St. Mellion Estate

Stepping right from the superior room onto the golf course was a nice touch. The bathroom had a strong shower and a great range of Elemis products. The spa facilities were great too. The room itself was a bit basic, though, and roasting when I arrived, with the radiator showing 29⁰C.

We were in the area for golf and stayed three nights. The best part was easily the staff: everyone was friendly and helpful, and nobody seemed bored or uninterested. Everything was clean and tidy. We got free use of the spa and gym as golfers. The gym was very good, roomy and never too busy, and the pool area had three separate pools plus a steam room and sauna.

The golf was brilliant, and the shop staff and the team who arrange our annual visit were great. We had lovely, quiet, comfortable rooms looking over the 18th fairway. Ordering dinner before heading out to play worked really well, and the food was superb all through the stay, including at the bar. The leisure area feels worn. I know it gets used every day, but the showers have no heat controls, there are drill marks on the lockers, and the place needs a proper clean and makeover. Also, our group gets reward points to spend around the hotel, bar and shop, but the whole business is cashless while the points come as paper Monopoly money. Even with staff helping us get smaller amounts to share, digital guest accounts would surely be easier.

The evening meal was lovely, and our waitress was lovely too. But a large table booking meant we couldn't eat in the restaurant and had to use the bar area. I think larger parties should have a function room, since other guests deserve a proper dining experience too. Breakfast was a struggle. Getting poached eggs on toast felt like a battle with the staff, and when they arrived they were hard. There was no fresh fruit salad, and nobody told us until we asked. There were ants crawling on the table as well. The Jacuzzi was barely warm and the rooms need updating. A very disappointing stay, and in my opinion this hotel doesn't deserve its four-star rating.