Balmer Lawn Hotel & Saltus Spa | Brockenhurst | New Forest

Fantastic experience: Myself and my partner where lucky enough to have a lovely meal here, the service was exceptional, I’d like to thank the gentleman who’s service was above and beyond, Issac, Jordan & Hilton made our evening very special. We will certainly visit again thank you

Positive experience: Very nice hotel overall, good stay and some points to improve below. What went well: - super friendly staff. Didn’t meet one staff member who wasn’t exceptional - very good hot stone massage treatment by Emily who was very skilled and professional - spa facilities clean and relaxing. The pool area was quiet and relaxed. Jacuzzi had good level of bubbles - room was very clean and spacious - room had all the basic and necessary facilities - bed comfortable - nice Christmas decor around the hotel - breakfast range was acceptable. Enjoyed the sourdough bread. Good range of juices. - restaurant food was really good. The pork belly starter lovely and tender. Goats cheese salad nice but missing the walnuts. The ox cheek was very nice and the haddock and chips was excellent: very fresh, perfectly cooked and very nice batter. - the Black Friday deal was good value for money at £119/night for superior double Even better if: - the bed in the room definitely needs replacing as the faux leather was cracked and had holes in. On first glance it appeared dirty. For a 4* hotel and ‘superior double’ room I’d expect better - the room decor was a bit outdated - the room facilities did feel basic for a 4*, for example no conditioner (the 2 in 1 is definitely just shampoo effect), no little toiletries, no mini fridge, old hairdryer and things like that. I do accept that the tea and coffee facilities looked very good but I did not actually use any. - the full English breakfast didn’t seem super fresh which would be fine if it was buffet but the fact it’s brought out means it could have been a bit fresher. My scrambled eggs were definitely not freshly made for my order and bacon was a bit dry and rubbery. Very hard black pudding which clearly been sat heated for a long time. There was no hash brown served either day with my full English. - the continental breakfast selection could have been a bit more varied or presented better, I found the little plate of cheese and ham to be quite underwhelming and it was not replenished as much as it could have been. - the breakfast coffee is not very nice at all unfortunately so I ordered a latte at an additional cost of £4 and that was fine. Perhaps a 4* hotel could look at getting one of the self serve coffee machines? - the breakfast overall could see a lot of improvement - the spa facilities does not include steam room - the sauna is quite small so only fits 3 people comfortably - the pool is too small to swim and more of a dip/fun or relaxation pool - the showers in the changing rooms in spa and on poolside was scalding hot and I had other spa goers warn me before using that they had burnt themselves and to be careful. I tried the shower later and they were right - far too hot to use and I had to shower in the room. - the jacuzzi goes a bit cold if run multiple times in a row - our couples massage was supposed to be for us to have the massage at the same time but we were then told that we had to go one at a time due to a therapist calling in sick. When I went to the treatment room it was a hotel room converted rather than the spa room as the spa is being refurbished. The temporary treatment room only had one bed in it anyway so I’m wondering if they just didn’t have the facility to accommodate the couples massage which I would have preferred to know in advance. As the spa is being refurbished we also weren’t able to use the spa relaxation room. I would say at present if you’re looking to book somewhere for a spa experience specifically maybe wait till the refurbishments are done or book somewhere else. On the whole, I was really happy with my stay and enjoyed it thoroughly. I was okay with the spa facilities and felt like I had a nice time and got good use. I think I wasn’t expecting a lot anyway as having looked at pictures I could see rooms were outdated etc. and was happy with the fact that the room was on deal and it was therefore good value. However, I would say I do not think the superior double room and hotel would be worth it at full price which is think was £240 a night.

Positive experience: Staff friendly Rooms a bit dated and needing some love Just on the village edge Spa facilities were poor and needed some love, changing rooms worn down and dirty. Ideal for a stay, but wouldn’t focus on the spa / pool area as the decision make to stay here

Fantastic experience: Lovely high quality rooms on the edge of the village with lovely views, rural surroundings and good access to plenty of nearby locations. Leisure facilities were really good and worth the time if you have any to spare! Will absolutely visit again in the future!

Fantastic experience: If you’ve got a baby and a dog, it’s hard to fault this place. Nice enough to feel special, not overly posh enough to be worried about the baby and the dog’s behaviour. Dog friendly room was great - came with a bowl, bed, a few poo bags and some treats. The gesture of allowing you to take a breakfast sausage to your dog was also nice. Pool was great. Loved that you can just walk out from the hotel into the forest. Good breakfast.

Fantastic experience: Met up with friends for afternoon tea and had a fantastic time. Delicious food, friendly staff and great location.

Positive experience: Went on a spa day, a group of 9 ladies. We had a lovely time. Our treatments were all excellent and staff lovely. Lunch was included, a bento box. Afterwards we sat in the bar area for drinks, it was very cosy and nicely decorated for Xmas.

