Lord Bute
Lord Bute descritpion
On the edge of the New Forest, the Lord Bute is in Highcliffe, just 10 miles from the town centre of Bournemouth. Offering luxurious 5-star accommodation and an award-winning restaurant, the guest house is just 20 minutes' drive from both Lymington and Brockenhurst.
With free Wi-Fi, the stylish and air-conditioned rooms have a king-size bed, a flat-screen TV, work desk, trouser press, and tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom.
Guests at the Lord Bute can enjoy full English breakfasts in the mornings. The Lord Bute restaurant serves a varied menu of traditional and modern cuisine, including award-winning Sunday lunches. There is also regular entertainment, including weekly dinner jazz and occasional cabaret nights.
Beaulieu is a 30-minute drive from Lord Bute and the cathedral city of Salisbury is within 1 hour’s drive, along with Winchester and Shaftesbury. The guest house is also just 8 miles from Bournemouth Railway Station and 27 miles from Southampton Airport. Guests can explore the nearby Jurassic Coast.
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Facilities of Lord Bute
Outdoors ：Terrace
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Shared Lounge/TV Area | Suit Press | Daily Housekeeping | Honeymoon Suite
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for Lord Bute
Review 1：The bed comfort would have benefited from a mattress topper as we could feel the springs!!
Review 2：The bedroom was a good size and very quite with a good ensuite
Review 3：Could do with a small fridge next to tea making facilities.
Review 4：We stayed in the Lord Bute Suite (the old gatehouse). Gorgeous and decadent over two floors. Lovely living room, enormous bathroom, very comfortable bed. Very good breakfast.
Review 5：No room service and no mini bar in the room, which for a five star hotel, was very surprising.
Review 6：The staff were exceptional. Friendly and efficient. The restaurant ambiance and food were outstanding.
Review 7：We were warned before arrival by email, but could not use either bar or restaurant the two nights we stayed as there were private functions. It made us find restaurant and pubs in nearby towns, which we are happy to do, so did not detract from our high opinion of the hotel.
Review 8：The accommodation, atmosphere, staff and breakfast were excellent.
Review 9：No wifi on the night we stayed in the suite room in the annex.
Review 10：The breakfast was fabulous and they were very considerate and helpful with catering for my food intolerances. Very clean and comfortable and good value for money. We will stay again - thank you
Review 11：I thought The Lord Bute Suite would have a jacuzzi bath but it didnt.
Review 12：extremely clean and well decorated. The staff were fantastic. We didnt try the food as the restaurant was fully booked during our stay which was a shame.
Review 13：Electrical sockets insufficient. None near the bed to plug in phones, tablets etc. Bath a bit ancient. Spa/jet facility on it pointless. Walk-in shower would have been far better.
Review 14：Breakfasts were great. Room a decent size - large bed and tv
Review 15：Truly woeful stay - very disappointing. Room was not what we booked, was unbearably cold and attempts to rectify the problem were protracted and far from satisfactory.
Review 16：Breakfast was pleasant
Review 17：There were no staff in the hotel after about 8 o'clock on Sunday evening. And nobody in reception when we wished to check out at 0900 on Monday morning - we were obliged to find the one waitress serving breakfast to arrange our bill. The bedroom heating was primitive as was the bathroom. The English breakfast included cold bacon and stale baked beans. We had requested single beds but were given a room with a double bed.
Review 18：Unable to turn down heat in room, had to open window which meant we could hear the noise from the road
Review 19：Nice welcome, fantastic room & excellent location. Bar/Restaurant next door if you want something other than the fine dining on offer. Beautifully presented breakfast.
Review 20：Bathroom / toilet could've been cleaner.
Review 21：Hotel manager was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Carried my bag up to my room, and dealt promptly and appropriately with an issue I raised re: toilet. Plus the cooked breakfast was 1st class, as was the restaurant experience.
Review 22：Having to leave!
Review 23：All the staff were helpful and friendly. The restaurant was excellent however we were only able to use it on one evening due to other commitments. Breakfasts were of good quality.
Review 24：Unable to contact reception or restaurant at 9am to request breakfast in room
Review 25：Fantastic pressure in the shower... It felt as if I was having a massage. Excellent service in Resturant and Custoner Service given by the lady in Reception
Review 26：Parking a bit cramped. Would have loved a pot of coffee for breakfast instead of asking for individual cups - especially for decaf which had to be made specially each time.
Review 27：Interesting character of buildings. Restaurant very nice decor and ambience. Lovely big super king bed and large ensuite. Very nice breakfast and dinner.
