BUYAGIFT One Night Spa Break With Dinner For Two At Haughton Hall Hotel And Leisure Club Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Jane Warwick
Buyagift | Experience Days | Experience Gifts & Presents
From the website you can choose several activities and I was asked to review a One Night Spa break with dinner for two at Haughton Hall Hotel and Leisure Club.
I was sent via email an e voucher code by Buy a Gift Team. It is easy to click onto this voucher and the voucher is downloaded. This voucher states what you have bought and provides you with a voucher number and product code plus pin number and expiry date which is a year from when it was purchased. I thought that one year is ample time for someone to be able to find time to use this gift. The instructions on what you need to do are clear and I just put my mobile camera onto the QR code, and I was directed to a form to fill in using my voucher reference number and Pin code. I was then able to get contact details of the hotel and book my preferred date. Unfortunately, the massage treatments were not available for that day. It seems the availability of these treatments is limited as the first date they could offer with treatments was at the end of February. It is important to book way ahead to ensure you can make full use of your voucher. However, the receptionist at the hotel was very helpful and gave me an upgrade on my room to a suite because of not getting the treatments which I accepted. I also had to book the time for our evening meal. I was told that we would be able to use all the leisure and spa facilities and to make sure we brought a swimsuit and towel. I immediately received an email confirming my booking and giving additional information such as the time the leisure centre is open and check in and check out times.
On the date of our booking, we easily found the hotel using google maps and followed the sign for reception. We were politely asked our name, confirmation of the time for our evening meal and checked in and told where our room was. We had a large suitcase containing gym gear etc and so I asked if there was a lift and was told there was not one, but the room was just up a flight of stairs. I hope that if someone was struggling with their suitcase, they would help by taking it up to the room. The room was in fact at the top of the stairs and a suite! This was a very large room with massive bed and roll top bath on a raised platform next to the door to the toilet, sink and shower. Clean white towels and toiletries were provided. There was also a large TV screen with access to Free view and Sky. On a table there was a kettle with tea and coffee making facilities, plus bottles of water.
We made ourselves at home and had a cup of tea before heading over to the leisure centre. Here we were greeted by a member of the leisure club team who checked us on the computer and showed us where to go. The separate changing rooms had toilets, showers, and lockers as well as a communal area for changing. We had a swim and used the steam room. There were quite a few members using the facilities, so we were not able to use the jacuzzi or sauna.
After a shower, we returned to our room and read until it was time for our meal. We wandered down to the dining room and were shown to our table. Service was very prompt to order our meal and we both choose different burgers. The burgers were very nice and certainly one could not grumble on portion sizes. Even though our voucher was for £20 each, we felt as this was a night out, we should have a dessert, but this meant we went over our voucher amount and paid the difference. It was disappointing that they do not do alcohol free lagers as that is what we fancied but water was provided with ice in a jug. When you have been given a voucher saying dinner for two, you expect a starter or dessert and main course. I think the hotel should provide a menu of two courses which you can get for your £20 even though £20 is unfortunately not a lot nowadays for a meal but when you receive a gift voucher you expect to be able to get food for it without paying more. Most people are happy to pay extra for their own drinks.
The bed was very comfortable and large so we both slept well. The shower was powerful but one had to make sure the curtain was pulled sufficiently across otherwise the entire floor was soaked! Breakfast was served in the restaurant and there was a buffet, as well as a cooked menu. This was very good value and was included in the gift voucher. After this we checked out of the hotel and spent the morning in the leisure centre first using the gym, then had a swim and spent time in both the sauna and jacuzzi. This leisure centre was quiet at this time, so it was easy to use the leisure facilities and it was very relaxing.
The staff at Haughton Hall are very friendly and helpful and the room was clean. The room could do with a lamp near the dressing table and would benefit from a few pictures to make it cosy. The leisure centre particularly the gym had a lot of equipment and there was plenty of things to do including tennis court and fishing. In the changing rooms, it would be nice to have the choice of a couple of cubicles for changing as well as the communal area. It would be good to be provided with towels for the pool and dressing gowns to make it feel like a spa break. The water of the pool on the first night was cloudy but this had been treated so when we went for a swim the next morning it was nice and clear. This e voucher provides a night away at a reasonable cost and it is a chance to treat yourself and your love one to a romantic night away. A possibility for celebrating Valentine’s Day. I feel that the lack of finishing touches such towels for the pool and dressing gowns downgraded the experience and the hotel still needed more updating to provide a luxury feel.
Rating: 3.5/5
RRP: £149.99
This product can be purchased from BUYAGIFT here.