The best family-friendly Dorset hotels
An expert guide to the best family-friendly Dorset hotels, including the top places to stay for interconnecting rooms, swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, spacious apartments, crèches and cinemas, in locations including Lyme Regis, Bridport, Studland, Weymouth, Beaminster, Christchurch and Evershott.
Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This is Lyme Regis’ answer to a boutique coastal break with children. It’s a luxury, family-friendly hotel with lovely views of Lyme Bay and the surrounding Jurassic coastline — opt for a sea view Poulett or Gould room to make the most of it. In any case, nearly all of the bedrooms can accommodate kids (five on chair beds, others with Z beds), plus there are two apartments that can host families of four or six. From its perch overlooking spectacular Lyme Bay you get road-free access to the shore (borrow buckets and spades from the hotel). Outside is a play area with swings, climbing frames and trampolines; in poor weather, try seaside-themed mocktails and board games in the lounge. Read expert review From £188per night
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The Bull Hotel
Bridport, Dorset, England
8Telegraph expert rating
A Georgian coaching inn, painted zaffre blue and popular with stars of Broadchurch and Far From the Madding Crowd. Since a mid-noughties refurbishment, the hotel has been a favourite destination for city dwellers searching for country charm that retains urbane style, with a secret speakeasy for late-night cocktails. It’s very family friendly: travel cots and foldout beds are available, and there are five family rooms. The management is very sympathetic and flexible when it comes to children so they’ll provide food anytime during the day, and tweak the menu to your needs. There’s also a babysitting service available at an extra cost. Read expert review From £102per night Check availability Rates provided by Mr & Mrs Smith
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Knoll House
Studland, Dorset, England
7Telegraph expert rating
What a throwback. One wonders how much longer it can last, but for now Knoll House flies in the face of change with such splendid unconcern that one can only cry 'three cheers'. Family-run Knoll House offers old-fashioned boarding house charm. Family suites have interconnecting bedrooms, with separate single rooms available for older children. For adults, there are beauty treatments and a cocktail lounge with a view (on a clear day, spot the Isle of Wight). Lunch and dinner for children is served in a separate dining room. There’s an outdoor swimming pool (as well as an indoor spa pool), and an adventure playground for youngsters. Read expert review From £123per night
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Sandbanks Hotel
Poole, Dorset, England
7Telegraph expert rating
Sandbanks Hotel sits on a spit of Dorset land famed as a millionaire’s playground, home to Premier League managers and astronomical property prices. In addition to scheduled kids' activities, the hotel can provide cots and foldout beds, and some rooms contain sofa beds. There’s a children’s menu as well as a children’s buffet served each day between 6pm and 8pm. In school holidays the 'Funsters' team occupy youngsters with beach games, art sessions and cabaret shows. There’s an indoor pool and gym, but the Water Sports Academy is the highlight: paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing and more, with a surf shop to hire equipment (and clothing to look the part). The Academy has a 44ft catamaran to charter too. Read expert review From £53per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Moonfleet Manor
Weymouth, Dorset, England
7Telegraph expert rating
A family favourite, with contemporary and period-style rooms, and a busy restaurant. Youngsters come first — from nightly films to outdoor sports — while adults can unwind with spa treatments and walks along the beach. Much of the accommodation has single beds for children; if more are needed, the hotel can provide camp beds. There is also free baby listening service. Children’s high tea takes place every afternoon. Staff are used to dealing with children, with smiles and jokes all round. The facilities make it a perfect base for all ages: an Ofsted-registered crèche; indoor pool; mini cinema; air hockey; trampolines; sandpit; and two tennis courts (coaching is available). For days out, the hotel supplies Wellington boots, buckets and spades. Read expert review From £95per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Bridge House Hotel & Restaurant
Beaminster, Dorset, England
7Telegraph expert rating
Dating from the 13th century, the Bridge House is the oldest building in pretty Beaminster – famed as 'Emminster' in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex. Behind thick stone walls you’ll find a combination of old and new, with snug rooms, a cosy lounge bar and a popular restaurant. It’s thoroughly family friendly, with two family-suites as well as Z beds and cots available for the other rooms. Toys and board games can be provided, as can baby monitoring devices, and the restaurant offers a good children’s menu. The enclosed garden is a fun, safe place for young ones. Breakfast is taken in the conservatory; the fresh Dorset snails served atop fried bread could have novelty value for young ones. Read expert review From £120per night
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Captain’s Club Hotel
Christchurch, Dorset, England
7Telegraph expert rating
On the outskirts of a town famed for it’s smuggling heritage you’ll find the Captain’s Club Hotel, which takes subtle cues from the area's seafaring connections to offer polished accommodation, extensive spa indulgences and a spot for cocktails on the river’s edge. It’s very family friendly, with a 'junior shipmates' menu in the restaurant, cots available and entertainment on the smart TVs among the offerings. On-site spa facilities are popular with adults, and include a hydrotherapy pool and sauna as well as an extensive list of treatments. Smart hotel staff are polite and well trained. On warm days, the riverside terrace is the place to be. Read expert review From £160per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Spa
Evershot, Dorset, England
9Telegraph expert rating
Though it only accepts children over 7 years of age, it’s still a great spot for slightly older families. There are interconnecting rooms plus a two-bedroom cottage. Indoors, families can can play board games, use the Nintendo Wii or splash in a heated pool. Outdoors (the hotel has four acres of garden) there are tennis courts and coaching, children’s croquet and free bicycle hire. This is the heart of Hardy country, and as such the hotel is perfectly placed for those wishing to explore the surrounding landscape on which his Wessex novels were based. Adults will appreciate the popular spa, which offers facials, massages and holistic therapies, plus a gym and whirlpool. Read expert review From £215per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Anchor Inn
Seatown, Dorset, England
8Telegraph expert rating
The Anchor Inn, sat beyond snaking lanes and tucked between scarped cliffs on the edge of a little known Dorset village, is a destination gastropub serving elevated British classics. It’s also run by a couple with small children who understand the needs of travelling families. The restaurant has a good menu for younger guests, with colouring sheets to keep them entertained. Travel cots and fold-out beds can be put in the rooms. Adults will appreciate the traditional furnishings complemented by modern touches, like metal trunks turned into a glass-topped table and cupboards made from salvaged floorboards. Read expert review From £120per night