Review 28：Weird noises couldn't work out if it was plumbing / shower didn't raise it with the staff so partly feral it unfair to raise it - stated in room 105
Review 29：Welcome was excellent /breakfast superb generally overall a great experience
Review 30：The fact that on Bookings.com website it was registered as a 5* hotel. The staff assured me it was classed as a guest house, but AA 5*. Having previously spent 2 nights at a real 5* hotel, there was no comparison. My opinion is the Lord Bute is 3*. When arriving on Wed. expecting to eat in the restaurant and was told a themed Jazz night with a fixed price menu was the only option. Normal restaurant service is only available 4 out of the 7 nights. No buffet breakfast,breakfast to be ordered from a fixed basic menu. No heating in bathroom apart from a heated towel rail, not sure if this would be adequate in the winter !
Review 31：Staff were very helpful, especially Chris the restaurant manager.
Review 32：Exceptional service....I loved the aircon in the room....The prices in the restaurant were very reasonable and the bed was the best I have ever slept in...truly faultless.
Review 33：bedroom was very small that we stayed as was the bathroom,had air conditioning which was a bonus definitely needed it as room very hot but was noisy when running so we had to keep turning it off as it was annoying,parking could be an issue as it was very tight at times,would have enjoyed stay better if room had been larger,kept getting in each others way due to lack of space.
Review 34：lovely hotel nice garden looked clean & tidy,pleasant staff
Review 35：We got this as a last minute deal so it was an absolute bargain however, I would not like to pay full price for that size of room.
Review 36：Lovely cosy, clean room. Food in restaurant was excellent, especially the fixed price menu!
Review 37：No availability for restaurants in the evening on Monday.
Review 38：Bathroom was very good and the fire was very cosy but it needed a revamp from a décor perspective But not in the bathroom
Review 39：Towel rail was stuck on which made the room extremely hot and when I told them about it, thinking they didn't know they told me, yes we must get that fixed. They already knew about it. And we're not worried about our discomfort at all even though we had to have air con on, windows open and a fan on. Lovely place to stay but a lot of money for the heating discomfort. I felt that we should have been compesated especially finding out that they already knew there was a problem
Review 40：We did not eat an evening meal in the restaurant because there was not much for vegetarians to eat.
Review 41：It was extremely easy to check in and out. The staff were efficient.
Review 42：Not a problem for us, but note that it wasn't a buffet breakfast. Also not a problem for us, but the cooked breakfast options didn't include the fancier breakfast items such as kippers. Although we picked the non-meat options from the cooked breakfast menu, it would have been nice to have some vegetarian cooked breakfast options (e.g. veggie sausages). We would have preferred a covered, secure area for our cycles (but I doubt the hotel has much demand for this). The reception staff help in other areas of the hotel and so we had a bit of a wait (on the end of a phone line with a message) for someone to check us in.
Review 43：The staff were very helpful and friendly. We arrived on bicycles and they found us somewhere to tuck them away out of sight, as well as offering to help us with our bags. We chose a larger double room, which was excellent. The bed was very comfortable, the room was quiet with armchairs, desk, large TV, wardrobe. There was a shower over the bath, large towels and toiletries. Although the hotel is on a busy road, our room was at the back and you'd never have known the road was there. The breakfast was very good - fresh and tasty and a good choice of both continental and English breakfast (we had items from both menus at no extra cost). The hotel was a short walk away (5-10 mins) from the castle, a nature reserve and steps down to the beach. Taking this route, it took us about 40 minutes to walk through tha park and along the beach to Mudeford Quay.
Review 44：Nothing to dislike!
Review 45：Room and everything else was fantastic....got a special deal, so was very good value for money. Did not eat in the restaurant so cannot comment on that, but looked like a good menu and the surroundings were very plush. Staff went that extra mile to make sure you had a good stay. Would definitely stay again.
Review 46：Only very small negative. The room lacked some small creature comforts in the bathroom toiletries a shower cap and flannels would have been nice.
Review 47：The style and decor of the hotel and restaurant. Wonderful breakfast and very attentive service.
Review 48：Not really bad, just minor really. I had to wash cups, spoons and glasses the first day in my room. The second day they were perfect. Light sleepers should request a room away from the front, because of traffic noise.
Review 49：Closeness to beach and castle. Food was excellent and they were willing to go off menu at breakfast. Nice fluffy towels.
Review 50：Front bedrooms suffer a little from road noise if you like to sleep with your windows open (as we do). Aircon available if you must close windows. Nothing much found within walking distance, car needed. Local pubs disappointing.
Review 51：Good quality, small hotel. Lovely breakfast in smart dining room. Makes the most of a small site. Handy for lovely Mudeford and the forest.
