Shell Bay Chain Ferry Live Cam

The Annual England for Excellence Awards is tourism's answer to the Oscar's. The awards now in their 11th year, are an important force in improving and maintaining standards throughout England. 'Those hotels which make it into the finals all have certain qualities in common - a clear commitment to their customers, a passion for quality and an innovative approach to everything that they do.

These awards are aimed at all hotels, from the small family-owned country hideaway to the imposing flagship of an International chain. All English hotels are eligible to enter, provided they have a minimum Quality Grading of Highly Commended and a minimum of Three Crowns in the National Grading. The winning hotel is one that has made the most of its assets - staff, location, and accommodation - and exceeded its guests' expectations throughout their stay. The emphasis is on quality. The Haven Hotel, Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset - is proud to have been joint finalists in the 1999 awards with The Cloud Hotel, Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

The Haven Hotel has 94 bedrooms, the majority of which have been recently refurbished, and many feature sea or harbour views, with balcony. All of our rooms have ensuite facilities, with direct dial telephones, hairdryers, tea & coffee making facilities. Families are always welcome, and can be accommodated in a choice of family suites, interconnecting rooms, or younger children can be accommodated in their parent's room. Baby listening is available, and baby sitters can be arranged in advance. During the holiday season children are invited to join in specially arranged activities at our sister hotel, only 1/2 mile away.

If business is your reason for staying at the Haven, we are in the process of arranging a guest computer suite, which will house 2 computers, allowing all our residents the opportunity for Internet and e-mail access. For that special celebration or well deserved treat, why not reserve one of our Suites, or alternatively an Executive Seaview bedroom with balcony, overlooking Poole Harbour and the Purbeck Hills.

Whether you swim for exercise or for fun, at the Haven Hotel you can take to the water at any time of year, there are two good-sized, heated inter-connected pools, indoor and outdoor. In the summer the surrounding paved area, with its loungers and parasols, is a pleasant and popular place to meet and make the most of the sea air and sun. The shimmering waters of the swimming pool seem almost to merge into those of Poole Bay beyond.

For the more adventurous we have the ideal solution! A trip out in our yacht, Haven Voyager 11. This Malö 36 is available to hire throughout the summer months, crewed by qualified yacht master, John Richards; add a choice of picnics prepared by the hotel's chefs and you will find that there is no better way to be 'all at sea!

The Leisure Centre provides everything that you need to keep yourself healthy in body and mind - whether it be a rigorous work out in the fully equipped gymnasium, complete with cardiovascular centre,and where, by appointment our professionally trained staff will assess your fitness and create your own personal exercise programme or a keen game of tennis under floodlights on the all weather court; classes, also run from the club by our own qualified staff, include aerobics, yoga and circuit training.

For the slightly less energetic there is the solarium, or the sauna and steam rooms in which to relax; and for the ultimate in relaxation the centre has it's own treatment rooms where you can choose from a variety of soothing massage, including aromatherapy and thalassotherapy,manicures and facials; or visit the hotel's own hairdresser and treat yourself to that change of style you've always promised yourself.

The choice of facilities available combined with the fabulous location all set against a backdrop of some of the finest views in England makes the Haven Leisure Club a leisure venue second to none.

The FJB group of Hotels was started in 1955 by Mr Frederick John Butterworth with the acquisition of the Chine Hotel, followed by the Grosvenor, Swanage in 1961, the Sandbanks in 1967, the Norfolk Hotel, Bournemouth in 1975, and the Haven Hotel in 1976. The group now comprises the Chine, Haven and Sandbanks and they vary in character and location, but all command impressive and important sites.

Just outside the picturesque and historic town of Bourdeilles is this Napoleonic country house which is set on a hillside in nine acres of sculptured gardens. Large oak gates conceal the front courtyard from which stone steps lead up to the main entrance. The luxurious salon is divided by an archway into a living area and a formal dining room. To the side of the house is a second courtyard; ideal for barbecues and summer evening suppers. A striking feature of the grounds is the magnificent flight of stone steps leading down from the back of the house to a very large swimming pool, sunbathing terrace and a pretty summer house. Villa de Marvol offers a superb opportunity to live for a while in a grand residence in an area steeped in history, most famously the site of the Hundred Years War.

First Floor: Stone steps from front courtyard to main entrance and long hallway leading to: Kitchen with breakfast table and chairs. Archway to salon with open fireplace, plenty of comfortable armchairs and sofas; woodblock floor covered with oriental rugs. Both rooms have large french windows overlooking the garden and pool. Door from salon to very large master bedroom (extra beds are available if required as a family room). Twin bedroom with basin and fitted wardrobes. Large double bedroom also with fitted wardrobe. Shower room with WC and basin.

Ground Floor: Very large bathroom with bath, shower cubicle, bidet, double basin, WC. Large twin bedroom particularly suitable for children. Summer house in the second courtyard. Excellent furnishings and equipment throughout. Large swimming pool (17.5m x 9.9m) with integral steps and pool house.