Fantastic experience: My wife and myself attended a tribute to Elton John. The evening started with canapés, a great selection great taste (but sadly due to being, maybe in the wrong place so we only had a few) on too the main event, the room was layed out brilliantly to the theme of Elton Johns music and to his dress code, to everyone having individual replicas glass, down to a centre table dressing of a balloon rocket man, and the imitation yellow brick road running through the centre of each table, to sparkly glitter balls, every effort to absorb the atmosphere was made. The food, we both had chicken, cooked to perfection with potato and spinach, very tasty but could have added another vegetable. The sweet was very good. The Young Elton John tribute was excellent and deserved the accolades at the end. The hotel staff were fantastic, the evening was planned that the timings synchronised from one course to the other which was brilliant. As far as the hotels organisation no fault at all. What they cannot predict is the people also attending. In front of us was the youngest table in the room, who we saw in the main bar of the Hotel drinking quite heavily. This lead them to be a bit noisy, throwing items, bursting the balloons, even the nice centre piece, a bit unruly, but absolutely no fault of the hotel. Towards the end of the night, on of the drunk youngsters went to get up from seat but he lifted one chair leg on to my wife’s foot, causing a minor bruising. But the evening was great. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Such a great stay here for a birthday treat. The staff were so kind in organising some special birthday treats and the food was excellent.

Fantastic experience: Great hotel! Superb location, excellent food and drink and amazing staff.

Positive experience: It's a lovely location BUT the service and food in the restaurant is poor and I was overcharged by £100 on the room...and it took 3 phone calls to get my money back!

Fantastic experience: Had a lovely stay here last end of last year and enjoyed lunch on Sunday. Staff were so helpful and lovely. Rooms were wonderuful with rustic charm and the wood burner was on in the lounge area, where we enjoyed our Sunday roast. Really recommended.

Positive experience: Room was spacious and a fan is provided. (Not a dyson). We brought our own mini fans as well. Glass doors for access to the balcony - cigarette smoke can come into the room as smoking is allowed from the balcony. We had to close the doors a few times. Mix reviews for the service during meal time. Some servers are better than others. Some can be defensive and don't communicate well. Shout out to Jordan who made our dinner so special. Options for breakfast is great. SOP haven't been established - on some days the croissants were toasted/heated nicely. On other days it arrived burnt. Spa area is lovely.

Fantastic experience: Was a great stay, it was a special wedding anniversary and they left a nice present in the room, which was very thoutful. Spa facilties good, I particularly liked the sauna. Need to go a bit earlier in the year when the outdoor is open.

Fantastic experience: An excellent hotel in the forest. Really nice ambience, relaxing getaway. The food is excellent. We had a lovely table for 2 with no problem with us just ordering starters instead of a main meal. The staff simply can't do enough for you. Large bedroom with a fantastic view, comfortable bed, and nice walk-in shower. Will stay again soon.

Fantastic experience: I am a regular visitor to this hotel. The staff are warm and friendly. It has an outside bar in the summer, a covered outside bar for when the weather is not great and a cosy inside one/lounge for the winter. It has an inside and outside pool, lifts go to all floors and a formal (Beresfords) and informal resturant. The hotel is dog friendly, they can go anywhere except Beresfords or in the pools. The Brockenhurst Cricket pitch is next door in the summer and there is a river that is the watering hole for the wild Ponies, Cows and deer, even the odd donkey or pig. there is just so many good things to say about this venue, I dont have enough room for them all.

Negative experience: We were given a voucher worth £600 to stay here for 2 nights in October 2024. Feedback: 1. On arrival we were charged £200 immediate as a pre authorisarion. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I have yet to be refunded 6 days later! 2. Pool and spa were nice but were overrun by children and no staff controlling. 3. There was a wedding reception there and people up till all hours making noise in the hallways. 4. Traffic noise was quite audible from our room. 5. We had to pay for coffee at breakfast even though breakfast was included in our voucher! Would we go back? Probably not.

Fantastic experience: Another wonderful wedding, amazing service. The canapés were fantastic. The food was unbelievable and the drappier champagne divine. We did not stay here …it is very expensive mumbling of discontent from guests saying rooms dated and £10 discount for guests a joke

Positive experience: Attended a wedding celebration at this venue. The staff were attentive and helpful and plentiful. The food provided was adequate. We especially enjoyed the Halloween decorations which had been set up in some of the rooms. These decorations showed a lot of passion and effort and were really effective and enjoyable. Keep it up!!

Negative experience: Long wait, chips on coffee cups, low hygiene standards, and cold Breakfast and nearly 8 minutes waiting for a burned slice of toast.

