Harbour Heights Hotel

Breathtaking views over Poole Harbour come as standard at this elegant, revamped, 1920s art deco hotel. You can take in the scene either sitting on the south-facing decked terrace whilst sipping a pre-dinner cocktail or a glass of wine, or from the open-plan bistro with its floor-to-ceiling windows. With a new French chef at the helm, you can expect a menu of modern French food with an emphasis on what's local and in season, including fish landed at Poole Quay which is displayed on the fresh fish counter in the restaurant. So you might start with a meaty first course of beef oxtail ravioli with braised onion and consommé, moving on to perfectly cooked lemon sole with a supporting cast of smoked prawn butter, braised Puy lentils, cabbage and sweet and sour onions. A rich chocolate marquise, baby poached pear and fromage blanc sorbet is not for the faint-hearted at dessert, or why not try bay leaf pannacotta, passion fruit and crackle crystals?