HOTEL of the week
THISTLE HOTEL POOLE, DORSET
WHERE AND WHY This hotel is all about location, with amazing views across Poole Harbour. We had a room on the first floor with a window looking out on to the marina and speed boats. All the 70 bedrooms are en suite, come with LCD TVS, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. If you’re planning on doing some work, or streaming a film, the wi-fi was particularly impressive. With a car park behind the hotel, you can drop your vehicle off during your stay as you’re unlikely to need it with everything within walking distance. We were even treated to a firework display thanks to Bournemouth and Poole Tourism. The fun takes place every Thursday evening throughout the summer.
ON THE MENU The hotel’s Harbour View restaurant certainly lives up to its name, with large glass windows showing off the best Poole has to offer. I had a little one in tow and the revamped children’s menu had something for even the fussiest eaters. Two courses and a drink for just €6 and the burger was big enough for an adult. I tucked into the
butternut squash, lentil and spinach curry which came with pilau rice, naan bread, mango chutney (€16), and the edamame beans with sea salt and lime wedge, for the table, were not to be missed. The next morning an impressive breakfast spread got us ready for the day and it’s complimentary if you join Thistle Members when you book direct with them.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE Poole is on the south coast and makes a great base for a family holiday. While in the area we visited the beach at Alum Chine, just a 15-minute drive away, or you could carry on to Bournemouth another 10 minutes along the coast. We also visited Paultons Park – about an hour’s drive from Poole. If the sun is out and you’re feeling adventurous, go to Lymington Sea Baths, with its inflatable assault course in the water.
WAKE UP CALL Double and twin rooms start at €72, and include breakfast if you book direct and become a Thistle Member, or you could choose 10% off your booking instead. To book, call visit thistle.com/ poole.
Hong Kong is now connected to mainland China’s 15,500 mile high speed rail network.
The 125mph Vibrant Express has opened after 20 years of planning and construction and links the city to 44 stations including Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing with journey times slashed – the capital is now nine hours down from 24.
A tourist board spokesman said: “The connection by high speed rail will enable visitors to take advantage of luxury train holidays throughout China, using our city as the starting or finishing point for their holiday.”