We recently stayed at Marwell Hotel for two nights and, unfortunately, it was a mixed experience leaning towards disappointing.
On arrival, we were given our key and sent to a room that clearly hadn’t been cleaned—half-made beds, a pint glass, a pepperami wrapper, no towels, and marks on surfaces. We had to carry all our belongings back to reception, which wasn’t ideal. The manager did resolve the issue and offered a complimentary drink while we waited, and we were moved rooms after about 30 minutes, which we appreciated.
What let the experience down most was the atmosphere among staff. We witnessed multiple arguments involving management, including one near our room with the cleaning team and another with a receptionist. The receptionist remained calm and professional throughout, but the manager’s behaviour came across as rude and uncomfortable to witness.
The second room was acceptable but not without issues—cold on arrival, with no working heating (an oil radiator was provided), and no windows to open, which made the room feel stuffy overnight.
There were some positives: the bar food was lovely, and the staff we encountered there were friendly, although clearly understaffed. Breakfast was okay but limited, and service was slow.
The hotel itself is in a great location for visiting Marwell Zoo and is peaceful, but it is very dated and in need of refurbishment. The website photos don’t reflect the current condition. The pool was also closed during our stay.
