Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club

Hotel ok - golf a complete disaster Hotel and food were average, hotel staff very helpful and professional. As others have suggested hotel is in need of refurbishment. I was with a group of 28 women golfers- the golf was a disaster. Our tee times on the Arden were a Sunday 12.51- 13.45 which were the only ones on offer and we were assured we would have time to finish our competition. Sadly the large group of boisterous men ahead of us, who had been drinking and also could not play golf, had different ideas. All of our groups had rounds of at least 5 hours 40 mins, some longer and finished in either dusk or darkness - we waited on every single shot - by the par 3 5th hole 4 groups of women were already waiting. To add insult to injury the men ahead removed our NTP and LD markers and ruined our competition- some thought deliberately. To say the least we had a ruined day of golf followed by a rush to get to the evening meal which was a carvery buffet with more waiting amongst the rude men who seemed to have delighted in holding us up. After complaining we were offered complimentary golf as compensation for only 12 golfers - even though we all had a terrible experience. As a group of women golfers we did not feel that they took us seriously even though we were actually competent golfers. It would seem that large groups of blokes drinking copious amounts of alcohol (spending a great deal of money and boosting the hotels coffers) and then misbehaving on the course are the desired clients. Not happy and not returning.

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club does not disappoint We chose Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club for a short hotel, golf and spa stay with two other couples, and it did not disappoint! In fact, from reception to restaurant, bedrooms and public spaces, we found that hotel, golf and spa facilities were all well maintained and efficiently run. Staff everywhere were polite and helpful, with a special mention for Abhay on reception, who coped with our questions very professionally! The dinner choices, whether from the set menu or a la carte, and the hot/cold buffet breakfast were excellent - with some interesting and tasty dishes. Our group made full use of the spa and pool/steam room/sauna, and booked treatments which were very good. The golf courses (with wild deer) are busy but not too slow. To summarise, Forest of Arden was a very good choice and we would definitely stay here again.

Weekend Break Spent the weekend with my friends. Everything was really fun. The staff at the restaurant were really welcoming, especially Hrushikesh.

Disappointing. Needs investment & refurbishment. This is definitely not a 4* hotel ! On arrival we were checked in by lovely staff then it went downhill rapidly. Our room was very disappointing, shabby, ripped pillowcase with a laundry sticker stuck on it, bed frame looked ready for the skip. Lampshade broken, telephone didn't work, stained carpet, curtains & walls, kettle didn't work - we were moved to a different room which tbh wasn't much better but we were tired and just wanted to enjoy our weekend. This hotel clearly caters to Golfers which was evident from the rowdy noisy behaviour quite late at night - not ideal for a relaxing, romantic weekend. The dining room was scruffy, badly marked tables and upholstered chairs were unsightly. Cobwebs were evident in the bottom corners of the windows and door that we were sat by. Food was plentiful but no vegetarian sausages on offer - we had to request them?! This hotel is in dire need of some investment and a refurbishment of its rooms? The Staff are a credit to this establishment. We would not return to this hotel.

Clean, functional, calm, but tired with very expensive food and drinks We last stayed here about 25 years ago. It seemed clean and shiny then. 25 years later it's definitely tired and in need of a refurbishment and investment to bring it back to what it was. While slightly tired the room was clean and comfortable. The bed was very comfortable and they have invested in decent TVs and WiFi. The windows only open a crack so I imagine in the summer it would be uncomfortably hot. There was a long queue to check in. Perhaps because all 3 of the groups checking in were having issues. 1 group had clearly booked 3 rooms and had proof, yet there were only 2 available. Another group of friends were being over charged for their rooms they'd paid in full for and only when one of the group were insistent that THEY personsally paid in full for and made them check did the staff realise they had, and then needed to refund the other members of the group for their error. All of which took time. We checked in without issue. The pool and leisure area was pleasant enough but again tired. Dinner was a joke.... We ended up not being charged anything for our meal after complaining to head of front of house who upped it to the hotel managers. Essentially we were in the restaurant for nearly 2.5 hours.... Not long enough to be served a main course and get a desert menu. This issue was clearly down to (lack of) staff, all of whom were run off their feet. Our main (and only) course took 70 minutes to arrive, after chasing it after 1 hour. Still they took on board our feedback and didn't charge us which I feel is fair. Breakfast was positively excellent. Really very nice Indeed. So yes we had a few issues but ultimately this was ideally located close to the NEC which we were visiting, and I would definitely stay again. With some extra investment in both building and staff this place could be significantly better. A good value stay, and I would return (just not in the middle of summer when I expect bedrooms to be boiling)