Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel

Comentarios destacados

• GarethK95

  19 octubre 2020
  Mixed given the circumstances

  This was a long-delayed golf weekend including a one night stay on Saturday night with twin rooms, breakfast and dinner. We stayed here before a few years ago and changes have been made but obviously the 10pm curfew and social distancing made this somewhat different, so this review is in that context. The clientele was very different to before. The previous blend of golf breaks, spa weekends and wedding guests has been replaced by lots and lots of golf weekenders. I honestly didn't see a single female guest the whole time. With a 10pm curfew this made for a very rowdy atmosphere as groups of men having long-delayed nights away from their families was the only show in town. The positives: the rooms are very good - spacious with great bathrooms. We largely chose to go back to this hotel because of the rooms and as three of our party have young children we wanted a decent sleep. I thought the food was good, especially dinner. We were especially impressed by our waitress who had to ferry trays full of drinks backwards and forwards to the bar through a sea of increasingly merry golfers because of table service rules. We never got her name and because of the mask and card only system we couldn't even describe her or leave her a tip but she was great. The reception and golf staff were very friendly and helpful too. The negatives: we found the room very hot and the bed too soft but these were minor things. The biggest two issues were the speed of lunch service and the queues on the golf course. For the lunch, I arrived at 1150 for a 1320 tee time and only ordered my food at 1235. One more member of staff and they would have been fine but it was just far too slow and we didn't spend as much money as we would have done had lunch not depended on just one waitress. The queues on the golf course were the real issue. For a 1320 tee time we would expect to be back in around 1750 but by that time we were only on the 16th tee. Fourballs were being sent out every 8 minutes across three starting points and then criss-crossing. By the time we reached the 12th tee we were queuing for 10 minutes on each hole and we played the 18th in total darkness (and we weren't even the last group on the course). On the Sunday we had to abandon after 9 holes because the queue for the 10th was horrific (credit to the golf pro for his help and for the vouchers). Our feeling was that tee times every 10 minutes would have helped a lot and more on-course marshalling to keep the pace of play going but fundamentally the course was over-booked. There were also a few groups getting lost on the course as the Valley course is poorly signed. The bar is extortionately pricey - £52.60 for four bottles of cider and four pints of lager!!!!!!!!!!! We fully appreciate that these are difficult times but the foundation for a great resort is there and with more lunch staff and fewer golf groups crammed on the course this could be very good. And they really should lower the bar prices.

  

• christophernM8836JT

  22 octubre 2020
  AVOID

  Booked as a his and hers weekend. DO NOT DO THIS!!! It was awful, despite ringing ahead the week before our booking was a mess. None of our reservations had been made, no spa treatments had been booked. We were told the pool would be closed all weekend with reception staff suggesting the wives either get smashed in the bar or walk round the golf course in the rain. Hallway to room was littered with food trays that had left over breakfast remains, this was around 3pm at check in. Room was not clean, stained bedding left on, dodgy marks in the bath tub and sink. Golf course was packed, societies booked on by the bus load with each tee backed up with 4/5 groups. Took 6 hours for 2 of us to get round. Dinner was a joke, 4 people for 3 courses, at every course an incorrect meal came out. It took 3 waiting staff 35 minutes to bring a Diet Coke out. Staff rude and unhelpful. Was told drinks would be free due to the horrible dining experience then charged for them on the way out despite questioning. Room partys went on into the night with loud music, no Covid regulation and staff seemingly not bothered. To top it off upon check out on Sunday we were told the pool had actually being opened in the end early Sunday morning but nobody bothered to tell any of the guests or even put a sign up. After complaining they continued to ignore the issues raised, even after being encouraged to raise a formal complaint via email they have ignored us for well over a month. I could go on and on with the issues during our weekend here, but take my advice and book elsewhere.

  

• markandmellie

  25 octubre 2020
  Great hotel

  Just stayed for one night for golf and had a great time. Rooms are a little dated but good enough for what we wanted, overall a great time at the hotel and all the staff were great. In bar, restaurant (dinner & breakfadt) and even on the golf course everyone was so friendly and helpful. Food in restaurant was great as was service, even in these challenging times!

  

• maggieg5522

  27 octubre 2020
  Not Good all round- very poor

  I programmed my GPS and the postcode took me in the middle of nowhere, an hour wasted! On arrival at desk they had no record of my reservation for bowling. They said they could accommodate but the lanes were busy. Booked us. Thanks. As instructed we made our way to the bowling room, no one to assist with directions.... Ended up I the spa room them a random private to finally found a secret stir leading to a further floor down... We found the bowling room!!!! It was empty, tried to put our names on the screen but no luck and needed desk assistance. Went back up all way back to reception and was told to wait next to room someone would come. We went back...all the down the corridors down the floor to unsused desk, waited and waited them someone turn up, nice and we finally were set for bowling, 30 minutes after arriving ( not easy with kids). The game was enjoyable, we then made our way to the restaurant a lady told is to take a seat and she would be right with us... No one came, I made my way back to go and ask for menus ( we had the kids meal paid for already as part of the Halloween bowling) she came back after some time witch felt like eternity!!ordered drinks and food, the wrong drink turned up and had to sent it back bit I was a little worried to say as I was thirsty and this could take easily a further half hour. At this point several other groups were sat for ever without been seen. Poor them. Finally had my food no cutlery which was not easy for pasta. Food was ok. Paid and didn't do the activity carving as it was getting very late. Soft drink was charged to us when was meant to be in kids meal. I said nothing as it was taking toooo long! The whole thing was very poor, most staff were pleasant.

  

• 2nddan1

  06 noviembre 2020
  Golf Stay

  Just back from a 1 night and 2 rounds of golf trip and had a fantastic time.It was great value with excellent staff and even the weather was good. The food and service were good quality and the room was large with a nice view of the grounds.