Review 52：On arrival, my son was told where the linen was to make up his own pull out sofa bed! Disappointing breakfast with cooked or cereal, and very limited coffee and butter. 'Free wi-fi' was non existent
Review 53：Lovely staff
Review 54：Great hotel and Andrea is super helpful. Breakfast wasn't that great. The croisants were rock hard, nor fresh or overcooked (or both) bacon wasn't great either. Looked through all the paperwork and the WiFi code was nowhere to be found :-(
Review 55：Rooms are spacious. Hotel is in really good condition. Big flat screen TV! Lots of parking room
Review 56：Disappointed with room it was small & noisy with traffic from main road.
Review 57：Superb decor, very good food. Lovely bathroom with excellent shower. Enjoyed the Jazz night
Review 58：The Hotel was lovely and friendly. When we arrived, they managed to slot us in for dinner during their weekly Jazz night that they have every Wednesday which we really enjoyed. the room was a good size and comfortable. Could not fault it for our one night stay!
Review 59：Aforementioned air-conditioning could do with the exit vent vacuumed. You're close to it & when I turned it on and the vent opened I was greeted by a huge amount of dust visible and flapping in the breeze. Would prefer to see it clean so no worries about old dust filling the room or covering the nice clean bed linen. First time I didn't take hair conditioner and none was supplied in room.
Review 60：Air-conditioned room. Nicely decorated and furnished. Car parking off street. Welcoming and helpful staff. Good location - proximity to the beach. Has own restaurant.
Review 61：Unable to eat at hotel as function on and we were not informed at time of booking. Very little parking. Dirty socks found in room on arrival. Breakfast poached eggs hard and plate swimming in water. Noisy road. Air con unit sent cold air directly over the bed.
Review 62：Friendly staff.
Review 63：Front rooms suffer from road traffic noise, requiring windows shut and a/c on.
Review 64：Delicious breakfast - everything served personally instead of the normal buffet . Excellent service from all staff.
Review 65：For a 5* hotel the breakfast was very very poor. It was like a motorway stop breakfast (full English) Cheap processed thin white bread (toasted) burnt mushrooms pitiful amount of beans he meal looked generally very unappetising.. very disappointing I also had two weetabix, these were placed in a bowl not a shallow dish I would like to emphasise though that the hotel and staff were very very good. All the staff at Lord Bute were very friendly and helpful
Review 66：The friendlyness of the staff. We were in Christchurch to attend a wedding and were not able to have dinner in the restuarant, which if the breakfast was anything to go by, must be very good.
Review 67：Parking was tight and a bit awkward. WiFi didn't work in the room.
Review 68：Excellent value for money as we got it on a last minute deal. Room was excellent in size and well equipped.
Review 69：Initial impression on room allocation was that being in the hallway next to reception that it was going to be noisy. However this didn't prove to be a big problem and the Manager offered compensation for our concern.
Review 70：Good room size with high class fittings. Restaurant/Breakfast room was excellent as was the food. Staff were very helpful and accommodating to any concerns we had
Review 71：The Molton Brown hand wash and lotion didn't smell like Molton Brown products. I found a piece of chocolate. On the carpet on arrival. Bedroom furniture very old fAshioned.
Review 72：The staff are this hotel's best attribute. Andrea, hotel manager, is first class at customer service. The dining area is superb with quality linen tableware and silver cutlery. Breakfast is impressive.
Review 73：We booked for dinner in the restaurant where we had what is probably the worst service we have ever had anywhere although the food when we finally got it was good and fairly priced. On checking out the receptionist made a generous deduction from our bill to compensate.
Review 74：We booked late and got a good deal on the Lord Bute Suite. We did not really use the lounge area but the bedroom was lovely and the bathroom enormous.
Review 75：Jazz evenings at dinner can spoil your experience, as can the crowded car parks. Parking spaces for residents should be reserved. As it is the poular restaurants atract numerous visitors.
Review 76：The menus and selection of food
Review 77：Everything was a really high standard. Although I marked the "facilities" slightly lower than the other ratings, it's only because, although there is a nice patio area outside the restaurant, there is no other area to sit and relax. When there was a function on one evening, the smell of a lot of people smoking outside where I was eating was not really very nice. Probably not a problem in the winter when the restaurant's doors and wondows aren't open.
Review 78：It's difficult to put the best things about the Lord Bute in any order as they are all equally impressive. The staff are magnificent; very professional but extremely helpful and friendly. My room was lovely; very comfortable and clean and the air conditioning was much appreciated. The food is amazing - the fruit platter with greek yoghurt at breakfast was individually prepared and looked and tasted absolutely beautiful. A bowl of porridge to follow was sufficient to keep me going for most of the day. I ate in the hotel on both evenings and the evening meals were superb too. In all, I cannot recommend this hotel enough but I do so hope it doesn't get too popular or I might not be able to get a room again!
