Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa

Location

No fridge had to store in communal kitchen fridge Windows not shutting disabling AC No water in room No hot water in the evening Toilet seat wobbly and coming away from the base Socket switches not near bed Lights poor Staff incredibly rude at reception. Need customer service training or st least to acknowledge the customers dissatisfaction with a professional response. Will not recommended have left a review on trip advisor also

Stayed for one night on business — midweek, late arrival, early checkout — and somehow this hotel still managed to deliver one of the most frustrating stays I’ve had in years. The car park is a complete mess. Poor signage, poorly marked spaces, and an overall “just dump your car wherever you can” mentality. Not exactly a great first impression. The room itself felt half-finished. There was no fridge, just an empty space where one clearly used to be. I needed refrigeration for some items and asked reception for assistance, only to be treated as though I’d requested a full operating theatre installation in the lobby. I was then told to use a “communal fridge,” which is frankly ridiculous and completely unacceptable for a hotel charging paying guests. The windows were locked in the open position, which also disabled the air conditioning system entirely. So the room was either noisy, cold, or uncomfortable — take your pick. Again, completely unacceptable. There was effectively one usable socket in the room, positioned so awkwardly it was almost comical. To make a cup of tea I had to physically move the kettle across the room just to plug it in. No bedside lights either, meaning you have to climb out of bed just to turn the lights off like you’re staying in a budget hostel from 1998. No bottled water provided. Hot water in the shower lasted barely two minutes before turning cold. The toilet seat was broken. What’s most concerning is that none of this appeared to surprise the staff. When I politely outlined the issues at reception and explained I’d be making a complaint, I was met with blank stares and bewilderment, as though I was somehow being unreasonable for expecting basic standards. This place gives the overwhelming impression that guest comfort and customer service are an afterthought. Poorly maintained, badly managed, and completely lacking in accountability. Avoid if you value even the most basic level of comfort or professionalism.

Grounds were lovely, very comfortable homely rooms whilst working away

Bathroom is quite small

Please be very careful in this hotel in leaving anything lying about, it’s liable to be stolen. My wife left her Gilet on the chair in the bar area, she didn’t realise until the morning, she asked on reception if the gilet had been handed in the receptionist had about a five second look and said no. Very poor. Didn’t ask for any details so my wife could be contacted if the gilet was handed in. It seemed to me as if this was standard thing that happens quite regularly. This was Friday night, we left the hotel Saturday morning, on Sunday I decided to send an email asking if the gilet had been handed in yet or if the hotel could check the CCTV in the bar area to see who picked the gilet up. It’s now Tuesday evening and I have had no response from the hotel. Which says to me they couldn’t really care that a thief could be loose in the hotel.

Room was very poorly maintained. Handbasin was chipped and cracked and didn't drain properly. Window lock was missing so could only pull the window closed. Furniture in the room looked very tired.

Nice gardens

Very busy and extremely noisy! My room was right near the reception and the noise was incessant at all times! Window wouldn’t stay open and the window itself and net curtain was atrociously dirty! Room very dark and dingy! Tried to ring reception at length, no answer so gave up!

Location, characters features, pool, grounds, parking, magazines

Breakfast was basic, the hotel needs refurb

Oh my gosh where do I start … this hotel is SO deceiving wirh its pictures online look amazing and we couldn’t wait to stay here but when we arrived we soon realised it was NOTHING like the website !!Our room was round the back of the hotel , horrible old concrete stairs , really hard to find the reception , the place stank of fish , we finally got to reception after a long mission of a walk , the man on the desk was very unhelpful & un welcoming , didn’t tell us where the pool was , nothing very unfriendly. We found our room , I noticed straight away it was unsafe for children , the locks on the windows were broken so the windows just opened and we were on the first floor this was very alarming !!Horrible camp beds with dirty sheets and springs poking out , TV from about 60 years ago , dusty , chips in all the paintwork and furniture , broken lopsided lamps , no phone , no coffee machine , not even a bottle of water just massive glass jug right by the children’s beds which was also dangerous !!Carpets looked like something from the 1960s it was terrible !!Luckily we asked for a full refund and ran for the hills lol !!I don’t know how this place has any good reviews unless there’s some hidden better rooms maybe they save for weddings ?Ours was DYER !!And they were charging £180 for it which is criminal !!I hope this review helps some people and save your money !!