Bowood Hotel, Spa, and Golf Resort

I have written reviews about Bowood previously. We love to get away here and our recent stay was just as good as previous stays. Great customer service, friendly staff, comfortable room overlooking beautiful views and just a general relaxed atmosphere throughout. We took advantage of the spa - spent a day either in the pool or in the relaxation room as well as using the steam room and sauna. Each day at Bowood we walked the grounds - wellies are available and we spent some time at the driving range. Disappointed to leave we are already planning when we can return. Breakfast was included in our stay - and we had dinner in the restaurant one evening then walked down to the Lansdowne Arms for dinner as well. We also ordered room service which was delivered swiftly and food was freshly cooked.

As a family, we have visited Bowood Hotel 6 times previously and loved the hotel, restaurant, golf and spa. It is very sad to see that post COVID, the standards have declined across the board. The restaurant service is very slow with orders lost and a general lack of control by the staff. Our last breakfast took so long our waitress had to organise a checkout extension as we would not be able to get back to the room in time to pack to leave. The spa area and changing rooms are showing serious signs of lack of maintenance. Examples are huge areas of peeling paint on walls, dirty floors, showers out of action with huge holes in the wall and algae around the swimming pool windows. The rooms and communal areas are also showing signs of wear with carpet stains and damaged furniture. The above and other areas were brought to the attention of the front desk staff on checkout. The attitude was ‘sorry you feel that way but nothing we can / want to do’. Dissatisfied with this response, we sent an email to Bowood with no follow-up received. The cost of Bowood is in the premium category for sure. We hate to complain as we are here to relax and enjoy ourselves but when service and standards fall so far below what you would expect for a premium product, you feel rather let down and forced to raise it. If Bowood had responded to our email in a positive way, I doubt I would be writing this review, but they didn’t, so I am. All in all it’s sad to see the decline, I hope Bowood management take note a fix the issues as there are many other reviews on Trip Adviser saying the same things.

I am writing this review as I sit watching the deer from the restaurant as they meander over the grounds. I have had two nights here whilst on business in the south and I cannot recommend Bowood highly enough. I cannot fault any aspect of my stay. From the warm welcome from the porter who opened the door on my arrival and the greeting from the reception staff who whisked away my luggage and coat as I was dashing straight into a meeting in their library. I had a light lunch with my colleague in the bar and my pate was delicious - just the perfect portion. On being handed my room key by reception I was informed that my luggage was already waiting for me in my room. My bedroom and bathroom were spacious and immaculately clean. The homemade biscuits in the room were a welcome treat and I always love to have the home comforts of a Nespresso machine in my room. Spoilt for choice in the bathroom with a bath and a large shower. I had dinner in the restaurant one night and room service dinner the 2nd evening and both were faultless. Great choice at breakfast and the service was warm, friendly and attentive. I have found my ideal hotel for when attending meetings in the south with Bowood’s proximity to the M4. I didn’t get to use the spa myself but got chatting to a couple who are spa members and they were very proud of their membership and waxed lyrical about the facilities and the exceptional views from both the gym and the pool. I cannot wait to return.