Merchants Manor

We spent a night away for Valentine’s, and it felt well worth the money. The room was spacious with a beautiful sea view, the roast dinner was top tier, and the happy hour from 5:30 to 7 gave us cocktails for £5, which was a bonus. My partner and I both had a 30 minute massage with Sarah. She was friendly, professional, and clearly knew what she was doing. I’m not usually into massages, but she relaxed me so much I nearly fell asleep twice. The staff were polite and accommodating, and the service was good. Highly recommend.

The cooked breakfast was a real letdown. On the first morning we waited an hour for eggs that were undercooked, and the next day it took another hour to get scrambled eggs that were burnt and cold. We had to leave, so we went without eating. The hotel isn’t very disabled friendly. There are stairs if you’re not on the ground floor, then two more sets to reach the pool. The jacuzzi has no steps to get in, which seems dangerous for older people. My friend’s cosy ground floor room looked out at a brick wall and hedge, and wasn’t very pleasant. The room called “lookout” had the same view of a brick wall and bushes. On the plus side, the pool was a good size for a hotel, warm and clean, with a sauna and jacuzzi. The lounge, bar and dining area were pleasant, with plenty of seating. Bedrooms were nicely furnished and very clean, with comfortable beds, excellent bedding and pillows, big towels, dressing gowns and towels for the pool. The decor was nice, and the staff were polite and kind.

We had a spa day with lunch, and the food was delicious, with really generous portions. Having lunch included in the spa access price made it great value. The staff were all lovely and attentive, and it was a wonderful way to spend a rainy day. A few loungers in the pool and spa area would make it easier to relax.

I’m a regular at the pool and steam room because the location is perfect for me. It’s a lovely local pool, and quite a few of us use it regularly. Some of the facilities are worn out, and several things are broken, but the staff service is always five star. Everyone from the front door to the poolside is warm and welcoming. When Jan Marc is there, you notice how carefully he cleans everything, from the changing areas and steam room floor to the edges of the pool.