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Summary of reviewsThe Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant in Wimborne receives high praise for its prime location, conveniently situated near main attractions such as Wimborne Minster, the main square and the Tivoli Theatre. Guests appreciate its central position for exploring both Wimborne and the broader Dorset area. The quiet and relaxed atmosphere, combined with the friendly, welcoming and helpful staff, further enhances the overall attractiveness of the hotel. Rooms are frequently described as comfortable, clean and stylishly decorated and the hotel’s breakfast and on-site restaurant are standout features with some guests considering them the best they have ever had.
The breakfast offerings are generally well-received for their variety and quality with highlights including delicious, well-presented dishes and excellent service. While the change from a cooked breakfast to a continental style has disappointed some, the overall positive sentiment about the breakfast experience prevails. Dinner at the hotel impresses with its delicious, well-executed meals, friendly service and comfortable dining atmosphere. Though the dinner menu’s limited options have been noted, the quality and presentation of the food often make up for this.
Guests frequently commend the rooms for their comfort, tasteful decor and cleanliness, describing them as well-appointed and spacious. Positive feedback often highlights features such as antique-style French beds and roll-top baths, while thoughtful details like breakfast hampers add to the experience. Nonetheless, minor issues such as poor lighting, occasional noise and minor maintenance concerns are occasionally mentioned.
Cleanliness at the hotel receives varied reviews. While many guests find the rooms spotless and beautifully decorated, some report issues like cobwebs, dust and outdated carpets. Communal areas, in particular, could benefit from updates. Overall, the modern decor and generally clean rooms are appreciated.
The hotel's staff consistently receive accolades for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, contributing significantly to the warm and inviting atmosphere. Specific staff members receive special mentions for their efforts to make guests' stays enjoyable.
However, the WiFi service at The Lion Hotel is often criticized for its unreliability with many guests reporting weak signals and connectivity issues. This area clearly requires improvement to meet guests' expectations.
Families find the hotel’s central, dog-friendly location and welcoming atmosphere appealing, despite some challenges such as late breakfast service and narrow staircases. Beds at the hotel receive particular praise for their exceptional comfort and quality, ensuring a restful sleep for guests.
Accessibility is a mixed area with the hotel’s charming old building presenting challenges such as narrow and steep stairs, posing difficulties for individuals with mobility issues. The lack of on-site parking further complicates access for some guests.
Overall, The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant stands out as a highly recommended choice for visitors to Wimborne, offering a blend of convenience, comfort and warm hospitality with just a few areas noted for improvement. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
Cheap Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Small Hotel
Room Types
Luxury Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a hairdryer. The double room features a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Basic Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room comes with a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV.
Premium Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Location
Situated in the heart of Wimborne, The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant boasts a prime location that consistently receives praise from its guests. Its central position makes it exceptionally convenient for exploring Wimborne's main attractions, as well as its shops and restaurants. Guests highlight its close proximity to Wimborne Minster, the main square and the Tivoli Theatre, all of which are within a short walking distance. The hotel's location is ideal for those attending events at Dean’s Court or simply seeking to explore both Wimborne and the broader Dorset area.
Apart from its excellent location, visitors commend the hotel's quiet and relaxed atmosphere, despite some noting occasional noise from nearby roads. The staff are often described as friendly, welcoming and helpful, enhancing the overall experience. The rooms have received positive feedback for their comfort, cleanliness and modern decor. The breakfast and on-site restaurant also stand out with some guests calling it the best they ever had.
In summary, The Lion Hotel offers a blend of convenience, comfort and warm hospitality, making it a highly recommended choice for visitors to Wimborne. Whether in town for a wedding, exploring local sights or just enjoying a stay, the hotel's strategic location and quality service provide a satisfying experience for its guests.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant is generally well-received with many guests praising the variety and quality of the offerings. Highlights include a wide selection of pastries, cereals and cooked options, which are frequently described as delicious, well-presented and even brilliant. Many guests commend the generous portions and the excellent service provided by the staff. Specific breakfast items such as Eggs Benedict and made-to-order options receive particular acclaim.
On the downside, some guests have expressed disappointment with the change from a cooked breakfast to a continental style, citing it as less desirable and lacking in variety. Issues included limited selections, missing items and minimal portions, often delivered in hampers outside the rooms the night before, which did not meet expectations for some. The timing of breakfast service, which begins at 8 am or later, was also noted as inconvenient by a few guests, especially those with young children.
Overall, while the majority of reviews laud the breakfast for its quality and range, suggesting an overall positive experience, there are notable exceptions where guests felt the offering did not match the price or the advertised expectations.
Dinner
The dinner experience at The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant generally impresses with its delicious, excellently presented and well-executed meals. Guests frequently praise the varied and high-quality menu, including home-cooked delights such as pies and classic pub fare. The food is consistently described as tasty, hot and of excellent value. Service is also highly regarded, being both efficient and friendly, which enhances the overall dining experience.
While many guests highlight the great selection and overall quality of the food, a few noted the dinner menu's limited options. Nonetheless, the quality makes up for this with standout items often getting special mention. The pub's wine list and comfortable atmosphere also contribute positively to the dining experience.
Despite some minor criticisms, including a steep price for a glass of rosé and occasional slow service, the overwhelmingly positive feedback indicates the restaurant's reputation for great food and pleasant dining atmosphere remains solid. Whether patrons are enjoying an evening meal, breakfast or cocktails, the food and service at The Lion Hotel consistently receive high marks.
