The Red Lion Hotel

The Red Lion Hotel descritpion

Ideally situated on Wareham’s crossroads, The Red Lion is at the gateway to the Jurassic Coast. It boasts a traditional English pub and restaurant, along with free Wi-Fi and free private parking.
With a courtyard for outside dining, The Red Lion serves traditional British classics, carefully selected real ales, and a range of fine wines. It is open daily, to both residents and non-residents. Dishes are freshly prepared using locally sourced produce where possible.
The individually designed rooms offer a flat-screen TV, Egyptian cotton sheets, and tea and coffee making facilities. The modern en suite bathrooms provide a selection of toiletries and a powerful hairdryer.
Wareham is within the Purbeck District, north of the River Frome. The market town offers numerous walking trails through the surrounding countryside, towards the coastline. Sandy beaches can be found in both Studland and Swanage, just 20 minutes’ drive from The Red Lion.

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Facilities of The Red Lion Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

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

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).

Services ：Packed Lunches | Baggage Storage

Reviews for The Red Lion Hotel

Review 1：I thought the food served would be of a higher quality.

Review 2：We had no view from our room very disappointed,and for the price we paid.Our friends had a beautiful room for the same price.

Review 3：We stayed in room 4 which was a lovely big room well appointed, warm & cosy and quiet but the bed although in keeping with the retro décor and had a good mattress. was on the small side, it had a foot board which restricted the length of the bed. I am only 6 foot tall but had to sleep with my feet against the board as I am used to a standard divan style bed ( sorry Red Lion)

Review 4：The room was just what we wanted and at the back of the building was nice & quiet. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The evening meal was excellent and well priced, staff attentive and the breakfast the next morning was gigantic, best quality food and so tasty. 10 out of 10.

Review 5：No mobile phone signal in my room and the wifi signal, although free, was almost non-existant (as my room was at the rear of the premises). Could only Whatsaap, Skype or Facetime from the main bar & restaurant area.

Review 6：Spacious room. Comfortable bed and pillows. The food was absolutely lovely. The management & staff were polite and courteous. Great location in the heart of the town centre (although front of house parking was somewhat difficult).

Review 7：Green Room. Number 10 at back of hotel. We reported the ensuite facility:- Mirror light not working, glass shelf loose, 1 missing drinking glass.We were there 3 days but no action taken or any apology for the inaction.Not a 4 star in our opinion.08.12.15

Review 8：Good traditional English food. Full English breakfast fine. Real ales well maintained and served

Review 9：Not keen on the parking or the rain pouring from the tarpaulin outside the bedroom windows.

Review 10：The staff were very pleasant and helpful. The food was good. Room large and comfortable.

Review 11：Long wait for a mediocre breakfast on cold plates with inferior 'cheap' burnt toast.

Review 12：A sympathetic upgrade for a beautiful and historic building in a central location.

Review 13：There is nothing we could fault concerning our stay at the Red Lion.

Review 14：We were so grateful the Red Lion had availability for our dates. We had a excellent room, and we were so comfortable. The whole staff were just wonderful to us. The welcome we received from Zoe was lovely in the manner she greeted us. Also the food, breaky and dinner was at each time prepared and presented each time well cooked and hot. We were visiting family in Swanage and this is the reason we booked into the Red Lion. When we visit the family on another occasion we will certainly stay at the Red Lion. I will be E-mailing the Red Lion separately to offer our thanks for making our time at the Red Lion so comfortable. A staisfied customer.

Review 15：Freezing cold room and excessive road noise through windows and people walking past the room. Kept me awake most the night

Review 16：Great staff and wonderful food

Review 17：Refurbished Victorian building in central location in Wareham. Large, clean and comfortable bedroom. Extensive breakfast menu. Wonderful staff, 5* service.

Review 18：We used the Red Lion as a Saturday night stop over during a weekend tour of Dorset. It was my wifes birthday on the Sunday, so I arrainged a little surprise for her. All my requests were fully completed to my satisfaction by the friendly staff. Many thanks indeed.And don`t get me started about the food, wonderfull evening meal and breakfast. Perfect! Would recomend the Red Lion warham to anybody.

