Best Western Manchester Bury Bolholt Country Park Hotel

The staff and chef went out of their way to make meals work for my elderly step-mum, who needed small portions and food that was easy to swallow. Even room service was no trouble. I was looking for a proper holiday base within driving distance of Tameside, Manchester and Christie's hospital while caring for an elderly relative. I wanted a hotel with a dining room, bar, proper cooked food and a dog friendly policy, and couldn't have found a better fit. It's a lovely place in a lovely location. I only wish I'd had more time to enjoy The Stables. I'll definitely be back.

We were very happy with our two night stay here as a family. The hotel has a cosy old English feel, and the staff were friendly, pleasant and helpful throughout. We had a very good dinner in the restaurant, and breakfast was a typical English one with enough other choices for everyone to find something they liked. Parking was a big plus. For £8, we could also use two swimming pools, a spa and a jacuzzi, which felt like a great deal. Getting to the motorway and Manchester city centre was easy. It was definitely worth the price, and we'd happily return if we're in the area.

The hotel service was 100%, but breakfast in the restaurant was a letdown. The plates in the warmer were stone cold, and I assumed someone had just forgotten to turn it on. I ordered scrambled eggs, which arrived from the kitchen on a cold plate. Some people may not mind hot food on a cold plate, but I do. I could have sent it back, but my wife had only ordered toast and had already finished.

Avoid this place. The bedding was stained and covered in dog hairs. When I mentioned it, I was told, "well it shouldnt be coz theres been no dogs in there". I said that either way it was covered and needed changing. The man at reception was nice and tried his best, but the woman wasn't pleased with my complaint. There were dirty cups and glasses, hair and dirt in the bath, urine and hair on the toilet, and the same on the sink. The windows were mouldy, and the window safety catches were broken with loose screws. The two women on reception had an appalling attitude. They weren't welcoming, gave no directions or advice about the room, and weren't helpful. They tried to charge two children as adults for swimming, then charged for three adults and one child when it was one adult and three children. When I challenged it, they admitted the first use was free. I was also charged £14 for a child's breakfast, despite booking and paying for a room for one double, one single and one sofa bed with breakfast, and the charge wasn't through booking.com. I paid for a 25-minute early check-in, then for late checkout and went swimming. When we came back, the room was locked. We waited 15 minutes at reception with other guests, but no receptionist was there, so we had to search the hotel for someone to fetch her. She said, "i wasnt on the desk becoz i know no one was checking out". I asked for the late checkout charge back. She wasn't helpful or happy about it. We got our things out in a few minutes and were refunded, but she didn't say a word or apologise.