Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge

Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge descritpion

On extensive grounds in the center of Swanage, Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge is a 5-minute walk from the beach. Family-run for 16 years, has free parking, a bar and 2 restaurants.
The bedrooms are divided between the main house, built in 1875, and the newly-built Louisa Lodge. All have a flat-screen HD TV, an iPod dock and a private bathroom whist some have views of the grounds or sea.
Guests can eat at the Thomas Hardy, with its hand painted ceiling and marble fireplaces. Another option is the Garden Conservatory, which offers full English breakfasts, Dorset cream teas and homemade cake.
The World Heritage Jurassic Coast is just 1,000 feet from the Purbeck, with the famous Monkey World Zoo a 20-minute drive away. Swanage Train Station is a 5-minute walk away.

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Facilities of Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace | Sun Deck

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Snack Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Languages Spoken ：French | English

Reviews for Purbeck House Hotel & Louisa Lodge

Review 1：Gluten free options on menu were very limited, i.e. none of the deserts were gluten free.

Review 2：Very friendly and helpful staff. Great location. Lovely room and view.

Review 3：Our room was a bit small for the money and the bed wasn't very comfortable considering how much I paid.

Review 4：Great location if you want to see the Jurassic coast, just a short walk to town with plenty of resturaunts, beautiful building and gardens.

Review 5：Only down side was noisy neighbours coming in late but this is out of control of the hotel.

Review 6：We had a fantastic stay. Staff were brilliant, breakfast was excellent. Location and hotel was fabulous. We would highly recommend and would definately stay again.

Review 7：This old victorian mansion is rather drafty in the middle of winter and the breakfast room was freezing, so bring a heater and wrap up warm for breakfast!

Review 8：Beautiful historic property with great sea views and with very friendly, helpful staff.

Review 9：The view of the sea was on the horizon. When we arrived in the early evening we hoped to have dinner but there was none on offer and we had to walk into the town to get something to eat..

Review 10：A beautiful and historic building

Review 11：No lift not good for diabled, A cold dinjng room and delivery of food poor and it was a very expensive dinner for the quality of it!

Review 12：the staff were nice!!!!!!!!

Review 13：Dinner was a bit ordinary made up by a good breakfast.

Review 14：Very comfortable room. Very tasteful lounge, very nice bar and lovely grounds. Helpful and attentive staff.

Review 15：Check if a function is on - only bar snacks available if you can get in bar or lounge. Manager indifferent to complaints to the extent one was made to feel our complaints were our fault

Review 16：Room size was good

Review 17：I felt that the decor and furniture in the bar area/dining lounge was not in keeping with the rest of the Hotel. Also I'm being picky but I would advise that the breakfast cereal/juice tables be moved to the centre of the conservatory as it was bit of a walk from the far tables and feel it would give a warmer welcome..

Review 18：I loved the authenticity of the Hotel and was so pleased that many original features are still in place. I felt as though I had been transported into a Downton Abbey like period....

Review 19：bed a little uncomfortable, walk in shower/toilet a bit small with no place to put things. No support for suitcase.

Review 20：Excellent location, good car parking for disabled, choice of rooms, good breakfast & pleasant helpful staff.

Review 21：Not so much as I didn't like but the bedroom I stayed would have gone from excellent to superb if it had a bigger bathroom and bath not just a shower. Another little niggle no butter at breakfast only Flora.

Review 22：Superb bedroom with a great view over the sea. Staff were very helpful and friendly.

Review 23：The mattresses were far too soft. Dinner was, for us, a disaster after which we chose to eat out, there's loads of choice along the sea front and beyond. Little niggles: an empty carrier bag in the lounge on Saturday morning still there on Sunday night; a wet bar counter not cleaned, the barman just avoided putting anything in the puddle! The conservatory windows appeared dirty, probably because the double-glazing was allowing condensation which could not be reached. There's no lift and after the hike up the steep road to the hotel, the elderly (and not so old) will need a rest before attempting the stairs.

Review 24：Large, regal house with real character. Room 7 excellent, large twin with sea view. Décor is dated but very in keeping - we loved it! Breakfast is extensive and full English is cooked to order. The staff are all really helpful and welcoming. The grounds are very pretty. Plenty of places to sit and relax.

Review 25：One poor meal in the restaurant, expensive for what it was but It was agreed that we should not be charged -after I raised the issue. The hotel does require a little attention to detail - my friend stayed in a single room were two lights and and a hairdryer did not work, although staff quick to sort out the former.

Review 26：very friendly and helpful staff, good breakfast, central Swanage but quiet and spacious with lovely grounds.

Review 27：.......however, it really does need updating , or making old, at the moment it is lost in the 70,s with a touch of junk, along with ripped curtains.

