As a former travel agent and reviewer, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall standard, especially for a 3-star rating, which honestly doesn’t do it justice. The property was clean and well-maintained in both rooms (we were initially in Room 115 on the first floor but moved to Room 009 on the ground floor after I explained the pain I experience due to SPD and that the stairs and lift waits were too much, the staff accommodated this kindly and quickly). Beds and pillows were spotless, no hair, no bugs, which I always check for. We also really appreciated the outdoor areas, especially the front bench, which made a nice coffee spot, though I’d suggest adding a few more benches in future. Location-wise, the hotel is brilliantly placed: walking distance to a beautiful lake surrounded by multiple outdoor fitness parks and a huge kids’ park, and just a short trip to Poole Harbour beach. Breakfast was genuinely lovely with plenty of options, and when we realised we’d forgotten our toothbrushes, we were kindly given replacements along with toothpaste at reception, no fuss. Staff were helpful and friendly, and even housekeeping flagged us down after finding our little boy’s T-shirt left behind. Genuinely above expectations. We didn’t get many photos as the kids were excited and tired and immediately jumped onto the beds, so we felt it wouldn’t be a fair visual review taking after.

There seems to be an ant nest by the front bench outside, I got a few aggressive bites and had to keep brushing ants off myself and the bench. It’s understandable being an outdoor area, but it could do with treatment. Also, I didn’t notice an extractor fan in the bathroom, which caused a slippery floor after showers. My daughter did slip, luckily without injury, but it’s a potential hazard, especially for older guests. Lastly, the lift was quite slow and not ideal for anyone with mobility issues, though thankfully the staff moved us without any issues.

Reception staff on arrival were excellant, explaining the hotel and facilities. When entering the room it was found prepared and cleaned to a very high standard. The bed was very comfortable. Breakfast was fruit, cereal and buffet cooked English breakfast with tea and coffee. Eat as much as you like. Excellent! Chefs and breakfast staff were also on hand to assist.

We had booked two rooms for our stay, regrettably in one of the rooms the tv was not working and when we notified reception were told that there was no technician on site or available and so were not able to access the news or weather through this facility.

The beds were very comfortable. The area for dining was very good. The choice of cereals was excellent. I had the granola & was impressed that it had large chunks in it, not just sawdusty remnants, which I have had at other hotels. The staff throughout the hotel were friendly, courteous & very helpful. I liked the fact that within five minutes walk we were at the shopping centre & town shops. In the opposite direction within two minutes walk, was a large lake with lots of wildlife on it, together with a lovely café. Poole bay was only about ten minutes walk away. There was ample paid parking around the hotel. I definitely intend to come back to the hotel some time & have recommended it to friends who live in the area, to suggest if they have friends wanting to stay somewhere, then they won’t go wrong with Holiday Inn Extra, Poole.

Nothing

The Holiday Inn at Poole is a very good example of what I expect a Holiday Inn to be. Nothing overly fancy, but fair value for money, very friendly staff, ample parking space. The complimentary breakfast is actually very nice, we stayed in other hotels where you pay up to 20 pounds per person for a breakfast that isn't much better.

The hotel is a bit outside the town center, but easily walkable. The walk itself is across and along main roads, so not the most scenic, but not a problem. We booked the hotel for easy access to the harbour for the car ferry and that worked perfectly. Hotel rooms on the ground floor can be a bit loud, which we experienced in late March. This time we stayed on the 2nd floor and were fine.

Breakfast was extremely good - we particularly enjoyed the fruit, plain yoghurt and granola. The cooked items were excellent - freshly cooked, constantly topped up and very hot.

We were surprised that your policy on use of resources as advertised in the bedroom regarding your replacement of towels was not actually implemented by the room staff on the first day. (We had not left any towels on the floor, but they were all replaced.) I was pleased that after I pointed this out, the towels were not replaced - thank you. On the same theme of use of resources, were were concerned about the continuous running of two electric toasters during breakfast, whether or not anyone had put any bread in them. This is a considerable waste of electricity.

Clean room and public areas ..friendly staff..festive feel to hotel...Good breakfast ..bed comfy...

Food! Great array, hot and as much of it as one wanted. Staff friendly, reassuring and helpful (Victor, Matty and the lady co-ordinating breakfast). Bed wonderfully comfy - neither too hard nor soft. Curtains great insulator from outside coolness, smothering noise.

Heat exchange unit difficult to fathom. Found online manual - I know that's standard nowadays but what about people who aren't IT savvy? Finally turned it up all the way, then it did belch out hot air. Smelled very dusty. Sole male didn't affect me, but no dressing table facilities to speak of (unless one took a stool into the bathroom). Minimal hanging space too.

Breakfast excellent. Staff very friendly and helpful. Very attentive. Great customer care. A credit to the hotel. Nice and light and airy hotel. Good location for quay if you like a walk which we do. Great safe parking on site. Would stay again if mattresses replaced and supportive and soft pillows included in the room.

Mattress very uncomfortable, sagged in the middle and edges. Really needs to be replaced. Would be nice if you provided softer pillows in the room as you only know pillows are not great when you goto bed. Unlikely to then pop down to reception to get a softer one which the hotel does offer. Mop behind bathroom doors. Triangle of dirt behind ours. Breakfast coffee all tasted very milky and artificial, we used left most machine. Tried 4 different options including just a normal coffee with milk. All tasted the same. Taller juice glasses would be nice to have. This is our first time in an IHG hotel. More competitive price points would be nice. We paid £40 more / night than your competitors and apart from nicer scrambled eggs we don't think we got more value.

Nice and clean property

Breakfast was terrible, apple/orange juice from syrup- taste horrible, burned and very dry bacon and sausages, very poor selection of food, no cheese and ham to prepare even sandwich. Very cold restaurant area. Girl who meet us on breakfast has no name badge and no hotel uniform (jeans, white tracksuit jacket and blue gloves on). Please put bottle of still water in the room, we had long journey, very tired, all shops already closed, no where to buy water. I am head hk manager from holiday inn ( London) but will never stay in this hotel again.

Breakfast was very good everything was topped up regularly & they also had gluten free option the receptionist were helpful & friendly the room was very clean we have stayed at this hotel 4 times now can't fought it you have to pay for parking but there is shopping center a short walk away also lovely walks around harbour so don't really need to use car you can leave car at hotel

Everything was fantastic from staff to room cleanliness to breakfast