Review 19：If I could move the hotel away from the crossroads it would be perfect but even so this would not stop me choosing to stay there again.

Review 20：The general ambience of this hotel was excellent. Fantastic room, fabulous breakfast and friendly staff. Really enjoyed my visit and would like to go back sometime.

Review 21：no shower. room noisy in the small hours from the street below. Suggest double glazing to reduce this.

Review 22：the staff were pleasant and helpful and room pleasant.

Review 23：From arriving at The Red Lion the customer service we received was excellent and this continued throughout our stay. The room was modern, clean and had all the facilities that anyone would need. We ate in the pub for both our evening meal and our breakfast and were impressed with the quality of the food and service. If we return to Wareham again we will definitely stay again.

Review 24：Parking was limited

Review 25：Really nice little village and perfect for our visit to monkey world which was 5 mins away. Had fab room, nice staff and lovely food.

Review 26：One niggle with the breakfast. Coffee was brought out in individual cups we would have preferred a coffee potful.

Review 27：Comfortable room. Decor v. modern not my taste but clean and convenient. Friendly staff. Excellent breakfast.

Review 28：Lovely place to stay, room was good size and nice and clean. Staff were friendly and informative. Breakfast was good value and good selection available.

Review 29：There clearly were parking issues at the front of the hotel.there was space for six cars only but to get to them you had to go across two lanes of traffic which at the crossroads was a difficult task I used the pay and display car park at times which was three hundred yards away.

Review 30：The room was spacious comfortable and lots of light

Review 31：waitress messed up breakfast order for both - then moaned to the chef that the 'guests had changed their minds' - would have rated higher for staff other than this one individual

Review 32：location was ideal for exploring the area although slightly compromised by the limited parking (but the nearest pay and display was close by and free between 7pm and 10am so timing of arrival each evening avoided concerns here)

Review 33：The parking is not ideal. There are a few spaces which have chains to stop others using them however you have to stop and unhook chain to park and not much room to do this as right at a set if traffic lights

Review 34：The staff were really friendly. I stayed in a lovely renovated room which had everything I needed, hairdryers/tea and coffee making facilities/complementary toiletries.

Review 35：The parking opportunities are atrocious. The location and access to some of the rooms was problematic

Review 36：It was clean and comfortable.The staff were helpful and friendly

Review 37：Very disappointing breakfast with no free from options available (as I hadn't pre booked them which wasn't at all clear). Overall an expensive stay which didn't seem justified.

Review 38：good location

Review 39：The main down point was that there were no showers in the rooms. This made things difficult, and although the breakfast that was available was good, with good portions, there were no vegetarian sausages as advertised on the website, and no pastries. The location is quite far from anything else as is in a quiet town. But overall a nice hotel that I would stay at again if in the area.

Review 40：Lovely hotel, the staff were very friendly. Rooms clean and tidy but a little dated. Good value for money, twin rooms very big!

Review 41：WiFi in the evening could be a bit spotty but think this was due to large amount of people on laptops in bar area.

Review 42：Room was clean and comfortable. Breakfast was good on the mornings we had it. Staff very nice and efficient.

Review 43：No curtain fot the bath in the bathroom which is not practicle when you take your shower.

Review 44：The food in the restaurant was great, the room was very comfortable and the people working there were very kind.

Review 45：You need a new toaster. Breakfast bread not good. Some extra choice at breakfast would be nice, maybe kippers.

Review 46：Liked room, pub location. Evening meal very good.

Review 47：This is not actually a bad experience! They forgot to get rid of the last guests' bath towels and we had to ask for a spare loo roll. The bedside lights were completely unsuitable for reading. The beautiful bathroom could have done with some more shelf space. The wet room needed a rail for safety - anyone can slip in such an area. Checkout at 10.30 was a bit early. IF we had not got a sparking space, it would have been more stressful. Internet access absolutely terrible!

Review 48：Room was very large, and bed was as well. Very clean. Nearly everything worked. Good complementary water, cosmetics etc. Very good breakfasts.

Review 49：A little expensive given the size of the room.

