Name: Kensington Hotel
Address: 18 Durley Chine Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5LE
Price range: US$38+
Rating: 8.1

Kensington Hotel Bournemouth Beach photo

Kensington Hotel Bournemouth Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

18 Durley Chine Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5LE

Close to the beach

Guest rating

4.8

5.3

/10

1.8

2.5

Loved by Kensington Hotel guests

Attentive staff

Spacious rooms

Clean room

Decent beds

Reasonable price

"Located in the cleaner and leafier end of west Bournemouth hotel land, this small hotel is one of many."

Jonathan from Spain

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"Rooms are a bit dated but clean, cosy and great value for money."

mandlg40 from United Kingdom

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"Perfect location! 5mins walk to the beach/ ocean view."

Tsitsi from United Kingdom

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Kensington Hotel: 10 minutes' walk from Bournemouth's award-winning beaches

Amenities & Facilities

The hotel offers a garden with outdoor furniture, providing a space for guests to sit outside. Daily housekeeping and laundry services are available to maintain rooms during stays. CCTV cameras cover common areas and the exterior, with fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and key card access for security.

Rooms

Each room has a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV, with some rooms including a seating area. The hotel provides family rooms that can accommodate up to five guests. Rooms are traditionally furnished and include free fast fiber Wi-Fi for internet access.

Location

Bournemouth's city centre is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, with shops and restaurants nearby. The award-winning beaches are reached in the same 10-minute walk, and Bournemouth Pier is 15 minutes on foot. The Bournemouth International Centre is also a 10-minute walk, making the location convenient for events.

Security & Parking

Private parking is available for guests, with accessible parking spaces and a dedicated car park on site. The hotel uses key access and key card entry for rooms, along with CCTV in common areas and outside the property. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are installed throughout the building for safety.

Family-Friendly Accommodations

The hotel has family rooms with multiple beds to sleep up to five people. Heating and non-smoking rooms are available throughout the property. Outdoor furniture in the garden offers families a place to relax after visiting the nearby beach.

Highlights

Location: 10-minute walk to award-winning beaches and city centre

Rooms: Family rooms for up to five guests

Amenities: Garden with outdoor furniture

Security: CCTV, key card access, smoke alarms

Parking: Private on-site parking with accessible spaces

Must-do experiences

Visit the timeless Bournemouth Pier for stunning coastal views.
Discover the unique charms of the Lower Gardens, perfect for picnics.
Savor the local delicacy, Dorset cream tea, at The Coffee House.
Explore the fascinating exhibits at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery.
Stroll through the charming stalls at the Bournemouth Farmers' Market.

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates

Twin Room
2 persons
12 m²
2 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Double Room
2 persons
12 m²
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Triple Room
3 persons
16 m²
1 Double bed and 1 Single bed
Heating
Shower
room details

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Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay

General

No smoking on site
Parking
No pets allowed
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry

