The Haven Hotel

First, a point about the location. It is at the end of a long peninsula and not close to anything but beach. That in itself is not bad except when the weather is bad and you are hotel bound, with out a car. This limited our sight seeing in Poole. So caution when selecting this as a Poole destination.
We did have some service issues that detracted from our stay especially with front desk staff. Checking in (5pm), we were told the dining room needed reservations — first available 9pm.
The toilet in our room did not work (5pm). So we went to the bar and had pretty good meals while the loo was being fixed. The aforementioned dining room was partially full when I looked at 7 and 8 pm.
A bell boy (not maintenance) was summoned to fix the toilet. He said he did. He did not. They said the hotel was full up and offered to move us to the one «comparable» room left. They did. It was not. The room was about 25% the size of where we started, peeling wood fur nature, dirty carpet and over looking the kitchen alley and garbage bins. After a bit of a hissy fit, we went back to our first room and only then did a proper maintenance guy came to fix the toilet. He did. 10PM. Never a sorry for your inconvenience or to comp us for a meal etc. WiFi was super slow here.
I got the feeling had they seen my balance sheet, they would have treated us better. A bit full of themselves. Small time service from the admin. staff in what is supposed to be a «posh» hotel. As a former 2 million mile business traveler, I’ve stayed in global posh hotels. This was not. Perhaps 3 stars on a 5 star scale.
The food service people were much, much better. Loved the morning crew!
All in all, disappointing.

We visited the restaurant yesterday for my father in law’s 85^th birthday. We were shown to our table and the restaurant was about half full. We had to wait a while before our orders were taken. The service was at snail pace and it was difficult trying to get anyone’s attention. The food was very good and up to the Haven’s normally high standard. Unfortunately the slow service really let it all down.

This hotel dos no favours for itself from the outside, it is far more elegant and pleasant indoors.
We went on the spur of the moment for afternoon tea, as one does. OK, so it’s not the Ritz! A bit less formal here, but the staff are very polite. The Danish pastry was very good, and the tea tasted as it should.
The view from the south side of the lounge overlooks the chain ferry to Studland and has views reaching out to the open sea. It is rather nice to watch the rolling on and off. An ambulance came to Sandbanks on the ferry with a blue light! Much quicker than driving around the harbour!
There is a long conservatory to one side, which appears to stretch the whole length of the hotel. It has a pretty effect and gives a sense of calm.
I cannot comment on the accommadation.
There seem to be no arrows in the car park so negotiating other moving vehicles is a bit hit and miss, so to speak.

This is a rally lovely hotel in an unique spot for a holiday or a special occasion. There are superb views acrro the water to Studland and it is right by the chain ferry so convenient for days out to Studland or across to Brownsea. Island. The hotel has lovely lounges ans serves suprb food. it has a health club and a samll outdoor pool as well as tennis court. During the week it is a popular location for business meetings and can get busy but in the evenings and weekends is a real find.