Knoll House

Absolutely loved the location, so close to such a beautiful beach and so many great Dorset attractions. The people were very kind and attentive, we felt welcomed and our dog was very welcomed too. Our room was a great size with a beautiful view of the sea, which was wonderful.

A good location, staff were helpful and everything was clean.

The room was tired, functional but tired.

Rhotel

Hotel showed signs of it's age and lack of investment.

The location is fantastic. Dog friendly.

Lots of noise from the bar in the evening until someone yelled out of a window after midnight telling everyone to be quiet.

Traumhafte Lage

extragebühr für minimalistischen und in die Jahre gekommenen Innenpool. Der Aussenpool ist sehr schön.

Beautiful spot, nice staff and the brekkie was great

Needs a renovation, the facilities are super old and outdated, furnishings are out of date and felt a bit like an old persons home. It was nice there were dogs staying there too but there was some barking going on early in the morning which wasn’t ideal - but my no means the fault of the hotel! The price for two nights was not worth it imho, I think there was a surplus because it was a weekend with lots of weddings on, but it was 400 pound for two nights which is crazy.

View from terrace

All glass needed a proper clean

The location

The hotel was run down and dirty. The room smelt musty and the sheets damp. My wife refused to sleep in the bed. We also found some dead insects in the room. The fantastic breakfast referred to in the booking was average at best.

The outdoor swimming pool excellent

All needs a refresh and attention

Knoll House is in a beautiful location and the swimming pool is great. Breakfast was nice but no fish option.

We were in a garden room. The rooms and furnishings were very nice but there was some mould in the bathroom. There was 1 pot of flowers and all in all very unloved outside. In fact the whole place felt unloved and staff didn’t seem to care about issues raised: We requested a fan twice due to hot weather and no air con, which took ages to arrive. My mother’s bedside light was not working and though we asked none was forthcoming. The lights weren’t on in the spa when it should be open.

Fantastic location, good restaurant & bar, rooms tired, spa was filthy, grounds shabby.

Tired

Damian on reception was excellent and very helpful

The bedroom was comfortable and cosy, with a lovely bed. The bathroom was clean and had a good shower. Had a go on the pitch and putt golf course. I wish I had brought my own clubs. It was good simple fun.

It would have been lovely if there were more vegan options and that food was clearly labelled with a vegan symbol or sign. I would like to be able to choose things without having to have an awkward conversation about what is and isn't vegan.

Location

Age, tired decoration, 1960’s style furnishings

Great location!

Room was too small for a double bed!

Nothing apart from the tiny room

Location, heated outdoor pool, playground

Old and tired, expensive

Location for the beach was fantastic, breakfast was good and room was spacious

The pool areas were oversold and if you book through booking.com to use these facilities was an extra charge

Perfect location

Restful

Location, staff and food

Very very dated and badly in need of refurb. We stated in a suite but was just a cosy double. No bath tub and when you stay 3 nights a bath is good. They claim to have a spa but don’t. We were told to have our room cleaned daily it would cost extra!

The outdoor pool was a joy, so warm and clean. Breakfast was great and the setting for the hotel is perfect, just a short walk to a lovely beach.

While the hotel still has a wonderful nostalgic charm it is getting shabby, and not in a good way. The spa for £10pp per day needs a good clean. The jacuzzi didnt work on day 1 but was fixed by day 2. The room 93 wasnt bad, bed comfy, pillows nice but the door ways were very narrow into the bathroom and adjoining room. There were also alot of wasps( they seemed to like the carpet.i managed to stand on one in the night and got stung. I appreciate not alot can be done about that but I did see so many.

Location

Restaurant not open early enough for small children's dinner

The staff were very friendly, location excellent and pool fantastic. Lovely to see so many multigenerational families/ friends on holiday together - perfect place with lots of room for everyone.

It's quite old English, unfortunately not enough staff to cover the amount of guests. There were a few blips to our stay but overall had a fabulous stay

Magical as always. Staff and location nothing like it🥳🥳🥳

Nothing

Amazing location

Maybe the price is a bit high

I love staying here, it's got so much character and it's so relaxing. With easy access and close proximity for walks around beautiful Knoll Beach and the coastline which remains unspoilt. The wildlife around is also lovely to see. Comfortable and clean room, very generous breakfast.

Paying extra for use of the spa/pool.

Excellent location. Brilliant breakfast. Historical value.

Lack of cleanliness. Reluctant problem solving staff. Supper was far too expensive and limited quality. Spa facilities are very smelly. Changing facilities very small.

