Waterton Park Hotel & Spa — Hotel in Wakefield

I booked this weekend for my 21st Wedding anniversary and packed pretty dresses and make up for a fab time with beautiful rooms and fine dining. We booked the executive stay, breakfast, dinners and the prosecco afternoon tea. The spa was a big positive. This is an important weekend so we upgraded a lot. More money spent means more care doesn't it?

Arrived and decided not to drag the bags to reception as across a narrow bridge and no guarantee of being in that building. Checked in and found out we were on the mainland. Check in wasn't very much interested in telling us what was going on. Not a deal breaker. Went in past a pretty basic bar area and basic breakfast cafe. Couldn't see the restaurant for fine dining. Followed numbers (78) to find out our room was in a far wing, up two flights of stairs with no lift and in a loft.

I nearly burst into tears in going in the room. It was decorated like an old lady's BnB. There was some tragic animal thing on the bed. I think it was nature related but it was actually just awful. Spider webs on the walls and ceiling. It was a big room but one tiny window makes it really dark. Bedside lights were mismatched in bulbs and wobbly. I genuinely wanted to ask for another room or leave on the spot but was told I shouldn't.

In the sitting room area there was a 1980s video cabinet and fairly large TV. A 1990s single person sofa and mismatched uncomfortable chair. Not great for romantic evenings watching TV! There was a comfy bed and horrid padded tables. Wardrobe was mirrored so it was uncomfortable seeing myself reflected from the bed. Horrible post thought design.

Bathroom was large with no windows. Bath didn't fill easily or drain without assistance. Shower unit was old and stained. No shelf space and lights were too bad to be able to do make up for my big night out.

Got dressed up and semi make up. Turns out there is no romantic fine dining and the breakfast cafe it is. Food was good. Staff were generally faffing adding and taking away from tables and ignored eye contact for the bill. As the staff are based at the bar then no one looks to see if you need help (Friday night). Seemed that the minions aren't allowed to get further assistance or just oblivious.

Breakfast the next day was mediocre. There was a wedding which may be why we were given the worst room on the site despite upgrade.

Afternoon tea was amazing. Staff were amazing. Overheard a guy complaining that there used to be food overlooking the lake and this cafe only overlooks sad planters and a car park. True. I haven't actually seen anything pretty much as I can't look out my window and 3 meals are stuck in a cafe with no view.

Went to the spa. Overheard conversation is that there has been no improvement here in 10 to 20 years. Was actually more of a leisure centre overlooking a lake and swans.

The evening meal was very good with good service but I had completely given up on the idea of dressing up or make up for an Anniversary experience. This was everything I didn't want for this weekend. It was relaxing for a generic get away but this was a big life celebration.

This place claims to be a romantic spa but is actually a leisure centre and a cafe with some rooms. I feel conned for all the website 4 star and spa stuff. This is not a 4 star location and wish I had booked elsewhere. The main plus point of the lake is completely unavailable to people in the main house and not part of a more important wedding. This should be made clear.

The lack of photos on the website shows how shy they are. It has the bones to be a good venue but the staff do know it isn't right now so don't ask you how happy you are. Criticism seems to be a well trodden path of responses

I tried to complain on leaving but it wasn't allowed for and I was dismissed. Too many...

Punching above its weight for a 4 star hotel!

Arrived for a 1 night stay in the newer part of the hotel. The entrance was hard to find as we thought it was the entrance to the cafe.

The entrance is through the middle of the bar, the first thing that i noticed is how dirty the entrance carpet was and a filthy mirror on the wall.

The receptionist was welcoming and friendly and checked us in. On entering our room the first thing you notice is the nice 4 poster bed. On closer inspection of the room we noticed that it looked like only the bed had been made. There was a build up of thick dust all around the edges of the carpet, the table that housed the kettle and cups was full of crumbs, with it also not being restocked. The bath had a massive brown stain in it, which later turned out to be cracks in the bath that were releasing water back into the bath once it was emptied. There was stains down one of the walls and onto the skirting board.

