DRIFTING off to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves regularly tops the polls of mindfulness apps.
But the real deal is up for grabs at Bournemouth’s stunning Highcliff Hotel – a stone’s throw from the beach.
And nodding off here is also helped by the luxury beds installed as part of a refurb of 141 rooms at Marriott’s historic retreat.
The lavish redesign complements the imposing exterior of the seaside town’s flagship hotel, overlooking seven miles of golden sand.
The short hop to the beach is particularly handy for parents juggling kids and a load of kit.
But if it is not quite beach weather, Bournemouth’s colourful pier is just a five-minute stroll from the hotel – and full of fun.
With two teenage boys, we didn’t need buckets and spades, but made the most of other attractions nearby.
The 18-hole Smuggler’s Cove adventure golf course was so much fun, as were the penguins, stingrays and sharks in the Oceanarium – which is home to 75 sea life creatures.
The town’s seafront marvels, bustling arcade, and pier rides will keep kids entertained for hours.
A personal highlight for me was the thrilling £6-a-pop Red Arrows simulator, which sends riders soaring through virtual skies just like the real deal.
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If that doesn’t get your heart pumping, there’s the 250m pier-to-shore dual zipline, where the riders’ screams of excitement can be heard even over the crowds of holidaymakers on the ground.
Youngsters will be exhausted and happily ready for bed after a day of fun and games in the town.
But there’s a good time to be had inside the Marriott, too.
The outdoor pool is a treat and offers grandstand views of the town. It’s a tempting rival to the beach, even on a chilly day.
The well-equipped, 24-hour Marriott gym also allows guests to burn off the calories after taking advantage of the amazing slap-up food that is on offer at the hotel.
Starter menu highlights in the cosy Brasserie Blanc restaurant included snails with garlic and herb butter and baguette – six for £8.95.
And among the mains, the £19.99 pan-fried sea bream took some beating.
For dessert, the £8.95 pistachio souffle and tarte au citron meringue, at £9.50, both went down a treat.
Charming hotel
The children’s menu has a large variety of options, costing a reasonable £10.50 for two courses or £13.50 for three dishes.
And in the mornings, breakfast is a sumptuous selection of hot and cold treats, with every dish you can think of up for grabs.
The relaxed vibe in the hotel is ramped up at weekends when a DJ pumps out holiday tunes from the hotel bar.
The historic building can be traced back to 1873 and famous guests have included Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde author, Robert Louis Stevenson.
Within minutes of checking in to this charming hotel, it was easy to see why it’s still such a hit, more than 150 years on.
I will definitely return, to lie on a comfy Marriott bed, window ajar, and listen to the sea below.
I’ll have to make do with an ocean-waves sleep app until then.
- Rooms at the Highcliff Hotel Bournemouth cost from £84 per night. See marriott.com.