Russell Hotel, Weymouth

The hotel is in a perfect spot opposite the beach, with a welcoming reception and lovely views across Weymouth Bay. The staff are friendly and helpful, but the dining experience was inconsistent with limited meal options. The entertainment was enjoyable, although the hotel could use some TLC for improvements.

The hotel location was convenient, providing easy access to various places on the South coast like Dorchester, Abbotsbury, and Swannery, and sea cruise around the bay. The rooms were initially not the best, with a sea view possible only by standing up due to the low window placement and being near the kitchen. After changing rooms, we noticed the lack of thorough cleaning as there were bits on the carpet. The service was exceptional, with the staff being always friendly, polite, and helpful, particularly the manager. Dining experience was subpar with a horrible meal and issues with poached eggs. The overall atmosphere was friendly and down to earth, although the hotel could use some refurbishment to improve. Entertainment was enjoyable, and the location was ideal for exploring the coast, despite the need for measures like sealing windows with newspapers in winter to keep rain out.

The hotel's location is superb, situated right in front of the beach and close to the center, making it convenient for a stroll along the seafront or exploring the surrounding attractions. The rooms, however, had some issues like a persistent awful smell from the soil pipe, worn-out carpets, and being too hot at night despite a fan being provided. The service was a mix of ups and downs, with accommodating staff but some unfortunate instances like an intrusion into our room without knocking. The dining experience was a bit hit-and-miss, with tasty food but occasional hiccups like finding a puddle of water in the meal. Overall, the hotel needs some updating to enhance the guest experience.