40-minutes away is the prehistoric monument, Stonehenge.
10. The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
A beautifully restored Grade-II Victorian villa tucked away in Bournemouth's leafy fringe.
The Green House is nestled between Dorset's finest blue-flag beaches and New Forest, placing its guests right in the heart of all the action in Bournemouth. It's a top choice among other luxury hotels in Dorset thanks to its first-class facilities, eco-friendly efforts, and two Rosette restaurant.
All 32 guest rooms are beautifully furnished with bespoke, hand-crafted furniture and sumptuous bamboo-covered mattresses that encourage a perfect night's rest. Bathrooms offer Victorian standalone baths, power showers, and UK-made Temple Spa toiletries.
At the hotel's Arbor Restaurant, expect well-cooked and imaginative food sourced from both classic and new ingredients straight from the farm gate and fresh off the trawlers. Complemented by the restaurant's creative menu - focusing on wellness and sustainability - is a wide selection of fully organic and biodynamic wines.
Just off the atmosphere alone, guests are encouraged to enjoy one-on-one pampering in the comfort of their own rooms, partake in a yoga session, or spend a day hiking the coastal suburban setting.
FAQs
Which areas of Dorset are the best to stay in?
Dorset has several popular areas to stay in, all with their own selection of great luxury hotels. To help narrow it down, here are some of the best areas in Dorset to stay in:
- Bournemouth - best for families and art lovers.
- Bridport - best for country and coastal living.
- Studland Bay - best for nature lovers.
- Jurassic Coast - best for adventure seekers.
- Poole - best for watersports.
- Lyme Regis - best for a romantic getaway.
How long should you spend in Dorset?
A visit to Dorset is best spent over a week. Due to all its attractions and sights, it can take up quite a bit of time. However, if you choose to spend time in one specific area in Dorset, a weekend break is also a perfect amount of time.
What is the best way to travel around Dorset?
You can travel around Dorset by train and by bus. However, a car is recommended for those looking to explore the countryside and all its key sites.
Enjoy a luxury hotel break with Slingo
Offering countryside breaks matched with all-out beach holidays, and bustling resorts alongside the quiet coastline, it's easy to find your perfect stay in this positively picturesque county.
Before you go, check out our lifestyle news blog, as well as our other fabulous recommendations for luxury hotels in the UK:
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