Everything went well. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful. We loved the atmosphere of an old style guest house with a games room and a bar and ...well everything. We had come to scatter my partner's ashes. He grew up in Studland and at Knoll House we could feel that he was there with us.

There was nothing that we did not like.

Location and facilities.

Lots of facilities and things to do but just all a bit run down and old. Weeds all around the tennis courts, golf was below par (!) pool was nice, patio around was lack lustre, games room was good, but closed early as did the bar!

Lovely, traditional hotel in a great location. Staff professional and courteous. Restaurant great! 5 mins walk to Knoll beach. Perfect!

Location Polite helpful staff Relaxed atmosphere Dining area, staff, food wonderful

Nothing

Brilliant location nesr beach and very family friendly.Ideal for grandkids and grandparents. A quirky, cosy, comfy and historic vintage hotel.Kids loved the pirate ship play area and 2 indoor games rooms and outdoor pool.The food was excellent and waiting staff lovely.

Outdoor pool was chilly and having to pay an extra ten quid per person per day to use it was not great. Food was excellent quality, freshly prepared with varied menu, but minimim order was 2 courses, which could only be starter and main -and then extra for the very tempting desserts- meant you paid for far more food than you needed to get what you wanted.

The location.

Had an overall scruffy feel.

Amazing location

Very aged, in dire need of a refurb.

Brilliant position close to the beach and very good restaurants nearby.

It took some time to arrange and get a table and chairs for our bedroom balcony. The shoulder have been there to start with.

The location is excellent- sea view and a short walk to a sandy beach. The staff are friendly and attentive. The food at dinner was delicious. The relaxed family/ dog friendly vibe- children’s playrooms and terrace. House martins flying between the pine trees.

It’s an example of faded glory. It is tired, lots of things didn’t work or needed a redecoration. They aren’t spending money on it as a big company has acquired it and is trying to get planning permission to demolish &rebuild. It’s rickety, the car park is a disaster and the breakfast is limited but they try hard and are very sweet.

Breakfast, pool, location, park, baby/games room

Lack of attention to detail - bedroom (no cot in room on arrival as requested in advance), never cleaned even though ticked it to be, was told on the phone we didnt have to pay for pool use when a guest but was told differently on arrival so that was an additional expense

Love it all.

My room 123, very small compared to others and you could hear too much from either side of the room.

Breakfast was good. Sitting on the terrace having a drink was very pleasant. Liked having the room Enid Blyton always stayed in.

We couldn’t check in until 4pm which we thought was late when we were only staying one night. In fact it was 4.20 before our room was ready. We then discovered that we would have to pay £10 per person per day to use the leisure facilities and we were not prepared to pay that for just a couple of hours use as the fee did not run over to the next day.

Overall it looked shabby and needed complete renewal. It was like going back to the 1970s

The location overlooking the bay, the friendly staff, good wifi and parking. Very pleasant pool area. The restaurant was excellent both for breakfast and dinner.

The layout of the bedroom and bathroom, the rather poor lighting.

The beautifully warm outdoor swimming pool. Close to beach, footpaths and bus stop.

Dead plant on the stairs!!!

Great location and staff and guests were lovely. Outside pool was good. Lots of gorgeous dogs too.

Hotel is tired and in need of maintenance and modernisation. Indoor pool / hot tub area felt grubby - not inviting at all. Games room and indoor play area for children was also very grubby and in need of a deep clean. Both pool table and air hockey were out of order and no ping pong balls. Food was ok but not great - again a bit of a step back in time. Rooms basic - bed and bathroom were clean but fabric blind broken and very dusty. All in all ok for 1 night given location and walk down to Knoll beach but not worth £250 for bed and breakfast even in August

Lovely location with nice beaches and pubs near by. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean and nicely presented. Nice feel to the hotel with a fantastic breakfast and great service. We loved the chance to use the tennis courts as well!

Location was fantastic.

Rooms were small and filthy. Dust, grime and cobwebs. Bathroom floor covered in previous guests’ hair. It really was disgusting and there is no excuse for not properly cleaning a room even if your hotel is run down.

Good location. Well managed. Breakfast was nice.

Receptionist could be more friendly. Building could do with an update.

Great location

Room was rather basic and some of the furniture was shabby.

Views of Studland bay sea and hills, dog friendly walk to the beach from the door

More variety on the dinner menu would be good

Lovely setting and position.

