During the June heatwave, we took a trip down to the great British seaside, where Bournemouth’s Highcliff Marriott Hotel had something special on offer
Bournemouth vastly expanded in the 1800s as wealthy Victorians came to convalesce among the town’s famous, inflammation-soothing pine trees.
Strolling through the town, I can’t quite catch the scent of those historic pines – but the sea breeze coupled with the olfactory overload of a nearby doughnut stand is equally reviving.
While the trees may no longer soothe my woes, there is a mountain of scientific research proving that being by the water really does boost spirits.
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, in his book Blue Mind, wrote how exposure to blue spaces – including the glorious British seaside – can act as medicine for the brain, effectively lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol and boosting overall happiness. For me, it is an undeniable truth: being by the sea brings a sense of calm that I simply cannot replicate anywhere else.
Luckily, I am soaking up all of these benefits from my seaside cottage at Bournemouth’s Highcliff Marriott Hotel, which offers incredible, sweeping views from its hillside perch.
For many of us, 2026 is the year of the staycation. With thousands of holidaymakers enduring airport chaos and the EU’s troublesome new entry/exit system, opting to stay closer to home makes sense.
But while staying in the UK gets rid of most problems, it can still be a gamble: the fickle British weather, the uninspiring reality of holiday rentals that look fabulous online, and the long list of check-out demands by so-called hosts.
If you’re looking for the perfect compromise – which offers the privacy of a private rental, but with four-star luxury and no cleaning demands – the hotel’s new coastal cottages have cracked the code.
Marriott has revamped its 19th century former coastguard cottages into a set of stunning boutique retreats. Designed by Joanna Knight Interiors, they feature a gorgeous coastal aesthetic packed with sandy neutrals, retro Smeg fridges, and beach-hut-coloured front doors.
The service when we arrive after a long, sticky drive during the June heatwave is top notch. We arrived at a cottage where staff had already thoughtfully blasted the air conditioning, and were handed a kids’ activity pack at reception.
Best of all, there was no requirement to strip the sheets or empty the bins at the end of our stay, leaving us more time to enjoy the hotel’s perks, including a 24-hour gym and a well-heated outdoor pool.
Complete with a range of games in the garden for kids, including giant Jenga, while there’s a fully stocked pool-side bar for adults, along with grandstand views of the pier, it is remarkably hard to drag yourself away from the surroundings and into the town itself.
You don’t have to venture far to eat well, with the on-site Brasserie Blanc restaurant serving up an impressive feast for every meal.
For dinner, I followed a wise proverb: cheese is love, and cheese with cream is extra love, meaning I had to order the cheese soufflé (£8.50) – it was delicious, with a beautifully light, airy texture, while my guests opted for a tasty looking Devon crab and avocado with garlic croutons for their starter (£9.95).
The mains include a spectacular sirloin (£29.95) alongside an impressive Chateaubriand (£69.95) for two: succulent, perfectly seasoned, teamed with a punchy pepper sauce, and accompanied by very decent fries. For dessert, the lemon tart (£9.50) went down extremely well, as did the classic crème brûlée (£6.95). The mocktail menu is surprisingly strong – if often feels like an afterthought at most places, but here, I got to enjoy an alcohol-free margarita (£10.95) that left me reeling at how punchy it was.
Even the children’s menu is surprisingly decent, with a welcome absence of standard beige chicken nuggets; instead, it offers a large variety of healthy, delicious dishes including grilled trout and veggie bolognese. Thanks to the temporary summer VAT cut, it is also well-priced at £9.50 for two courses or £12.50 for three.
Dining on the large outside terrace where I could breathe in the sea air, I left the table feeling spiritually lighter despite the three-course meal.
That welcoming atmosphere carried me straight into a buzzy evening, with the hotel bar packed with drinkers ready for a fun night out before the England match.
The next morning, breakfast continued to the same high standard, with a vast range of hot and cold items, including an exceptional cooked-to-order omelette bar, a high-quality full English fry-up and a great Continental spread.
Fuelled up for the day, Bournemouth beach called to us. Helpfully, it is just a three-minute stroll from the hotel, which is a godsend when you’re travelling with kids. Its golden sands are stunning, and at seven miles long, there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out.
Bournemouth is a town of brilliant dualities. While parts of the town centre can look slightly worse for wear, looking beyond the high street reveals world-class coastal beauty.
The nearby Hengistbury Head is well worth a visit, a sprawling nature reserve offering great views of the Isle of Wight and gentle walks.
Closer to the hotel, right by Bournemouth Beach, sits the Oceanarium. We found this to be very reasonably priced at £35 for a family and a perfect sanctuary during the heat. It is a great spot for kids to burn off some energy in the shade, while staring down sharks, stingrays, and penguins.
And of course, the iconic pier remains an absolute must for older kids, packed to the brim with traditional arcade, fairground rides and a set of indoor climbing walls.
By combining a private cottage with the luxuries of a landmark hotel, the Highcliff Marriott has set a new standard for the great British staycation.
Book it
- A private Coastal Cottage is available from £130/night (based on two sharing). Fine out more here.