Review 28：The staff were excellent, and very attentive. Our dairy free diet was catered for. Rooms are large and the whole place has charm.......

Review 29：Small room with dated decor and bed was quite uncomfortable. Quality of breakfast was poor.on second morning we ate elsewhere as there was not a lot left on the buffet table,they had run out of teapots and no glasses out for juice,so not really acceptable given the amount of staff on hand and what we had paid for our stay? Bar unstaffed,so you had to go and find a member of staff every time you wanted a drink.understandable at quiet times but hotel was fully booked and B/H weekend?

Review 30：Location of hotel,as was short walk into town.

Review 31：The only thing I could say is the WiFi didn't really reach top floor. But that's all I can.

Review 32：I like everything about my stay room was lovely, staff were expecially helpful, and very nice

Review 33：Only small things really - no cloths hangers in the wardrobe, toilet flush needs some attention, difficult to open heavy sash windows.

Review 34：Great location. Help friendly staff. Loads of free parking

Review 35：Room one, where I stayed on the second night, was a bit noisy and there was the sound of loud running water close by some of the time. There was no bath. No view.

Review 36：The first room (twelve) was lovely. A view over the gardens, a bath, quiet. The staff were really friendly and helpful.

Review 37：We paid for the dining experience, but for the first 3 nights the meals were average. However when the main chef returned on the last night we had a lovely 3 course meal.

Review 38：Big cracks in the ceiling in the room, bathroom needs updating and the breakfast area as well as breakfast are quite poor for the money we paid. The beds are really soft and my back ache for the entire stay.

Review 39：Its a lovely old house and the view of the room was excellent. Nice to see they kept a lot of the original features.

Review 40：The room didn't look like it had been refurbished since the early 90s and the curtains had worn threadbare in places. Although the room itself was huge, the bathroom was quite pokey and again, very dated

Review 41：Our room was in the main building and was absolutely huge. It had nice views of the grounds and a peek of the sea.

Review 42：Everything was perfect, hotel so comfortable and staff so helpful, we arrived really early on the Saturday but were allowed into our rooms on arrival. No complaints about the food, breakfast was excellent, really good choice and so were the evening meals. I have stayed in both parts of the hotel but prefer the hotel rather than Louisa Lodge although this was nice I found in to be a bit noisy, but the hotel was very quiet. The location was ideal near to the town. Try eating at the Red Lion, just up from the hotel, superb food, but recommend that you book as its difficult to get a table.

Review 43：Shower pressure was terrible. Originally, I booked a room with a bath which we weren't given. However, the manager did refund the difference between the room prices without quibble.

Review 44：A nice room with a balcony and remote view of the sea. A good breakfast.

Review 45：Small gloomy bathroom. Dated decoration. Very dirty windows in conservatory where breakfast was served also lots of birthday confetti and balloon left from party couple of days previously. Vacuum cleaner, bin liner and towels left on landing for couple of days.

Review 46：Beautiful old building with character and lovely large grounds. Large bedroom with nice outlook over garden. Friendly helpful staff. Central location. Very good breakfast.

Review 47：Breakfast was luke warm at best, Very disappointing.

Review 48：Beautiful setting, amazing Hotel with very friendly helpful staff, comfortable, clean room with a quality bed.

Review 49：Tried to order from the bar menu on the Thursday evening at about 7 o'clock. Told couldn't service order until 8 o'clock as there was a large party in the restaurant. They had been in the hotel all week so I would have thought that they would have ensured there was adequate cover to provide the bar service that they were offering. Very little shelf space in the bathroom. Very old fashioned decor in the public areas, did make the hotel appear dated.

Review 50：Friendly staff, nice room, plenty of drawer space. Pleasant location, nice gardens , plenty of parking. Close to centre of town.

Review 51：the overall appearance of the hotel was disappointing and appeared to be a little run down and in need of an urgent up grade, for instance dirty windows in the restaurant,no lifts, and an up grade in lighting would not go amiss along with redecorating the public areas would be of some help and if WIFI s offered it needs attention with reception in guests rooms perhaps some sort of signal boost be installed a better room change routine needs to be sorted as seller doors left open dirty linen left in hall ways is not endearing

Review 52：evening bar staff were especially attendant and polite along with the reception and restaurant staff. it seemed that the staff were at a level above the standard of the hotel and are keeping it together under trying circumstances I wold think

Review 53：Bed too soft. For those who don't like a cooked breakfast, the breakfast offering is poor, e.g. cheap sliced bread, a self-service toaster that didn't work properly, croissants ran out and were not replenished and worst of all, tinned fruit salad, yuk! Waiter in charge was excellent, very good at retrieving burnt/lost toast for bemused guests!! Let's have more variety/better quality and enough for all guests! Oh, and a toaster that works please!

