With heavy rain and wind battering down on a dreary Sunday afternoon, it was a relief to be swept inside the warm and welcoming Cumberland Hotel.

Perched on Bournemouth’s East Overcliff Drive, The art deco building boasts a commanding position enjoying a stunning vista of the beach and beyond.

This unique boutique style hotel is part of The Oceana Bournemouth Resort. In recent years The Cumberland has been sumptuously restored to its Art Deco heyday, both inside and out, offering a calming, and friendly atmosphere for all ages.

The whole Eastcliff Resort is in fact set for major multi million pound upgrades. The new Qatari owners of Oceana hotels on Bournemouth's Eastcliff are still underway with major renovations to the landmark properties overlooking Bournemouth's golden beaches. Changes have already taken place, transforming The Cliffeside hotel into Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa.

The group has also opened the sea view Overcliff Pub and Kitchen at the adjacent Suncliff Hotel, and is currently mid-way through a major bedroom refurbishment of this flagship Cumberland Hotel, upgrading the property to cater for today's modern traveller. Rooms will be crisp with a subtle Art Deco style, and modern facilities.

Shortly after the acquisition of Oceana Hotel Group in April 2015, the East Cliff's Best Western Hotel Royale was added to its portfolio, with plans to upgrade this hotel and the Suncliff Hotel.

So, back to The Cumberland - the award winning hotel has long been a firm favourite with locals, and visitors alike. Inside, it includes The Mirabelle Restaurant, Ventana Grand Cafe, Del Mar Lounge and a modern outside decked pool area.

It was a real treat to sample their legendary Sunday roast; there was a great choice of roast meats alongside their new Deli which offers a smorgasbord of charcuterie, breads, seafood, pates and pickles.

With hearty appetites we pursued the lunch menu (three courses, £21.95 per person; four courses, including soup, £24.95 per person).

To start, we helped ourselves to a selection of treats from The Deli; everything fresh and attractively presented - from the ripe olives to the prawns, anchovies, palmer ham and stuffed red peppers...de-li-cious.

I opted for the roast pork which was a thick slice of gorgeous honey glazed ham, rested on a bed of apple sauce with a flavoursome gravy.

My husband chose their Sunday showpiece - roast rib of beef. The meat simply melted in the mouth. It was served with a giant Yorkshire pudding, chef’s delicious pan gravy and horseradish sauce.

We shared a medley of seasonal vegetables that consisted of peas, red cabbage, parsnips and tasty roast. All washed down with a glass of Marques de Ulia Rioja Crianza, Spain.

There was room, just, for dessert. We opted for the seasonal berry pavlova with crunchy meringue, and profiteroles doused in toffee, cream and chocolate - both served with yummy chocolate swirls. A lovely, sweet finale to round off a perfect Sunday lunch.

The food was wonderful and the service is very much in keeping with the décor - friendly, but with a touch of old-world style, and commendably efficient, given its popularity.

• Sunday lunch is available 12.30pm to 2.30pm, www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk