Captain's Club Hotel

Rooms

One of the best things about this hotel is that all the rooms (with the exception of some of the suites' second bedrooms) overlook the river: with a flurry of little boats sailing up and down, swans and a small nature reserve on the other side, it's a very pretty view. There's little artistic flair to the décor, but you do get a pleasing contemporary simplicity that doesn't distract from the floor-to-ceiling outlook.

The Cosy Doubles and Double Rooms are comfortable, light and airy, and full of mod cons. The 2- and 3-bedroom Suites are perfect for a family or group of friends. We stayed in a Suite (for 2-3) with a 1 double, 1 single configuration: with its large open-plan lounge, comprehensive kitchen and 2 bathrooms, it felt like a true home from home.

Beds are extremely comfortable and bathrooms have fluffy bathrobes and luxurious ESPA products. With WiFi, flat-screen TVs and free tea, coffee and New Forest Spring Water in the rooms you may choose not to leave the hotel: a plus point given the unpredictable British weather!

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Radio
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The buzzing restaurant has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the riverside terrace. With music spilling over from the adjoining bar, and a mix of locals of all ages, it has a fun, holiday vibe. The service is warm and efficient, the presentation has flair, and the seafood is excellent - our salmon Scotch egg starter was cooked to runny perfection, while the sea bass fillet with crab gnocchi was delicious.

Come morning, the breakfast buffet included fresh fruit platters, mini pastries, yoghurts, but there was clearly a different chef cooking my eggs Benedict, which came out hard and layered with an almost floury hollandaise. That said, there’s an impressive selection of nutritious smoothies, as well as Bloody Marys and champagne if you want to extend last night's festivities.

If you're staying a few days, go for lunch at Hengistbury sandbank, where the laid-back Beach House Café has fantastic views across Christchurch Harbour. There are also numerous good restaurants within driving distance - ask the team for recommendations.

The suites also have fully-equipped, top-of-the-range kitchens - particularly useful if you have little ones. You can stock up at the Waitrose just down the road.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Take the Wick Ferry from the jetty outside the hotel round to Hengistbury Head: you'll see yachts bobbing on the water, and kids crabbing on Mudeford Quay. On the Solent side, you can sometimes spot dolphins and, of course, the Needles on the Isle of Wight
  
• Relax in the hotel’s small but excellent spa, paddle in the hydrotherapy pool (with a counter-current for exercising) and warm up in the sauna. Our back, neck and shoulder massage was wonderfully restorative
  
• Putting the "church" in Christchurch, the Priory is a short walk away. It's reputed to be the longest-running parish church in the country, and displays architectural styles including Norman, the 3 types of Gothic (Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular) and Tudor Renaissance
  
• Drive 10 minutes west to the beaches of Bournemouth, and many more!
  
• Staff can also arrange bike hire, canoeing and kayaking trips
  
• Drive to the gorgeously tranquil New Forest (25 minutes away) - the hotel can arrange horse riding, there are excellent walking and cycling trails, and you'll find plenty of good pubs en route

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Kitesurfing
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Windsurfing

Kids

The staff are very friendly and helpful regarding children and there's lots to do round here for families, including some options for rainy days.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The 2- and 3-bedroom suites are ideal, with their own kitchens, lounges and 2 bathrooms each (one with a shower and one with a tub); the Hulsta Suite even has a cinema room. State Rooms have space for a baby cot.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 10 minutes
• Hospital / pharmacy: 15 minutes / 10 minutes
• Supermarket: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Captain's Club Hotel is next to the River Stour's Wick Ferry crossing in Christchurch, Dorset, on the south coast of England.

By Air
Bournemouth Airport is just 7km (4.5 miles) away. Alternatively, fly into Bristol (142km / 88 miles) or one of London's international hubs. It's a 15-minute taxi ride from Bournemouth Airport to the hotel.

By Car
The hotel is approximately 2 hours' drive from London and Bristol. See our car rental recommendations. There is limited free parking onsite. If the car park is full when you arrive, park at the front of the hotel and advise reception.

By Train
Christchurch train station (just a few minutes by taxi from the hotel) has direct services from London Waterloo - ideal for a car-free weekend break. See Seat 61 for more details.

By Boat
There are private boat moorings on the River Stour outside the hotel - request in advance.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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