You know you’ve found a good hotel when you arrive with a dog, a little bit of work to do, plans to visit the beach… and somehow end up spending your time thinking about the food, the wine and when you can come back!

We recently stayed at Hotel du Vin Poole, and what started as a trip with a little business attached turned into a rather lovely mini-break. From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home.

First things first, the hotel is beautifully decorated. Stylish, full of character and with that wonderfully relaxed Hotel du Vin feel, it manages to be elegant without feeling stuffy or formal. Our dog-friendly room was absolutely lovely, and it was fantastic to be able to bring our four-legged companion along without feeling as though we had been given the “dog room” tucked away at the back of the building.

In fact, our dog seemed to think the whole place had been booked especially for him!

The staff were fantastic too. Everyone we met was friendly, welcoming and so helpful, which always makes such a difference. There was none of that overly formal hotel atmosphere; instead, it felt warm, relaxed and personal. We were made to feel very welcome, and so was our dog; this always earns brownie points from us.

Then came one of the highlights of our stay, the wine tasting.

Now, we like wine. We certainly don’t claim to be wine experts, but we’re always happy to learn, particularly when learning involves tasting wine! The tasting was brilliant. It was interesting, entertaining and informative without becoming too serious or complicated. We actually learned a huge amount and came away with a much better understanding of what we were drinking and the importance of wine pairing.

And, of course, there was the important job of tasting it all!

It was such a fun experience and something we’d definitely recommend doing if you stay. It added something a little different to our visit and was one of those experiences you remember afterwards.

And then there was the food.

We had a couple of delicious dinners at the hotel. The dinners at the hotel were followed by superb breakfasts each morning. All were excellent; sitting down with good food and a glass of wine was exactly what we needed.

Although we did have a little business to take care of during our stay, we were determined not to let work completely take over, so naturally, we made time for the important things in life… including a trip to Studland Beach!

Getting out to the beach was the perfect antidote to the more practical side of our trip. Beautiful scenery, fresh air and a chance to switch off for a while. Having Hotel du Vin as our base meant we could easily combine a little work with plenty of enjoyment, which made the whole trip feel much more like a getaway.

And the location really couldn’t be better.

Hotel du Vin is right in the heart of Poole, so once you’ve parked the car, there is plenty to explore on foot. The Poole Museum is nearby, and there are lots of bars and restaurants to discover; when we say lots, we mean you certainly won’t be wondering where to go for a drink or something to eat!

There are also organised boat trips, so if you fancy seeing Poole from the water, you’re spoilt for choice.

Overall, our stay was a lovely combination of great food, fantastic wine, a beautiful hotel, friendly people, a brilliant location and a very happy dog.

What could have been a straightforward business trip turned into something much more enjoyable. We ate well, drank well, learned a few things about wine, explored Poole, escaped to Studland Beach and, most importantly, managed to relax.

Hotel du Vin Poole has that great combination of style and personality that makes you want to stay a little longer. It feels special without taking itself too seriously, and the staff make you feel genuinely welcome.

Would we go back? Absolutely.

In fact, next time we may just leave the business at home and concentrate entirely on the wine, food, beach and exploring!

A big thank you to the whole team at Hotel du Vin Poole for making our stay such an enjoyable one. We loved it, and judging by the way our dog settled in, we’re pretty sure he did too!

Highly recommended, especially if you’re looking for somewhere stylish, welcoming, dog-friendly and perfectly placed for enjoying everything Poole and the Dorset coast have to offer.

A: Thames Street, The Quay, South West, England BH15 1JN
T:  01202 785570
W: Hotel du Vin Bookings

Written by Luxuria Lifestyle’s Group Editor Debbie Stone