Negative experience: If you are looking for a lovely relaxing Spa day…. DONT GO HERE! The treatments were good, but the cleanliness and facilities were dreadful. Dirt rims around the pool and jacuzzi, showers didn’t work nor did the lighting. Too cold to be wandering around in a robe, fire doors didn’t open, broken lockers, holes in robes and towels too small. I aired my concerns within a hr of being there, nothing was done. Asked to speak to a manager and he was too busy. Eventually offered a partial refund, what an insult. All in all, if you are thinking about having a treat or chill out day, go elsewhere!

Negative experience: Went for breakfast. It was poor. Staff were nice.

Negative experience: Really average overpriced hotel in a great location.

Fantastic experience: Was treated to an afternoon tea. Limitless tea or coffee, a selection of sandwiches, two scones, cream and jam, and cakes. Lovely! Make sure you have plenty of room and a big appetite!

Positive experience: We came here for a Sunday roast. Generous portion size and the gravy was amazing! I didn't love the pork it was too fatty to my liking but the beef was awesome. 3 courses for 35 great bargain!

Fantastic experience: We absolutely loved our stay here. My husband and I took a drive out to local spa hotels in the area for a last minute getaway. We were met by Briany on reception who was so friendly, helpful and allowed us to take a look at a couple of rooms available for the next day. She was able to answer our questions and after a quick view of another hotel, we came back shortly after to book a 3 night stay. Briany spent a fair amount of time with us, her customer service is excellent. The hotel grounds are beautiful with easy access to the New Forest for walks. We stayed in the main building of the Hotel and the room was so comfortable and quiet despite being at the front and below the bar area. Bed, pillows really comfortable and the fan was an appreciated touch in the warmer nights. The cleaners were efficient and quick whilst we were at breakfast. Being a dog friendly hotel, our dog was greeted each morning, afternoon and evening by the staff who were all very friendly and approachable. The voucher for a sausage each morning was such a lovely touch, but may I suggest it is best to stick with a rasher of bacon or scrambled eggs instead of offering dogs sausages containing onion/garlic in future, please. The food and drinks were excellent. Worth the 2 rotary stars they have already been awarded. Quick service and as a gluten free person, I had so much choice available to me. Claudia at the spa has magic healing hands. I treated myself to an express facial on the 2nd day of our stay. She was very helpful and accommodating to swaps/change of days for treatments requests. My husband has a deep tissue massage with her on our 3rd day and I had a full body wrap with another spa colleague, but didn't catch her name. The pools are well kept and the indoor pool is adult only from 11am-3pm which was a really nice touch for couples or those visiting without children seeking some quiet, downtime as part of the spa experience. We would definitely visit again.

Fantastic experience: We thoroughly enjoyed our three nights here. The room and bed were very comfortable and overlooked the lawn where we often saw New Forest Ponies. The restaurant, Beresfords, is absolutely excellent, so much so, after the first night, we cancelled dinner bookings anywhere else and enjoyed the menu at the hotel. The staff were excellent throughout, friendly, helpful and professional. We will definitely return.

Fantastic experience: Great location, superb facilities, amazing swimming pools.

Positive experience: Nice hotel with helpful friendly staff.. Friends were staying there and we visited for a get together and a meal.. the food was lush..

Fantastic experience: We stopped for an impromptu afternoon tea. Great service, lovely setting & location. Delicious freshly baked scones with jam & cream, served with pots of fresh tea! Fabulous & great value too!

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel in a stunning location, nice rooms, great bar and restaurant.

Negative experience: Beautiful location, however….. Booked 2 twins and a triple, arrived to find 3 doubles? Birthday surprise in wrong room Service for drinks on terrace was really slow Waited way too long for our meal, served at 9.15 - some had wrong sauces. Birthday surprise with candle that was ordered didn’t come, so more truffles , no candle Spent ages in restaurant sorting out which food/drinks went on which bills, however the next morning when we came to pay at reception all food and drinks had been put on one bill, plus wrong amounts and an additional drink added that we never had. Drinks were on menu for one amount and were on bill at another

Positive experience: Lovely place, views were amazing. Rooms are a bit tired and I would have expected a sauna.

Positive experience: No fridge or bedside lights in the bedroom, buffet breakfast not great. Position great good decor.

Positive experience: We just wanted a coffee venue yo meet family this morning. Lovely outside space, staff very helpful and good coffee.

Fantastic experience: Great staff, really clean, comfy beds, yummy breakfast and lots of car parking. Large telly but tiny room, large shower but tiny showeroom. Shower controls too complicated.

Positive experience: The hotel itself was very nice, and immaculately clean and all the staff were friendly, polite and professional. Felt the rooms were a bit overpriced. We were however disappointed with the restaurant, not the quality of the food but the extremely limited menu and extremely limited and way overpriced desert menu. The breakfast on the other hand was top notch with great selection of cooked or continental. We would stay again but would look to go elsewhere for an evening meal.

