Local Reviews
In December 2024, TonyHughes1973 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
First the good bit.
The room was warm and the bed was very comfy.
Aziz and his team at breakfast were attentive and helpful and the breakfast was really tasty with a good selection.
The public areas in the 700 year old manor house look stunning.
Now the negatives.
The primary reason for booking this hotel was that it was advertised as having a charger for electric vehicles - it does, tucked away in a corner of the car park, covered in a plastic sheet and hasn't worked in years. As more and more people drive electric vehicles it would make sense for the hotel to remedy this, especially as some of their less luxurious local competitors are able to provide this facility.
Talking of the car park, you need to register your vehicle at reception to ensure that you don't get threatening letters from a parking company (and reading other reviews even registering is no guarantee)
I'd love to know why they have gone down this route of alienating their customers - it isn't like the hotel is in a busy city centre or close to an attraction like a football stadium where non-residents might take the opportunity to park for free, instead it's half a mile from a motorway, opposite an industrial estate with its own parking areas and otherwise in the middle of nowhere.
Once you look around you can see that the hotel itself has been neglected by the owners since it was taken over by a big chain a few years ago.
The room we stayed in was in the courtyard. The courtyard itself looks very pretty, especially at night when illuminated by fairy lights. Opening the door to the room you noitice that the door was a cheap door probably intended for indoor use, which is probably the reason why it had warped and didn't fit properly. It also offered no soundproofing from external noises. The bathroom door would not latch unless you put your entire body weight against it.
Talking of the bathroom. The lock on the bathroom door had been removed, leaving a hole that allowed you to see the person in the room using the loo. The hot tap in the sink was not fastened down properly, meaning it rotated freely when trying to turn it on. One of the floor tiles was cracked, and when the bathroom was fitted the tilers cracked the glaze on a number of tiles when cutting them and instead of discarding them just stuck the chipped tiles on the wall. Cleanliness in the bathroom was not great either, with black mould spotted around the hinges of the shower door and in the corners of the shower.
The single glazed timber framed windows where in need of repainting as they are showing early signs of rot from not being maintained. The single glazing is also not very soundproof when other guests are moving around, or worse, when the hotel/spa staff are wheeling around containers of fresh and dirty towels at 7am and you hear the wheels bounce over every junction on the stone walkways.
The bar seemed to close early for an establishment of this size and alleged 4 star rating - I haven't stayed at a hotel of this size where the bar closed before midnight anywhere else in the world.
As said in the first line, breakfast was great and Aziz and his team were wonderful - however we did note that the glass roof over the dining room entrance had not been cleaned in years and was covered in moss. Some of the seats in the dining room also had food stains which look to have been there a long time.
This hotel could be (and in the past was) absolutley stunning it just seems that the owners are moreinterested in profit than in increasing the maintenance budget.
The room was warm and the bed was very comfy.
Aziz and his team at breakfast were attentive and helpful and the breakfast was really tasty with a good selection.
The public areas in the 700 year old manor house look stunning.
Now the negatives.
The primary reason for booking this hotel was that it was advertised as having a charger for electric vehicles - it does, tucked away in a corner of the car park, covered in a plastic sheet and hasn't worked in years. As more and more people drive electric vehicles it would make sense for the hotel to remedy this, especially as some of their less luxurious local competitors are able to provide this facility.
Talking of the car park, you need to register your vehicle at reception to ensure that you don't get threatening letters from a parking company (and reading other reviews even registering is no guarantee)
I'd love to know why they have gone down this route of alienating their customers - it isn't like the hotel is in a busy city centre or close to an attraction like a football stadium where non-residents might take the opportunity to park for free, instead it's half a mile from a motorway, opposite an industrial estate with its own parking areas and otherwise in the middle of nowhere.
Once you look around you can see that the hotel itself has been neglected by the owners since it was taken over by a big chain a few years ago.
The room we stayed in was in the courtyard. The courtyard itself looks very pretty, especially at night when illuminated by fairy lights. Opening the door to the room you noitice that the door was a cheap door probably intended for indoor use, which is probably the reason why it had warped and didn't fit properly. It also offered no soundproofing from external noises. The bathroom door would not latch unless you put your entire body weight against it.
Talking of the bathroom. The lock on the bathroom door had been removed, leaving a hole that allowed you to see the person in the room using the loo. The hot tap in the sink was not fastened down properly, meaning it rotated freely when trying to turn it on. One of the floor tiles was cracked, and when the bathroom was fitted the tilers cracked the glaze on a number of tiles when cutting them and instead of discarding them just stuck the chipped tiles on the wall. Cleanliness in the bathroom was not great either, with black mould spotted around the hinges of the shower door and in the corners of the shower.
The single glazed timber framed windows where in need of repainting as they are showing early signs of rot from not being maintained. The single glazing is also not very soundproof when other guests are moving around, or worse, when the hotel/spa staff are wheeling around containers of fresh and dirty towels at 7am and you hear the wheels bounce over every junction on the stone walkways.
