Hamilton Hall Men Only Hotel

I was really looking forward to enjoying Hamilton Hall for a couple of days in May, but after my experience attempting to book over the phone, I wouldn't feel comfortable staying here. To clarify, because I know the owner will post a rant in response: John was initially very kind even to take my call when I first phoned (after 10 pm!) to inquire about availability. Because I needed to make the booking during office hours, I called back several days later, once my plans were finalized. Evidently, this morning, the audio quality of our call wasn't great, and John perceived me as mumbling. I tried moving to a different area and speaking more slowly, and I thought that was helping. We managed to nail down the dates and my credit card number with no problem, but when we got to my email address (which John already had, because we'd exchanged a few emails), we ran into trouble. I know that my email address is a bit complicated, so as I was spelling it out, I tried to explain each component (ie, "first initial, last name"). John did keep saying "I don't understand" so I re-explained it a few times. After the third time, he had just one letter wrong, and as I was correcting it and explaining the spelling, he suddenly lost his temper and yelled at me: "If you know it's difficult, then why don't you make it easier on people!" I was, to put it mildly, stunned by his angry response. I started to try to explain that I *was* attempting to make it easier, but then realized that I was no longer comfortable staying there after his unprovoked outburst, so I told him I'd book someplace else. "You do that," he sniped back. I followed up with an email to clarify that I was in fact trying to be helpful in explaining the spelling, and to let him know that I was very disappointed with his unprofessional behaviour over the phone. He responded not by apologizing for yelling at me, but by repeatedly insulting me (calling me "arrogant", "patronising", "rude", "childish", and "immature"), trying to belittle me, and so on. It is not childish (or arrogant) to expect a business owner to behave professionally and courteously. Evidently the root of his anger was not the difficult spelling of my email address, but rather that I was "mumbling down the phone" and "did NOTHING to make that easier" — but, aside from moving to a different area, speaking more slowly, and repeating information when asked (all of which I did), I'm not certain how he expected me to fix the audio issue. As a business owner, he could've handled a communication difficulty logically and kindly, by asking me to call back or to email him my details, rather than losing his temper and yelling at me. Needless to say, I won't be staying here (nor does John want me to stay there), so I can't review the lodgings themselves, sadly. From what I hear, they're lovely, and I would've enjoyed staying there if I'd felt welcomed by the owner. (Hence my 3-star review, because I only want to lodge my concern with the customer service; I don't want to dramatically affect the rating without having had firsthand experience of the property.) My experience is mine alone — going by other reviews, plenty of people find the owner delightful. Had he simply apologized and tried to clear up the misunderstanding, I wouldn't have felt compelled to share my experience in a review.

Recommended to open minded people. Hamilton Hall gives a warm welcome, good food, entertainment, experiences, and makes you feel like home.

Lovely B&B located in Boscombe 5- 10 minutes walk to the Beach / Bournemouth Pier 20 minutes walk from Bournemouth train Station Very Friendly Welcoming Owner and Staff Great deals see website for special offers and events This is a place for relaxation body and mind Open 7 days a week Arrival in between 12:00 and 13:00 or after 5pm Check out is 11am Room are very spacious clean with everything you could possibly need except Tv All rooms have showers but some do not have toilets but toilets are always Clean and Fresh TV lounge downstairs where people meet and chat Massages on offer check prices and availability on website and at the property Very good prices great massages also Lovely well kept garden You can if you want to be totally free of clothing, walk around naked without any judgement Free refreshments all day and night Tea Coffee Juices biscuits Cakes Free Daily continental breakfast on offer but cooked breakfast option is available at an extra small cost Monday To Saturday 08:00-10:00 Sunday 09:00-11:00 This place is a little hidden paradise stayed there twice already and already booked my next visit Thinking of visiting for Christmas or New Year See events on website You don’t want to missed out

Great place worth a visit

From the first moment of walking into the hotel, the welcome was down to earth and incredibly friendly. John puts you at ease and is a delight to talk to. The array of sweet treats and the tea selection is outstanding, as well as all the additions to the breakfast menu - he really has thought of everything. His dog is very friendly and welcoming as well. The room was clean, tidy and comfortable, the en-suite again was very clean and everything worked as it should do. Clothing is optional here, but you can of course be fully clothed if you wish. I will return here again and highly recommend this hotel, everything was exactly as I thought it would be, you certainly won’t be disappointed.