Why Go?
In summer months, The Nici provides guests with a little taste of Miami on the Dorset coast. Couples can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and pitch up poolside to sip cocktails amid the salty tang of fresh sea air.
Honeymoon Style
This lifestyle hotel is designed for couples seeking a staycation – but thanks to an abundance of holiday vibes, it’s a world away from a traditional hotel stay. As it’s located in the heart of Bournemouth, the Jurassic coast is on your doorstep, so lovers of the great outdoors will be very happy here.
Set The Scene
The laidback aura of this trendy hotel embraces guests as soon they arrive, with a beachy scent of coconut taking you away from everyday cares. Friendly staff wear oversized cream denim jackets teamed with T-shirts, chinos and Vans trainers, adding to the youthful heartbeat of the hotel. Interiors are playful, with colourful prints and pop art lining the walls, and there’s a strong art-deco influence in the design.
Rooms
The modern yet playful beachy interiors extend to the rooms. Book a Beachside Suite for sea views and French doors that open onto a balcony – come nighttime you can drift off to the sounds of the waves lapping at the shore. Boutique-style bedrooms feature squishy super-king-sized beds, printed soft furnishings, and an all-important cocktail trolley for a nightcap. Bathrooms have standalone baths, rain showers and his-and-her sinks.
Food & Drink
The hotel’s poolside restaurant, Old Harry Rocks, is open for lunch and dinner and has a lively atmosphere at weekends thanks to resident DJs. It’s an atmospheric, bring-the-outdoors-in type of ambience – think indoor fire pits and tactile driftwood interiors alongside coastal vistas. Menu highlights include the chorizo croquettes, soft mozzarella and squash salad, and grilled lobster (to share) served with lashings of garlic butter and fries.
South Beach, the main hotel restaurant, is home to an expansive terrace that overlooks the pool. There’s a definite seventies feel via burnt-orange velvet seating mixed with soft furnishings in tropical patterns and an opulent bar. Breakfast is served here, and the continental buffet followed by American-style pancakes with fruity compote and streaky bacon is a real holiday treat.
Spa
The crown jewel in the spa experience here has to be the 30-metre outdoor heated pool. Plump for one of the surrounding sun loungers or cabanas and you have the perfect place to get lost in a good book or simply switch off. The spa itself has an 18-metre indoor pool, alongside eight modern treatment rooms, a hydra pool, sauna and steam room. Treatments are bespoke and tailored to your needs: the signature massages use OTO Wellbeing products, and the rejuvenating facials have been designed with the award-winning OSKIA products. And of course, the pre or post-treatment relaxation hub is not to be missed. Other facilities include a gym and there are various classes on offer, including yoga.
The Story
The Nici first welcomed its sandy-toed guests in 2022, following a £25m refurbishment. The hotel is the brainchild of Nicolas Roach, who built up the Harbour Hotels Group, with hotels dotted along the south coast in Christchurch, Sidmouth, Salcombe and St Ives.
Family-friendly
Located next to the pool is The Coconut Club, a dedicated haven for kids (open seasonally, including school holidays and half terms). On the lower ground floor there’s a den or playroom for older kids, and a cinema room that plays movies all day, with fresh popcorn on offer from the bar. In-room, amenities such as a cot can be arranged, and children are made to feel very welcome in the restaurants with a kids’ menu available.
Location
Located in the heart of Bournemouth, the hotel offers endless places to see and explore. With the Jurassic Coast on your doorstep, clifftop hikes and wild swims are high on the priority list for many guests. Or you can experience Bournemouth’s cultural or foodie scene, and, if time allows a day trip to Lulworth Cove is a must. Four-legged friends are also welcome to check in here, so they can take in the sea air and enjoy those long scenic walks with you.
THE NICI is redefining the definition of luxury travel on the south coast. Book here.
READ NEXT: Honeymoon Review: The Ritz, London
