Leamarstonhotel Reviews 19

Gym review: very badly managed, embarrassingly so actually, terrible state of the machines, missing parts, and not oiled, reported multiple times by dozens of people. Complete lack of initiative to solve it, could fix all the problems in 1 day if anyone put in any real effort there. Been a member for years and f'ng sick of it, terribly run place.

I loved my stay at lea marston and come here often when I need a mini break. This time when I arrived I was informed that they were overbooked so I had been upgraded to a suite! A very pleasant surprise considering it was a Tuesday night. I enjoyed 2 treatments in the spa and used the other facilities after (relaxation room, pool, steam room & sauna).
The room was beautiful. I had dinner in my room, arranged for me by Steph who went above and beyond to make sure I had a lovely stay.
I was a bit late down to breakfast and was worried about what would be left at the buffet but there was plenty left of everything and it looked like it had not long been replenished.
It all went too quickly but I'll def be back!

The evening didn't start well when we told that they had run out of draught beer. They need to manage the bars more effectively.
Proceeding to the restaurant and was told some of the items were unavailabe. We ordered starters and mains. My nachos starter had a cheese sauce rather than melted cheddar and was partially ice cold. Other starters were passable.
The half chicken main my young grandson and I ordered was undercooked with rivulets of blood. Obviously a serious health hazard. There was no apology only a ridiculous suggestion that the chef had used probes to ensure the chicken was cooked.
Of the 7 family members only 2 ate their meals. The litany of issues with the food could go on but they were too numerous to go into details. Suffice to say we will never return.
The mens toilets were in an unacceptable condition as there was toilet tissue thrown everywhere.
The restaurant could be a smart venue but there will need to be a complete overhaul of the hygiene and food qualty.

Ruined our Christmas.
No Christmas spirit at this ‘elegant’ hotel, no elegance either! You’d barely have known it was Christmas. The manager blamed no staff on the bar being closed or closing early. Christmas dinner at £110 a person was truly awufl! The room was cold, bright and not festive at all. Even the Christmas crackers were appallingly cheap and nasty. My bed was not washed since the last guest. Radiators weren’t working throughout. Tables werent cleaned off.
It was an awful waste of time and money and we really feel we were robbed of our family Christmas!
Awaiting contact from the hotel but being as these same complaints have been going on for a long time it appears they dont care.
DONT BOOK HERE!

I was really looking forward to the festive black and white event at Lea Marston, but unfortunately it fell far short of expectations. On arrival, I noticed a fingernail left on my chair, which was an unpleasant start and suggested the room hadn’t been properly cleaned. The Christmas decorations were extremely underwhelming, the tree looked drab and uninspiring, and the room itself felt very dated with barely any festive touches. It certainly didn’t have the atmosphere you’d expect from a Christmas event.
The DJ didn’t help matters either. He continually sang over the songs as though it was karaoke, which completely ruined the music. The transition between tracks was disjointed and made it hard to enjoy or keep any momentum on the dance floor.
Toilets were blocked and out of action, and those available were clearly in need of an update. For a paid event, this level of maintenance is disappointing.
The night ended on a particularly sour note. The DJ informed us rather abruptly that we needed to leave promptly so they could set up for the following day. When we moved to another room to finish our drinks, he followed us and told us again, quite rudely by gesturing his thumb to the door, that we had to get out. After paying good money, we expected far better service and hospitality.
Overall, the event lacked festive atmosphere, organisation, and basic standards. It was a real letdown and not worth the price.

8 of us attended the ‘black and white festive party’ on Saturday, and it was the most un festive party I have ever been too. Other than some crackers on the tables you’d never of known it was Christmas.
There was no bread rolls with any of the starters, soup/prawn cocktail. The main meals were not very hot, the risotto was undercooked. The desserts were served on hot plates so the ice cream melted. Really disappointing, the music didn't flow from song to song they were just totally random.
One of the table brought a bottle of alcohol free Prosecco which was £28 which I think is terrible. We had all left by 10pm to try and find somewhere more in the Christmas spirit.

Staff is nice, but that's all what's good about this hotel.
Breakfast is disgusting. Old croissants from day before. Scrambled eggs even taste disgusting.

Mold on multiple places in the hotel room. Wood / paint all broken and damaged.
No airconditioning / fresh air in the room. Only possibility is opening a window, but on ground floor level that's not ideal for theft reasons.
No ventilation in bathroom.

Old/damaged carpet on the floor.
Broken heater.

Bar closes at 9, no possibility to order any food after 9pm.