Positive experience: Great evening meal outside, very peaceful, cricket on the green, although music was a little intrusive

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful stay here for my 40th birthday The hotel was just amazing, beautiful all round The staff are amazing, helpful, friendly even helping my husband organise surprise flower delivery on the morning of my birthday which were wonderful, my husband asked the chef to made a birthday cake to come out after dinner which was gorgeous and a lovely surprise and the little surprise from the staff on our arrival in our room was just lovely and thoughtful thank you nothing was to much trouble, The room was lovely bed was comfortable but did make a lot of noise, The window had a mind of its own wide open or closed but we got there, The food is 10/10, a little pricey the most expensive roast dinner we have ever had, lol but the pianist was a lovely added bonus really enjoyed listening to him I had a treatment on the morning of my birthday by the lovely Amy who I believe has been working there only 2 weeks but wow shes a credit to the hotel/spa, shes a keeper lovely treatment, left there floating, The coffee and cake is an added bonus and lovely treat mid morning The spa is a little on the smaller side and sadly the jacuzzi wasn’t working for our 2 night stay which was a disappointment, also no steam room which I feel would be huge bonus all round, 100% need more beds 6 just isn’t enough sadly, and I do feel you need towels available in the spa so you don’t have to walk to reception wet to get fresh towels just my opinion of course (awaiting Chris’s witty reply) lol The gym is small but very good and air conditioned, A huge thank you to all the staff for making our stay and my birthday just lovely this hotel is gorgeous, If only the weather had been better to use the outside pool (which was closed) and table tennis etc and explore the grounds And I love its dog friendly

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel in a wonderful location, very friendly staff with great hotel facilities made our first visit to the New Forest a magical break.

Fantastic experience: Attended a terrific wedding reception at the end of June . Hotel provided a lovely varied spread which was constantly topped up . Staff worked so hard and remained polite and helpful all evening until very late . Deserve a bonus .

Fantastic experience: This was an amazing escape. The forest was beautiful. The staff, The room, and the food was very good

Positive experience: Went for a spa day for my nieces hen celebrations. Lovely treatments, great staff. Though they did clear our drinks whilst having a massage, they replaced them when we pointed out that they were not finished. And what a gorgeous afternoon tea ❤️

Positive experience: Balmer Lawn Hotel has all the ingredients to be excellent, it is missing something, I believe in organisation, training and leadership

Fantastic experience: We've stayed here several times over the years...and have just been reminded of why! The staff are all very friendly whilst remaining professional and efficient. They also made our dog feel happy and welcome - something that helped us both to feel the same. Thanks to you all.

Positive experience: Great hotel in Nice setting. Public areas well decorated and high standards, clean. Staff are well trained and courteous. Good pool area. Bedroom was large and comfortable. Breakfast choices good and of a good quality.

Negative experience: Had an awful experience there and certainly not 4 star service in my opinion go to Rhinefield House for that.

Fantastic experience: We recently stayed at the balmer lawn hotel, and when I say it was truly exceptional it truly was!! The staff were so friendly, the food was out of this world the recent refurbishment was truly stunning, with a contemporary feel. We can’t wait to visit again as the Balmer lawn really makes you feel at home.

Negative experience: Hi had dinner last night the food was good but very over priced for what it was.there did not seem to be any disabled parking and took a while to get any drinks.

Positive experience: Just spent a couple of days celebrating our 20th anniversary, returning after having our honeymoon here. Great couple of days with wonderful service and great food. Thanks for the complimentary upgrade and gifts, and special thanks to all the staff from reception to the dining toom and bar, but especially to Claudia in the spa

Positive experience: Just passing and only popped in for coffee and cake but very welcoming and had some delicious GF cake available.

Fantastic experience: Thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We came in Spring but imagine it would be amazing in the summer. Dog friendly which is a big plus. Nice walk just out the rear exit also

Fantastic experience: A table was booked by our son for my husband's 80th bday. We asked for a quiet area and that's what we had. Lovely restaurant, well refurbished and thecstaff were v good. Food was lovely and everyone enjoyed the occasion.

Positive experience: Good hotel all round. Good staff and fab location. Can’t stress how well placed this is. Access to new forest from side/rear gate means you can cycle straight into the forest. Food was good. Pool is tad small and generally service could be better. In terms of value it was very good.

Negative experience: The only thing that this place has is a beautiful location. Anything that's controlled by the actual venue is ridiculously over priced and no where near the standards required. You pay over £200 for a room, for one night, to walk in and have to remove a previous guests clothes from under the chair. The room was absolutely boiling like it was December, with no way of controlling the heating. And then to top it off, a good old fire alarm at 7am. 4* hotel? Unless those 4 stars are for location. I don't have a clue why they are there.

