Brook Mollington Banastre Hotel & Spa - Chester, York

We booked this for Valentine’s Day as part of a spa package. Immediately, when we saw the hotel, it looked run down from the front. When we checked into our room, it was filthy. The carpets were threadbare and very stained. The bathroom was also filthy with neither the shower nor the toilet working properly. The spa treatments we were booked into, one couldn’t actually be done as a staff member called in sick and the other staff member said they were not trained to do it. I had a manicure and the actual nail salon space was filthy, the manicure was also awful as the therapist didn’t have any of the actual proper tools. The “spa” facilities were also filthy with the steam room being out of order and all of about 3 deckchairs out. There was also an incident in the night where police had been called due to someone knocking down a tree stump. Staff had also shared negative feedback about the overall quality and safety of the hotel. Overall, we did not feel safe and was disgusted at the price paid for it. We spoke to the manager who although was apologetic, was also very defensive and just kept saying the deal we got was through a third party. He also said they try to check all the towels, but not every one which is concerning. He said the carpets had been cleaned as would the room have been, which was not the case. He offered us a complimentary free stay - we politely declined. I would not recommend staying here.

I went here over 30 years ago with my wife (then my new girlfriend) and wanted a sentimental return. It’s not gated well, I was cold the whole time I was there, I had to leave dinner to get an extra layer in and the spa was woefully under heated to the point I couldn’t face going in the pool. The whole place was just underfunded and shabby. I will however say the staff were fantastic and the evening meal though unexciting was adequate. Prices were crippling and the experience quirky, for instance we left the restaurant although booked on our table, went to our room and had a knock on the door asking us to pay for our meal 😂 weird and not great, give it a miss