The Abbey Hotel Golf & Spa

We had to go back to the room because the spa was so crowded, and were told it should be quieter later. The room had plaster wrappers beside the bed, mould, dust, torn curtains, and a dirty toilet with a broken seat. Reception staff were friendly and offered us an upgrade and a bottle of Prosecco. We didn’t really want to stay, but home was a two-hour drive away. They said we’d have to contact Spabreaks.com about compensation or a refund because that’s where we booked. The whole experience felt completely missold. My fiancé had paid £287 for an overnight break for me and a friend, including a 25-minute facial and £25 each towards dinner. The treatments were rushed and disappointing, and my makeup wasn’t properly removed. At 4:30pm, the pool was at capacity, water was all over the floor, and children were splashing and running around. Our robes didn’t fit well either. The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi were full too, and families had taken all the seats and loungers with their towels, so there was nowhere to sit and relax or read. It had been advertised through Spabreaks.com as a modern hotel with a luxury spa. Instead, the place badly needs refurbishment, better care overall, and a booking system for the spa facilities.

We had to ask for the gift set included in our package when leaving, and staff had to phone around to find it. On arrival we were left waiting to check in without anyone nearby acknowledging us. It all felt disorganised. The massage and facial were okay, and the therapist was lovely, but she didn’t know who she was treating or what had been booked. Afternoon tea was passable, though the milk and clotted cream seemed to be going off, and the sandwiches were room temperature, as if they hadn’t been refrigerated. There are only about six loungers and a few chairs, and the plastic loungers are really uncomfortable, so finding a place to sit is difficult. The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are usually full, though they’re nice when you can get in. The pool is pleasant until it’s full of kids. Upstairs, the tranquility lounge was fairly nice but chilly, and a diffuser would have improved the smell. The day was okay, but I wouldn’t pay £109 per person for a spa where you can’t properly sit or use the facilities, with treatments that were just okay and partly spoiled afternoon tea. Like other reviews say, this didn’t feel like a luxury spa.

The rooms were a good size, though they could use some updating. The main reception looked nicely done, but the area we were directed to for the party felt very dated. At the bar there were two staff members, but only one was serving. The other just stood watching us while someone else was being served. A lemonade and a Pepsi cost £8, which is crazy.

Breakfast was good, hot, and had plenty of choice. The rest of the stay was awful. The room decor was dated and basic, with uncomfortable twin beds pushed together. The terrace bar stayed closed all day, and the golf club wouldn’t answer the phone, so I couldn’t book a visit to the range. The spa reception staff were unhelpful and unwelcoming. The facilities looked unsanitary and badly neglected: the pool was small and busy, there were few seats or loungers and nowhere to leave a towel, the steam room was falling apart, and the sauna was small and old. I came for a Valentine’s break with access to the facilities, but my local gym is better equipped. The hotel and spa urgently need renovation. I wouldn’t recommend it. I feel completely ripped off.