105 Reviews
Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa
Eastleigh District|1.82km from Quob Stables Equestrian Centre
Upon arriving I was incredibly disappointed. The description on Trip Advisor and elsewhere states: “Set in acres of beautiful countryside, our hotel offers the best of breathtaking scenery” Surrounding the hotel are multiple housing estates and new roads being constructed. I appreciate they don’t control what goes on around them, but please don’t market yourselves as something you are not. My view from the single window was also of a relatively new housing estate, bright street light and at the time a member of staff standing there smoking whilst staring at our bed. Not a great start. Upon arriving, we were allowed to check-in early, which was appreciated. However, as a family (visiting Peppa Pig World) we purchased a package deal - and we had the distinct feeling that we were allocated a special ‘out of the way' room in the ‘out of the way’ wing where they stick the package holiday customers. The room was downstairs and along a long corridor. It was dark and somewhat depressing. The room itself was much the same. The chairs were too dirty to sit on, one of the pillows had some horrible red staining on, the air-con was weak and one of the bedside units (next to my 5-year-olds bed) had a couple of pin nails sticking out ready to split a head open in an instant (I bent them over to avoid this for future guests). The TV didn't work and and there were minor issues, such as holes in the curtains and bed sheets It just felt tired. My worst experience came when wanting to watch my little girl swim with her mum in the pool, but I didn’t want to swim myself. I asked a member of staff if that was possible. He blanked me. I asked again, and there was complete silence - making me feel very uncomfortable. Almost in a ‘why would you want to watch’ kind of way. Still no answer from the staff member. If it hadn’t been my daughter's birthday he’d have been pulled to one side and given a lesson in customer service whether he liked it or not. Clearly rude, and not overly bright. Slight positive, they were accommodating when allowing us some plates for my daughter's cake in our room and a little bit of ice for our drinks. And, the bathroom was quite clean and other than leaky taps it all seemed to work well. We would have ordered food, but some was £30+ a dish, plus a £5 tray charge. I’m happy to pay for good food, but not for a hotel that talks a good game when it comes to their food, but can’t even deliver on a decent cooked breakfast (the sausages were dreadful) - and I very much doubt any was organic, which apparently is if possible…. A few staff members were very friendly, and a few were not. Was it a truly horrible stay? No, but it was certainly forgettable. It would be fine for a business stay, but it’s NOT family-friendly, and feels very dated. It was trying to punch well above its weight. As a dad, my mains concerns for a 'family room' were: 1) Pin nails by the bedready to cause injury. 2) Child's bed pushed up tight against the radiato
Excellent
106 Reviews