I booked to stay here because of a fabulous review in the Daily Mail - weekend edition. When I first got here, I was a bit surprised as everything was a bit smaller than I had expected but after a night in a very comfy bed, a room with a balcony and after the BEST breakfast I have ever had in a hotel, the little eccentricities made it stand out.

The decor, films, books and homely touches made it less sad to be away from home on business, the general feeling was that I could enjoy myself and have a bit of time for me to relax and do what I wanted to. I would say that this hotel was well worth the stay but don't expect the blandness of a chain and enjoy the quirkiness, after all, unique is far better than boring.

A few minor things tho - there is no parking outside unless you are lucky, it is quite a way from the station and when I didn't know how to get the DVD working instead of the TV and couldn't find anyone to help me at the time, instructions would be helpful. Finally, a welcome pack in the room would have been really good including some guidance on local places, facilities and especially restaurants would be good as I walked in the pouring rain and nowhere was open which put a (very hungry and wet) downer on my first night and could have been avoided.

However, these are small things are easily rectified and compared to having a welcoming ambience and a relaxing comfortable atmosphere, they are insignificant almost.

Thank you for changing my mind about the seaside !

The room we booked for two nights had a balcony and four poster bed. It was gorgeous. There was a remote control radio in the bathroom ceiling, a PC to use plus free phone calls to landlines. The room wasn't cheap though. The views were over the marina. The whole hotel was like staying in someone's house with complimentary snacks in the evening and even an honesty bar! The decoration, furniture were well thought out with French influence. Everywhere you went there are original paintings. Oh, and the breakfast was good!
Nice and relaxing. The actress Susanah York was staying there as she was filming nearby.
You may not be able to park directly outside the hotel but we never had a problem finding a space a few minutes walk away even on a Bank Holiday weekend.
Go to the Thai Style restaurant down the hill, it was some of the best food I have had.

We stayed at The Royal Harbour Hotel for 3 nights...our room was on the top floor, narrow staircase, so you have to be fit to 'climb'....room small, bright & airy, nicely furnished, small shower room, very clean. Big window with lovely views over harbour and ferry terminal. Public rooms very comfortable, soft sofas, lovely chairs to sit in, magazines, newspapers to read, and the 'honesty' bar, one just helps oneself and pops the details in the book. Breakfast was excellent, fresh fruit salad, hock of ham, honeycomb, cooked breakfast everything you could want. But if the hotel was full, you might have to 'queue'. Returning from a night out, a complimentary cheeseboard is provided, which is a very nice touch. On the negative side...the shower was very hit and miss, it worked 2 dys out of the 3, a cold shower in the morning always gets one going! So I guess if the hotel is full, dont expect a hot shower. What is it about small English hotels, havent they heard of 'Power Showers'. The Ferry Terminal can be noisy at night, so dont expect a great nights sleep. Parking is on a first come first served basis, on the road, or in their car park (if you are lucky). Reception welcome, I would say a 'reserved' welcome, efficient but not over the top. Value for money, a little over the top, I would say...for us, the shower lets the hotel down. Oh and the climb to the top!! We wont be going back.

We spent a week in the Royal Harbour Hotel this August. My husband and I have 3 young children and often feel like social outcasts staying in hotels but no so the Royal Harbour. It has the most welcoming and relaxing atmosphere possible. Its decor makes you feel at home and the breakfasts are simply superb. I'd recomment it to anyone.