Dorset is a county on the southern coast of the UK which is the ideal destination for ocean lovers. There are no major cities in the county, but there are dozens of quaint oceanside towns with miles of sandy beaches. Dorset is also located on the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stretch of coastline is home to some of the best things to do in Dorset and is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs and natural arches. The best place to stay in this county is an accommodation with great vistas. You can take refuge in one of the holiday cottages with sea views in Dorset for a more private experience. This county has hotels that are strategically facing the sea as well. If you’re planning a visit, choose from one of our top sea view hotels in Dorset, UK.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to sea views. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.
1. No. 98 Boutique Hotel (from USD 174)
Reasonable pricing for a boutique hotel on the seafront.
Clean, comfortable rooms with thoughtful touches. Free overnight public parking nearby.
Prime seafront location, walking distance to main attractions, train station, and bus stops.
Delicious, freshly cooked breakfast with homemade products. Vegetarian options available.
Combining the coziness of a seaside cottage with the elegance of a boutique hotel, the No. 98 is the perfect spot for a relaxing vacation. This refurbished Georgian townhouse has well-appointed rooms with lovely nautical decor. The hotel is located right on the beach and many rooms look out over the water. Guests can enjoy perks like complimentary biscuits and sherry in the room, as well as a large complimentary breakfast each morning.
No. 98 Boutique Hotel
Address: 98 The Esplanade
17.3 km (10.8 mi) from The Tank Museum
2. The Royal Hotel Weymouth (from USD 126)
The charming establishment of The Royal Hotel Weymouth enjoys a beachfront location in the seaside town of Weymouth. If you are particular about having magnificent sea views right in the comforts of your room, you can opt to stay in a Double Room, Standard Twin Room, or Deluxe Double Room. Each accommodation here has staple items such as free WiFi and a flat-screen TV.
While the guest rooms are warm and inviting, take advantage of other hotel amenities such as the restaurant. This on-site dining option serves delicious dishes for breakfast and dinner. There is also a bar where you can savor crafty drinks at this pet-friendly hotel.
The Royal Hotel Weymouth
Address: 90 - 91 The Esplanade
17.36 km (10.8 mi) from The Tank Museum
3. The Aqua (from USD 118)
Reasonable cost compared to area hotels. Limited on-site parking.
Clean and homely with a bar on site. Limited parking and some room limitations.
Fantastic location for diving and water sports. Close to D-Day Center and sailing club.
Good buffet breakfast, but limited food options and occasional service issues.
The hotel’s name, The Aqua, is quite telling of the kind of stay you can expect. It is located in Castletown Beach, Portland, and has the surrounding ocean in all its glory. While most of its guest rooms offer sea views, you may have to consider booking ahead to snag accommodation fitting your style. The rooms include standard facilities such as flat-screen TV, free WiFi, and heating.
You wouldn’t have to venture far for superb meals and flavorful drinks as the property also feature a restaurant, bar, and cafe. To enhance your experience, you can embark on activities such as windsurfing, golfing, and horse riding for an additional fee.
The Aqua
Address: Castletown
19.93 km (12.4 mi) from The Tank Museum
4. Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel (from USD 124)
Reasonable pricing for spacious rooms and excellent breakfast options.
Convenient car park, well-kept gardens, and easy access to town and beach.
Centrally located with close proximity to town center, beach, and local attractions.
Delicious and generous breakfast, though some guests desired more dining options.
A stay at the Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel is like taking a trip back in time! The hotel is divided into two portions, and the Purbeck House Hotel part dates back to 1875. This large English manor is full of authentic and historic artifacts, like a tiled floor from the Houses of Parliament, an arch originally from Hyde Park, and more. The Louisa Lodge is more modern, but just as elegant. Guests in either part of the hotel can experience the expansive gardens and the large hot breakfast buffet. The hotel is within walking distance to the shoreline and if you’re lucky, your room will have a few of the cliffs and the ocean.
Louisa Lodge & Purbeck House Hotel
Address: 91 High Street
22.17 km (13.8 mi) from The Tank Museum
5. Sandbanks Hotel (from USD 152)
Reasonable pricing for beachfront location, but dining and bar prices are high.
Beachfront property with pool, Italian restaurant, and inclusive breakfast. Some rooms need updating.
Excellent location right on the beach, with friendly and helpful staff.
Good breakfast, but limited vegetarian options and overpriced dining. Some food quality issues.
Whether you’re traveling with family or as a couple, the Sandbanks Hotel is one of the best oceanfront hotels you could choose! It sits right along the famous Sandbanks of Poole and has direct access to the beach. If you’re traveling with kids and want a few hours to yourself, set them up with the hotel’s Watersports Academy, where qualified instructors will teach them about windsurfing, water skiing, and more! Head over to the Seaview Restaurant to have a meal overlooking the ocean, or have a drink from your room’s private balcony and watch the sun go down.
