Balmer Lawn

Booked a three night stay as a Spa Break. Lovely Hotel with pleasant staff but ... Gym has been out of use since begining of January, Unable to use Spa facilities on first day due to high Chlorine levels. Day Two - no showers working in Male changing rooms ... directed by signs to poolside shower ... poolside shower sign stated it was not working either. Very dissapointed as no communication received prior to visit or on arrival of these omissions. Didn't even bother going to Spa on Day Three.

We visited the Balmer Lawn Hotel for the first time ever this NYE - having driven past it many times when we were younger and always wondered what it was like inside. Overall we really could not fault the evening and had a wonderful time. We arrived a little early but were welcomed at reception and given a map so that we could do a quick walk in the forest direct from the hotel whilst our room was being prepared. This is a great bonus - the walk is around 90 mins if you do it all and so beautiful! We were allocated a room with a lovely forest view on the third floor - it was spacious and comfy (the receptionist moved us to this floor at our request there is a lift so only one step to navigate!) We made a cuppa in our room (all provided by the hotel) and then changed into swimsuits and robes to go and enjoy the leisure pool/jacuzzi/sauna. There were a few others in there and I had to pop back to reception to get towels and to the spa to get slippers, - but all staff were very happy to help with this, so no issues. On our way back up to our room later we completed a wine and fizz order on specially prepared leaflets which we posted in a post box. Great idea and so organised! The evening started with champagne and candles at 6.30 - and we met other diners all dressed up in black tie and sparkles etc. There wasn’t enough seating out at this point- but actually this forced us to chat to other people which was really good. There was a great atmosphere. We then had a delicious relaxing meal - lots of courses and very tasty food. Well done to the chefs for getting out so many meals on time and perfectly cooked! By the time we finished eating it was around 9 ish and we then had seats around a dance floor with a DJ playing lots of nostalgic music. There was now lots of seating out, a Photo Booth (brilliant fun with lots of hats glasses feathers etc to parade in whilst the camera counted down and snapped away) and a room with casino games in. We whiled away the time to midnight by dancing / spending our ‘monopoly’ money and taking pics. The time flew by with lots of laughter and fun and fizz. Such a fab night and then bacon rolls were bought out to keep us going till 1 am. The staff were brilliant throughout and really well led by the manager Tom who was very hands on and helpful ( even finding me party poppers when I left mine in the restaurant!) overall a 10 out of 10 - and topped off with a good breakfast in the morning. We will definitely return to this hotel - after March when the manager shared the spa will be renovated and extended with new facilities.

Four of us went for lunch. The food was good with a varied choice for all tastes. Service was good with friendly attentive staff. The only criticism was that they were very mean with the Tonka Bean Cream Anglaise got the dessert (two of us had to share a spoonful - how mean and no offer for more).