I stayed for a 1night break with my Mum, spending a rare bit of quality time together. This hotel is absolutely fine for this kind of break, its close to Chester and there are lots of good pubs/restaurants in the vicinity.

I was really impressed by the pool area. I used it first thing on Sunday morning and had a lovely swim whilst watching the sun come up. There are also 2 saunas, 2 steam rooms, 2 experience showers and an ice room - all included for use!

Considering I'd only paid £68 on last minute.com for bed and breakfast, I was really impressed with the spa facilities that were available for use by residents.

Breakfast was fine, we went at a very busy time however it was still ok.

We didn't eat their in the evening (partly because of reviews on here) so we went to the Fox and Barrell about 3 miles away and had a great meal there.

The only negative was that the receptionist nearly checked me in as someone else (despite having given my name) and just seemed a bit lacking in experience/knowledge in the job.

Luckily we didn't experience anything like the previous reviewers (the fighting golf groups!), in fact I had a pretty good nights sleep despite there being a large event on that evening in the hotel.

All in all a good hotel which I would return to.

The beginning......
Where do i start? A family trip for one night at the lovelly Portal Hotel Golf & Spa resort. Set in scenic grounds, driving through the golf course into the hotel grounds,first impressions are good. Check in took 40mins to check in 3 pre booked rooms. I was then allocated a room, off i went, only to find the room being cleaned and upside down. Was then told it would be another 45mins before the room was ready, after waiting 40mins to check in prior. An absolute joke. Customer service level was non existant from cocky and miserable staff. Off to the spa.....Spa area was very nice and relaxing, two different steam rooms, two different sauna's and an ice room, large pool and experience shower, was a nice relaxed afternoon.

The Middle........
Come evening the whole family met in the large comfy lobby area at the bar. An evening meal was booked for 8.15pm and was seated straight away only to be left then for 15mins before the drinks order was taken, which we then had to remind them we had drinks coming and where were they. Another 10mins went by then our food order was taken. We then had to ask for bread as non was given before the meal, which we was then charged for. Are they serious. Starters took almost half hour, the main meal took 40mins after starters were cleared, had to ask for salt and pepper, we was told a food item was not availble, which was then available later on. how???? A side order of mixed seasonal veg was asked to go with the main meal, and was then given a bowl of mange tout. Mixed veg...i think not. Good job i like mange tout. The dessert took another 30mins to come after mains were cleared and we was merely left alone in a corner and forgot about. Although the food was very nice it was very sparce. Make sure you are not too hungry if you dine in the restaraunt and don't expect smiles and pleasantness from the waitors and waitresses. You will be asking for too much. The 3 course meal took 3hrs. A laughable unbelievable night. Off we got to bed.

The End........
Just past midnight we were awoken with screams and banging, looked outside to find a half dressed man, blood all over him running across the carpark into the surrounding woodland. Oh my god.....then came running through the corridors banging on doors screaming, it was like a scene from Nightmare on Elm Street, only without Freddy Kruger but with someone else. Then we realised they were in the room directly above us, a group of lads, obviuosly on a golf trip, were beating one of their mates. How friendly. Police were called, which took 30mins for them to arrive, they were not informed of the severity of the attacks going on in the hotel. Then all went quiet around 4am, finally some sleep, then....a dog starts barking, oh please, what now? Obviuosly a police dog, so drugs were involved, would this dog shut up barking, no. It had found something. Why of all nights, i was the only one from our party who had to go to work the next day. So far no sleep. I was getting up in 2hrs, ha, what a joke. Then finally, finally, all went quiet, all 15 of the lads were arrested and taken away, I'd hate to see the damage done to that room. There was blood all over the doors, along the walls down the corridor, it really was a case of CSI. So, i think, an hours sleep before i get up to go to work, then i hear snoring...you have got to be kidding me, the walls are that thin i could hear the next room snore. A sleepless night, poor customer service......NEVER AGAIN.

That experience may be a one night only thing, but that blood filled night was enough for me to say i will not stay in that hotel again, not only for the attacks of the night, but also by the way the staff presented themselves and treated guests with no curtesy!!!!!!!!

................The End.

Firstly the good:-
A modern hotel set amongst lovely countryside & golf courses. Rooms are spacious, well appointed and clean. The pool & spa are excellent. Food quality is good, albeit there are many poor customer service related problems.

Now the bad:-
We were met by poorly trained front desk staff who allocated some of our party to rooms that were still being serviced. Staff seemed unable to properly operate the computer checking in system, (muttering under their breath as they checked us in) which delayed check in. It was the worst check in experience I have ever encountered. Equally on check out, resolving the bill became a ‘three act play’ involving a supervisor being called and them not being able to provide a credit card receipt for payment - which was supposed to be posted to us, but never was!!

The generally poor service continued in the restaurant, at dinner where we waited over half an hour for each course; had to ask for salt & pepper and bread, and having placed our orders were told that some dishes (fish & chips!) were not available, only to find they actually were! We booked our meal for 8-15PM and left the restaurant at 10-45 PM, in frustration, having waited over half an hour for the bill. Staff lacked training and customer care. Food was tasty, but portions were small, and even cheese and biscuits were served (without biscuits!!) – until we pointed out the oversight. Service at breakfast was even worse, with basic food items lacking and buffet items not replenished and tables left un-cleared.

Finally the ‘Ugly’. The hotel attracts groups of mainly male golfers, (see other recent review with disparaging comments about 'women golfers'!!). These rowdy male groups seem to think that it is fine to use swear words in the restaurant and staff did not intervene. One of the groups of golfers was clearly inebriated and very rowdy at bed time. This deteriorated into a terrifying situation. A shirtless, blood stained drunken man was in a fight and was running along the third floor hotel corridor causing damage and shouting threats of violence and abuse. Police were called by residents and hotel staff. Following a police dog being sent into the room, to allow the man to be restrained, the man was arrested by police.

The Manager was as shocked as guests were and our accomodation costs were refunded, but only after we complained. I would add that Macdonald Hotels Customer Services have not responded to our complaints.

I stayed here with 7 friends for a golf weekend. when I arrived and saw the outside of the hotel (not stunning architecture) and a coach party of women golfers arrive ahead of me my heart sank. However, inside the hotel is very contemporary decor and the rooms very clean. The service over the weekend was fantastic - the staff all seemed to really care about the service they provided and went the extra mile - special thanks to Matt the barman for helping us out with tips for a night-out in Chester and staying late at the bar to keep us going when we got back!. Despite the fact that meal-times involved various large parties eating at once, the food was excellent. We were there for a golf weekend and the 2 golf courses are excellent. Overall, a great weekend and I can't really find fault in anything. Thoroughly recommended.