Positive experience: Room 45 2 nights- Couple (Late Thirties) The building and the grounds are beautiful and we were welcomed by three ponies on our arrival through the gates. We were checked in promptly and given direction to our rooms. The lobby and the dining room looks like it had been furnished by the Range and Dunelm. Cheap looking clock above reception desk. Random photo on canvas of Trinity College, Dublin on the stairs. Parrots on the bar lounge chairs. I was expecting more of a grand country house/ modern interior. The inside of the lift is covered in rust and one of the first impressions when first going up to your room. I expected the rooms to look a bit dated, as I did look at the website but I thought overall, the value was good, though the rooms were not as appealing as its competitors. The bed was a faux leather base which was peeling and was the first thing you notice when you walked in the room. The mattress's zipped together were hard and you could feel a couple of springs. The pillows were too thin and of poor quality. white plastic kettle. The dark brown, reproduction antique furniture was scratched, leather chair in the room was incredibly warn. Peeling wallpaper. No full length mirror. We found the room to be too warm, there was a dusty fan in the room but this was an industrial fan meant to cool a large room in the day. When turned on it was too loud and would have disturbed our neighbours as well adding more disruption to our sleep. We had to sleep with the windows and curtains open. The shower had a small head with appalling pressure and not what you expect in a country spa hotel in 2024. I notice you don't include pictures of your superior room bathrooms while boasting the 'transparency' in your website. All towels were crispy and tired. On both nights we ate in the hotel, the food, drinks and service were impeccable and we had a lovely evening. In the morning, after a great breakfast. I asked reception if you had different pillows or able to put some extras in the room. We were told they would be in our room at some point but they never arrived. I didn't want to look like a pillow diva so I didn't chase it at bedtime. Also, after breakfast I called reception and asked if we could book an afternoon tea, we were told we had to book the day before. It would have been beneficial to us (and your business) to be asked if we wanted this when we checked in. We both wanted treatments that day in the spa but were told that we couldn't have these either. We compromised and said we would have treatments the day we were leaving and were told we would get a call from the spa to arrange but nobody called us. We spent £400 on treatments down the road in a different spa. Your website and YouTube promos shows better beds by the pool and people drinking champagne in the jacuzzi, which you're not allowed to do which is a bit misleading. Ladies changing room had black mould and loo door filthy. Ceiling in pool area brown and mouldy in places, extractors loose and rattling. Small kids using the pool after their time and in the sauna and jacuzzi. The food and kind service prevented our stay from feeling like a complete disaster but our room and not being able to get a treatment or afternoon tea was disappointing. We booked this as a treat for me while I've been recovering from surgery and having an awful year. The tired, 1997 vibes room, the sorry and misleading spa and having to go elsewhere to get what the hotel offers itself, put a damper on our stay. All your staff are a real asset. Adam, In particular was first class. He really cared and understands hospitality and people, what Adam has you can't teach. Please pass on how impressed we were and thank him for us. If the hotel décor was less confused the rooms and spa were up to standard for the area and price, I would return in a heartbeat. Edit: It's been over a month and the manager has not reached out to me as he said he would in his reply to the review.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fabulous afternoon tea, very friendly staff, in a spectacular location. Kids were very welcome. Couldn't ask for better.

Fantastic experience: Came for Mother's Day lunch and what an amazing spread of food! Great service and excellent grub, was a really nice and relaxing afternoon.

Positive experience: The food was Good although there were only two small slices of beef with the roast. Desert was excellent.

Positive experience: Haven't had the opportunity to stay there yet but enjoyed a lovely lunch there. Excellent and friendly service, delicious cocktails, scrumptious food and stunning surroundings. Love the newly decorated dining room and the lovely touch of the pianist during lunch.

Fantastic experience: We love this hotel and over thirty years have stayed here several times. And now they have 4 EV chargers which is wonderful for BEV drivers like us.

Positive experience: Had dinner at The Beresford restaurant. Great food and choice on menu. Would highly recommend the tasting menu (we had the valentine's option). Staff very friendly and assisting, although there was a long wait for each course to arrive.

Fantastic experience: The Balmer Lawn Hotel is wonderful and worthy of 5 stars in my opinion. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The restaurant was superb for breakfast and dinner. For dinner, I ordered the Dorset Venison Salami starter, which was very good; for the main course I ordered the mussels, which were fantastic and more than I could eat. Served in a deep bowl, it was quantity of mussels was deceptive. My wife ordered theTwice Baked Smoked Pancetta Soufflé starter and the 8oz Cheese & Bacon Burger main course, also very good.

Positive experience: Lovely hotel but service wasn’t brilliant, dining room and breakfast were cold. A bit disappointing to be honest after looking forward to coming here for so many years

Positive experience: Disappointing food, not great for the price and things were cold at breakfast. The room felt cramped with unnecessary furniture although the bed was comfortable.

Fantastic experience: Stayed here at the start of December for a birthday and surprise engagement with my other half it was the most incredible stay the staff were very attentive and helpful the food was absolutely delicious the room was comfy and spacious and being so close to the forest was a nice change from the city thanks again for making our stay memorable

Positive experience: Enjoyed a lunch with friends today. Food and service very good. We chose to eat in main restaurant. Nice 2 or 3 course set lunch menu which was very good value

Fantastic experience: Really wet weekend when we visited leading to flooding of surrounding fields and the entry road. Hotel is lovely and welcoming and the staff super friendly and professional. All in all a five star experience!

