Nestled on the bank of the River Frome on the edge of the Isle of Purbeck, The Priory, in our humble opinion is the finest, independently owned, boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant in Dorset. The perfect place to get away from it all, come and relax, unwind and treat yourself. Each of our rooms have been individually designed and furnished to exude its own warmth and special charm.
All feature luxury interiors and unique antique pieces so no one room is the same. Our Garden room restaurant is a unique dining experience not to be missed where contemporary comforts meet traditional service and fine food.
All feature luxury interiors and unique antique pieces so no one room is the same. Our Garden room restaurant is a unique dining experience not to be missed where contemporary comforts meet traditional service and fine food.
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The moment you step inside The Priory, we want you to relax, unwind and enjoy yourself. Situated in the market town of Wareham, this is a country hotel with its own special charm. Set in exquisite, well cared for gardens that are worth a day out in their own right, The Priory retains its heritage as a grand private house and once monastery with unique, one off antiques and luxury interiors, making it one of most special boutique hotels in Dorset.
Please kindly note, we will be closed for the month of January to give our team a well-earned break and for necessary refurbishments. Sought after by those wishing to enjoy the comforts and ambience of a quintessential Grade II listed English country house, each of the hotel's 17 guest rooms are individually furnished to a high standard, offering their own unique character and charm. Some with views and glimpses of the River Frome and Purbeck Hills, others overlook the lovely gardens or small yet sweet inner courtyard.
Accommodation is available both in the Main House and Boat House, which is located directly on the riverbank. Due to the age and nature of the property, please kindly note that we do not have any family rooms, interconnecting rooms, or rooms suitable for the disabled. We do not accept children under 14 years of age (unless by special arrangement).
Reviews (15)
B. M. W.
Jun 06, 2022
Sandra Heron
May 25, 2022
Susie White
Apr 25, 2022
Paul Dickson
Apr 23, 2022
Sally Dixon
Mar 23, 2022
Rude sign on door basically saying don't come in unless you're staying here! Very rude employee at reception and in hotel. Asked if we could stay and order drinks etc but we're told "no you can't" and "we are in the middle of lunch service". We left immediately. What a pretentious venue, will never bother to go back. Not sure who they thought they were but there were so many lovely places with a friendly welcome and much more inviting. After reading other reviews, we obviously are not the only ones who were treated so badly.
Alice Wonder
Feb 02, 2022
Delightful historic hotel with clean comfortable rooms. Fabrics are high quality with crisp linen. Food is delicious and beautifully presented. Restaurant staff are first class and made me feel looked after. Rooms are small and pleasant. Be prepared, this isn't a large, urban purpose built hotel with large rooms. It is quirky and classical. Unusual hotel because they don't always take people wandering in without a booking for coffee or drinks if they are full with hotel guests. Especially so since the pandemic when they are more careful about hygiene. My stay was fabulous. I stayed 3 nights and am looking forward to staying again soon.
Kim Lewis
Feb 02, 2022
We recently stayed at the Priory Hotel and can honestly say that from the moment we arrived to the time we left it truly was amazing. Our room was beautiful. All the staff were friendly, accommodating and nothing was too much trouble. We had dinner and breakfast in the restaurant and the food was impeccable. If you have not been to The Priory Hotel - you truly need to!
Ric Martin
Jan 24, 2022
Popped in here today (for the first time), as we were out walking with the dog, and first impressions were great. It looked fantastic as we approached and the courtyard and entrance are lovely. We asked if we could have a coffee and were abruptly told "no dogs allowed and please leave"! I asked if there was any outside space we could use and were again asked to leave.
Slightly surprised, I asked if my heavily pregnant (and very visibly pregnant) wife could use the toilet and were abruptly told that we would have to go back to the foyer and sanitise! I don't think I've been anywhere that has such an unwelcoming feeling. Such a shame as the first impressions are great. We left and went to the Bear Hotel (100 yards away) who were fantastic and extremely welcoming and accommodating.
Slightly surprised, I asked if my heavily pregnant (and very visibly pregnant) wife could use the toilet and were abruptly told that we would have to go back to the foyer and sanitise! I don't think I've been anywhere that has such an unwelcoming feeling. Such a shame as the first impressions are great. We left and went to the Bear Hotel (100 yards away) who were fantastic and extremely welcoming and accommodating.
Pete Allsopp
Dec 21, 2021
Scott Fuller
Nov 27, 2021
John Harvey
Nov 27, 2021
Jack Meddings
Nov 24, 2021
I have never been spoken to so rudely in my life until speaking to an old lady on reception at the Priory. Called to arrange for a lunch visit between Monday and Thursday was told "nothing for Monday, bye" went to hang up when I then enquired about Tuesday to Thursday the lady sighed and reluctantly went to check. When I told her it would be for 3 adults and a baby I was told in an incredibly rude manner "no Children are allowed" and then pretty much hung up on me. Shocking!
Certainly will be telling all friends and family not to visit or at least until they get some better staff, the lady needs to get taken down a peg. For anyone reading this review we went on to have a lovely lunch at the Granary next door would high recommend they were incredibly nice and the food was great.
Certainly will be telling all friends and family not to visit or at least until they get some better staff, the lady needs to get taken down a peg. For anyone reading this review we went on to have a lovely lunch at the Granary next door would high recommend they were incredibly nice and the food was great.
Simon Smith
Nov 19, 2021
Room (11) very small for a two night stay, other than a narrow hanging wardrobe no storage space so had to live out of suitcase which then made room even smaller. Room also adjacent to access road to car park so was quite noisy. Staff on arrival were very curt and unwelcoming appeared to look down their noses at us. Small point I know but on attempting to make hot drink there was no milk provided so had to go to reception to obtain some and run the gauntlet of surly staff. That being said the waiting staff in restaurant were very good and breakfast was of a very high quality. Would not recommend this to anyone else.
Helen Light
Nov 19, 2021
Steve Burdis
Sep 06, 2021
Well another excellent visit to the Priory. Again taking friends for their first visit, and this time for a wonderful lunch. This remains my favourite place high quality place to eat in Dorset. Feels special and oozes quality from the setting to the staff and the food. I would advise arriving a little early to enjoy a drink in the garden before your meal if the weather is nice. Then after lunch do take the time to wander round the gardens. If want a special meal out the Priory will not disappoint