Very jaded, cracked windows in two bedrooms and the TV controller was sticky and dirty, had to use own disinfectant wipes to clean it. TV in room didn't work very well. Games room had broken equipment. Breakfast was only served until 9.30am as it was all pre-cooked and buffet style. One member of staff at breakfast was extremely rude to my husband when he asked if a certain (popular) cereal was available. Had some porridge, which hadn't been cooked properly and tasted horrible. Bacon was fatty and undercooked. I heard two other guests making complaints. Most of the staff looked pretty miserable and disinterested. Saving grace was Chris who was in charge of the bar, he was great, very overworked but was unflappable, friendly and efficient - big thank you to Chris. Overall though, a big disappointment.

Location is amazing. Breakfast was really, really good.

Little bit tired, could do with a fresh lick of paint.

Terrific location, with easy stroll to the beach

Everything seemed to be an extra, and dinner was very poor, both in value and beans and potatoes too hard to eat ( way beyond all dente!). No chance eating outside.

The location is why you stay at Knoll House. Yes the place is a bit tired and expensive for what you get but there are few alternatives in Studland.

The place is a bit tired....the carpets in the room were filthy.

Great location. Great holiday spot for the kids... we were blessed with good weather and the pool was great.

Facilities were outdated. No aircon in the room.

Lots to like- location is great, just a short stroll to Knoll beach. Swimming pool is nice a warm with towels provided. Playground is brilliant for the kids. Lots of food at breakfast. Towels and sheets were really clean. Everywhere was very clean.

This property is so dated it’s almost funny! We were in a garden room which was teeny tiny with heavy fire doors which were heavy to open and then opened into the bed so you had to squeeze through. Security is low- there is not gate into the property and our grand floor windows could open fully which meant someone could easily climb in so we had to shut them as we slept during the heatwave; resulting in boiling hot bedrooms. This low security also means locals park at the hotel and walk to the beach or use the pool for free!!! The place is waiting to be demolished and planning applications are in negation.

Fantastic location, bed and room was comfortable, restaurant was nice. Plenty to do.

Bathroom was very dated, hotel and grounds looking very tired. Disappointed to be told that because we booked with “Booking. COM “we had to pay £10 each per day to use the spa and pool.

I dud request a twin room., but one was nit available but staff were very helpful.

Location and views

It was run down ,and not clean , rubbish Tv . Our bin hadn’t been empty from the previous occupants!! We had to pay to use the swimming pool cos we booked with you🥴

Sehr schönes Hotel mit englischem Flair. Sowie ein sehr freundliches Personal.

Es gab nichts auszusetzen.

Lage ist sehr gut.

Preis-Leistung stimmt nicht überein.

The family room arrangement is ideal. Love the familiarity. I have been coming to knoll house for 60 years. Breakfast was excellent and activities available for families fantastic

I loved the 1930's feel of this hotel and grounds and the location is a 5 minute walk from the beach. We were in one of the shalet type rooms that was smaller than expected, but it had what we needed and lovely Elemis toiletries. Next time I would like to try staying in the main part of the building. We are there on the first night which was expensive, parts of the food like the beef roast was tender, but a little over priced. The breakfast had a good amount of choice. The staff were great and very accommodating and friendly and never rushed us. I would love to see them do a 1930's themed night, or an Agatha Christie weekend - that would be so fab to be there for! Loved my stay and will look to go back (usually I don't go back to the same place twice, but it really was so charming). Thank-you! 🩷

I would have liked to have had more healthy choices like avacadoes and the coffee could be better. I would have liked the housemaids to clean the bathroom everyday.

Great location, short walk to beach. Lovely gardens and terrace and view. The food for the dinner menu was excellent. Great choice, beautifully presented and delicious. Breakfast was very good too. Friendly staff and rooms clean and comfortable. Nice outdoor pool. The hotel decor is old fashioned, but we liked the charm and history of it. Nice bar and lots of sitting areas. Quintessentialy British.

Loved the location. Perfect! Great to have use of an outdoor pool Ideal 2 bedroom suite when travelling with teens. Reception staff very friendly and supportive

Bathroom was very small. No window or fan. Very poor power shower. Soaked the whole floor as insufficient shower screen. Not enough power sockets in the rooms. Restaurant staff not very talkative, friendly which was disappointing.

It’s a little sad… needs updating in places. It’s in a fantastic location. The staff were lovely Dinner was really good

The spa & swimming pool were very old & a bit neglected.

