Dorset is a diverse county. It’s the glitzy playground of the rich and famous, home to some of the nation’s best blue-flag beaches, as well as picturesque villages littered with historic thatched cottages. If you plan on staying in the UK this summer, this region will rival many overseas holiday options and is easily accessed from across the country by road, rail or air.
Poole, Dorset, England
Hotel du Vin Poole
(4 stars)Housed in an ivy-clad Georgian Mansion surrounded by wrought iron railings, Hotel du Vin enjoys a prime setting on the quaint Town Quay. The property is a former merchant’s house, turned chic modern boutique hotel. It provides a comfortable familiarity for those already au fait with the chain and is large enough to provide facilities such as a courtyard for alfresco drinks, a bar and a bistro (serving French and British-inspired cuisine), alongside a sense of exclusivity (there are just 38 individually styled bedrooms).