Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa

The hotel itself was perfect . Room was brilliant size , breakfast was good .. spa was amazing.. pool was freezing .. and good course / grounds for a walk were absolutely gorgeous. My only issue was 3rd floor seemed to be full of Children and while I don't mind them .. we had one next door that screamed the walls down for hours on end in the night. A baby id understand but he was 11/12 screaming and shouting at his parents who did nothing and at one point seemed to leave the room Not the hotels fault just don't think I'd put a young couple in the middle of a floor full of kids .

Room was clean and great overall, TV could be upgraded to a smart one really.. Breakfast- not the best. Sausages awful. Not a big selection. What annoyed most is that you have to wait 20min for coffee and tea as theres just one jug each? Terrible… get a few jugs and leave for people to get it themselves and not put a pink haired woman to run around with them, go refill for ages and do it all over again. Wheres logic in that? Where is class, where is customer comfort? Spa treatments overpriced £100 for a massage or £79 with a discount for a back stroke. Steam dangerously overheated, Pool freezing, Sauna’s bench broken, no jacuzzi to chill in. Menu on their website hasn’t been updated, so don’t be surprised to be charged more and have subpar food. No more scallops on the menu and replaced with Bass? Really? Probably the best fish to pick with no nutritional value and over price it. Biggest shock Large glass of red wine Malbec £18 significant difference between a glass of rose £9 20th Jan 9am Male Receptionist Rude, learn some manners and customer service. Overall expectation and reality- disappointing. Would not return or recommend sorry.

Nice hotel and comfy bed. Service is good and the rooms are pleasant with Elemis toiletries. The tea and coffee selection is terrible and you have to go to reception for milk.

Nice place, friendly staff. Very expensive wine for a basic hotel. £18 for a large glass and no bottles of red under £40? Didn't really fit the standard of hotel.

Overall the property is really good, staff is really friendly and helpful, the restaurant is really good and the breakfast was very good as well. Maybe they need to change a few things, like for example, our sink was broken, not sure for how long, but you'd like to think that a hotel like that will act quicker to those type of situations. Even with that, as for us it was a minor, we would like to stay again, the pool is really good and is so nice for walking.

Shocking service again at this hotel. Seems to survive putely from the Golf Tripd and Blue Rinse bus tours. Use for work over the years and always let you down no matter which manager you complain to. A shame as the staff do try, but it is terrible. Sat for a half hour at breakfast and nobody even came to take my drinks order. Wont be using ever again. Far better hotels locally.

Our stay was very brief but I feel I have to make a comment on the cleanliness of our room. The carpet required cleaning and hoovering at the very least. Previous occupants towel was hanging behind the door. On the plus side - the bed was very comfortable.

Very cleans and good value accommodation. Excellent room service and great bar server ( young man). Menu was very limited and not great value. Pool was a plus.

Stay was good, staff very pleasant and helpful. Restaurant very cold and food only average, much more cosy to eat in the bar.

No phone to call reception Room smelt badly of damp Skirting boards filthy in corners Carpet wet bathroom wall side think shower leaks No fridge Kettle broke No robes Sink cracked Room dated and old Curtains smelt very bad There was a draft from the windows Breakfast vastly overpriced and hot buffet was sparce and cold had to ask for eggs Continental buffet basic Overall badly maintained rooms wouldnt stay again

I stayed at the MacDonald Portal overnight to attend Oulton Park raceway the following day. There’s ample, secure parking (inc EV chargers) the hotel is nicely appointed, the rooms are spacious and very comfortable. The beds are superb. All the staff we’re more than helpful and the restaurant food was delicious. I will definitely start again in the future and can’t recommend it enough. (Must remember to bring swimming trunks next time too!)

Nice place for a city escape

Reasonable

What was Great: 1. It's a lovely countryside location. 2. Ample parking 3. From check-in to check-out, the staff were wonderful (special mention to Joe). 4. Nicely presented interior spaces 5. The room was well furnished, decorated, stocked and clean. 6. Pool, Steam rooms and saunas were excellent and the gym was well-equipped. 7. Golf courses were excellent Needs work: 1. Restaurant's evening meal was average for the price 2. Breakfast was decent for £18 but to charge a surplus £5 if you wanted avocado or eggs bene instead of a full English was wrong and unnecessarily disappointing. 3. Pool area was missing a Jacuzzi, which is usual and they had the room.

Stay was lovely and facilities, staff very good. We had room service try w first night due to late arrival and was good. 2nd night we went to eat in the car/restaurant but the options for children were nil, I would have expected some children friendly options even if just a reduced size/cost adult meal. The food on the 2nd night was poor, cold, under cooked and not appetising. The soup I ordered was totally different when it came and was cold. Otherwise a lovely stay. Good rooms l and the pool area was lovely.

Stylish property, fabulous view

Great staff Lovely bed and pillows Painting was happening in the hallway so a bit off putting for a romantic get away. Breakfast staff excellent but food dry and cold. Location fabulous

Really enjoyed our stay. Will be back.

Chester weekend break lovely hotel would stay their again.

Overall was good, but really let down by the restaurant. Evening meal portions were tiny and expensive Lack of staff on bars and serving food. Pre ordered starter didn't arrive until the main course, despite chasing two people. Nice hotel but let down by the restaurant.