Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

The spa was spacious compared with other hotel spas I’ve been to, and everything was in good order. My husband had a full body massage and I had a facial, and we both came away feeling really relaxed. Everyone we dealt with was welcoming and friendly. Amber at spa reception was especially accommodating and professional, and made us feel at ease the whole time. I also overheard a customer speaking unkindly to her, and she handled it so professionally. She’s a real credit to the team. We booked a spa day at Ufford Park with sparkling afternoon tea included. My husband said it was the best afternoon tea he’d ever had, and I really appreciated that they catered for me as a vegetarian. Thanks for a lovely day. We’d definitely book again :)

Breakfast was a letdown. When we arrived at 9am, the tables were covered in dirty plates, and the one we found had a mug and cutlery for just one person. When we asked for another set, staff said it was all being washed. Both the orange and apple juice dispensers were empty. The breakfast was reasonable in the end, but the young staff seemed unsure what they were doing. Since breakfast is booked ahead and served from 7.30 to 10.30am, they should know how many people to expect and provide consistent service. The previous evening, we’d booked a room so my husband and I could attend my work’s Christmas dinner dance. The room was distinctly average for the price, with a small tear in the duvet cover, chipped paint and a tired look. The meal was OK, though not very hot, and bringing out just two plates at a time took the waiters ages. A trolley would surely have worked better for a table of 16. The room was packed with tables right up to the bar and dance floor, leaving hardly any space to dance once the band started. One of the two ladies’ toilets blocked within the first hour or so. We also used the pool and hot tub, but there were used towels and flip flops around the pool and in the changing rooms. At checkout, the receptionist took our door card without asking if everything had been satisfactory. By then we were in a mood, probably for the best. All in all, it was disappointing and not worth the 4* price we paid.

The place has gone downhill so much, it’s sad to see. I used to really like the spa, but I won’t go back unless they sort it out. So much is broken: none of the hydrospa jets work, most of the room is closed off, the toilets are broken, and the changing rooms are dirty. The water had run out and nobody refilled it. Staff forgot to turn on the lights, so it got dark. Customer service was an experience too. Staff seemed more interested in talking to each other than checking on guests, and I had to point out a few things we needed help with. There was no common sense, and I nearly walked out. Maybe it comes down to a lack of training or experience. There was no one looking after the place.

The third-party booking issue left us arriving at Ufford Park with no rooms, golf or dinner booked, which was incredibly stressful. The staff turned the weekend around with outstanding service and genuinely went above and beyond. The golf team tried their best to fit us in at short notice. We missed the last few holes because of daylight, but that was completely out of their hands. The receptionist, whose name I sadly didn’t catch, also found rooms for us and upgraded them, even though the booking problem wasn’t their fault. Emily, who I believe is the bar and restaurant manager, was calm, understanding and proactive throughout. She even arranged complimentary drinks for us, which we really appreciated and which helped lift the mood. Our waitress, a young lady with brown hair and braces, was brilliant with our table of eight loud, drinking blokes, handling us with patience, humour and professionalism. I hope management recognise and reward those staff members. They’re a credit to the hotel, and we’d happily return and recommend Ufford Park based on the service alone.