Positive experience: My daughter and I had a spa day. Staff very friendly. Spa Treatments excellent. Lunch was delicious. My only concern was how cold it was in the relaxation area, 17° not a very comfortable temperature when in a dressing gown. I did mention this to the therapist. Hopefully this will be addressed. Pool a little cold for me. But jacuzzi and sauna great.

Positive experience: Booked for an anniversary a few of days hoping to have a couple of massages for us both. Sadly on arrival all treatments were booked so used the rather small jacuzzi and sauna room once. Went to best body chiropractic and sports massage in Lymington for our treatments and highly recommend. At the hotel the food was great but rather pricy. Lovely decorated for Christmas. Staff welcoming and very friendly. The bed was large but a zip in the middle (rather unromantic) headboard very tatty, shower head wouldn’t stay up and fan noisy and room cold as I think they turn the heating off in the day. On the plus side, my dog was welcome in the room (£25 per night) and in the bar, chews, bed, bowls provided for him. Room was spacious, clean and had a fridge.

Fantastic experience: We stopped in after a Sunday forest walk for some lunch without a reservation & had a great experience. We had a hot sandwich & chips which were great, but what really made the difference was the high service level. A special mention to Marlena who was super star and nothing was too much trouble . We had a lovely time sipping on some hot chocolate, with lots of lovely Christmas decorations and even had a live saxophone playing - great touch. Can recommend this is a great spot for a nice warm winter lunch with great hospitality.

Fantastic experience: We had a meal with 6 people, the service was excellent, the food was also very good and for a venue like this reasonably priced.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic hotel with the most amazing staff who made our stay just perfect. Good food. Beautiful bedroom and a great big, comfortable bed.

Fantastic experience: Me and my boyfriend had an amazing time in The Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa. Everything was perfect I can’t fault it, from the arrival, very friendly staff, Maria at the reception is very lovely. I had an amazing birthday, thank you all we will come back. The food was delicious too. It’s 10 out of 10

Fantastic experience: I booked in here with my partner for a 2 day mid week break. First impressions of the Hotel from the outside are really positive. They have a covered area outside which has a lovely mix of wood and white lights, with heaters, it has a very nice feel to it. On entering the hotel, there is a small reception area and a beautiful staircase. On the occasion we visited, there was a massive, beautiful Christmas tree stetching up the well of the staircase. The atmosphere is cosy, warm and welcoming. The room was outstanding. We had a suite with a lounge area and a four-poster bed. It was immaculately clean, and the bed was genuinely one of the most comfortable I have ever slept in. The bathroom was awesome with a very big, deep bath and a beautiful walk-in shower. There were modern high end tv's in both the bedroom and the lounge area. It could do with a little updating, with respect to the decor or fittings and fixtures (excluding the bathroom) but it does not, in any way, detract from the room itself. We had dinner in the restaurant. I had the panchetta soufle and the filet stake accompanied with a bottle of red. It was one of the best meals I've had. The soufle was stunning and the steak cooked to perfection. The pool and gym area are well kept and tidy, there are a few things like wiping the pvc windows or repairing some of the tiling, which would only add to the ambience. The thing that set all of this apart from other 4 star, 2 rosette hotels, is the service. All of the staff, and I genuinely mean all of them, have been friendly, kind, courteous and the whole time. Absolutely first class service. I would highly recommend this hotel spa.

Fantastic experience: A long weekend for us (3 nights) at the Balmer Lawn Hotel. The breakfast was great whether opting for the "full English" or opting for the continental alternative. I had the generous Sunday roast whilst my wife trusted the chef and went with a cod dish that she thought was excellent. The pool can be busy esp if the weather is bad outside so do choose your timings. A final mention for the hard working team (seen and unseen). Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Friendly staff, comfortable public areas. Rooms can be a tad warm. Food is outstanding.

Positive experience: Just back from two nights at the Balmer Lawn Hotel. It was decorated brilliantly for Halloween I had asked for a quiet room which we received. It was very clean and good housekeeping. There wasn't any heating in the room. There appeared to be a boxed in radiator under the window, which wasn't on, and nowhere to adjust it! There was a heated rail in the bathroom, thankfully. The plug in the bath was stuck in the plughole, so we had to use a spoon to release the water after bathing. We did notify reception. The staff were all very nice and the hotel is situated in a lovely location. Although the presentation and evening meals were delicious, there was a long wait. We were told the first evening by the young lady waitress that she would not put our order through as she did not want to overload the kitchen staff. At that point, there were only five tables seated in the main restaurant. On the second evening, we ordered two cold desserts, one being ice cream. We waited thirty minutes and had not received them, so we cancelled our order. Overall, it was a nice stay.