We complained to the front desk and went for a walk. We returned a few hours later and all had been sorted apart from restocking the Biscuits and hot chocolate.

I had a shower before Dinner and found the shower was a dribble, with more water running back down the pipe than out of the head, the shower had bits missing to it and made it look dirty and broken. The supplied shower gel was a container that should be hung on a wall but was just left on the side.

We attended the 'Restaurant' for dinner, we had a deal for our room and 2 Courses. We were sat down and our order was taken. I couldn't help but notice how dirty the floor was with food and crumbs. The signs on the windows was off putting as it was a 'Cafe' and didn't feel like a restaurant setting.

The service was ok but lacked cohesion between the servers with us being asked the same thing all the time. We were charged for items that were meant to be included in out deal, this was soon sorted and removed form the bill.

Bed was comfy and good night sleep was had.

Our included breakfast was a complete letdown with no restocking of items being carried out, everyone was asking for items that should have either been out ready or should have been brought out with the drinks or food such as spoons, milk and bread for toast. Again the floor was filthy. The Full English breakfast was ok, but the scrambled eggs were very watery and soaked into the hash brown and the bacon was very dry. We had to ask for milk as it wasn't brought out with our breakfast tea. The servers again looked lost and didnt know what they were doing, they just seemed like they were wondering around until they were asked for the items that should have been on the tables already.

I am very disappointed we paid £250 for this experience. Ive stayed in much cheaper places with far better service and cleanliness, it just didn't feel of act like a 4 star hotel.

I will not...

We booked a girlie spa night away which included the hide away room which sleeps 7, bottle of Prosecco in room, afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco and hot drinks like latte and hot chocolate tea and coffee, £30 dinner allowance, 3hrs in spa facilities and a 25min treatment and breakfast in morning. So we arrived on time for our afternoon tea,took ages for them to bring it out and we were booked in spa for 1 so we then had to go tell receptionist to ring over to let them know it won’t be 1 as they messed up and did aft tea for 2 and not 4. When we arrived we went to reception the woman had such an awful attitude saying we couldn’t check in until 3. We wasn’t told where anything was and she certainly wasn’t going to tell anyone . No customer service skills what so ever, no smile, no greeting. She is the first face you see and it wasn’t a happy one. Afternoon tea was ok couple of triangle sandwiches each and half a wrap a peace of quiche a scone each and couple of small cakes each. They were busy and not enough staff at all. Tables were dirty from people before and for some time. Went over to spa the staff seemed nice was shown a lot and got things explained. Jacuzzi was nice and sauna and steam room we also went in pool it was a nice size and lovely view of lake with swans in. We went back upstairs to use outdoor hot tubs and there is 5 of them. Lady said she would be back to give us a min to decide what drinks we wanted. She took ages 1 of my friends went looking for her. Drinks were ok nothing special we got ciroc berry fizz. Expensive for what it was cos it wasn’t a big glass. I had a back massage and the girl was lovely we had a nice chat and she was firm just like I wanted. Hide away was nice it’s the old spa and you can tell as you walk in because a lot of stuff in there is not wanted or needed. It needs a good clean under beds and a lot of dust and hair in floor in one of toilets. Needs re painting. Very noisy at 6.30am people laughing and joking and had music on. The food was quite nice for dinner and our £30 allowances covered this but was very busy and again not enough staff. The people behind us also complained. We went to sit in lounge after for a drink and most tables had dirty glasses on them. We did enjoy our stay but I feel overall the lack of staff let this place down. And Employ some good cleaners. But the views and grounds are stunning. And plenty of parking. The reception is rubbish but they have free WiFi. I will return but I’m hoping next time I do you have more staff and more pleasant ones. Can I add when we went back to reception later it was a different lady with blonde hair she was lovely totally different and knew her job and looked and sounded like she knew what she was talking about. She was...