SINCE the Captain's Club Hotel opened on November 11 last year, it is hard to believe that it was once the site of a Pontins holiday camp. That is now a distant memory - the Captain's Club Hotel in Wick Lane is a far more exclusive establishment that has been a welcome addition to both the town and the borough.

While Christchurch has long been known for its Priory, it was not so well known for hotels; simply because there weren't any.

Now tourists wishing to stay in the area do not have to travel to Bournemouth.

Aptly named, the Captain's Club Hotel evokes a superior setting - not just for sailors, but for those with a love of water.

The striking, multi-million-pound building has 17 bedrooms and 12 suites all making the most of their quayside location overlooking the River Stour.

An ideal place to wind down with a pint and a selection of good food, the four-star hotel bar and Tides Restaurant has certainly made waves.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, boats bobbing on the calm waters can be seen.

Starters can be chosen with a maritime theme such as hand-dived sea scallops or salmon.

Main courses are divided into sections of the menu from the sea, from the land and from the garden.

There is a large variety to choose from - potato gnocchi, thyme roast butternut squash, herb and Parmesan breadcrumb, crispy fried fillet of wild seabass with lemon and shallot crushed potato and chorizo oil.

As for desserts, hazelnut praline parfait or crème brulée with spiced plums and shortbread are just a few of the temptations.

A team of talented chefs is headed up by Andrew Gault - formerly of the Burj al Arab in Dubai - apparently the world's only seven-star hotel - as well as Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel and the K Club in Ireland.

The focus on quality local ingredients and simple, fresh cooking has earned Tides two AA rosettes.

The first year of any business is always chall-enging yet already the Captain's Club Hotel has firmly established itself as a popular location with locals and tourists.