We travelled from Norfolk and had the pleasure of staying at this lovely hotel where the staff were very pleasant and nothing was too much trouble and our room and food was excellent.
Hope to visit them again

This is possibly one of the worst hotel/spa’s I have ever been to. On arrival we were told there were no slippers so I had to walk around bare foot due to only bringing trainers with me. The spa its self was unloved, mould everywhere and just generally worn and dirty looking. The room was dated and filthy, again the bathroom was mouldy, there was tissue down the side of the toilet on arrival. The one window handle didn’t even work and the windows themselves had never seen mr sheen. Vile. The headboard had pen scribbles all over it and the mini fridge didn’t even work. The dreaded evening meal….. I was served a completely raw chicken burger, might I add I am also pregnant so it’s a good job I checked. When I brought this up to the waiter she said it was cooked it was just ‘juicy’, Lies. My mom had a beef burger that was practically sill mooing in the field, we are aware you can eat undercooked beef however she doesn’t like hers like this so just ate around the edges. Both been up all night projectile vomiting from the awfull food. After a rough night we both needed something to line our stomachs, we headed to breakfast in the home for some dry toast. Just outside the breakfast room there was pizza boxes ( obviously from the night before ) with chicken bones that and food all over the floor, the total lack of hygiene in this place is awfull. ( see pictures attached. Overall 0/10 would not return if it was free

Where do I even begin?

Booked via Booking.com, swayed by the glossy, airbrushed photos and the promise of a 4-star escape. I thought, “What could possibly go wrong?” Oh, how naïve I was.
Let’s start with a positive: upon arrival, I was greeted at reception by two absolutely lovely ladies – warm, professional, and genuinely welcoming. I was handed the key to room 47, along with a complimentary drinks voucher. Nice touch – thank you for that.
And then… the dream ended.

The Room – Back to the (Dusty) Future

Opening the door, I was hit by a smell that can only be described as “charity shop meets damp attic.” Musty and stale, it clung to the air like a regretful decision. I optimistically assumed the room hadn’t been used in a while – a generous assumption, as you’ll soon discover.

The windows – caked in grime and boasting a fine crop of mould – were jammed open to let the spiders out and the disappointment in. The decor was a chaotic blend of mismatched furniture, late-80s/early-90s austerity chic, and a strong sense that time had given up here. Crockery was cobbled together from various lost civilisations, and to top it off, used milk cartons were still nestled on the hospitality tray. Cheers for that.

Lighting? Optional. The wall lights were non-functional, leaving me to guess where the cobwebs stopped and the ceiling began. The chair by the dressing table? Sat down and sank so far in I thought I might discover Atlantis.

Bathroom – A Health Hazard with Tiles

I didn't need to use the bathroom straight away, so I only discovered its horrors later. After dinner (more on that debacle below), I staggered back feeling weary and in need of a hot shower.
What greeted me was the pungent aroma of damp, doing battle with what I can only assume was the lingering spirit of previous guests. Tried to call reception – no answer. So I channelled my inner Bear Grylls, whipped out my trusty Lynx Africa and braved it.
Two minutes under the shower (which felt like bathing in someone else's apathy), and I was out. Mould around the bath, paint peeling like a dodgy wallpaper job in a condemned flat, and paper dangling off the vanity area like forgotten tinsel. The towel? Frayed, torn, and had clearly seen more action than the room cleaners.
Photos available upon request – but not for the faint-hearted.

Hathaways Restaurant – Style Over Substance

Visually? Nice enough. Got seated at table 1 – which, I later learned, is also known as Sticky Central. Not sure what adhesive was used, but it was working overtime.
The burger and chips? Passable – we’re talking school canteen levels of satisfaction here. Then came the sticky toffee pudding… served with lukewarm custard and an ice-cold sponge. Not chilled – icy. I sent it back and politely refused to pay for that particular assault on British dessert culture.
On the plus side – and credit where it’s due – the restaurant and bar staff were a delight. Friendly, attentive, and doing their utmost with what they had. Clearly a great team being let down by the environment they're working in.
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Final Thoughts
This hotel may advertise 4 stars, but it's functioning at a strong 2 – and that’s being kind. The staff are doing their best, but management seriously needs to revisit their own website, then spend a night in room 47 with a mildew-scented reality check.
Lea Marston Hotel, you’ve got potential – but until you scrub off the mould, update the rooms, and serve desserts at human temperatures, you’re not fooling anyone.

Date of stay:
July 2025
Room Tip:
Don't book room 47
Trip type:
Travelled on business

What a fantastic experience at Lea Marston! From the moment I arrive, I'm always met with a warm, friendly welcome and a genuine smile. My company hosts events here 3-4 times a year, and I'm committed to returning for as long as they'll have us. I always have full confidence that my teams will be comfortable and well-catered for.

A huge shout-out to Carla Owen, my main point of contact. She's incredibly supportive of our needs, and without fail, she checks in every time I stay to ensure everything is perfect.

I also want to give a special mention to Jack. He's the most welcoming host, always greeting me and my team with a smile, and absolutely nothing is too much trouble for him. He's such a gentleman, and Lea Marston is truly lucky to have him on their team!