Review 50：Nice traditional hotel in the lovely village of Wareham. Bed was comfy and room was well equipped. Overall, a lovely hotel.

Review 51：Being asked for my credit card the minute I arrived or to pay for everything as I went.

Review 52：The staff were friendly and helpful sorting out a couple of issues quickly. The breakfasts were very good

Review 53：Always friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Beautiful rooms and fantastic food everyday.The 80 different gins certainly gave me time to experiment and relax in the run up to my daughters wedding!!

Review 54：No shower the decor was desperate need of update whilst they apologised for one wall there were many more that needed doing.

Review 55：Size of our room was great with the ensuite.

Review 56：Very noisy outside hotel on the Wednesday night - until after midnight. Parking could be limited. A little pricey.

Review 57：Good location. Staff friendly & helpful. Good breakfasts.

Review 58：The room looked out over North Street in Wareham and although sash windows look great, they don't cut out any noise (early morning buses for example idling at the bus stop directly below the room). The shower over the bath also proved awkward, along with the limited parking (although the location of the pub limits this).

Review 59：The room was clean, light and nicely presented. The staff were helpful and breakfast was good. The bed was really comfy and the location suited my needs well.

Review 60：Stained carpet in the bedroom, though overall clean. Only hand held shower with no screen.

Review 61：Very friendly staff, excellent size room with generous tea making facilities. Bed linen and towels very clean.

Review 62：No sugar to sprinkle on our cereals at breakfast, how ridiculous!!! Didn't have time for full breakfast because of our itinerary. Could only provide cubed sugar for drinks. Staff weren't prepared to put themselves out to provide any.

Review 63：The hotel had been obviously refurbished to a very high standard. The room was excellent and the bar and restaurant areas were comfortable and had a relaxed atmosphere. Food was excellent.

Review 64：My mother was disappointed that the shower was mixer rather than on a bracket. She found it difficult to manage although for a more agile person this wouldn't be a problem.

Review 65：Friendly and helpful staff. Large comfortable room. Beds ultra comfortable also. Pleased with our choice for our short stay.

Review 66：Shower temperature control. Room needed refurbishing. Noise from fans/ kitchen equipment. Parking. Too expensive for what is on offer. Four star?

Review 67：Breakfast apart from the fact there was no orange juice

Review 68：The shower kept losing water pressure, the bed was not very firm, dinner was average and it was considerably noisy due to street traffic and people in the corridor.

Review 69：Staff were great and the look of the hotel and pub are very nice, plus a good selection of real beers.

Review 70：Would have been good to have a town map available for guests. The Information Centre was not open while we were there.

Review 71：Room was large and well-appointed in recently renovated historic Pub. Easy walk to river and historic city walls. Staff were friendly and helpful. History of Pub and town, provided, was very interesting. Food and wine at Pub restaurant were good.

Review 72：Breakfast were very poor - seemed to have been kept hot for hours - solid eggs - fried and poached- tough bacon, hardly edible mushrooms

Review 73：Room was newly refurbished, staff very helpful

Review 74：We loved our stay in this great pub. Dinner was excellent, the accomodation was very spacious (We are a family of 3 and stayed in room 8), breakfast was also very good. Location was a plus.

Review 75：Parking not enough only a small amount of spaces so it's first come.

Review 76：Don't ask for a small portion cause you won't get it the food is great,value and portions are excellent

Review 77：We stayed at the front of the building, so on the main road. the traffic was noisy and the town hall clocked chimed all night!

Review 78：The dinners were excellent

Review 79：The hotel was very very noisy. I can live with traffic noise from outside but there was lots of banging on doors and general noise until early in the morning. At 5am there was an alarm going off for around 30 minutes and 15 minutes later the cleaners arrived and there was more banging and noise of chairs and tables being dragged across wooden floors! Also, there was no water for a shower in the morning, literally the tiniest dribble and that was it.

Review 80：Parking is very poor. I arrived at 7pm and literally hs to park a 15min walk away. They have only around 5 parking spaces! Wifi connectivity was terrible.