Breakfast was really generous ..lots ofcfruit, pastries, cooked food

I enjoyed my Salmon at Dinber, the Lamb roast dinner my partner had was only adequate

Beautiful location next to Knoll beach, Studland Park

We stayed in the 2 and 3 bedroomed apartment- 7 friends on a charity walk. The quality of the accommodation was poor and we had to ask for the rooms to be cleaned.

Very good range of food etc

Stunning location, walkable to a stunning beach, country walks, pub and restaurant. Gorgeous shaded front terrace to enjoy a drink and chat looking out to the sea. Tennis courts, mini golf and pool and spa available. We didn’t use the spa as we’re at the beach every day. Exceptional helpful staff. Our room was great as we had our dog with us. It looked like a hut from the outside but was ok inside, simple, basic but clean. In terms of the space we got for our money it was good. The breakfast was very simple typical English style cooked option, cereals and toast, yogurts and some fruit. The whole place had a faded glory feel, which does have some appeal and it has masses of potential as an amazing hotel due to its location and friendly helpful staff. It was perfect for our stay with the dog he was made very welcome and we had a very enjoyable stay.

The entrance to our accommodation was scruffy around the entrance and patio lots of spiders webs and weeds. The room had very few electrical points and we had to ask staff for extra extension cables which they tried hard to accommodate. The plug in the second bedroom didn’t work and there was only one available. The breakfast was very typical English style but with no variation, there was choice but it would have been nice to see more variety in fruit offering on different mornings, style of bread (only sliced on offer) and alternative yogurts (all were fat free) Greek yogurt would have been nice. We stayed 4 nights and I didn’t really enjoy the breakfast experience. Everywhere needs a good weeding the patio areas and footpaths looked scruffy as did around the pool.

I thought the breakfast for those who like muesli was very poor. No nuts or dried fruit. Fresh fruit very boring Apples pears and bananas. It was July and there is masses of lovely fruit in the shops.

Waited 1 hour between starter and main course one evening so then decided to eat elsewherewe

Location, staff, room s, breakfast, dog friendly,

All good

Superb location with sea views. Charming ambience

Car parking tight

A charming step back in time and an unbeatable location

The hotel location and front facing grounds were good, especially the sea view through the pines near the entrance. The breakfast selection was very good. Short walk to the beach and there is bus transport to Swanage and Bournemouth immediately outside the hotel.

The hotel is vert tired and in need of improving. There is no fridge or safe in the room. Our room did not have blinds/curtains over the window/front glass panelled door and the sun streamed in at 5am and warmed up the floor boards which made them creek. there was noise from above and an annoyed bell nearby to summon staff to the bar area. There are not enough car parking spaces for residents especially as restaurant is open to non-residents and guests leaving their car on site after they have vacated their room

Location, shade in front garden from tall pine trees. We did not use the facilities as the beach was just across the road and we were there in the heatwave. Breakfast excellent.Evening meal very good size helping and fish dishes lovely.

The garden was not well tended and the outside of the buildings were in need of maintenance and repainting.

Beautiful location.

Our family room in the main hotel building was excellent. The room was clean, spacious, and well laid out, bright natural light with two single beds in a separate bedroom—perfect for a family of four. The bathroom was modern, spotless, and very well maintained. The breakfast was absolutely amazing and one of the highlights of our stay. We looked forward to it every morning! We also loved the bar, lounge, and patio area overlooking the gardens and the sea—it was the perfect place to relax with a drink. Every member of the hotel staff was friendly, welcoming, and incredibly helpful, making us feel well taken care of throughout our stay. The swimming pool was another highlight. It was beautifully maintained and the water temperature was perfect. The hotel's location is fantastic, with just a five-minute walk down a scenic path to a beautiful beach. The beach itself had great facilities, including a café and water sports, making it ideal for families. We also highly recommend The Bankes Arms, just a three-minute drive from the hotel. It offers stunning coastal views, excellent food, and was one of our favorite places to eat during our trip. We ended up having a fantastic stay and would happily return. The wonderful staff, exceptional breakfast, beautiful location, and family-friendly amenities made it a memorable visit.

The property is beautiful, and the views from my our bedroom window should be reserved for lottery winners.

If you book with booking.com then you have to pay for the spa facilities, but if you book directly with the hotel the spa is included.

Staff were friendly and location is great right near the beaches of Studland bay area. Hotel has historical connections to WWII and has some lovely features including a large outdoor pool.

However it could do with a bit of a decor update.

Fantastic location, felt very homely and well loved.

Could do with some modernising and a lick of paint here and there.