Negative experience: The hotel needs some re decoration and upgrading - especially the decor in the rooms, the stained towels and the fact that the bed bases were dirty battered and old and left exposed in our 'upgraded' room. The shower did not work - only provided scalding water which you couldn't touch at all. At dinner, I was told I was given gluten free bread. I was not. I was extremely ill for several days. Staff clearly not trained.

Positive experience: Very good staff were very friendly the room was larger than most hotel rooms allowing you to spread out more overall good value just the evening meals were a bit on the expensive side could do with some of the ordinary pub grub meals for those people that do not appreciate the more fine dining

Fantastic experience: A favourite venue. Staff are friendly and welcoming. Set on the outskirts of Brockenhurst in the Heart of the New Forest. Very accommodating when staying with a dog also.

Fantastic experience: A friend and I were camping not to far away and due to walking constraints decided to stop in for some dinner instead of heading into town. The site looks spectacular and although we weren't in our glad rags were taken in and given our choice of table. We sat outside and had steak which was delicious and a few of the house ale, also very good. We were looked after well, attentive but not pushy and a lad called Jordan passed by often to see we were topped up. Will likely visit again with our partners for an evening.

Fantastic experience: Just had to come on and share the five star experience I had at the Saltus Spa. Every one of the therapists was friendly, helpful and generally interested in making sure your experience was one to remember. Highly recommend and thank you.

Positive experience: I attended a wedding and stayed 2 nights in this amazing location. The rooms are at best tired, some might say old. In need of a refurb urgently. It was the hottest weekend of this year and none of the bedrooms are air conditioned!!! And hardly any function rooms. Not even where they bride dressed!! All had a small fan. Everyone asked for extra fans and they ran out. The hotel appeared full, on the Saturday there was a wedding and another party going on so maybe it was to be expected that despite asking for an iron and board twice, it never appeared. The food however was good. The wedding breakfast good quality and nicely cooked and the breakfast very good. Good recreational facilities if that’s what you are there for but I did find it disconcerting to see scantily clad swimsuit wearing sunbathers blatantly stood watching the private wedding ceremony. All in all, of course I had a fab time at the wedding but, would I return to this hotel in the summer months if there wasn’t a wedding. Not a chance! Portable air con units are inexpensive Balmer Lawn!!!

Positive experience: Gifted a spa day with 2 treatments, treatments were lovely as we're the lady's providing them. Spa area is a little simple, but nice enough. Due to lovely weather we were able to take advantage of the nice outdoor heated pool too. Jacuzzi was a little overzealous and the water was jumping about in your face, so couldn't fully relax in it. But on the whole a really relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Positive experience: Up market spa and hotel. Nice location, we watched a cricket match on the lawn out front. Good food, but fairly pricey. Our room furniture was slightly tired. The fridge wasn't on and the fan didn't work at all.

Fantastic experience: My experience at the Balmer Lawn Hotel as a wedding venue was truly exceptional. The picturesque setting amidst the New Forest provided a breathtaking backdrop for our special day. The staff's attention to detail and dedication to ensuring everything ran smoothly was remarkable. The hotel's flexibility in accommodating our requests, along with their top-notch catering and cosy accommodations, made for an unforgettable wedding experience. I would highly recommend the Balmer Lawn Hotel to other couples seeking a charming, elegant, and accommodating venue for their big day.

Negative experience: No working toilet ! more 3 star - on arrival no porter or luggage trolley available they don't have any for clients. On our first night we told reception toilet not working in the afternoon on our return still not working phoned reception who sent a nice man from the bar area, unfortunately unable to fix, did suggest we place a towel over the pan to help suppress the noise it did help. Next day the problem was fixed, our second nights sleep or lack of it was due to the insulation being so poor every sound from the room above could be heard. At 8:30am we told reception about our issues and was told a duty manager would be available at 9:00am to discuss a goodwill offer of a discount, at 9:30am still no manager , was introduced to HR manger who couldn't help. I suggested a £150.00 off our £1000+ bill this was declined, we needed to leave urgently to get to my elderly father in law. I PAID IN FULL and left. I HAVE NEVER STAYED IN ANY STAR HOTEL WHEN AT 9:30AM NO ONE WITH AUTHORITY IS AVAILABLE.

Fantastic experience: Great hotel in the new forest. Superb location with outdoor area with its own cricket club just outside. Plenty of walking opportunities around the downs and has a heated outdoor and indoor pool. Worth looking for the owners cottage to rent as an alternative to the hotel rooms. Lovely bar and restaurants too.

Fantastic experience: Delicious Afternoon Tea last Sunday. Staff was very welcoming. Stunning location. It was so good to be back. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: The staff here couldn't be better. Mike and his team are top notch but still easygoing, went over and above and made our stay perfect. Comfortable, stylish, clean and cozy rooms in a beautiful quiet area of new forest that is easy walking distance to nature and various pubs and little shops for the necessities.