Not a great inviting welcome upon reception the staff could do with an injection of smiling and knowing how important that is while being the front of house for guests arriving,the staff should be aware of what their duties are in terms of giving information about meal deals for their stay there seem to be some frostiness between both front of house and bar staff which caught me in the middle of the Crossfire as to who should put the deal through.

after a late arrival after 9:00 p.m. all I was wanting to know was how to get something to eat would have been nice if that was done away from guest,room service wasn't an option i was told and then as had to wait for the sandwich being prepared over 30mins it then was,the cocktail was very tasty however the frustration of the front of house staff with the bar staff of allocating food was unnecessary for me as a first-time guest.
not to mention the rooms are very outdated no real easy information to follow of how to find the room and this came off the back of front of house reception being negligent in being warm and inviting to let me know where my room was the rooms inside dirty stains on the wall very old looking no plugs by the sockets by the bed for chargers, lamps at the bedside not working as you can see from the photos all it would take is some bleach to get rid of the rust in the bathroom; the lady that eventually brought my sandwich to the room was the only person I felt was friendly.

even using the fitness facilities in the morning I was asking the gentleman behind the desk of the facilities and he continued to fixate his eyes on the screen no friendliness, acknowledgment or smile given or even regard for being knowledgeable and inviting about using the facilities looked at the screen most of the time with our conversation overall not a pleasant experience should have stayed at the Moxy hotel further down as I know they are renowned for their service

Place very tired and worn out. Played golf and the greens are the worst I have ever seen. Staff don’t care and to top it off had a coke in the bar and was charged £4.60, absolutely disgusting rip off

Bar was empty at 1.00, not surprised, just looks untidy and dirty.

Rooms very outdated which I can handle but really dirty.
The shower handles are thick with grime, I felt dirty getting out the shower.
No plug sockets next to the bed and no USB sockets in the room. Luckily I had brought my four way block from home.
Breakfast - coffee from their machine is bitter and disgusting plus sausages are cheap and very very salty.
Stayed here for two nights….never again unless they refurbish their rooms, get a decent cleaner and sort the breakfast out.

Stayed for 2 nights and had a really great time. Great food, friendly staff, spacious rooms and great facilities. All staff were very accommodating. Would definitely recommended.

AVOID THIS HOTEL.

If I could score 0 I would.
This is no hotel and spa.
On arrival that I paid in advance for. I had a phone call on the day asking for card details. Strange why, you then kept the details on file without my permission.

Had massages from cassidy who was very rough told her and she continued.
Checkout the young girl clueless.

Raised complaint with Shona and got a message asking to remove the review and this would have a detrimental impact
And offered us a free return.

Obviously I wouldn't return as I can still see a year later nothing improved.

Booked an overnight stay, executive room.
Changing rooms lacked any soap or moisturiser, my locker was opened when I returned, I hadn't taken any valuables fortunately.
Pool was full of kids, no one controlling them, was not the peaceful getaway experience we were hoping for.
Ordered room service after having to request a menu from main desk, it took 50 minutes, then when it arrived was a total disappointment. Greasy,salty wings with batter that fell apart. Tiny portion of Calamari...chunks?! With a hair in the box, and cost £9.5 plus service charge?, Steaks that had no flavour, accompanied by frozen oven chips (one packet of salt for two of us) canned mushrooms cooked in veg oil not butter and a tomato that was not fresh. Desserts (which came with no spoons) were Eton mess that made me laugh out loud, it was a dollop of..mess, just a bunch of cream, with a few tiny sprinkles of meringue and the biggest insult a strawberry puree!?! It even contained a stray blueberry and was obviously from frozen. The treacle sponge was like Tesco basics, all sponge no treacle, just a thin smear on the top, the custard tasted like packet custard, grainy and not very creamy. For the price, I could have bought a week's food, was a total disappointment. Room was large and ok, it had a sky box which for some reason was just shoved down the back of the TV?? In this position the remote didn't connect to it, so I had to retrieve it and balance it on top of the wall mounted TV, they couldn't even be bothered to put it safely on a bracket?! There was a desk but no chair and the coffee pod machine was generously supplied...with two pods, amounting to one cup each. Complementary WiFi did not exist in our room, it was 1 bar at times but kept disconnecting for both of us. It was nice to get away but never again, this place is two star on its best day and not worth the money paid.

Five of us attended Lea Marston for afternoon tea this afternoon. Waited a while for tea and coffee to come to the table, coffee was thick like mud (really stewed) luke warm. The bread on the sandwiches was starting to go stale, hadn’t been covered and stored correctly, some crusts were still on the bread. The cress garnish was limp. Had to search for staff when asking for fresh tea and coffee and extra milk. Not impressed at all for the money.
The bar area on entry to the conservatory has a very fusty smell, all looks dated and needs some tlc. Used the disabled toilet in the ladies, doors are not wide enough on entry for wheelchair users.

This is regarding the spa only. Had 2 vouchers which have an expiry date so don't purchase unless you are 100% sure it will be used. I booked the first very late ( due to health reasons which I explained). I explained I had another voucher which was soon to expire and I was told it would be okay and to use asap. After several days of trying to call the spa I eventually called the main hotel switchboard who were very helpful. I got a call back from the spa to be told I now can't use the voucher. They've taken £95 for nothing. Had they told me this back in August I would have given away to a friend or booked for next day. I've used this spa numerous times over the years as it is local but won't be going back.