Children

Cots

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Kensington Hotel Location

18 Durley Chine Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5LE

Map view

City landmarks

Beach

Bournemouth Beach

910 m

Harbour

Bournemouth Pier

910 m

Gallery

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

1.68 km

Parking area

Bournemouth International Centre

910 m

Garden

Lower Gardens

910 m

Church

St Peter's Church

910 m

Square

The Square

910 m

Theatre

Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

1.68 km

Gallery

Westover Gallery

910 m

Park

Meyrick Park

2.3 km

Park

Bournemouth Parks

910 m

Landmark

Westbourne

940 m

Landmark

Upside Down House

910 m

Landmark

West Cliff Lift

910 m

Casino

Grosvenor Casino Bournemouth

1.68 km

Gallery

Gallery 65

1.19 km

Nearby

Amusement Park

Treehouse Family Play

270 m

Restaurants

Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

430 m

47 Poole Hill

Jungle Cafe Bournemouth

300 m

51A West Hill Road

Olive Cafe

400 m

50A Poole Hill

Casa GourMex Mexican Restaurant

380 m

29 Poole Hill

Southbourne Fried Chicken

510 m

118 Seabourne Rd

Omelettos

510 m

31B The Triangle 31B the Triangle

Pondok Falafel And Juice

530 m

25 The Triangle

Espresso Kitchen

590 m

69 Commercial Road

Tealith Bubble Tea

560 m

83 Commercial Road

Subway

570 m

83 Commercial Road

The Hop Inn

510 m

6 West Cliff Road

KFC

600 m

59-61 Commercial Road Units 7-8 The Triangle

Explore Bournemouth

Bournemouth Beach

11-minute walk

Beautiful sandy shores ideal for sunbathing or family activities. Lined with cafes and beach amenities.

Bournemouth Pier

11-minute walk

A historic pier with an amusement arcade, offering stunning views and a variety of restaurants and cafes.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

3-minute drive

Showcases a diverse art collection in a stunning Victorian house. Guided tours available for insights.

Oceanarium

11-minute walk

Home to a variety of marine life including sharks and turtles. Educational exhibits ideal for family visits.

Treehouse Family Play

4-minute walk

An indoor play area for children featuring climbing frames and slides. Perfect for family fun.

Branksome Dene Chine Beach

5-minute drive

A quieter beach ideal for relaxing or enjoying a scenic walk. Ideal for both groups and solo visitors.

Bournemouth International Centre

11-minute walk

Hosts various events from concerts to conferences. Check schedules for thrilling performances.

Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

6-minute walk

Charming tea room offering a selection of teas and homemade cakes. Unique vintage decor.

Casa GourMex Mexican Restaurant

5-minute walk

Authentic Mexican cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Known for tacos and enchiladas, reservation recommended.

Olive Cafe

5-minute walk

Casual eatery specializing in Mediterranean dishes. Features vegetarian options and outdoor seating.

Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

3-minute drive

Historic venue featuring live performances, including musicals and comedy nights. Suitable for all ages.

The BIC

11-minute walk

The city's major events venue, hosting concerts and exhibitions. Check monthly schedules for family-friendly events.

Getting around the city

City Centre
Bournemouth 8 min · 600 m
Airports
Bournemouth (BOH) 17 min · 11.2 km
Southampton (SOU) 83 min · 54.7 km
Train
Bournemouth Central Station 24 min · 2 km
Bus
Bus stop 11 min · 900 m

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-21:00

Check-out

from 09:00-11:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Children & extra beds

Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 2.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Year renovated:

2011

Number of rooms:

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

Feedback about Kensington Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Kensington Hotel is appreciated for its convenient location, particularly its proximity to the beach. Guests often find the family rooms spacious, and appreciate having on-site parking available. The rooms include amenities like free coffee, cups, and a working kettle, but some guests have mentioned issues with cleanliness or maintenance in certain rooms. Overall, the hotel is considered an affordable option for a short stay in Bournemouth.

Review score

Based on 6 verified reviews

8.1 /10

Great

83%

Recommend

Free Wi-Fi

7.5/10

Location

7.1/10

Facilities

5.2/10

Value for money

5.4/10

Pros

Friendly staff

Great value

Close to beach

Parking included

Cons

Broken beds

Dirty rooms

Uncomfortable bed

Dripping tap

based on 182 reviews

2.5/5

andrew from united kingdom

Single

double room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: December 12, 2025

5/10

underwhelming stay , some issues present

dated decor stained carpets

the staff were polite and attentive , a welcome change.

The room felt quite dated , with decor that seemed stuck in the past. the bathroom was particularly disappointing . The shower had visible mold. i also noticed that the carpets was stained and hadn't been properly cleaned.

0 Helpful

Jason from Australia

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 25, 2025

9.0/10

decent stay near town

cute staff great value clean bedding

the reception staff were very cute, and check-in took minimal time. My family room for five provided excellent value, especially with parking included. The room itself was clean, and the bedding was warm and clean.

i noticed the absence of a restaurant on-site, which limited dining options within the immediate vicinity.

