Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel & Spa

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We were glad we opted for an upgrade to a room in the Manor House. A lovely room. Breakfast was buffet but plenty of choices and coffee was okay. Service good. We visited the pool and steam and sauna which although obviously in need of a refurbish we still enjoyed. The bar and lounge areas were comfortable. Our only problem, which was quite major for us, was Reception. My husband is disabled and we are both elderly, but when we asked for our bags to be brought down to Reception the Receptionist told us that the staff were all too busy as was she. In the event we left our bags in the room, and delayed our onward journey for an hour to help with our request. Room 2 has steep and shallow stairs that we couldn’t have managed with cases, overall left a very unpleasant taste after an otherwise enjoyable stay. I have asked for the Manager’s email or to get in touch privately but no joy.

Room was clean and pleasant. Staff were all helpful and friendly particularly Elizabeth on the desk. We upgraded our room to onevinnthe coach house which was quirky and nicely decorated and i really aporeciated the elemis toiletries. Reasonable selection of cold breakfast food and a decent english breakfast. Only drawback is the spa area which is very shabby with many cracked tiles in the steam room and by the pool. There was no hot water in the spa area and changing rooms as the boiler was broken. I chose the hotel partly because i trust macdonald hotels but in this case for the spa! So that was a pity really. I got the impression that they were understaffed that day- it was a Bank Holiday.

The main hotel is characterful and pleasant. I found my room in one of the newer blocks to be noisy, more so when a table tennis table was erected under my window. The spa was disappointing, particularly when compared to a MacDonald Spa I am a previous member of. The pool and steam room are shedding tiles in large patches, some lying loose in the bottom of the pool. The Spa had no hot water for showering which rather spoiled my spa day. All staff were pleasant and helpful.

M