March 2024 by Louise
Room 45 2 nights- Couple (Late Thirties)The building and the grounds are beautiful and we were welcomed by three ponies on our arrival through the gates. We were checked in promptly and given direction to our rooms.The lobby and the dining room looks like it had been furnished by the Range and Dunelm. Cheap looking clock above reception desk. Random photo on canvas of Trinity College, Dublin on the stairs. Parrots on the bar lounge chairs. I was expecting more of a grand country house/ modern interior.The inside of the lift is covered in rust and one of the first impressions when first going up to your room.I expected the rooms to look a bit dated, as I did look at the website but I thought overall, the value was good, though the rooms were not as appealing as its competitors. The bed was a faux leather base which was peeling and was the first thing you notice when you walked in the room. The mattress's zipped together were hard and you could feel a couple of springs. The pillows were too thin and of poor quality.white plastic kettle. The dark brown, reproduction antique furniture was scratched, leather chair in the room was incredibly warn. Peeling wallpaper. No full length mirror. We found the room to be too warm, there was a dusty fan in the room but this was an industrial fan meant to cool a large room in the day. When turned on it was too loud and would have disturbed our neighbours as well adding more disruption to our sleep. We had to sleep with the windows and curtains open.The shower had a small head with appalling pressure and not what you expect in a country spa hotel in 2024. I notice you don't include pictures of your superior room bathrooms while boasting the 'transparency' in your website. All towels were crispy and tired.On both nights we ate in the hotel, the food, drinks and service were impeccable and we had a lovely evening.In the morning, after a great breakfast. I asked reception if you had different pillows or able to put some extras in the room. We were told they would be in our room at some point but they never arrived. I didn't want to look like a pillow diva so I didn't chase it at bedtime. Also, after breakfast I called reception and asked if we could book an afternoon tea, we were told we had to book the day before. It would have been beneficial to us (and your business) to be asked if we wanted this when we checked in. We both wanted treatments that day in the spa but were told that we couldn't have these either. We compromised and said we would have treatments the day we were leaving and were told we would get a call from the spa to arrange but nobody called us. We spent £400 on treatments down the road in a different spa.Your website and YouTube promos shows better beds by the pool and people drinking champagne in the jacuzzi, which you're not allowed to do which is a bit misleading. Ladies changing room had black mould and loo door filthy. Ceiling in pool area brown and mouldy in places, extractors loose and rattling. Small kids using the pool after their time and in the sauna and jacuzzi.The food and kind service prevented our stay from feeling like a complete disaster but our room and not being able to get a treatment or afternoon tea was disappointing.We booked this as a treat for me while I've been recovering from surgery and having an awful year. The tired, 1997 vibes room, the sorry and misleading spa and having to go elsewhere to get what the hotel offers itself, put a damper on our stay.All you're staff are a real asset. Adam, In particular was first class. He really cared and understands hospitality and people, what Adam has you can't teach. Please pass on how impressed we were and thank him for us.If the hotel décor was less confused the rooms and spa were up to standard for the area and price, I would return in a heartbeat.
March 2024 by Robert Kemball
Absolutely rubbish. The tail is trying to wag yhe dog instead of the dog wagging the
March 2024 by Dan Walker
Absolutely fabulous afternoon tea, very friendly staff, in a spectacular location. Kids were very welcome. Couldn't ask for better.
March 2024 by Paul Young
Came for Mother's Day lunch and what an amazing spread of food! Great service and excellent grub, was a really nice and relaxing afternoon.
March 2024 by Jenny Matthews
The food was Good although there were only two small slices of beef with the roast. Desert was excellent.Walkability: The forest is all around
November 2023 by Chris
I booked in here with my partner for a 2 day mid week break.First impressions of the Hotel from the outside are really positive. They have a covered area outside which has a lovely mix of wood and white lights, with heaters, it has a very nice feel to it.On entering the hotel, there is a small reception area and a beautiful staircase. On the occasion we visited, there was a massive, beautiful Christmas tree stetching up the well of the staircase. The atmosphere is cosy, warm and welcoming.The room was outstanding. We had a suite with a lounge area and a four-poster bed. It was immaculately clean, and the bed was genuinely one of the most comfortable I have ever slept in. The bathroom was awesome with a very big, deep bath and a beautiful walk-in shower. There were modern high end tv's in both the bedroom and the lounge area. It could do with a little updating, with respect to the decor or fittings and fixtures (excluding the bathroom) but it does not, in any way, detract from the room itself.We had dinner in the restaurant. I had the panchetta soufle and the filet stake accompanied with a bottle of red. It was one of the best meals I've had. The soufle was stunning and the steak cooked to perfection.The pool and gym area are well kept and tidy, there are a few things like wiping the pvc windows or repairing some of the tiling, which would only add to the ambience.The thing that set all of this apart from other 4 star, 2 rosette hotels, is the service. All of the staff, and I genuinely mean all of them, have been friendly, kind, courteous and the whole time. Absolutely first class service.I would highly recommend this hotel spa.Safety: All the rooms have key card access, and there's always a member of staff availableFood & drinks: Small but lovely and accommodating bar with a great selection of drinks. The restaurant is first class.Noteworthy details: The service is second to none
November 2023 by Mark Jones
A long weekend for us (3 nights) at the Balmer Lawn Hotel. The breakfast was great whether opting for the "full English" or opting for the continental alternative. I had the generous Sunday roast whilst my wife trusted the chef and went with a cod dish that she thought was excellent. The pool can be busy esp if the weather is bad outside so do choose your timings.A final mention for the hard working team (seen and unseen). Thank you.Rooms: All the rooms are different. On a November weekend ours was cosy and warm. Bathroom good whether to use shower or bath.Nearby activities: You can step out of the hotel grounds and easily plot a walk through woods and heathland. You can of course travel further in your car to the wider New Forest.