Rooms
The rooms at 'The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant' generally receive positive feedback for their comfort, decor and cleanliness. Guests often describe the rooms as lovely, well-appointed, spacious and tastefully decorated with many appreciating the character and stylish furnishings, such as antique-style French beds and roll-top baths. The bathrooms are typically noted for being clean and well-equipped with quality toiletries.
Comfy beds and modern amenities, including large showers and deep baths, are frequently highlighted. Several reviews mention the rooms being cozy and beautifully renovated, providing a relaxing atmosphere. The inclusion of thoughtful details like breakfast hampers left outside the door adds to the overall positive experience.
However, some guests found issues like poor lighting due to dark decor, small room sizes and occasionally noisy environments due to the hotel's location on a busy junction. There were also minor maintenance concerns such as broken blinds and bathroom doors that did not close properly. Despite these drawbacks, the rooms were generally seen as charming and comfortable, making for a pleasant stay.
Beds
Visitors to The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant frequently highlight the beds for their exceptional comfort and quality. Many reviewers describe the beds as some of the most comfortable they've ever slept in with descriptors such as "super comfy" and "extremely comfy" commonly used. The bedding and pillows receive high praise, noted for their sumptuous and soft materials, contributing to a restful sleep experience. Guests appreciate the good quality sheets and clean bed linen, often mentioning the large, soft mattresses and feather duvets. While there are occasional critiques about the beds being too soft or well-worn, the overwhelming sentiment is one of comfort and satisfaction. The hotel rooms themselves are noted for their comfort with features like good showers and nice, fluffy towels adding to the overall positive experience. Staff are frequently commended for their friendliness and attentiveness, ensuring that guests can enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Cleanliness
'The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant' receives varied reviews regarding cleanliness. On the positive side, many guests highlight the rooms as clean, tidy and well-equipped. Spacious rooms with sumptuous bedding, beautifully decorated interiors and well-maintained modern facilities receive frequent commendations. The friendly staff also adds to the pleasant experience.
However, there are recurring issues that cannot be overlooked. While some rooms are described as spotlessly clean, others have been reported to suffer from cobwebs, dust and stained carpets. Specific complaints about bathrooms needing deep cleans and occasional shower leaks also arise. The communal areas, notably the corridors, could benefit from updates and the carpet is mentioned as overdue for a change. Certain minor cleanliness issues, like dirty windows and dust, disrupt an otherwise clean ambiance. Despite these drawbacks, the modern decor and generally clean rooms make it an acceptable stay for many.
Staff
At The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant, guests consistently praise the staff for being incredibly friendly, helpful and attentive. Many visitors highlight the welcoming nature and accommodating attitude of the team, often mentioning specific staff members like Hannah, Scott and Duncan who went the extra mile to ensure a pleasant stay. The staff’s professionalism and willingness to assist, from providing non-feather pillows to making breakfast an enjoyable experience, are frequently appreciated.
Moreover, the staff's prompt assistance and efforts to make everything comfortable, even under stretched circumstances, do not go unnoticed. Whether it’s the reception team or those working during breakfast, the overall sentiment about the staff is overwhelmingly positive. Their courtesy, approachability and dedication contribute significantly to the hotel’s warm and inviting atmosphere, making guests’ stays memorable and enjoyable.
While there are occasional mentions of staff being less available during busy or morning hours, these instances seem to be exceptions rather than the rule. Overall, the hotel's staff is celebrated for making the experience at The Lion Hotel truly delightful, enhancing the appeal of the comfortable rooms and excellent food available on-site.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi at The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant appears to be unreliable. Although there was mention of a good WiFi connection, most reviews indicate various issues. Guests highlighted problems with the WiFi connection with some noting that it didn't work at all or that the signal was too weak to use devices effectively. Additionally, some reviews mentioned that they were not informed about the availability of WiFi. Overall, it seems that the internet service needs improvement to meet guests' expectations.
Family
The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant boasts a central location and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great choice for families. The staff are exceptionally accommodating and helpful, going the extra mile to ensure guests are comfortable and well-looked after. The hotel offers a very dog-friendly environment and is generally good for families.
Guests have appreciated the lovely, comfortable rooms. Families can enjoy the charming ambiance, complete with a log fire and find the rooms perfectly suited to their needs. Despite a couple of minor maintenance issues, the overall stay remains positive.
However, those traveling with young children should note that breakfast starts at 8.30, which might be considered too late for some. Also, navigating the narrow stairs with children and luggage can be challenging, potentially problematic for those with mobility issues. While breakfast is served via an impressive hamper rather than in the pub/restaurant, this arrangement has received a mixed response. Nonetheless, the hotel's proximity to key amenities and its family-friendly features make it a worthwhile stop on any travel itinerary.
Accessible
The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant has received mixed reviews regarding its accessibility for guests with disabilities. Many guests noted that the old building's charm comes with narrow and steep stairs leading to the upper floors, posing significant challenges for individuals with mobility issues. The top floor, in particular, requires navigating steep and narrow steps, which could be tricky for anyone, especially the elderly or those with mobility difficulties. Some also expressed concerns over safety, as the narrow staircases could be hazardous in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the hotel lacks its own parking, which may further complicate access for guests with limited mobility. Potential visitors with mobility constraints should consider these factors when planning their stay at The Lion Hotel.
No, The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant.
No, The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant.
No, The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant doesn't have a gym.