Name: The Aqua
Address: Castletown, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1BD
Price range: US$76+
Rating: 7.0

Key details

About the Hotel

Castletown, Portland, DT5 1BD

Steps from Portland Castle

Great

8.0

8.2

/10

4.0

Loved by The Aqua guests

Amazing staff

Clean rooms

Delicious food

Convenient location

The Aqua - A waterfront 3-star hotel with sea-view rooms, group-friendly accommodations, and proximity to outdoor activities

Situated on Castletown Pier, The Aqua features 25 modern en-suite rooms, including singles, doubles, twins, triples, and a quad room, with most offering sea views. The Aqua Cafe serves breakfast, meals, and drinks daily, with outdoor seating popular in summer. Guests enjoy proximity to Portland Marina, the National Sailing Academy, and Chesil Beach, while Portland Castle stands 0.5 km away. The hotel provides a kit-wash and drying rooms for water-sports enthusiasts, and staff assist with local outdoor activities such as climbing, cycling, and birdwatching. Group bookings can utilize the Castle Suite for meetings or social gatherings.

Pros

The Aqua is steps away from Portland Castle and Chesil Beach, offering easy access to outdoor activities.

Most rooms feature sea views, enhancing the stay for leisure travelers.

The Aqua Cafe serves breakfast and meals daily, with outdoor seating available.

Group-friendly accommodations include flexible room configurations and meeting space.

Cons

Some rooms lack a view and may not suit guests prioritizing scenery.

Limited on-site dining options beyond The Aqua Cafe.

Select your room type

The Aqua offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Quadruple Room
2 persons
195 sq. feet
1 King-size bed and 2 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Triple Room
2 persons
195 sq. feet
3 Single beds / 1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Single Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

Room Rates & Availability Calendar

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Facilities

The Aqua offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Very good

7.8/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Wind surfing
Diving
Hiking
Horseback riding
Cycling
Golf course
Fishing

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Beach access
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

The Aqua Location

Castletown, Portland, DT5 1BD

Map view

City landmarks

Landmark

Portland Harbour

1.2 mi

Landmark

Verne High Angle Battery

1.1 mi

Landmark

Victoria Gardens

2300 ft

Castle

Castle Rushen

1.6 mi

Landmark

Chiswell Earthworks

3100 ft

Farm

Fancy's Farm

1.1 mi

Landmark

Merchants Railway

2200 ft

Landmark

East Weare Battery

3900 ft

Landmark

Balaclava Bay

4000 ft

Castle

Sandsfoot Castle

2.0 mi

Garden

Chiswell Walled Garden

2900 ft

Landmark

War Memorial

4600 ft

Church

St George's Church

1.5 mi

Landmark

King Barrow Quarry

5200 ft

Landmark

Chesil Beach

4400 ft

Museum

Portland Museum

2.0 mi

Nearby

Harbour

Portland Castle

1400 ft

Museum

Castletown D-Day Centre

400 ft

Castletown

Castletown Portland

1100 ft

Restaurants

Chesil Chippie

2700 ft

1a The Olde Stables Victoria Square Victoria Square

The Little Ship

1.5 mi

Victoria Square

The Portland Pizza Company

1.4 mi

Chiswell Just off Victoria Square

Explore Portland

Explore Castletown's Surroundings

Portland Castle

5 minutes' walk

16th-century coastal castle offering history exhibits and stunning sea views, perfect for a leisurely visit.

Castletown D-Day Centre

2 minutes' walk

Interactive displays on the D-Day landings, presenting poignant stories and artifacts relevant to the region's history.

Chiswell Walled Garden

10 minutes' walk

Serene garden with diverse plants and scenic paths, an ideal spot for relaxation amidst nature.

Verne High Angle Battery

25 minutes' walk

Historical military fortification with panoramic views of Portland and the surrounding coastline.

Kayaking at Chesil Beach

15 minutes' drive

Water sports rental available near Chesil Beach, perfect for thrill-seekers looking for an adventurous outing.

