Dorset is a wonderful destination for families, home to the heritage-rich landscapes that inspired Enid Blyton and a varied coastline known for its fossils and sandy beaches. A family holiday might involve buckets and spades, tales of smugglers and picnics with lashings of lemonade. There is much to entertain modern-day families too, however, with state-of-the-art aquariums, interactive dinosaur museums, seaside amusements and endless opportunities for paddleboarding and other water sports.
The county has a broad range of hotels to choose from, the larger ones offering swimming pools or sprawling gardens. Others are revamped inns or townhouses that lie within market towns or villages of thatched cottages. The Dorset countryside, characterised by chalk hills peppered with ancient ruins, is always close by.
All offering family rooms and additional services that might please parents, such as babysitting, children’s menus and kids’ clubs, these are the best family hotels in Dorset . Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.
The best spa hotel for families in Dorset - Moonfleet Manor, Weymouth The best luxury family hotel in Dorset - The Pig on the Beach, Studland Best value hotel in Dorset for families - Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa, Bournemouth Best family hotel in Dorset with swimming pool - The Nici, Bournemouth The best hotels in Dorset The best seaside and beach hotels in the UK The best family-friendly hotels in England The best family hotels in the Mediterranean The best family-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds The best family hotels in Cornwall The best family hotels in London The best luxury hotels in Cornwall The best hotels in England Contributions by Oliver Smith, Benjamin Parker, Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lottie Gross, Emily Luxton & Rosalyn Wikeley.
