Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa

We have booked this due to being on a cruise sailing from Southampton the following day. Location wise it is perfect only 30 minutes away from the port and a very easy drive. Regards to the hotel it is a typical 1980s style hotel and spa. The decor is ranging between being updated and very outdated but it is clean and presented well. The parking is extensive and easy and the outside is well kept and very presentable giving you a nice feeling. The rooms are a good size, bed large comfortable but the air con doesn’t work. Regards to the food, to be blunt it reminded me on The Little Chef. Food isn’t great and although I would stay here again I would not eat here again. The breakfast was underwhelming and the coffee is filtered (which is awful) and they do not offer cappuccino etc until breakfast is finished. The service is average, initially the check in was good but the restaurant and bar really let itself down. The feel of they are overworked, under staffed and under trained. Due to this they have a real lack of enthusiasm meaning you have to always approach them. But they are very polite and helpful once you ask. In all I would stay again but I would look elsewhere first.

The room was ok, but dated and with a very dark decor. The bed was comfortable and the room temperature was controllable and adequate. The cooked items at breakfast were of a good quality but only a limited selection is provided. Having booked and paid on arrival for our breakfast on neither morning we're we on the list of guests. The managers reaction was a little surly over this issue, even after I retrieved my receipt from the room and presented it to her.

If you're looking for a nice relaxing break in Hampshire, keep looking. This place is terrible. I've stayed here a few times only because it's convenient, but there's always an issue. Tonight the gym is closed because of a leak. The fridge in my room doesn't work. Sometimes the gym lockers don't work. Your keyfob doesn't work. All of which means you have to queue up at reception to get things sorted. And there's only one member of staff on reception. I arrived yesterday after a 3 and a half hour drive and had to wait 15 minutes to check in. If the owners paid for more staff there wouldn't be so many issues, but their profits are more important than your enjoyment. There are much nicer hotels in the area. Keep Googling!