Re-review: I return to the Hilton Bournemouth hotel

I reviewed the new(ish) Hilton Bournemouth last year – see here.  Over the Bank Holiday weekend I went back, taking the family this time.

After another three days there, I want to repeat that this is an excellent hotel and, by the standards of UK seaside hotels, a minor miracle.

I didn’t get a suite upgrade this time but they had arranged interconnecting rooms for us which were as pleasantly decorated.  As a Hilton Honors Diamond we got access to the decent Executive Lounge and free breakfast in the restaurant.  A Hilton Gold would get free breakfast.

I also got to try the swimming pool this time.  With a depth of 1.2m it is just right for older kids (my 7-year old is 1.4m) and there is a connected jacuzzi.  The pool was heated and warmer than 90% of hotel pools I have used.

The only thing I would say is that the rooftop bar – which I only saw in darkness last year as it was October when we went – is a bit less impressive in daylight.

The location remains EXCELLENT.  You are two minutes walk to the pier and beach.  If you can’t face the Bank Holiday crowds there is plenty of other stuff to do such as the excellent Russell-Cotes museum and gallery and, if you get the bus to Poole from the pier, boat trips around Sandbanks, Brownsea Island and Poole Harbour.

And the great benefit of a points redemption, of course, is that it can be cancelled at short notice should the Bank Holiday weather not prove to be as pleasant as it was last weekend!  The Hilton Bournemouth website is here.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (December 2021)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with American Express Gold (20,000 bonus points), the American Express Rewards Credit Card (5,000 bonus points) and – for small business owners – American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus points) and Business Platinum (40,000 bonus points).

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)