The Oakeley Arms Hotel

165 reviews

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  Sj1981

  WIMBORNE MINSTER, DORSET, ENGLAND · Couples · Mar 2026

  4/10

  Wouldn’t go back there

  My Husband and I planned a weekend away to climb Snowdon and chose this hotel as our base. We paid £230 room only for a double room for 2 nights in mid-March which I think is still low season. We arrived after a pretty long drive to be greeted by a small bar area with two groups sat at the two main tables who were watching the horse racing. There was also a woman stood facing the TV who didn’t turn around as she was clearly focussed on the TV. I had to go right up to her to get her attention. That experiences was awkward. The people sat at the tables just stared at us like we’d just landed from another planet. The only relatively good bit was the room. It was spacious and warm. The decor was a bit tired with wallpaper peeling off a couple of the walls but nothing major and the shower was nice and warm too. We didn’t eat breakfast for the first morning as we made an early start up the mountain. In the evening, we went to the restaurant. I had made a booking and when we got there, there wasn’t a single member of staff to be found (this became a theme). We saw our name on a table and sat down. Staff were curt and disinterested and we struggled to find menus and order drinks. We were told we had to order via the app which it turns out adds on a service charge, which is laughable considering the service was rubbish to non- existent. Another couple of diners arrived and were able to order at the bar which is what we had attempted to do. The food was mediocre. Mine tasted like a microwave curry and my Husband’s pizza had a funky taste to the crust, like it was stale. On our morning of check out we came down to breakfast at 8:30. On a Sunday, breakfast is served from 8:30. Again it took us ages to find anyone, we were then told there would be a delay. I told them I would not accept a delay as we needed to get going to travel home as we had a 5-6 hour drive ahead of us. Breakfast did come out relatively quickly and I’m guessing they were prioritising their carvery as loads of joints of meat were being moved to the warmer (at 8:30 in the morning!!). Overall, the service was non existent. We pretty much looked after ourselves. I realise it was low season etc but, you still need to look after your guests if you open for business.

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  Sholman

  Family · Nov 2025

  10/10

  Excellent Carvery

  Lovely table by the log fire, where the dog warmed his paws. A cosy and comfortable nook which was perfect for Sunday lunch on a rainy day. The carvery set up was excellent and we were spoilt for choice on the meats and the veg. Quality, tasty food. Looking forward to coming back soon.

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  _martinsaintey

  CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ENGLAND · Family · Oct 2025

  6/10

  Let down

  Turned up at the Oakley arms , no one to show you to your table had to hunt around for it , food was very mediocre, staff not very attentive.

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  JemmaSaintey

  Family · Oct 2025

  2/10

  Avoid at all costs

  Arrived and had a table booked. Waited around 5 mins and no one was interested. We then found our own table. Food was awful, member of staff didn’t seem to worried either. AVOID

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  A8806SJchrisj

  Couples · Oct 2025

  2/10

  Tired and inadequate

  When we arrived at 5pm on Saturday we went into a busy pub area. There was no reception to check in we were told to queue up at the bar behind people queuing for food and drink. When it was our turn we were taken around the other side of the bar where quieter. We checked in then was directed through the double doors up the stairs room at top. When we opened the doors the musty smell of the carpet hit you. The room itself was clean but tired with furniture old like from an auction with the wardrobe door not being able to close as did not fit properly. In the bathroom the lino was shabby. The dispensers in the bath were almost empty not refilled. The toilet roll was half gone but had a sticker on it. When I had a shower the water did not drain well, blocked drain. The view was over a roof and the main road. We did not want to go down to the busy bar and complain thought we would do it on check out. We went downstairs in the bar to eat the fish and chips was not greasy and pleasant which was a nice surprise but when I got my glass of wine there was lipstick on the glass. The third glass given was clean! Sunday morning upon check out we couldnt complain as there was no one around. We called out but no one. Someone else had left their keys on the bar so we just left ours and went. Would not go back. Not a nice experience. Oh and I did not see nice views as advertised I walked around the back to see if they are there but another building and a carpark! Maybe to the side the views might of been!