The Living Room

This very cool boutique B&B has won 'Small Hotel of the Year' in Bournemouth two years running, which must mean the owners are doing something right. It's in a really nice location, close to the boutiquey businesses of Westbourne and a short walk from Alum Chine beach, and has just seven rooms – five doubles (one of which can convert to a twin or family room), a single and two twins – and it's one of the cosiest, best-value B&Bs in town. Owned and run by mother-and-son team Teresa and Zak, there's a home-from-home atmosphere in which nothing is too much trouble. They are a mine of information on Bournemouth and the surrounding area, and the breakfasts are superb – cooked to order and locally sourced. The rooms are all a decent size and have en-suite bathrooms, and each is quirkily furnished with comfy beds and artfully mismatched furniture. They also have a great downstairs café, which is open well beyond breakfast for all kinds of sustenance. Teresa and Zak claim that they are a 'hidden gem' in Bournemouth, and you know what? They really are!