Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

Robe off, activewear on! There’s no need to leave your fitness goals behind when you’re on a spa break to the Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa. It has everything you need to help you work out, chill out and refresh your body and mind.

Work up an appetite at the state-of-the-art gym, where running machines, cross-trainers, bikes, multi-exercise weight machines and free weights let you burn calories, tone up and build muscle. There’s a weekly calendar of group exercise classes for those who don’t like to go it alone. But will you try aqua circuit, pilates or yoga?

Prefer your exercise with lashings of fresh air? You’re in for a treat. The Harbour Hotel Christchurch makes the most of its waterfront setting with complimentary kayaks and paddleboards you can take out on the water. The hotel also has bikes you can use for cycle rides nearby- they’ll even pack you a picnic in a backpack. 

And what about combining your trip to the hotel with a spot of skiing? Perfect for adrenaline junkies, a 20-minute drive takes you to Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre where you can try ski-bobbing, snowboarding or skiing.

Harbour Hotel Christchurch is a destination for foodies. Its reputation is all thanks to multi-award-winning chef patron, Alex Aitken. With 40 years in the business, having opened his first restaurant, Le Poussin, in 1983, this charismatic chef’s culinary journey began on the seas, where he worked as a trawlerman, giving him unparalleled knowledge of how to make the most of the ocean’s bounty. 

His locally sourced sustainable food wins rave reviews, and you can enjoy it at both of the hotel’s two restaurants.

The Jetty

This multi-award-winning restaurant specialises in seafood, caught daily by local fisherman, served with locally-grown, seasonal ingredients from the New Forest and paired with an eclectic selection of wines. 

The Upper Deck

The casual, relaxed restaurant with its alfresco terrace has stunning views across Christchurch Harbour. It serves up traditional and modern favourites from Britain and around the world, all expertly cooked using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients.

If taking a dip in a tranquil, azure rectangle is a true spa essential for you, you’re in luck. The Harbour Hotel Christchurch has a fantastic 15m swimming pool with ambient lighting that just adds to the serenity. Kick-back, do some leisurely lengths or just lounge beside it, then head to the bubbling hydrotherapy pool for a comforting soak.

Yes it does. Should you decide to extend your pamper package to an overnight stay, you’ll find 67 bedrooms, many with great views over the harbour and some deluxe rooms have their own balconies to help you soak up all that vitamin sea.

The Harbour Hotel Christchurch knows exactly how to look after their guests. All room categories boast luxurious touches like top-of-the-range toiletries, Nespresso coffee machines, a decanter of gin and Egyptian cotton sheets. Expect a seaside vibe in the decor, a muted nautical palette with dashes of vibrant yellow.

Here for a full or half-day spa package? Lucky you! Arrival times are generally 9am or 2pm, but do check your booking confirmation as times can vary. For overnight stays, check-in time is from 3pm and check-out time is by 11am, with late check-outs subject to availability on the day

Yes it is. There are some steps to navigate to get to the spa, but there are ground level entrances and lifts throughout the hotel. You’ll also find accessible rooms with wet-room style bathrooms and grab rails.

Alongside the heated swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool you’ll find a sauna, steam room, salt room, relaxation room and outdoor terrace plus a fully equipped gym. The spa also features five tranquil treatment rooms.

Not as such, but you might feel more comfortable in smart casual clothing at both the Jetty and the Upper Deck. Both restaurants say no to flip flops, trainers, vests or ripped jeans.

Fabulously so! While children under 16 can’t use the thermal facilities or gym, mini hotel guests can splash in the swimming pool daily between 8am and 9pm and 4pm to 5pm. They can also use the relaxation areas.

Children are well-catered for in both restaurants where they’ll find a menu created just for them. There are generously-sized family rooms with a double bed in the master bedroom, two single beds in a connected bedroom and a shared bathroom. 

There’s plenty to keep them entertained, too, with complimentary paddle boards and kayaks on offer in the summer months.

While dogs aren’t allowed to stay overnight (with the exception of service dogs), your furry friend can sit with you on the al fresco terrace at the Jetty restaurant.

While there isn’t a golf course on-site, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pack your clubs. The hotel is surrounded by several great courses, including heathland courses in the New Forest and fairways overlooking the beach. Nearest of them all is Highcliffe Castle Golf Club, an 18-hole course set across 50 acres of parkland.