Location and property was so comfortable, food excellent

Nothing

The location is stunning. The hotel is a short walk from beautiful Knoll beach. It is a welcoming place. Not chic or smart, a little faded, but comfortable. The staff are excellent, they go out of their way to provide a good service in every department. Housekeeping keep the rooms immaculate. Reception are very helpful. The breakfast is buffet style, well thought out. Dinner at the hotel restaurant was very good the service friendly and professional, making sure everyone was catered for including children.

The style is dated, but that is part of its charm.

Just love this hotel , we will be back !

Nothing

Breakfast was excellent. Room 12 was not very comfortable for people of our age (84 & 85). The sloping internal ceiling was a surprise and caused me a couple of bangs on my head.

See above - bedroom!

Room was awful and too many dogs also dogs can stay in any bedroom not certain ones.

Location if you like crowded beaches but that not the hotels fault.

Everything except the gardens and building itself which I’ve seen poor reviews of.

Location and views

Slightly dated but that’s reflected in the price

Large spacious rooms, great location. Everything was clean and tidy. Friendly people. Breakfast buffet was perfect. The house and grounds were beautiful.

Signal was terrible, wifi was provided but everytime you signed in using the QR code at reception it kicked you off after a few moments. The beds were uncomfortable. Parking was also a bit weird it was sort of a carpark but more of a just park where you can situation Everything else was lovely.

Knoll House has a mesmerising charm. Old and a little worn in places is part of that charm that you get completely drawn into. Nearly all the guests we spoke to visit several times a year. Staff are fab and clearly happy as a lot of them have been there years if not tens of years. The food was delicious and piping hot. The location and views would be hard to beat.

We did have a few concerns with our room initially but these were greeted with complete understanding and were professionally and graciously dealt with. Alex, one of the managers was exceptionally warm and friendly. Her keeness to please was so refreshing. Did it meet expectations? It's best not to have any expectations. Just go with the flow and you are sure to fall under the spell of Knoll House. Like everyone else, we will return.

The location was great

The chalet was very tired .. the toilet didn’t flush properly and the Roman blinds weren’t working properly

I think this is one of the nicest hotel rooms I’ve ever occupied. Simple decor, lovely double bed (single occupancy), balcony overlooking beautiful gardens and with a view to the sea. Plenty of wardrobe space and excellent bathroom with huge bottles of Elemis toiletries. A really lovely room. Excellent meals with local produce, the breakfast buffet is superb, extensive range of hot food with fresh fruit and pastries, cafetière of coffee on request. A great start to the day.

Could perhaps offer bottled water and mini fridge,

Location is terrific and staff are lovely.

It’s a bit rundown. Our large balcony had old furniture and broken planters - but a beautiful view to the sea.

The location, the old world charm

The fact that I had to pay £10 per person to use the pool because I booked with booking.com and not directly with them. For a family of 4 staying 2 days that is an outrage !

Location and charm

No fried bread at breakfast as was served a couple of years ago!

The staff were friendly and location great. Pet friendly.

There was not enough staff - Had to wait at inhouse and pool bar for staff to be available. The hotel generally needs maintaining and a facelift. My room did not have air-conditioning, was very basic and dated and the bathroom is about 50 years out of date. The pool area needs maintaining, clean the patio, new furniture. Did not get to use the indoor spa or swimming pool as my bedroom was so hot I did not want to leave my dog in the room

The view/location is awesome

It’s very tired. Chalets are very old and cobwebbed. Yea and coffee only in 1 room. No fans available. The staff, especially at breakfast were literally running around and being openly rebuked by the manager. Very expensive for what it is.

The breakfast was good, including the coffee (although the coffee machines were a bit unreliable). The hotel is in a good location. It has a kind of 1950s feel with poor wifi but pool tables and other old fashioned games. Plus, a swimming pool etc. It has a sitting rooms games rooms, bar and lots of garden space. There are tennis courts and a pitch and put course.

We were given an unacceptable room (two small rooms in a suite instead of a spacious double room) and it took a long time to resolve. The old fashioned feel is intensified by a slightly "faded feel".

Relaxed atmosphere, superb location. Great facilities

All good

Outstanding location, terrific breakfast, great service

Location

Very dated decor in all areas .Needs a good refurbishment throughout. Bathroom was very old and tired. It was also not very clean. Hairs and dust from other guests were embedded into the floor.. very expensive also a total rip off.. Breakfast was also not up to much. Very average. Reminds me of a 1950 holiday camp..