Sandbanks Hotel
Address: 15 Banks Road, Sandbanks
22.01 km (13.7 mi) from The Tank Museum
6. Ocean Beach Hotel and Spa (from USD 47)
In the old days, the British would escape to the ocean to relax and rejuvenate. You can too by booking a room at Ocean Beach Hotel and Spa! This luxurious hotel features Ocean Day Spa, where you can pamper yourself with all kinds of treatments. If you’re the kind of person who likes to stick to their fitness routine, head to the facilities at the adjoining resort, including a squash court, pool, and sauna. The hotel sits atop a cliff and has an unobscured view of the sea. Book a table in advance at Italian Cafe and Lounge restaurant to dine on the terrace and breathe in the ocean air.
Ocean Beach Hotel and SPA Bournemouth - OCEANA COLLECTION
Address: East Overcliff Drive, Dorset, Bournemouth, England, GBR, BH1 3AN
27.15 km (16.9 mi) from The Tank Museum
7. Hotel Miramar (from USD 113)
Hotel Miramar is located in an elegant Edwardian building overlooking the sea. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens that will make you feel like you are staying far out in the countryside. In reality, the hotel is well-located for exploring the area–downtown Bournemouth and the beach are just a few minutes away on foot.
All the rooms at this luxury hotel in Dorset with sea views feature a coffee and tea station and a seating area. Meanwhile, certain rooms offer beautiful garden views.
Hotel Miramar
Address: East Overcliff Drive
26.51 km (16.5 mi) from The Tank Museum
8. The Pines Hotel (from USD 93)
The Pines Hotel is the perfect place to escape the demands of everyday life. The hotel is blissfully secluded in a rural part of Swanage, with only rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and clear blue ocean as far as the eye can see. Some of the rooms feature a balcony with views of the ocean, and you can also take in the panorama in the breakfast room. Take your complimentary English breakfast inside if it’s too windy, or outside on the terrace. The Pines Hotel offers free parking, so you can explore nearby Corfe Castle or drive along the epic Jurassic Coast.
The Pines Hotel
Address: 34-36 Burlington Road
21.89 km (13.6 mi) from The Tank Museum
9. Grand Hotel Swanage (from USD 82)
Reasonable pricing for good value, but dinner prices can be steep.
Spa facilities, swimming pool, and jacuzzi. Lovely garden and easy beach access.
Perched high above the beach with panoramic views over stunning Swanage Bay. 10-15 minute stroll into town.
Comprehensive and quality breakfast. Excellent traditional dinner. Dinner prices can be steep.
The Grand Hotel Swanage is a large, stately hotel that dates back to 1898. It sits atop a cliff that provides easy access to the ocean below as well as stunning views of Swanage Bay and Peveril Point. You can appreciate the beautiful surroundings from the comfortable rooms, many of which overlook the water, or by wandering around the lush hotel gardens. This is a classic hotel that will treat your nostalgia for the grand era of travel by bringing it into the 21st century.
Grand Hotel Swanage
Address: Burlington Road
21.9 km (13.7 mi) from The Tank Museum
10. The Hermitage Hotel (from USD 88)
The Hermitage Hotel feels like a sophisticated beach hotel you’d find in a large city but has the perfect location for exploring charming Bournemouth. The hotel sits right in the center of the city, so you can easily explore the quaint streets or head to the beach. In addition to the complimentary English breakfast, an award-winning onsite restaurant is also available on this seafront hotel in Dorset. Moreover, you can order room service and make the most of the rooms’ views of the English Channel.
The Hermitage Hotel - OCEANA COLLECTION
Address: Exeter Rd
25.9 km (16.1 mi) from The Tank Museum
11. The Fairhaven Hotel (from USD 75)
Great value for money with fab sea views and excellent amenities.
Clean, modern facilities, friendly staff, and convenient on-site restaurant.
Perfectly situated on the beachfront, within easy reach of shops and attractions.
Delicious and ample breakfast, lovely in-house Indian restaurant, and plenty of dining options nearby.
The Fairhaven Hotel is the perfect pick for a beach vacation. It sits right along the Esplanade and Weymouth Beach is directly across the street. You’ll have a tantalizing view of the ocean from some of the rooms and the first-floor lounge, where you can choose from a hot full English breakfast or dinner and drinks, depending on the time of day. Head across the street to Weymouth Beach to play volleyball, zoom down the giant slide, lounge in the sand, and take a dip in the waves.
The Fairhaven Hotel
Address: 37 The Esplanade
17.59 km (11.0 mi) from The Tank Museum
12. Ocean View Hotel (from USD 101)
The Dorset coast isn’t quite the same as the tropics, but the Ocean View Hotel does its best to mimic warmer climates. The hotel features a pool surrounded by swaying palm trees and lounge chairs. It is close enough to the ocean to walk, and several of the rooms have views of the water. All of the rooms feature a private bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, and a TV. For entertainment, head to the bar and restaurant at the sister hotel, or walk the 20 minutes into lively downtown Bournemouth.
The Ocean View Hotel
Address: East Overcliff Drive
27.23 km (17.0 mi) from The Tank Museum
Rejuvenate yourself in a room with a view
Throughout history, Britain has lauded the healing properties of the sea. While we may not believe the ocean still has medicinal powers, the effect that the seaside has on most people’s mental states cannot be denied. Breathing in the salty air and feeling an ocean breeze has the power to instantaneously lift one’s spirits. Add in the breathtaking ocean views that you can see from these hotels and you’re bound to have your most relaxing and rejuvenating vacation yet.
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