Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Reviews Summary

Accommodation

Pros:

• "Our cabin was clean, cozy, and had a porch where we could watch the world go by."
• "The room was large, clean and comfortable."
• "The rooms where massive so we could of shared, no we wanted sleep and the chance to starfish in huge beds."
• "The room was quite basic based on what I had expected from the ‘Deluxe’ description."
• "The room was clean and bed comfortable."
• "The rooms in the hotel were clean and spacious."
• "The bedroom and bathroom were beautiful and clean."

Cons:

• "Very outdated and so dirty, even the hand sanitiser stations are filthy."
• "The room was not up to standard for a suite, the bed was comfy but the pillows left a lot to be desired, the fridge did not work."
• "The room layout was odd."
• "Rooms very dated and not that clean."
• "The room was lovely but was disappointed that we did not have dressing gowns the first night."
• "Our room wasn't serviced after being out for 6 hours and leaving the card on the door to ask for it to be done."
• "Light from the corridor seeped through the door, affecting our preference for a darker room."

Service

Pros:

• "Our Wedding Coordinator Chrissie put us at ease from the moment we sat down with her to discuss our day and what we wanted."
• "The hosts were warm and provided valuable tips for exploring nearby trails."
• "An excellent stay. The receptionist was very welcoming."
• "Tony in the restaurant and Jo behind reception where great, both went out of their way to make sure we had a great time."
• "The lad serving was working his socks off and could not fault him."
• "All staff were courteous and professional."
• "All staff we encountered were friendly, efficient and informative."

Cons:

• "Booking meal times was pointless and you'll be waiting at least 45 minutes between courses for food."
• "Service is exceptionally slow and the food is overpriced for the low quality it is."
• "However breakfast the next morning was a nightmare, waited 10 mins to be seated."
• "The Wi-Fi signal was so weak and I got kicked off a work call."
• "The service staff appeared not to be inadequately trained."
• "The manager at both dinner and breakfast was very poor, no interest, not polite, and just not very good."
• "Staff never answered the phone for room service once rang 17 different times absolutely shocking had to literally go down there to order it."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "It is excellent value for money."
• "However the sweet potato and chickpea tagine was delicious and reminded me of Morocco."
• "Every meal was delicious and of the highest quality."
• "Had afternoon tea the next day, which was also delicious!!"
• "Food is good quality and tasty."
• "The food in the restaurant is exceptionally good."
• "The breakfast served in the morning was great."

Cons:

• "The food in the restaurant is very average indeed and ridiculously overpriced, oh and tiny portions."
• "Breakfast was horrible, dinner service took way too long."
• "The drinks prices are simply a rip off at £7.40p per pint - customers do NOT come first at Macdonald Portal, profits do."
• "Pint of Peroni was 6.50 😕 I know they'll overcharge where they can but come on, that's taking the...."
• "The coffee served by staff was weak and not nice."
• "The food was poor, do not have the pie, pathetic."
• "Food was awful-cold, under cooked and virtually tasteless."

Spa & Leisure Facilities

Pros:

• "Staff are superb, love the sauna."
• "The spa experience was delightful."
• "The spa was well-equipped."
• "The treatments with Hannah were amazing - she was super friendly, informative & honestly gave me the best massage & facial I’ve had in a long time!"
• "Facial was luxurious and relaxing."
• "The spa treatments were great."
• "The spa areas are lovely! We both had a facial, and we were then able to relax in one of the other relaxation rooms!!"

Cons:

• "No jacuzzi."
• "Disappointing spa experience."
• "Particularly disappointing that we were not advised the hot tub was out of order when booking a spa day."
• "Booked 25 minute treatments each yet both lasted less than 20 minutes."
• "This is not a spa. The pool I didn't even venture into as when I looked up at the ceiling there are large pieces of paint hanging, threatening to fall in at any given moment."
• "The swimming area was a huge shock. Paint peeling off the walls, rust on metal beams, no jacuzzi or hot tub!"
• "The spa was disappointing, one of the therapists was pushing her own business and made my partner feel uncomfortable."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "It is excellent value for money."
• "I felt it was excellent value for money. We paid £99 each which included a towel, robe and slippers, full use of the spa facilities, a 55 minute treatment and afternoon tea."
• "Overall, we had a lovely time and our spa with overnight stay was good value."
• "For the money and the treatments this was very good value and we would do again."
• "We found the overall value for money good."
• "The package we chose was well priced and the others on offer are equally as well priced, what you get for your money is definitely worth it."
• "All in all, we had a really pleasant stay for a very reasonable price."

Cons:

• "The drinks prices are simply a rip off at £7.40p per pint - customers do NOT come first at Macdonald Portal, profits do."
• "Pint of Peroni was 6.50 😕 I know they'll overcharge where they can but come on, that's taking the...."
• "The hotel pricing is a total rip off. £7.50 for a peroni."
• "Breakfast to room tray charge £8, overpriced food as nothing special."
• "The golf buggy hire cost £40, in my opinion this is too expensive."
• "The afternoon tea was not worth the money £18 each."
• "I had to pay £72 for a meal I didn't want, because of an outdated menu."