Review 81：Very spacious room. Very clean. Friendly staff. Good food.

Review 82：Limited parking for hotel so had to use long stay parking which is up the road so a little inconvenient- but still not a big deal really. On street parking is available but there were no spaces when i looked.

Review 83：The Red Lion is a lovely pub / hotel situated in the heart of Wareham . This makes it an excellent 'base' hotel for visiting the region and its many attractions. Have stayed previously and food was very god although did not eat here this time. Friendly staff and comfortable room, good value for money.

Review 84：No shower, lighting poor and some not working in the room. Stained carpets,peeling wallpaper and damp. No luggage stand. Extremely dated !

Review 85：Excellent town centre location First class breakfast made freshly with quality ingredients

Review 86：Ok so the clock tower opposite chimes - if this may bother you in the night bring earplugs.

Review 87：We stayed here as a group for one night after a long walk on the coast path and boys playing golf. Thought we would book a restaurant for later but on arrival at the hotel we immediately relaxed with drinks, the staff were very friendly and we stayed for a lovely dinner. Lovely not to have to dash off anywhere else, put your drinks and food on a tab and stagger up to bed. Fab breakfast in the morning - all left very happy and relaxed.

Review 88：Dinner was less inspiring with poor fishcakes and dry chicken. The other room still needed some work - wifi was poor there and there was a slightly musty smell.

Review 89：Wareham has loads of character, including Saxon walls and a level quay on the river. Breakfast was generous and well-cooked. One room had been refurbished to a high standard.

Review 90：Nowhere to put folding clothes just a wardrobe. Hot water in shower a bit hit and miss. Not really my idea of a boutique hotel.

Review 91：Friend Y staff and location

Review 92：Expensive for what it was. Think I would have forgone breakfast if I had known how awful it was going to be but it was included in price. Small portion of scramble egg and cold cardboard like toast.

Review 93：Comfy room. Good location and friendly staff.

Review 94：Advertised as newly refurbished however room 5 has a lot of mouldy patches, paint peeling off and bathroom smelt damp.

Review 95：Staff very pleasant, bed clean and comfortable.

Review 96：The toilet seat was broken where a screw was loose . This was discussed twice . Repair was promised . The seat came away totally so we had none for the 2nd night ! Not the way to treat infirm pensioners .

Review 97：Food - Breakfast & Dinner . Good size room with 2 beds & some parking space , both necessary for partially disabled .

Review 98：Would be nice if the windows didn't let through so much noise, woken up at silly O'clock by chiming clock across the road and by the sound of traffic.

Review 99：The staff were very nice and make us feel welcome as soon as we'd arrived. The bed was very comfortable with a very spacious room. We found that this Hotel was only 10+ minutes away from most attractions which was really ideal and the Full English Breakfast was very nice!

Review 100：Overpriced room, no showers, bed too low and sinks in, TV small and too far from bed, no lift. Breakfast atrocious-stale bread not toasted properly- twice cooked bacon and sausage- limited breakfast menu.

Review 101：Staff great, manager was great, service and bar food great. Location ideal, great pub and the owners working really hard to restore it. Well Done!

Review 102：Lovely bath - no dedicated shower. Not a deal breaker for me, some may expect to find a shower everywhere

Review 103：Size of the bedroom Great breakfast Excellent location

Review 104：there was no full shower because of pressure problems but i believe that is their next project,so that will make a big difference

Review 105：free bottled water(which they manufacture themselves)

Review 106：Stayed here before and loved it, this time no wifi as too far away from reception, freezing cold room, staff rude and when asked to put on heating told that it costs too much and offered us an extra blanket! Spent two nights costing £190 shivering and missed breakfast and was so tired from no sleep! Awful!

Review 107：The single bed in our twin was very uncomfortable. It looked good being a type of ironwork day bed. However it was style over substance. Evening meal disappointing.

Review 108：Without exception the staff were lovely and accommodating.

Review 109：Some of the carpeting is showing its age. No proper shower, but app that is about to be fixed (water pressure problem).

Review 110：Staff very friendly. Food good. Right in the town centre and we got a (limited) free parking space right outside: when busy I gather there is another spot available.