Service

9/10

the reception provided quick check-in service in less than two minutes and the staff were very friendly. They addressed our queries with patience and offered helpful recommendations for local attractions. this level of attentiveness significantly enhanced our stay.

Facilities

8/10

the provided family room accommodated five people comfortably and offered great value. Free coffee with cups was available in the room along with a working kettle. a hairdryer was also available for use.

Location

10/10

the location is convenient, with a nice pub called the hop inn located on the way to town. it is a short walk to town and close to the beach. this positioning allowed easy access to local amenities and attractions.

0 Helpful

Grace from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 16, 2025

8.8/10

convenient stay close to amenities

local amenities helpful staff convenient parking clean room

the hotel is close to many shops and restaurants. the staff were very cute and helpful . parking on site was convenient. my room was clean and well-kept.. it had everything i needed for a short stay.

the window in my room didn't open fully.

Dining

9/10

several restaurants are within a short walk of the hotel. these include options for quick meals and more formal dining. there are also a few pubs nearby serving food until late.

Facilities

8/10

the hotel offers on-site parking . it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. the reception area is open 24 hours a day to assist guests with inquiries.

Location

10/10

the hotel is located within walking distance of the beach. local shops and amenities are also nearby. public transportation options are easily accessible from the hotel.

Rooms

8/10

my double room was equipped with a comfortable bed. there was also a tv and tea and coffee making facilities in the room. the shower room had basic toiletries provided for guest use.

0 Helpful

Gordon from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 12, 2025

8.7/10

simple and well located

adequate room on-site parking helpful staff

My room was a twin room and it was quite adequate for my needs. the parking on site was a real bonus. the staff helped me find nearby places for dinner. That was kind.

the lift was out of service.

Service

9/10

The reception staff were available around the clock and were always ready to assist with directions and local information. They also helped with minor issues in my room. i found this very helpful.

Facilities

8/10

Parking was available on the premises at no extra charge, this made arrival and departure very convenient. the hotel provides a simple breakfast each morning. It includes cereals, toast, and coffee and is sufficient for a quick start.

Location

9/10

The hotel is close to several shops and restaurants, providing easy access to amenities. it is about a 10-minute walk to the beach. This makes it ideal for short trips to the seafront.

0 Helpful

Theodore from United States

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: August 10, 2025

8.8/10

surprisingly pleasant stay

spacious room friendly staff great value prompt service

the family room was spacious it easily accommodated our group. i found the staff very friendly they were always ready to help. i appreciated the great value i received including parking. the prompt service.

the bathroom could use a bit more space it felt a little cramped.

Rooms

9/10

the family room included five beds this worked well for our group of five. the beds were comfortable i slept soundly each night. the room was always clean.

Service

9/10

the reception staff were friendly checking in took only a few minutes. i received helpful tips about local attractions. the staff responded quickly when i needed assistance with anything.

Facilities

8/10

parking was included this was a great convenience. the hotel location provided easy walking access to shops. the hotel was well kept and always tidy.

Dining

8/10

i received several recommendations for nearby restaurants and cafes. the suggestions offered were diverse and catered to various tastes. nearby establishments were easily accessible by foot.

Location

10/10

the hotel is a short walk from the beach a great feature. shops are very close providing convenient access to necessities. i appreciated the proximity to local amenities.

0 Helpful

Sebastian from Germany

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: July 09, 2025

8.5/10

practical stay

spacious room accommodating staff quick response great shower

the room was spacious enough for a family. i found the staff pleasant and accommodating (they were very helpful). they fixed the curtain track quickly after i reported it. the shower, though compact, was great.

i noticed a plug socket was slightly loose.

Facilities

8/10

the hotel features complimentary wifi access throughout the premises. there is also an on-site car park available , though spaces might be limited during peak seasons. it provided convenient parking for my vehicle.

Dining

9/10

the breakfast area offers a buffet selection with pastries and fruit. hot beverages, including coffee and tea, are available from 7:00 am to 9:30 am daily (it was a good start to the day).

0 Helpful

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