The bar seemed to close early for an establishment of this size and alleged 4 star rating - I haven't stayed at a hotel of this size where the bar closed before midnight anywhere else in the world.
As said in the first line, breakfast was great and Aziz and his team were wonderful - however we did note that the glass roof over the dining room entrance had not been cleaned in years and was covered in moss. Some of the seats in the dining room also had food stains which look to have been there a long time.
This hotel could be (and in the past was) absolutley stunning it just seems that the owners are moreinterested in profit than in increasing the maintenance budget.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Trail38601711189 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Great hotel. Large clean room with everything you would expect. Good friendly staff.
We did the hogmanay event which was very good.
We were very well looked after and great food.
Room was a little too hot, even with the radiator off, but I'm sure if we'd called reception they could have sorted that.
Just a suggestion for next years event, which we'll definitely be back for!!
Could have done with policing the corridors a bit more as there were still revelers shouting in the corridors at 0430, but I'm sure this was unique to the new years event and not a reflection on the hotel.
And although it would not be fair to turn guests away on the day, maybe press home the dress code a little more prior to the event, as this year it was getting a little casual.
Just something to maybe think about next year?
We did the hogmanay event which was very good.
We were very well looked after and great food.
Room was a little too hot, even with the radiator off, but I'm sure if we'd called reception they could have sorted that.
Just a suggestion for next years event, which we'll definitely be back for!!
Could have done with policing the corridors a bit more as there were still revelers shouting in the corridors at 0430, but I'm sure this was unique to the new years event and not a reflection on the hotel.
And although it would not be fair to turn guests away on the day, maybe press home the dress code a little more prior to the event, as this year it was getting a little casual.
Just something to maybe think about next year?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Jeff M said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
We decided to stay here for a night away for our wedding anniversary, the hotel room was wonderful and the service was excellent. Becky on reception was really helpful and a credit to the hotel team. Great location and will certainly visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Kyla H said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
We had such a gorgeous time. Staff were amazing. Loved the pool and steam room (although the pool was absolutely freezing and the jacuzzi is just a continuation of the pool). The food in the evening was outstanding and the service equally great. The room was clean, enormous and really comfortable. Breakfast also had absolutely everything you could want, regardless of your dietary requirements and again staff were fantastic. All ended with the most beautiful scenic drive due to the heavy snow.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, fozia a said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Overall good hotel, rooms where spacious and clean, was disappointed had to pay extra to use pool and sauna, pool was cold should have been extra warm considering the weather outside was only 3 degrees . breakfast was not all that great . No veg sausages or any mushrooms , not a very good pastry selection
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Denise007 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
After a very very busy Xmas period working hard to the build up to Xmas I booked the stay for myself and my husband to relax and unwind with some relaxation at the spa. I spent 2 days deciding which hotel to book from all around the UK but decided on the mercure as it had a lovely spa and pool and thought we would treat ourselves to some treatments as my husbands Xmas present and for me for pain relief as I have a broken foot and recently recovering from surgery wanted some heat treatment from the sauna and hot tub for pain relief.
I decided instead of doing anything for boxing night or new years eve this would be our little well earned treat. My husband doesn't have much time off work so this was the only opportunity for us to spend quality time together with the children before going back to work.
We drove up for formby in particular wr could of easily stayed in a nice spa hotel closer to home.
I planned the weekend so we would have a nice day in the spa I even called up on the way and spoke to the receptionist to see if we needed to book reserve a place. She said we didn't need to book just turn up and pay 10.00 each. I asked if we had to pay for the kids and she told me kids were free. Not once did she tell me their were time restrictions. We were told we could stay in the spa as long as we wanted.
We got up Sunday morning had breakfast and then got ready for the spa all looking forward to having a nice day relaxing in the pool.
When we got to the spa we were told kids times had finished and the children could not use the pool. This had totally totally spoilt our lovely relaxing weekend that we were all looking forward too.
Too late and no money to book anywhere else . The only reason I booked this hotel was due to the images on the website and booking.com which is basically false advertising if we are unable to use the facilities especially after me phoning up and checking via the spa reception.
This should be made clear at the time of booking and when I spoke to the receptionist enquiring about the children's price for spa.
Also i paid extra money for an upgrade for a family room. After booking a family room I was u her the impression the rooms were adjoining which they were not.
Also having put on a lot of weight after my surgery I found the double bed were 2 singles pushed together which I kept falling down the middle so never had a good night's sleep at all.
Totally spoilt our plans total let down and no sincere aplogies from manage
I decided instead of doing anything for boxing night or new years eve this would be our little well earned treat. My husband doesn't have much time off work so this was the only opportunity for us to spend quality time together with the children before going back to work.
We drove up for formby in particular wr could of easily stayed in a nice spa hotel closer to home.