Review 111：Room #2: décor a little tired, drab lighting, huge bathroom with no walk-in shower! Cobwebs on lamp shades. Last occupants underwear in drawer. Very creaky floor boards in hallways (outside room) caused for disturbed sleep a little.

Review 112：Great location, building. Room #2 is large, separate lounge area, TV in both lounge and bedroom. Nice bar/ restaurant.

Review 113：The wifi, it doesn't reach the furthest rooms. The shower, though we understand the plumbing in an old building!

Review 114：The staff, they recognised us from before. The food, especially breakfast. The large, warm rooms.

Review 115：The downside was parking .and access to rooms if you have any difficulties with walking.

Review 116：We had a lovely stay at the red lion.The breakfast was excellent and restaurant food. The staff were really welcoming.

Review 117：overworked staff, clearly harassed long wait for food breakfast and evening meals lack of parking outside or nearby no wifi available despite requesting several times

Review 118：reasonable room size nice quality towels/ bedding

Review 119：The parking _ very narrow spaces Having no shower - but its to come!!

Review 120：Lovely spacious room, good hospitality tray plenty of every thing. We had a good nights sleep. mattress very comfortable

Review 121：Toiletries should be British, not prc! Cobwebs on ceilings and stairwellStaff were not overly friendly Parking is a bit awkward

Review 122：Decor, loved the period pieces and the wallpaper Bone china/hospitality trays Quiet room at the back Very spacious Breakfasts weregrand Evening meals Fireplace/ quiet corner for nightcaps

Review 123：great stay , staff were wonderfully helpful and attentive, comfortable room, family suite ideal fro families as children have own room, good breakfast, lovely evening meal , weren't hurried and even excepted an order of food from some friends who joined us quite late in the evening, would definitely recommend for a cosy stay, lots to see and do in the area.

Review 124：Somewhat limited hours that the central heating operated in the evening (6 - 10 PM?) Okay in the morning.

Review 125：The situation at the centre of the town; the attractive, historic building; the friendly & efficient staff; the evening meal; the warmth & comfort of the "snuggery"

Review 126：The evening menu was a bit limited a green veg would have been nice.

Review 127：Really Comfortable bed Having a bath, great after a good walk. Good centre for exploring the Isle of Purbeck(not for those wanting Peace & quiet)

Review 128：THAT bell chiming all night on the hour every hour-ok at 1 and 2pm but after that it was a nightmare

Review 129：excellent staff and well run hotel with great food

Review 130：In fairness we knew what we were booking, so all was good. I would say that if somebody wants a extra quiet night then this is not the place for you.

Review 131：Nice friendly staff and top quality food. Rooms were of a good standard and were as described.

Review 132：There should be a warning on one of the doors as you find the way through to the bar. There is a step behind it and nothing on the door telling you, I had a bit of a fall in the hallway because of lack of warning.

Review 133：Staff were very pleasant and helpful. Breakfast was excellent and set us up for the whole day until evening meal. Dinner was also excellent. Staff very friendly.

Review 134：The beds were very hard, no shower curtain or grab rails to help getting into bath. All night long a loud mechanical grinding noise sounded every 15 mins for several minutes completely disturbing sleep. Bottled filtered water costing £1.80 for 350ml smelt of chlorine when boiled to make a cup of tea.

Review 135：The evening meal was good but bar/dining room very noisy.

Review 136：The nearby clock tower that struck on the hour throughout the night and woke me up every hour! Not the hotels fault obviously but, did stop me having a good nights sleep!

Review 137：Friendly, welcoming staff. Clean, large room

Review 138：It would have been nice to have a shower fitted but I understand that this is being addressed apparently due to poor water pressure

Review 139：Large comfortable and clean room. Good food and good selwction of real ales.

Review 140：dinner burnt sausage burnt not enough parking wifi only in bar not in rooms no shower only bath poor finish in bathroom dusty in bar very under staffed I could carry on but I wont there must be better out there, rooms noisy church bells right on road people walking past drunk

Review 141：breakfast good bar staff natilie very helpful