Best Small Luxury Hotels in Dorset, UK

Surrounded by four acres of picturesque gardens, Summer Lodge is a luxurious hotel that boasts an award-winning restaurant, leisure centre and free parking and Wi-Fi. Located 15 minutes away from Yeovil, the hotel’s rooms are adorned with sumptuous fabrics and furnished with luxury bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, a plasma-screen satellite TV, toiletries, bathrobes and candles. The manor house also features an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness centre, tennis courts, croquet lawn and treatment rooms. Guests can enjoy fine dining at the restaurant, accompanied by a selection of rare wines, or relax in the guest lounges with their open fires and antiques. Afternoon teas and cooked breakfasts are also available, and the hotel is located just 30 minutes from the coast at Weymouth and 20 minutes from Dorchester, with Sherborne Castle a 25-minute drive away. For groups of more than four people, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Rooms: 24 Stars: 5

Kersbrook Guest Accommodation is located in Lyme Regis, a mere 700 metres from the beach. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi and free private parking. Rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Bed linen and towels are provided. A Full English/Irish, vegetarian or gluten-free breakfast is served daily. Additional attractions include Golden Cap (13 km), Sandy Park Rugby Stadium (48 km), and Dinosaurland Fossil Museum (800 metres). Exeter International Airport is 43 km away. The property is non-smoking and features a garden, shared lounge, and bar.

Rooms: 14 Stars: 4

For those seeking a luxurious escape, Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa is the perfect choice. It is perched on the edge of Dorset’s beautiful estuary, boasting a stunning contemporary restaurant and spa. The Jetty Restaurant offers a Michelin-starred menu, as well as an impressive selection of wines. The refurbished spa includes a pool, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool and treatment rooms, as well as a gym. Situated just 20 minutes from Bournemouth, guests can take a ferry to the Poole Harbour Islands or visit the Two Riversmeet Golf Club, only a 5-minute drive away.

Rooms: 64 Stars: 4

Experience the charm of a bygone era at The Kings Arms. This 5-star Edwardian hotel in rural Dorset boasts beautiful period features and offers complimentary parking and Wi-Fi. Relax in individually styled rooms with marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and DVD players. Enjoy a modern British menu in the sophisticated dining room, or sip real ales in the cosy bar. Take a stroll around the croquet lawn, then explore nearby Sherborne Castle and Abbey, or take a drive to Stonehenge.

Rooms: 10 Stars: 5

Experience the best of luxury with a stay at The Bull Hotel, an iconic 16th-century coaching inn set in the picturesque market town of Bridport. Every room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, 1600 pocket-sprung mattresses, Nespresso machines and Bramley toiletries, while some feature a roll-top bath, four-poster bed or scenic views of Bridport. Savour a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with a mix of classic and contemporary British dishes to choose from. With a Venner Cocktail Bar and just 2 miles from West Bay, home of the popular British television series, Broadchurch, there’s something for everyone. The Bull Hotel is well located for walkers, and 20 minutes’ drive from Lyme Regis – the perfect base for exploring the Dorset Jurassic Coast.

Rooms: 20 Stars: 4

Experience the timeless charm of Grovefield Manor, dating back to 1895 and located on England’s scenic south coast. Just a few minutes’ walk from Canford Cliffs and the sandy beaches, you can relax on the patio and enjoy the picturesque views. The rooms all come with a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi is available in the building. Free private parking and bus transport to Bournemouth are also available. Discover the beauty of Brownsea Island by taking a boat from Poole Quay or Sandbanks.

Rooms: 12 Stars: 4

Experience luxury living at Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa, one of the finest small hotels in Dorset. Situated just 5 minutes from the beach in Christchurch, it is a 15-minute drive from Bournemouth town centre and airport and a 35-minute drive from Southampton. Enjoy the hotel’s chic and modern suites, which feature separate kitchen and living areas with views of the River Stour. Pamper yourself in the spa with its hydrotherapy pool, sauna and Caudalie products. The Club Restaurant serves full English breakfast and all-day menus with locally sourced produce, while free parking and Wi-Fi are also provided.

Rooms: 29 Stars: 4

Immerse yourself in the luxury of the Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury town centre. This Georgian building has been transformed into a chic hotel, boasting free Wi-Fi and large, individually decorated rooms with en suite bathrooms, luxury beds, flat-screen TVs and coffee machines. Its bar with open fireplace and courtyard terrace offer the perfect place to relax, while the restaurant serves a delicious breakfast and dinner menu Monday to Saturday. Enjoy alfresco dining or pizza cooked in the wood-burning oven. Just 2 minutes’ walk from the Abbey, the hotel is close to many restaurants and shops.

Rooms: 16 Stars: 4

Derby Manor, located in the heart of Boscombe, just 1 km from Bournemouth Beach, offers a range of comfortable rooms equipped with a 40-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom with a bath or shower, and a kettle with complimentary biscuits, chocolates, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Secure private parking is available on site. Enjoy a full English or continental breakfast each day from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Close by, Bournemouth International Centre is 1.8 km away, and the nearest airport, Bournemouth Airport, is 6 km away.

Rooms: 14 Stars: 4

Just a short stroll from the golden sands of Bournemouth beach is The Green House, an award-winning, eco-friendly hotel, boasting hand-crafted furniture in the bedrooms. The restaurant uses locally-sourced and organic ingredients for its tasty dishes. All rooms have organic bed linen, a flat-screen TV and a modern bathroom with a walk-in shower. Complimentary water and luxury toiletries are provided. The Arbor Restaurant provides a creative menu with fully organic and biodynamic wines, as well as cooked breakfasts, afternoon teas and seasonal specials. The Green House has taken steps to reduce its impact on the environment, using sustainable materials and training staff on sustainability. Guests receive discounted entry to a local gym and complimentary parking, electric car charging and bike storage. Bournemouth Rail Station is less than a mile away, and the town centre is just 5 minutes’ walk away. The Pavilion Theatre and Bournemouth Pier are both within a 10-minute walk.

Rooms: 32 Stars: 4