Review 79：Paid for a suite and was disappointed to find we got what was just a large room. Hotel advertised aircon in every room but there was none in ours. When we arrived the room was extremely hot as the heating was on. We turned the radiators off but it took awhile to cool down. No bar or lounge areas to sit in until the dining room opened.
Review 80：Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We ate in the restaurant and the food was excellent and reasonably priced. Bed was very comfortable, slept very well.
Review 81：Only one really in restaurant on jazz night. We booked for 7.30pm but order not taken until 8.15pm and eventually we got wine we ordered after one of the waitresses went over to remind the man in charge, so sat there with no aperitif or food for almost an hour. However could not fault the food, entertainment and waitress service
Review 82：Very attentive staff and location very good for our needs
Review 83：Not a bad experience but did not check bar and restaurant closed on Sundays - my fault for not doing my homework!
Review 84：Could only stay for one night unfortunately. Breakfast was superb! Extremely pleasant and helpful Reception staff. Defintely worth a visit!
Review 85：Service in bar surly breakfast staff better. Spa bath didn't work. Only shampoo in bathroom no conditioner. You would think 4* hotel would have more choice of beverages in bed room
Review 86：Location is good and easy to get out and about
Review 87：Quite noisy being on main road. Should have upgraded room and slept at back of hotel, although we were compensated for this. Outdoor area of hotel are also at front, so again they are noisy. Such a shame!
Review 88：Really good breakfast, helpful staff and lovely decor. Comfortable seating area. Great location near Highcliffe Castle beach.
Review 89：We had a wonderful stay the night of and night after our wedding. Andrea couldn't do enough to make our stay memorable and as a result had a great stay.
Review 90：Bedroom was large, well exquipped and very comfortable as was the bathroom. The bed was the most comfortable hotel bed we have ever experienced. We had the fortune of staying for Sunday lunch which was delicious, well presented, excellent value for money and a wonderful choice of menu.
Review 91：Nothing. (Bed a bit too soft, but I'm really scraping the barrel here to think of anything negative. This place is amazing!)
Review 92：The breakfasts (especially the yoghurt and bacon!), the art deco restaurant and the proximity to Highcliffe castle and beach.
Review 93：For the quality of place it seemed to be the room was not cleaned properly at all. Lots of glittery make up on the desk, hairs on bed sheet and desk, tub DIRTY. A shame since everything else was really nice.
Review 94：Staff were super nice, bed was big and comfy. Convenient little pub next door.
Review 95：Sometimes its hard to park
Review 96：The Lord Bute is in the perfect place to get to all areas,it is only the second time we have stayed there and was very good,we have been dinning at the hotel the last 20 years and always had very good food
Review 97：There was nothing to dislike and I stay away for work 2/3 nights a week all over the country.
Review 98：A friendly elegant and well run hotel. I wish i lived nearer.
Review 99：My room was at the front of the hotel which is on Highcliffe Road which is very busy. The traffic actually woke me up despite double glazed windows. Also, my room was under the reception area and I was awoken at around midnight by other guests stood out front smoking.
Review 100：Stayed for one night, it was a Monday and I got a phone call to let me know the restaurant was closed. Very good. My room was ok but the bed was a bit uncomfortable and the bathroom felt a bit dated. I am being a bit picky but it just wasn't quite as 5 star as the web details made out.
Review 101：Left standing for several minutes in the middle of restaurant waiting for someone to greet us and take us to our table (for dinner). Very embarrassing!!! Future guests should note, although hotel states dress for dinner is smart casual, our experience is that people dress very smartly!!! Once we got the attention of staff, the food was very good. Breakfast service was better.
Review 102：Friendly welcome, comfy room, spa bath, food (dinner & breakfast)
Review 103：paper serviettes, instead of linin napkins for table service, spoiled an otherwise superb presentation. The bottled water supplied in the room was a nice touch but really should not be sparkling water.
Review 104：The attention to detail in the overall design and decoration was exceedingly good in all areas.
Review 105：Comfortable nicely furnished room, very clean. Beautiful dining room, unfortunately we only sampled breakfast but will definitely return and have dinner. Hopefully it will be as delicious as the breakfast!
Review 106：Some slightlly old fashioned firings in the rooms and the safe was out of order,. These were minor points in the context of a very good experience. Location was good by car and near to beach. A fair walk into Midefotf or Christchurch
Review 107：Nice rooms, lovely restaurant
Review 108：The fact that the restaurant is a very long way from where we live !!!
