Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa

All good

Our trip to Macdonald was mostly positive. Comfortable bed and spacious room. But the decor and building is ageing, and it’s missing amenities we’d expect for a hotel of this stated quality - including bottled water, fridge and telephone in the room.

Good value

Pool and spa area was out of order which was extremely disappointing. Should have informed people about this beforehand.

The hotel is in a mobile phone black spot so no service. Had to use hotel wifi and whatsap.

Very nice hotel and very convenient for Southampton. Let down by breakfast unfortunately.

This hotel is very tired. We booked it for a 2 night work stay so hubby could use the pool etc while I worked. On arrival we were told the pool was closed for maintenance for 10 days. Despite receiving 2 messages beforehand inviting us to “use the facilities” this was the first we’d heard of the pool closure. The bed was comfy and the room was a good size (I’d booked a larger room). The Nespresso coffee machine was good and room service supplied a jug of milk. The bathroom had a separate shower cubicle but it all needed updating. The carpet had marks on it and the TV needed replacing as the picture was distorted. The breakfast was truly the worst I have ever had. Yogurt with rock hard fruit pieces, stale croissant followed by bacon and fried eggs that both needed cooking for a good while longer. Coffee from a flask that barely tasted of coffee. We’d paid for 2 mornings but I couldn’t face a return visit - it really was that bad. Some of the staff were friendly and pleasant, less so the original receptionist who made no apology for the pool closure and informed us we should have been told when booking… The communal areas were dark and dingy, we didn’t eat in the restaurant given the breakfast experience. What once was a nice hotel with a golf course is now a run down, tired building surrounded by new houses, mainly hosting out of town tradesmen. Yes it was only £100 per night, but so is the Holiday Inn down the road.

The restaurant service was not great in the evening. Had to wave the waiter down, and he didnt look happy. The menu was a bit short in selection.

Perfect

We have stayed here many times. Great location for shopping, walking etc. just missed the pool this time as it was closed for maintenance. Botley is a very pretty little village. Will definitely stay again.