Review 54：Central location of hotel and having paid extra for a sea view, great views from room. Hot drinks facilities and biscuits in room, replenished every day. Pleasant, helpful staff.

Review 55：The taps over the hand basin - they are fitted with sprays and it is difficult to wash your hands effectively. As a contact lens wearer I found this frustrating.

Review 56：Very welcoming, the staff are very friendly and courteous. The bedroom was comfortable and clean however it was quite difficult to open the windows for fresh air.

Review 57：Small shower room. New kettle would have been better.

Review 58：Good location and comfortable room. Sea view a bonus in standard room. Dual aspect windows and comfortable nights sleep. Free wifi in room.

Review 59：no problems.

Review 60：Breakfast being served later than average meaning that for the first time in years I was able to sleep late and still have the breakfast (which was excellent by the way). The traditional decor in keeping with the Victorian history of the house

Review 61：There was absolutely nothing to dislike.

Review 62：Everything was great. It's an impressive building, the staff are helpful and friendly, the breakfast was lovely. A fun weekend.

Review 63：Nothing.

Review 64：Very friendly and unobtrusive staff. A good breakfast experience. Plentiful parking and spacious attractive grounds. Overall good location for access to town.

Review 65：Not a complaint but a comment, the lack of a lift may be a problem for the elderly.

Review 66：Such friendly and helpful staff. The building was so full of character with beautiful decor and the garden impressive. Easy reach of the town

Review 67：Climbing the stairs after a party!!!

Review 68：The staff were friendly & helpful and the room for the party was really nice. Bedroom was comfortable and warm with a nice sea view. Breakfast was delicious!

Review 69：Wifi connection was useless. The bar menu was not extensive enough for me. I think it would have been better to have comfy seating in the bar area

Review 70：I needed a bed for a stop over in the area and this hotel were able to supply

Review 71：Had a poor fish meal & I felt the staff didn't deal with it in the correct manner....very disappointing!

Review 72：Good room service in terms of fresh towels and replenishment of tea and coffee.

Review 73：Nothing. This was our second stay at this hotel because we liked it last time.

Review 74：Central location ideal for our short walking holiday in the surrounding area.

Review 75：The weather !

Review 76：Most amazing building lovely atmosphere . Brilliant views over the town to the sea and beyond , and gardens . Our third stay here for a romantic get away , had different room each time , all have there own quirkiness . Will come again .

Review 77：Beer in bar very poor pipes obviously hadn't been cleaned for a while couldn't drink the draught beer.

Review 78：Group of mountain bikers friendly staff helped with early breakfast and washing after ride

Review 79：I love swanage I lived there for 11 years and have enjoyed holidays every year since I was a baby. Now 63. But sadly lost my husband 4 years ago. So sold up. I will still be coming back now and again as he is buried there, and I wll be to.

Review 80：We love everything

Review 81：We have stayed here many times and it always feels like a treal home with the warmth of the reception and comfort of the rooms and beds. Friendly staff and delicious food. A fascinating building with a lot of history which provides atmosphere. Can't wait for our next stay.

Review 82：The room, as often in hotels, did not provide adequate light for reading - the only good light was over the bed, not by the seating area. The mattress was very hard - we always take our own bed softener with us, just in case, but the bed was still hard, even with it. The cooked breakfast was small - we asked for egg, mushrooms and tomatoes, and received one egg, not many mushrooms and half a tomato.

Review 83：We liked the hotel and garden very much. Room 16 was beautiful, and we liked the informality of the reception of the staff.

Review 84：No lift for elderly in the main house very enjoyable short break no bottle of water for drinking

Review 85：Atmospheric Victorian house huge room on first floor with views of the bay

Review 86：Breakfast reminded me of staying in a large hotel chain.Not the best can improve,and the cold water in the room was a bit lacking.

Review 87：Lovely old building and a very comfortable sleep.

Review 88：Room very shabby and badly needs refurbishment. They cannot charge these prices for this quality of accommodation. Bathroom really poor and very, very small.

Review 89：The staff were really friendly gardens really good and an interesting house. Breakfast was really good.

Review 90：I struggled with the stairs, having arthritis I found the top floor hard work, if I stayed again I would ask for a ground floor room.

Review 91：Location was good, easy walk into the town, room was nice, plenty of storage for my clothes and well serviced.

Review 92：The only small draw back was the lack of a fridge in the room. My wife enjoys a pint of cold milk about 6 am in the morning. When we mentioned this to the staff they showed her where she could help herself from the breakfast bar.

Review 93：We found all the staff extremely helpful.The room was very large with outstanding views. The food was of a very high standard and was presented perfectly. We enjoyed our stay so much we extended it an extra night.