I planned the weekend so we would have a nice day in the spa I even called up on the way and spoke to the receptionist to see if we needed to book reserve a place. She said we didn't need to book just turn up and pay 10.00 each. I asked if we had to pay for the kids and she told me kids were free. Not once did she tell me their were time restrictions. We were told we could stay in the spa as long as we wanted.
We got up Sunday morning had breakfast and then got ready for the spa all looking forward to having a nice day relaxing in the pool.
When we got to the spa we were told kids times had finished and the children could not use the pool. This had totally totally spoilt our lovely relaxing weekend that we were all looking forward too.
Too late and no money to book anywhere else . The only reason I booked this hotel was due to the images on the website and booking.com which is basically false advertising if we are unable to use the facilities especially after me phoning up and checking via the spa reception.
This should be made clear at the time of booking and when I spoke to the receptionist enquiring about the children's price for spa.
Also i paid extra money for an upgrade for a family room. After booking a family room I was u her the impression the rooms were adjoining which they were not.
Also having put on a lot of weight after my surgery I found the double bed were 2 singles pushed together which I kept falling down the middle so never had a good night's sleep at all.
Totally spoilt our plans total let down and no sincere aplogies from manage
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Pete H said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Excellent hotel, easy to locate not far from motorway. friendly reception staff very helpful.
Comfortable and spacious room. Good shower. Fantastic facilities including pool that's free to use so don't forget your cossie! Excellent choice of hot and cold breakfast and again helpful and friendly staff. Great stay, Highly recommended .
Comfortable and spacious room. Good shower. Fantastic facilities including pool that's free to use so don't forget your cossie! Excellent choice of hot and cold breakfast and again helpful and friendly staff. Great stay, Highly recommended .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Stephanie R said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
We had the Christmas lunch in the Cameo restaurant. The food was excellent. The service was slick. The table decorations were high quality and there were nice attention to detail touches like your name on your menu. We were visited by Santa and a magician who performed phenomenal card tricks for us.
Many thanks to the restaurant manger who was very attentive throughout the meal.
Many thanks to the restaurant manger who was very attentive throughout the meal.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Cazspence said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Nice hotel food good at breakfast. The location is ideal central just off the motorway bit disappointed to have to pay for kids to use pool as member of hotel group as this was a reason for choosing that hotel carpet in room dirty but generally clean
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2025, Sale3497 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Overall the experience was very average. Starting with the food which was very mediocre with not many options on the menu available, the first night the started were brilliant and the chicken burger my partner got was good however I myself ordered from the specials menu and had the beef two ways which said it came with a 4oz rump steak which was never in a million years 4oz I got a strip of beef but the rest of the meal was brilliant and alright quality. Night 2 we both got hummus and garlic bread and one was cold and barely cooked and the other was nearly burnt- lack of consistency is really annoying. Then for mains my partner got a pepperoni pizza, what came was a pizza with pepperoni and also slices of salami which had clearly been used as a substitute. I ordered a burger and it came raw and inedible, however they did refire and the second one that came was edible but not brilliant. Didn’t even bother getting deserts that night and went to bed early.
The spa/pool facilities would’ve been really nice if they were working! We were there for three days and the showers in the facility never worked, the first day one of the steam rooms wasn’t working. However on the second day it had been fixed which was good. However, on the last day none of the facilities were working at all apart from the sauna however there was nowhere to fill up water bottles so to use it ran the risk of becoming dehydrated so we didn’t use it for long. We ended up checking out early because of this.
Shoutout to Molly from the spa team as she was very nice and the most welcoming person I met at the hotel whilst we were there, as well as pierce on reception and Paul in the restaurant and aziz behind the bar and the lovely lady on breakfast on our final morning but didn’t catch her name. But it was clear that most of the other staff didn’t really care. As when having food at all times we were never once was asked if the food was alright. So would advise some serious customer service training for some staff members unfortunately.
Glad we got a decent deal but wouldn’t have been happy paying full price if that’s what the standard is all the time. However it wasn’t busy so I struggle understand how they would cope with a full hotel.
The spa/pool facilities would’ve been really nice if they were working! We were there for three days and the showers in the facility never worked, the first day one of the steam rooms wasn’t working. However on the second day it had been fixed which was good. However, on the last day none of the facilities were working at all apart from the sauna however there was nowhere to fill up water bottles so to use it ran the risk of becoming dehydrated so we didn’t use it for long. We ended up checking out early because of this.
Shoutout to Molly from the spa team as she was very nice and the most welcoming person I met at the hotel whilst we were there, as well as pierce on reception and Paul in the restaurant and aziz behind the bar and the lovely lady on breakfast on our final morning but didn’t catch her name. But it was clear that most of the other staff didn’t really care. As when having food at all times we were never once was asked if the food was alright. So would advise some serious customer service training for some staff members unfortunately.
Glad we got a decent deal but wouldn’t have been happy paying full price if that’s what the standard is all the time. However it wasn’t busy so I struggle understand how they would cope with a full hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk