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The home of RNLI training, RNLI College is a fine modern conference and training venue in a stunning waterside setting in Poole, Dorset, and now also offers hotel facilities in the 60 en-suite rooms. RNLI College also makes a stunning wedding venue with views over the harbour. Every £ Spent at RNLI College saves lives at sea.
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Nestled in an ideal location with stunning harbour views, the RNLI College hotel is celebrated for its clean, comfortable rooms and nautical-inspired atmosphere. Guests frequently commend the value it provides, with reasonable pricing that supports a noble cause.
The service is typically lauded for being friendly and professional, although a few visitors have mentioned occasional lapses. With a reputation for meticulous cleanliness and a range of praised amenities, the hotel stands out as a favourite for travelers seeking both quality and a welcoming environment.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
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Just returned from a wonderful 4 night stay at the RNLI College. Our rooms were very clean and comfortable, hot drink supplies were replenished daily and there was pleasant hand wash, body lotion and shower wash available. Great provision of a well labelled 3 way rubbish bin, recycling waste, food waste and general rubbish. There was a small fridge and a hair drier in each bedroom. Breakfast in the restaurant was excellent, plenty of well prepared hot food on the buffet( including veggie/ vegan sausages) , decent bread for toasting, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt and pastries. Hot drinks available from a machine with a broad range of choices. We had dinner in the restaurant a few times, once from the curry night buffet and twice from the evening menu. The latter had only 1 veggie option and at our request the chef kindly adjusted this to make a vegan dish as well. It would be helpful if the menu cards could be amended to mark vegetarian option with ‘V’ and an asterisk added to show a Vegan option is available. Members of the restaurant team were very willing to help with our queries and information about ingredients was always ascertained from the kitchen. Great views across the Harbour and of the RNLI shore and water training area from the circular bar lounge, always something interesting to watch while enjoying a drink. Throughout the College staff were unfailingly cheerful and helpful and made us feel very welcome. The icing on the cake is that all profits support the great work of the RNLI. We hope to return and certainly recommend others to book a stay here.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Enjoy the views 😊.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had a WONDERFUL relaxing stay at the RNLI College 😍 the hotel is actually on the training site of the RNLI and the hotel surroundings are a little business like but you are waterside and the views are amazing, you are close to a large asda if you need supplies and only a short distance away from the pubs, restaurants and the shops... You get free parking, with a voucher from reception and the staff were lovely, warm and friendly. Breakfast is included in the price, which consisted of the continental, cooked and unlimited tea coffee and juice.. 👍☕ The room was lovely and bright, lovely waterside view, clean, fresh and very comfortable 👍🛏😁 enjoyed my stay there and would highly recommend this hotel if you are ever in Poole, Dorset plus all profits goes to the lifeboats 👊😁🚤
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stayed here for 4 nights in August and found it a great base camp to explore from. 5-10 minute walk into the harbour and ample parking. Upon booking we were informed that due to covid we would have a continental breakfast delivered to our door each morning at a time of our choice. These were fantastic and also had a gluten free one with plenty to keep us going. We ended up using them for lunch which was really handy. The hotel operates a one way system, hand sanitisers are everywhere and any extras such as fresh towels or coffee etc were requested via phone and dropped at your door. Very clean and well maintained. All rooms have a view of the sea and lifeboats. There's even an RNLI tv channel which we happened across and found really interesting. Great place to stay and we will definitely be back!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nicholas Legrand, General Manager at RNLI College
Responded 6 Oct 2020
Dear tommo7579, Thank you for taking the time to post a review on here. I will be sure to encourage the team to read and to recognise how much their work making the place covid secure and welcoming has been appreciated. We would love to welcome you back whenever you can next visit Thank you for Supporting the RNLI Saving Lives at Sea Kind Regards Nicholas
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Cannot recommend the RNLI College highly enough! We stayed here for a long weekend and were very impressed with all the Covid safety measures in place to protect staff and guests whilst still being an enjoyable and pleasant environment. Our room was on the 4th floor; it was exceptionally clean, with a beautiful harbour view. There was plenty of space to hang clothes up and lots of mirrors, which is always appreciated! It was just a short walk to Poole Harbour, where there are plenty of pubs and restaurants making it an ideal location. The continental breakfast was delivered every morning at a time agreed when checking in. There was such a great choice of food from pastries, cheeses, yoghurts etc - really fab! There was also an option of room service too as the restaurant was closed at the time. It really was a fantastic stay and we will look forward to returning when some more of the facilities (restaurant and museum tour) are open! Thank you for a lovely trip and for everything else you do as an organisation :)
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nicholas Legrand, General Manager at RNLI College
Responded 6 Oct 2020
Thank you RachaelLouise89 for such fantastic feedback. So pleased you enjoyed the great views, we are fortunate enough to have views of Holes Bay and the twins sails bridge from whichever room you stay in. When we re opened we reduced our offer to room service but I am pleased to say that we are now re open in riggers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We would love to welcome you back. The RNLI shop will soon be re opening too, Thank you for supporting the RNLI Saving Lives at Sea by staying with us here at the College Kind Regards Nicholas
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This is the 3rd time we have stayed and we always enjoy our visits. The buffet Breakfast has anything you might want cereals, pastries, fruit and of course a really nice full English cooked breakfast. The staff are all really freindly and helpful. Unfortunately the secret is out, the venue was so well booked that we were unable to do the really interseting free tour of the RNLI facilities as it was fully booked. Hopefully next time! Maybe the only complaint was that the bedrooms are overly hot and without the ability to turn it down as it is centrally controlled sowe opened the window which felt like a waste of energy.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Most rooms have a good view of the harbour.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have stayed here a number of times over the years but sadly, will no longer do so for a number of reasons. Agreed, the view over the harbour is wonderful, and I truly appreciate the income goes to a very deserving institution. However, much improvement is required in the quality of the offering. The majority of the time, even in winter, the rooms are unbearably hot and the windows, due to “health and safety,” only open a crack. The water pressure is dire. The shower was barely functioning and the bath took twenty minutes to fill. The white chair in the room was shedding its surface and needs disposing. Breakfast choice was extremely limited if you are not a greasy fry-up fan and at peak times in the summer it is very expensive to stay, particularly if you are a solo traveller. My email to the General Manager with regard to these points remains unanswered.
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Date of stay: November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife & I have just enjoyed a 3 night stay at the RNLI College, which was great. The room was well-equipped, with an exciting view of Poole harbour from the window. The location is very convenient, being only a 10-15 walk from Poole Quay, with all its facilities. We enjoyed dinner on Friday night, when we shared the restaurant with a wedding party, a birthday party & a funeral party. Considering the pressures, the staff performed with utmost calm & professionalism, just as lifeboat crew are trained to do. Breakfasts were very good, although our only niggle was that when we had to leave early on the 3rd day, we couldn't be provided with a takeaway without paying extra.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samantha Munro, Guest Services / Front Office at RNLI College
Responded 11 Oct 2021
Dear John C, Many thanks for taking the time to leave a review following your recent visit. I'm very pleased to note that you enjoyed your stay and your evening meal. I will pass your fantastic comments along to the whole team. I look forward to welcoming you back again in the near future. Warmest regards, Sam Munro
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Stayed one night, after coming down to visit the lifeboat, found this to be excellent accommodation , in a great location.. Rooms are basic, but very clean, and we had a lovely view over the water...bed and linens comfy, and plenty of storage.. We had bed and breakfast, so was really good value, hot and cold options available...only gripe was, only one toaster, and coffee machine, so getting your meal, toast, and a hot drink was time consuming...would be nice if serving staff could at least bring your tea or coffee.. We also had a nice evening meal at riggers restaurant.. Would totally recommend this accommodation, and it's also great that by staying here you are supporting the RNLI, as they do such amazing work
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samantha Munro, Guest Services / Front Office at RNLI College
Responded 18 Mar 2022
Dear Joyce383, Many thanks for taking the time to leave a review following your recent visit. I'm very pleased to note that you enjoyed your stay . I will pass your comments on to our Restaurant Manager to review regarding breakfast. I look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Warmest regards, Sam Munro
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Given a room 2nd flr small window asked if I could have room with larger window given room again small window 3rd time lucky Ricardo dealt with my request efficiently room on 4th floor better view more light and air. Larger room. Had early evening drinks balcony of bar they do need different stools that don't get stuck in wooden slats. Bar prices good value. Dinner in hotel was good. Had drinks in bar 2nd night they have lots of board games available to play. Would've liked a bit of music on or entertainment but it's a nice bar and staff are great. Breakfast buffet good wasn't keen on scrambled eggs or hash Browns taste/texture. We did have a lovely weekend just a few little niggles.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samantha Munro, Guest Services / Front Office at RNLI College
Responded 29 Jul 2022
Dear Christine m, Many thanks for taking the time to leave a review following your recent visit. I'm very pleased to note that you enjoyed your stay . I will pass your comments on to our team, I am pleased Ricardo was able to assist you so well. look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Warmest regards, Sam Munro
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We had the pleasure of staying at the College form the 10th /14th October 2022 as soon as we arrived we felt that we had gone from one home to another the receptionist made us feel so welcoming check in very easy our room on the fourth floor looked out over the harbour very clean well fresh well laid out everything you need beautiful bathroom loverly fluffy towel’s. The bar over looking the harbour very clean cheerful bar staff Drinks prices very reasonable just right to chill and relax in. Riggers restaurant again very cheerful staff excellent food I had a steak cooked to perfection with a nice side salad of motzallea and tomatoes very good wines not that expensive. Breakfast in the morning was a siege to behold full cooked available of full continental and as much cereals you could want. All in all one of the best Hotels/Collge I have every stayed in and I would recommend anyone who is going to Poole to stay there
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:All rooms over look the sea
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Samantha Munro, Guest Services / Front Office at RNLI College
Responded 18 Oct 2022
Dear J6214VZbrendam, Many thanks for taking the time to leave a review following your recent visit. I'm very pleased to note that you enjoyed your stay and meals with us. I will pass your wonderful comments on to the whole team. I look forward to welcoming you back again in the future. Warmest regards, Sam Munro
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Hi Eiona_R,
Thank you for your reservation. It is around 10 steps from the reception desk to the lifts and again around the same from the lifts to the accessible room.
We look forward to welcoming you to the RNLI College.
Kindest regards,
Sam Munro
There are more places to choose from in the Poole area.
PRICE RANGE
$238 - $290 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
rnli college hotel poole
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandDorsetPoole
NUMBER OF ROOMS
60
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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