Review 94：Bathroom was ok but would benefit from a refit with better lighting.

Review 95：Great location in the centre of town. We had a superior room which was huge and very comfortable with great views of the sea and the gardens..

Review 96：Breakfast itself could have been better. My fried egg was overcooked, husband's scrambled egg clearly microwaved, possibly not free range eggs either? The bar is frequently empty, of customers - and staff! Not a welcoming place to drink, too morbid and gaudy. Barman clearly very bored, a nice enough chap, but the telly in the corner showing trash tv (with sound on!) combined with the music coming out of a separate speaker, is awful! The barman can be found either smoking in the outer doorway (with the door open so the smell drifts in) or messing with the kitchen lads. Not a good impression. The lovely professional lady on reception assured me the bar was ready to be refurbished, thankfully, this is so important for guests as sometimes it would have been better to use the hotel bar for food and drinks.....but nobody wants to! I witnessed a family of 7 walk in (for a bar meal) and promptly walk out, so much money lost!

Review 97：Excellent professional staff, warm welcome, clean comfortable room, beautiful character building full of history, perfect location. Wonderful grounds. Lovely breakfast conservatory.

Review 98：Climbing stairs as no lift available

Review 99：Perfect location near to bus station, shops, bars and restaurants. Helpful staff, good breakfast, easy check in/out

Review 100：Location and comfort were excellent. The dining room served us a very good dinner the only evening we were there. Breakfast was also very good. Good parking and lovely gardens

Review 101：The included cooked breakfast isn't served until 8.00 which may make it unsuitable for business travelers.

Review 102：Staying in the Louisa Lodge which is clean, tidy and comfortable with good facilities in the room. It is situated close to the car park so convenient for moving heavy luggage into the room. Staff are friendly and always helpful.

Review 103：small bathroom, could hardly fit in to sit on the toilet....no towels in the room...

Review 104：good location, comfortable bed good breakfast plenty to choose from friendly staff

Review 105：Breakfast is average but OK. Dinner also average and we waited 40 minutes to be served - being second couple in the restaurant. Waiter response not impressive.

Review 106：A nice hotel to stay at. Room 7 is superb - large with a great outlook. A 3 minute walk into Swanage.and to the sea front. Very good car park. Nice bar, lounge, breakfast area and dining room. Hotel staff very helpful and friendly

Review 107：None sorry, or would have liked to stay longer

Review 108：Location was great, All staff very friendly and very helpful,stayed in room 5 on 3rd July 2014, only 1 night but still had a good time thanks. will definitely go back for longer

Review 109：Hotel is a bit dated WiFi was sketchy and only worked in the lounge, not in the bedrooms

Review 110：Very welcoming friendly staff Very clean and excellent food from the restaurant.

Review 111：In my room (15) windows did not open and there was no wi-fi signal. Picture over bed-head hanging on string - it could easily break.

Review 112：The building is attractive and conveniently situated close to the sea. Grounds are pleasant and secluded. Staff are friendly and helpful. Reasonable food. Bed firm but comfortable.

Review 113：Staff very helpful and friendly. Excellent location. Hotel with character.

Review 114：Upgraded to amazing rooms, great staff - really helpful and friendly. Thank you

Review 115：Plumbling/bathroom

Review 116：History

Review 117：Comfortable, clean, homily, plenty of free parking, property is full of character, on the high street

Review 118：The decor is a bit dark and drab

Review 119：The room was comfortable

Review 120：Breakfastroom not in keeping with the rest of the hotel

Review 121：Close to Beach & Town Centre

Review 122：Old and original but great and felt like I had stayed in a piece of history.

Review 123：Room was ok ish

Review 124：Breakfast was good value. Cleanliness of room was good

Review 125：Nothing

Review 126：Very comfortable old world charm

Review 127：Cleanliness of room. Lack of restaurant during stay. Finding staff.

Review 128：Character. Comfort.

Review 129：Lovely hotel, very friendly and well located. A gem.

Review 130：Lovely hotel

Review 131：Sea view only from side window across rooftops.

Review 132：Good sized, comfortable room. Friendly staff.

Review 133：Needs an update, perhaps start with small things

Review 134：Unique hotel, lovely and quirky

Review 135：Nothing!

Review 136：The receptionist & the bar staff when we arrived were very friendly & helpful.

Review 137：Large,comfy bedroom withgreat views,character.Close to town centre but quiet.Most enjoyable.

Review 138：The staff, were all very friendly and couldn't do enough for you, and the accomodation and surroundings were lovely, a great stay

The Fine Print

Please note that there are no elevators at the Purbeck House Hotel or the Louisa Lodge.