Quince

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of “boutique” places that turned out to be just fancy marketing speak, but Quince is actually the real deal. Tucked away in Oakdene Forest Park just outside Ferndown, this place feels like someone’s incredibly stylish friend decided to open their gorgeous home to guests – and honestly, that’s probably not far from the truth. The whole property sits among these ancient oak trees, and I mean properly old ones that make you feel like you’re staying in some secret woodland retreat rather than just another hotel.

What gets me about Quince is how they’ve managed to nail that sweet spot between being genuinely luxurious without any of the stuffiness you’d expect. The interiors are this perfect mix of contemporary design and cozy touches – think beautifully crafted furniture that you actually want to sink into, not just admire from across the room. The staff genuinely seem to care about what they’re doing, which you notice immediately when you’re checking in. No rushing, no corporate script, just real conversations about the area and what might interest you. And speaking of the area, you’re literally a few minutes from the New Forest proper, which most people don’t realize extends this far east. The walking trails from the hotel connect directly to some of the quieter forest paths – perfect if you want to avoid the crowds that flock to the more famous spots near Lyndhurst.

The rooms themselves are something else entirely. Each one feels completely individual, not like they’ve been stamped out of the same design template. Mine had this incredible view across the forest canopy, and the morning light filtering through those trees was honestly magical. The bathrooms are properly luxurious too – none of that tiny shower cubicle nonsense you get at so many places. What I really appreciated was how quiet everything was. You’re close enough to Bournemouth (maybe twenty minutes by car) to easily explore the coast, but far enough away that you’re not dealing with any of that seaside town chaos. Parking is actually straightforward too, which anyone who’s tried to park in central Bournemouth will appreciate. The whole place just feels thoughtfully put together – from the way they’ve positioned the building to maximize those forest views, to the little details like proper coffee in the rooms and breakfast ingredients that clearly come from local suppliers. It’s the kind of place where you find yourself extending your stay because leaving feels like a genuine shame.