Merchants Manor Spa

This hotel has ample parking, is an historic house with bags of character and the staff are warm, welcoming and friendly from the managers to the housekeeping staff. We've stayed about 4 times over recent years and slept in different rooms. On one occasion we had a problem with noisy neighbours. The manager was very sympathetic and sorted out the situation for us. All the beds are very comfortable and the bedding is high quality. The place is stylishly decorated and has the bonus of a modest pool and gym. We haven't used the gym but we always swim and use the sauna. They're not the biggest but also not the smallest we've experienced. It's never been too busy. We've enjoyed cheap cocktails with friends in the pleasant bar and sitting areas at happy hour. We haven't used the restaurant as we don’t generally do breakfast and normally meet family out in the evening, so can't comment. Overall I would definitely recommend and hope to return again.

The accommodation was much better than we could have hoped for. The staff were excellent and couldn't have done any more to make our stay memorable. Breakfast was amazing, and there was plenty to eat, which set us up well for the rest of the day. Thanks to all at Merchant's Manor.

Great location to the beach and town,if you can ignore the hill walk.. Lovely room,spacious and plenty of storage for clothes, excellent bathroom ,good shower and nice toiletries, disappointed there was no A/C, which we needed ,plus very poor reception on the TV,a nice touch would have been a small fridge in the room,lovely balcony and breakfast was hit and miss,one day very poor,plus poor service the next day was spot on,nice swimming pool to use and lovely garden to relax in

We noted the 3-4-2 offer on the Hotel Website but could not find it available for our chosen dates in the Hotel Booking engine. We contacted the Hotel as there were no date restrictions on the offer as published on the website (where other offers on the website e.g. Stay VAT Free stipulated restrictions). We were taken aback by the replies we received from the Hotel which for us seemed hugely defensive, accusatory and immediately became very entrenched. We were concerned that this was representative of the service we might receive if there were problems during any stay and immediately cancelled our reservation. My original Tripadvisor review was not well received by the Hotel and another defensive reply was posted. Since this, the Hotel Management and I have exchanged a more empathetic email in which the Hotel apologised for suggesting I had demanded anything. Sadly the Hotel Owner then reposted their original and untrue response to my updated Tripadvisor review, suggesting that I demanded a discount, which I did not, also posting my previous volunteer job role. The business also claimed that the terms of their offer were clear which they were not - please see the full website description of the offer (attached as a photo) which has NO date restrictions on it and then simply clicks through to the Booking Process. The business has been so defensive and effectively rude that I would never stay here. I tried to find dates for several of their offers Stay VAT Free etc using off peak dates in October, November, January......on none fo the dates I selected could I find an Offer that was valid. Hopefully the Hotel will read this and simply add three words to their 3-4-2 Website Offer i.e. "Date Restrictions Apply" - and all they had to say was thank you for pointing out the mistake.

Stayed 2 nights midweek as part of a tour. A 15-20 min walk to town centre and waterfront. A modernised 1830s manor which has retained its 18thC elegance. Rooms spacious, clean, quiet, comfy and well equipped - but no lifts to rooms. Staff polite and helpful. Food in restaurant good, but breakfast service cripplingly SLOOOW - 20 mins for a cup of tea, 40+ mins for egg on toast - totally unacceptable.

We noted the 3-4-2 offer on the Hotel Website but could not find it available for our chosen dates in the Hotel Booking engine. We contacted the Hotel as there was no date restrictions on the offer as published on the website (where other offers on the website stipulated restrictions). We were taken aback by the replies we received from the Hotel which for us seemed hugely defensive, accusatory and immediately became very entrenched. We were concerned that this was representative of the service we might receive if there were problems during any stay and immediately cancelled our reservation. My original Tripadvisor review was not well received by the Hotel and another defensive reply was posted. Since this, the Hotel Management and I have exchanged much more empathetic emails which were much appreciated.