Yoga at Easton Gardens

30 minutes' walk

Relaxing outdoor yoga sessions available in a picturesque park setting, great for rejuvenating the spirit.

Chesil Chippie

10 minutes' walk

Casual fish and chips eatery known for its crispy batter and fresh seafood, a local favorite for all ages.

The Portland Pizza Company

25 minutes' walk

Pizzeria offering wood-fired pizzas with local ingredients in a cozy atmosphere; reservations suggested.

The Grove Prison Museum

25 minutes' walk

Unique museum in a former prison showcasing intriguing exhibits; suitable for history enthusiasts and families.

Portland Harbour Night Lights

25 minutes' walk

Vibrant waterfront area with bars and live music, creating a lively nightlife scene for couples and socializers.

Getting around

City Centre
Portland 23 min · 1.2 mi
Airports
Bournemouth (BOH) 106 min · 43.6 mi
Exeter International (EXT) 136 min · 56.0 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

from 07:00-10:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP 0.1 per person.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Year renovated:

2012

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Aqua from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Aqua is conveniently located for exploring, especially near Chesil Beach and the Verne Citadel. Guests appreciate the breakfast, including vegan options, and some rooms offer lovely sea views. The hotel provides conveniences such as Wi-Fi and a fridge in the rooms, plus a piano. Some guests have found the beds uncomfortable, with old spring mattresses.

Review score

Based on 4 verified reviews

7.0 /10

Very good

100%

Recommend

Staff

9.1/10

Location

8.6/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.5/10

Facilities

7.8/10

Pros

Friendly staff

Clean bathroom

Great breakfast

Community vibe

Quick check-in

Cons

Noisy dockside

Sparse rooms

Andrew from United Kingdom

Business traveller

double or twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 16, 2026

9.0/10

excellent experience

organized staff friendly staff humane treatment

the staff was organized and friendly. they offered to move my bags to another room. i arrived late and they prepared whatever i wanted from the menu. i am very grateful for the humane treatment i received.

the beds use old spring mattresses.

Location

9/10

the hotel location allows easy access to key attractions.. it provides convenience for exploring nearby points of interest. the surrounding area features diverse dining options and local shops. public transportation is readily accessible from the hotel.

Facilities

8/10

the hotel provides complimentary high-speed wi-fi throughout the premises. there is a fitness center available to all guests. the business center offers computer access and printing services. laundry and dry-cleaning services are offered for an additional fee.

Rooms

9/10

the double or twin room includes a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries. the room also features a tv with satellite channels. a work desk is available for business travelers. blackout curtains ensure a restful night's sleep.

Dining

10/10

the breakfast buffet offers a variety of hot and cold items. the on-site restaurant serves fresh local fish. the dinner menu includes a wide selection of international cuisine. the hotel bar features local wines and beers.

0 Helpful

Georgia from Canada

Single

Single Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 19, 2025

6/10

Acceptable, but some issues

dated room non-working fridge slamming fire doors

The hotel staff are friendly, i found.

The room felt very dated and not in a charming way. My fridge did not work at all, inconvenient. Loud noises from slamming fire doors were frequently heard.

0 Helpful

Jessica from United Kingdom

Single

double or twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 14, 2025

7/10

friendly staff helpful staff very clean room ideal location beach location tv signal creaky bed uncomfortable mattress low water pressure

the staff were friendly and helpful . the room was very clean. the location was ideal and very close to the beach!

The tv kept losing signal, i think it needs maintenance. the bed was creaky and the mattress wasn't very comfortable. the water pressure was very low when i tried to shower one morning..

0 Helpful

Hannah from Germany

Single

Single Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 26, 2025

6/10

really clean clean premises fire door slamming

The premises were really clean. I noticed it immediately.

I found that the noise from fire doors slamming was disturbing. The slamming happened frequently, and it made it hard to relax. I wish they could address this issue somehow.

0 Helpful

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