Christmas by the Coast: Why The NICI Is the Most Magical Place to Dine This Season
Whether you’re gathering the family for a feast, planning a night out, or toasting the New Year, The NICI is the place where holiday memories are made.
There’s something uniquely magical about Christmas by the sea, where the crisp coastal breeze, the sound of waves crashing beyond the cliffs, and the warm glow of fairy lights dancing on the water bring so much joy. Sip a glass of something mulled as the sun sets over Bournemouth Bay while wrapped in the comfort of plush interiors and surrounded by your favourite people.
At The NICI, Bournemouth’s award-winning West Cliff resort, Christmas meets coastal chic, and every celebration comes with a sea view.
This winter, our award-winning hotel transforms into a glittering festive haven. From stylish decorations, twinkling lights, and the comforting hum of laughter from the bar to the terrace. Whether you’re gathering the family for a festive feast, planning a glamorous night out with friends, or toasting the New Year in true coastal style, The NICI is the place where holiday memories are made.
A Winter Wonderland by the Waves
While most people are tucked up indoors, Bournemouth’s coast comes alive with a different kind of magic. Rated one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, and just a two-minute stroll from our front door, the shoreline illuminates festive charm. As the days grow shorter, the sea glistens and sunsets seem to glow a little warmer.
Swap snow for sand this Christmas and take a morning stroll along the pier, or wander through the Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland, perfect for all ages.
If you fancy a day trip, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is waiting to be explored, while the New Forest National Park offers dreamy woodland walks and cosy country pubs perfect for a festive day out.
Back at The NICI, the fire crackles, our bar is buzzing, and the scent of pine fills the air – it’s coastal Christmas perfection.
Festive Dining at THE NICI
Dining at The NICI is always an experience, but at Christmas, it becomes pure magic.
At South Beach, where Miami-inspired décor meets English seaside glamour, expect plates that sparkle. The festive set menu bursts with coastal flair, with sloe gin–cured salmon, bacon-wrapped turkey parcels, or buttery winter squash risotto, followed by indulgent desserts that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
Over at Old Harry Rocks, our alpine-inspired hideaway, it’s all about warming fires, plush furs, and seasonal flavours. Tuck into wild mushroom soup with truffle oil, plancha-roasted mains, or a classic apple and cinnamon crumble with vanilla ice cream. It’s cosy, it’s festive, and it’s the next best thing to a ski lodge, only with a sea view.
From festive afternoon teas to Christmas Day feasts and New Year’s Eve galas, our menus are a masterclass in seasonal indulgence. Tuck into turkey and trimmings reimagined with coastal flair, contemporary dishes such as beef wellington, as well as drinks that make spirits bright!
Festive dining begins on 29th November 2025, so book early to secure your table!
The Full Festive Experience
The magic doesn’t stop at the table.
With over 90 beautifully designed rooms and suites, our hotel invites you to stay a little longer and make the most of the season. Wake up to ocean views, wander through the art-filled spaces, and unwind in the Spa, where winter-warming treatments and hydrotherapy pools melt away the winter chill.
Families are warmly welcomed too. There’s a private cinema, a games room, and festive fun for little ones, while four-legged friends are invited to join the celebration — because no Christmas is complete without them!
Looking to make it a proper escape? Our Festive Family Breaks and Christmas & New Year Celebration Packages combine luxurious stays with indulgent dining and access to all resort amenities. Let The NICI become your coastal home for the holidays.
Boxing Day & Beyond
Christmas is about bringing people together. Whether it’s laughter shared over a perfectly poured cocktail, a quiet morning coffee watching the choppy waves roll in, or a three course Boxing Day lunch that keeps the celebrations going, every moment here feels special.
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye, keep the festivities rolling with a festive group party, a cosy dinner for two, or, for groups of more than 10, a perfect event tailored for you!
At The NICI, we deliver it all with effortless style, exquisite menus, impeccable service, and a dash of coastal cool.
Party Season Done the NICI Way
When the countdown to midnight begins, there’s nowhere more glamorous to be than at The NICI.
At South Beach, the New Year’s Eve Gala is a showstopper with five courses bursting with flavour, live saxophone performances, fizz that flows all night, and a DJ that keeps the dance floor buzzing until the early hours.
Prefer something more relaxed but equally electric? Head to Old Harry Rocks for a feast-filled New Year’s Eve party complete with cocktails, live beats, and that signature coastal cool vibe we’re famous for.
If you’re planning the ultimate group celebration or office bash, our Shared Party Nights on the 13th and 20th of December are filling up fast. Gather your friends, book your table, and get ready to dance the night away!
Bournemouth is The Place to Be
When you’re not feasting, toasting, or dancing the night away, Bournemouth is brimming with festive sparkle just waiting to be explored.
Glide across the ice rink in the Lower Gardens, browse boutique stalls for last-minute gifts, or take a wintry stroll and watch the sunset with a luxury hot chocolate in hand.
Then, return to The NICI for cocktails by the fire, recharge with a blissful spa session, or snuggle up for a cosy movie night in our private cinema.
Whether you’re sharing laughter over board games with family or clinking glasses with friends under a canopy of lights, it’s the kind of place where memories are made without even trying.
A Place Made for Celebration
There are a few places where festive dining feels this effortless. Bringing together a luxury hotel and a relaxed beach escape, we’re family-friendly, pet-friendly, and full of personality!
From our palm-lined outdoor pool (yes, it’s heated!) to the art-deco touches that channel the glamour of Miami to Bournemouth, everything about The NICI says “celebrate in style!”
So, this Christmas, skip the same old city restaurant and discover mornings in the spa, afternoons exploring the coast, evenings sipping champagne by the fire.
Head to the coast. Gather your favourite people. Pop the bubbles and let the sea breeze, the laughter, and the sparkle of The NICI cast its spell.
Make this Christmas by the coast your most magical one yet.