Review 109：Everything was great. The restaurant was beautiful, the staff lovely and as for the food I can honestly say I have never had such a lovely meal in a restaurant or hotel.
Review 110：We spent our anniversary in Highcliffe this year and stayed at this lovely hotel. It is small and intimate, with a lovely atmosphere and staff who cannot do enough for you. Highly recommended for a special occasion.
Review 111：Few chips on some of the table wear. Tea pot, glass etc. chill from glass on outer restaurant wall.
Review 112：Decor, friendly helpful staff, room serviced while having breakfast, quality of food
Review 113：There was nothing really I did not like, except perhaps the lack of Room Service which we would not normally avail of but in the circumstances it would have been handy. Other than that, nothing!
Review 114：A warm welcome, staff very accommodating, helpful and friendly. Nothing seemed too much trouble. The room was well proportioned, very comfortable and clean. On suite facilities splendid. Breakfast menu was excellent and service was efficient and friendly. Location for forest and sea front could not have been better. Our 4 year old was a little on well and returned to the Hotel with his mum from the wedding of our older son which we were attending, and again staff were most helpful in enabling us to contact GP help.
Review 115：Surprised by the fact that a hotel of this quality was unable to supply either food or drink at 2.30 in the afternoon.
Review 116：No criticism of anything other than the comment made.
Review 117：Restaurant is closed on Mondays. The night I stayed there. A pity I would have liked to have had a meal there.
Review 118：Everything except that the restaurant was closed.
Review 119：Nothing
Review 120：Comfortable, clean and tasteful. Didn't eat in the restaurant but it looked very nice. Breakfast and it's presentation was fabulous. Our stay was everything as hoped for - lovely.
Review 121：Breakfast doesn't start till 8am!! Fine if you're on holiday but pretty unhelpful if you've got any plans.
Review 122：Rooms nicely decorated. Reception friendly. Restaurant pretty good.
Review 123：Non user friendly A/C in room with no instructions.Loose toilet seat.A couple of broken tiles in bathroom plus a dripping tap.Landlocked by hedges and main road.
Review 124：Very good staff and well organized.Well equipped room. Extremely comfortable large bed.Restaurant was superb.Lovely music with our meal.
Review 125：The room was too warm and the traffic noise from the road out front prevented us from having the window open at night. There was air conditioning which cooled the room down significantly but again was a little too noisy to have on all night so by morning the room was very warm again.
Review 126：Very friendly and helpful staff both in reception on arrival and at breakfast. The room was lovely, clean and very comfortable. A great shower! There was plenty of choice at breakfast and the full English was very tasty.
Review 127：Were rudely left waiting for 30 minutes when we arrived because the manager was on the phone and couldn't be disturbed. Apparently he was the only one who could help while when he came to show us to our room there wasn't even so much as an apology for the inconvenience caused - given it was 9:30pm in the evening and we needed to think about getting food after a long journey down, this was hardly ideal!
Review 128：Nice large room and conveniently located within a short bus / taxi ride of New Milton and Christchurch which was ideal for us. Generally the service was really good but sometimes it felt like things were a bit disorganised.
Review 129：The shower was slippery when wet on the floor. Parking was limited and would suggest allocated parking for staying guests.
Review 130：Went for a wedding which was lovely. The food was good and the surrounds were ideal. Nice patio area for outside seating and gazebo. The room had a massive double bed and a clean bathroom with air conditioning.
Review 131：It is on a busy road, and the limited outside space is on the road side.
Review 132：Staff were lovely. The room was very attractive and the bed was so comfortable.
Review 133：Noise insulation poor, TV and conversation could be heard clearly from next room.
Review 134：Location, hotel amenities, well maintained, tasteful decor, breakfast, friendly staff.
Review 135：Nothing - no negatives at all.
Review 136：The staff, the location, the cleanliness, the helpfulness - just everything about this boutique 13-bedroomed property is absolutely first class. Will definitely be staying there again on my next trip!
Review 137：Noise to 11:30. Felt that Tom Jones was performing in the bathroom. Greedy owners who did not take responsibility for the event.
Review 138：Good breakfast, wide. Comfortable bed.
Review 139：The room was too hot and the bathroom radiator would not turn off. Option was noisy air conditioning.
Review 140：The restaurant was very good and the pianist fantastic.
The Fine Print
Please note that complimentary late check-in is available between 18:00 and 21:00 on every day except Sunday.Please note: The restaurant and bar are not open Sunday evenings or all day Monday.