Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel, Exclusive Hire

To start with a positive - the hotel and restaurant felt understaffed (due to a wedding), but they were working their behinds off to try and make up for it. The decor across the hotel is very dated, and definitely needs a makeover. The room had no hairdryer, and the soap/shower gel dispensers were all empty. The shower was on par with a water pistol. Other than that, the room was fairly clean. The evening meal was decent, but overpriced for what it was. Too few vegetarian options. Again, understaffed but the staff who were there were working hard. There are no cocktails at this place, contrary to what is advertised on their website. Breakfast was disappointing - there's a menu but it was just a buffet, and the ingredients seemed cheap. Overall - much better value for money elsewhere. Staff need support. Macdonalds need to invest some money into the place, and maybe help their staff out with a few more hands on deck. Would not return. Underwhelming.

Upon arrival, the hotel initially appeared to have a charming, country-style ambiance. However, the service and staff availability were extremely disappointing. I stayed here for eight nights with two colleagues, and we will not be returning. There were no staff available at the check-in desk, and our electronic keys failed nearly every day, requiring frequent re-scanning. The bar was consistently unattended, making it impossible to get a drink. Breakfast service was equally frustrating, as we had to wait long periods each morning to be seated. When our breakfast finally arrived, the sausages were cold. The hotel seemed short-staffed and unable to deliver satisfactory service, despite not being very busy. The food was overpriced and of poor quality. I paid £20 for a cheeseburger that came with a long-life bun, which disintegrated as I tried to eat it. Overall, this was the worst hotel experience I've had in the last five years. I advise against wasting your money here.