October 2023 by Kay Stobbart
Just back from two nights at the Balmer Lawn Hotel. It was decorated brilliantly for Halloween ?I had asked for a quiet room which we received. It was very clean and good housekeeping. There wasn't any heating in the room. There appeared to be a boxed in radiator under the window, which wasn't on, and nowhere to adjust it!There was a heated rail in the bathroom, thankfully. The plug in the bath was stuck in the plughole, so we had to use a spoon to release the water after bathing. We did notify reception.The staff were all very nice and the hotel is situated in a lovely location.Although the presentation and evening meals were delicious, there was a long wait. We were told the first evening by the young lady waitress that she would not put our order through as she did not want to overload the kitchen staff. At that point, there were only five tables seated in the main restaurant. On the second evening, we ordered two cold desserts, one being ice cream. We waited thirty minutes and had not received them, so we cancelled our order.Overall, it was a nice stay.
October 2023 by Susan Barnes
The hotel needs some re decoration and upgrading - especially the decor in the rooms, the stained towels and the fact that the bed bases were dirty battered and old and left exposed in our 'upgraded' room. The shower did not work - only provided scalding water which you couldn't touch at all.At dinner, I was told I was given gluten free bread. I was not. I was extremely ill for several days. Staff clearly not trained.
October 2023 by Jan Jasper
I attended a wedding and stayed 2 nights in this amazing location. The rooms are at best tired, some might say old. In need of a refurb urgently. It was the hottest weekend of this year and none of the bedrooms are air conditioned!!! And hardly any function rooms. Not even where they bride dressed!! All had a small fan. Everyone asked for extra fans and they ran out. The hotel appeared full, on the Saturday there was a wedding and another party going on so maybe it was to be expected that despite asking for an iron and board twice, it never appeared. The food however was good. The wedding breakfast good quality and nicely cooked and the breakfast very good. Good recreational facilities if that?s what you are there for but I did find it disconcerting to see scantily clad swimsuit wearing sunbathers blatantly stood watching the private wedding ceremony. All in all, of course I had a fab time at the wedding but, would I return to this hotel in the summer months if there wasn?t a wedding. Not a chance! Portable air con units are inexpensive Balmer Lawn!!!
October 2023 by Veronica Court
Gifted a spa day with 2 treatments, treatments were lovely as we're the lady's providing them. Spa area is a little simple, but nice enough. Due to lovely weather we were able to take advantage of the nice outdoor heated pool too. Jacuzzi was a little overzealous and the water was jumping about in your face, so couldn't fully relax in it. But on the whole a really relaxing and enjoyable experience.
October 2023 by Benjamin Gallimore
A friend and I were camping not to far away and due to walking constraints decided to stop in for some dinner instead of heading into town. The site looks spectacular and although we weren't in our glad rags were taken in and given our choice of table. We sat outside and had steak which was delicious and a few of the house ale, also very good. We were looked after well, attentive but not pushy and a lad called Jordan passed by often to see we were topped up. Will likely visit again with our partners for an evening.
September 2023 by SusanneHoneybunch
First trip away since husband ended up in a wheelchair in January. From reservation to check out the staff couldn?t have been more friendly or helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. They provided us with a room with a walk in shower, a shower seat so he was able to have a shower in confidence. The lift was a bit tight for his wheelchair and the disabled toilet could have been a bit bigger, but apart from that we had no problems. It was our wedding anniversary And even that detail, which was mentioned as a passing comment during booking, was recognised. Our friends bought their dog with them and they were very happy, again the staff made them feel that nothing was too much trouble and their dog was special. Very dog friendly and love the sausage voucher you get for your furry friend. Great idea. Definitely would recommend, great location and access to disabled access route to the forest and it was evident that quality service is an important to them. We will be back.
September 2023 by Culture17949067748
The staff at balmer lawn have been absolutely amazing, while planning our wedding and then on the day! They took the stress out of the day, and made everything run so smoothly. All of the staff were incredible and nothing was too much trouble. The hotel is lovely, clean and well presented, I stayed for 2 nights and had 2 separate rooms, both perfect and clean. The staff helped to move my belongings so I could enjoy my wedding day and have them ready in the bridal suite that night. I cannot fault this hotel, or the weddings they provide. Fabulous customer service, thank you!!
September 2023 by howieR
Lovely Hotel. Lovely area of the New Forest to stay. Our room was lovely and well designed. Food was good and a nice choice on the menu. All Staff were excellent and helpful and very friendly. I got the impression talking to the staff, they enjoyed working at the hotel. Nice atmosphere.
