Review of Best Western Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa 4*

It makes for an impressive sight when you roll up in the car park. Flags flying, huge columns and tall windows befitting the stately home it once was, architecturally beautiful and surly bound to please the senses. At a distance thats what it displays, opulence. Walking into the reception it's clear that the building is in retirement, I want to regret typing that. I want to convince myself that it is just my tastes or lack of, or that things get better in the next room. This is just the reception after all but first impressions count! The old furniture, carpets and drab décor just feels more nursing home than stately, there is a way to do 'old' without being so. We had an afternoon tea lined up in the conservatory arguably one of the best assets in the hotel a large, light, airy room capable of being impressive but again sadly let down with the décor. There's hints at former glory everywhere with 2 huge busts on plinths in here. The service was excellent, the staff here are very good as was the afternoon tea with plenty of choice with to much, even gorge on… just what the doctor ordered. Collected the room keys and on upstairs to room 7 in the 'West Wing' no less. No this isn't just my lack of taste, things here ARE old and in no way befit the hotel. These aren't pieces of old hand carved furniture its just old dark furniture. Comfortable bed though and LCD TV with Freeview. Mirrors plenty in the bathroom but again in need of refreshing. Quick unpack and to the Spa for some relaxation. Set in a separate building and not left wanting. Modern, fresh, clean and light, its well equipped with a Herbal Steam room, Sauna, Jacuzzi and pool. Plenty of loungers around the pool to spread out on and a water cooler to grab a drink from. There's 3 treatment rooms, one which was occupied by my wife for a Back, Neck and Shoulder massage. No complaints here. On to evening in the dining hall, little cramped in here not overbearingly but a little. Plenty to choose from on the menu and as usual service was excellent the staff seem to be aware of the historical surroundings and act accordingly which does add something to the hotel, if only the surroundings were worthy of them as again another room that's drab, with heavy drapes and patterns. Leek and potato soup, Gammon steak followed by chocolate brownie was the order and all perfectly delicious. We could just about manage the walk to the bar without bursting any buttons for a couple of drinks before bed. Nice little space in the bar with plenty of choices for spirit drinkers only 4 taps though, one being Becks. It can't hold many but then there are plenty of mismatched sofas in the lounge next door to choose from. Off to bed and the Wi-Fi problem, there's little reception here on EE so your pretty reliant on the hotels connection that is free but with such a old building with those thick walls and floors a few more Wi-Fi repeaters would help. We found that putting your phone on the floor helps? We were above the reception so perhaps the signal was just penetrating enough when your phone was low down. Breakfast was served in the Dining room and was decent enough with lots of choices for fruit and pastry. The cooked breakfast was standard stuff for a hotel, no beans though. Beans with a cooked breakfast is a must for me, I find it too dry otherwise. Overall we had a good time and could continue the experience even after check out with free continued use of the Spa until you actually leave is a nice touch but the hotel is feeling sorry for itself, it's got everything a hotel needs apart from an interior designer. It could look magnificent with all the grandeur and architecture shining through. A cosy feel is for one room not all of them, it's a stately home and I was expecting a large experience of leather, suede, polished wood and marble with warming rooms and big fireplaces. Best Western need to invest a little more and bring the hotel up to the standards the staff deserve. It's a gem that needs some polish!