Positive experience: We stayed at the Balmer Lawn Hotel for a week in July. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and want to give a balanced review of our experience. Firstly, the good points. The hotel is in a lovely location situated in the heart of the New Forest within easy reach of Brockenhurst village centre. It is quiet and peaceful and you only have to walk through the side gate of the hotel to be amongst the wild ponies - perfect for walkers and cyclists. The facilities are excellent - two pools, both clean, a small sauna and a jacuzzi. Plenty sun loungers, gardens with a zip line and outdoor games for kids. Iced lemon water is provided FOC outside for users of the pool and sun beds. They also have a secure bike shed which is great for anyone wishing to store their bike (remember to take your own lock). There are two restaurants with different menus and two bar areas. The food and drink really are the crowning glory of this hotel, both were excellent. We ate in the restaurant most nights as it was part of our package and weren’t disappointed. Food and cocktails were fantastic, beautifully presented and delicious. We also had champagne afternoon tea which was delicious. Breakfast was great - hot and cold buffet, lots of food, all tasty and plenty of choice. The staff - really lovely, polite and were as helpful as they could be during our stay, particularly the restaurant staff. Now onto some items which needed improvement. Upon arrival the welcome was rather underwhelming. No one told us about breakfast times or gave any other information than our room was on the first floor. In the room there was no welcome note or folder with any hotel specific information in it either - breakfast times, pool opening/closing times etc. The bedrooms (well certainly ours was) are tired and need updating. There were paint splashes in the bath, the headboard was peeling and the wallpaper was coming off the wall in places. There was very little storage space in the bathrooms for toiletries and the ones provided were in cheap looking plastic bottles attached to the wall. There were very few coat hangers in the wardrobe - fine if you’re staying for one night but not ideal if you are staying for longer. The rooms do not have a safe or a fridge though they do have tea & coffee making facilities and complimentary biscuits and water. The towels/robes were stiff and cardboardy. The first night of our stay we were told we were eating in the Lodge. We entered to find a DJ playing dance music at a volume high enough that there was no way you could have a conversation. There didn’t seem to be any escape as the music was blasting through the speakers even in the side room. As a young family we found it quite bizarre that anyone would want to eat their dinner in what was basically a club minus a dance floor. Apparently this is a thing on Friday and Saturday evenings. We saw numerous people enter the Lodge only to turn around and walk out again on hearing the music. We opted to eat in the restaurant for the rest of our stay which was much more civilised. On the second night the fire alarm went off at 2.30am. Granted I’d rather have a false alarm than no alarm and there be a fire but there was no explanation about why it had happened and no apology from anyone. Overall we enjoyed our stay, would we stay again? Probably not.

Positive experience: The good: Great location, walking distance to Brockenhurst town centre. Facilities were good, great breakfast, indoor pool not huge but decent enough, outdoor pool felt nice and warm but had the cover on the second day we were there for some reason. Staff were friendly and attentive. The not good: Feels like it's well overdue a refresh. Our room was an ok size, but a locked connecting door to the next room didn't block much of the sound. Bathroom had a cracked sink, broken extractor fan, cobwebs in the corners. Bedroom furniture is from IKEA and doesn't scream of quality, wardrobe doors felt very rickity. The desk top had loads of ripples in it from water damage. One of the double glazed windows had blown so was misted up. Restaurant has deer antler chandeliers which on mildly closer inspection are all plastic. Little things like this just don't scream quality. Given local competition like Carey's Manor they need to up the quality. We paid around £280 on average for our room for 2 nights and I wouldn't have said it was worth that given my comments above, probably 15-20% too high in hindsight. Hate leaving reviews with negativity and hope they progress. Would stay again if they had a refurb

Fantastic experience: We were meeting friends for lunch, we opted for the restaurant, which was a good choice. Great service, excellent food (except my fennel which I could not cut). We would definitely visit again when in the area.

Positive experience: The staff was really nice and friendly. The food was very good, varied buffet breakfast options. Superior rooms perhaps not as much value for money, but still good and lovely view.

Positive experience: Overall a disappointing stay. The Balmer Lawn Hotel did not live up to our expectations. Despite booking in plenty of time we were put in the small room No 1 which was not suitable for a six night stay. To be fair to the owner he has written to us apologising and stating we should not have been allocated this room. His unhelpful receptionist Jack has however responded rudely to my trip advisor report more or less blaming us for the farce.

Positive experience: Staff very friendly and beautiful setting outside. We ate in the Lodge. Sadly food was very disappointing and poor value. Frito Misto £16 for a starter. Dry leaves and very small portion of whitebait and squid. Burgers were good size. Nice buns but burger was dry and at £20 were not cheap. I understand food and drink has gone up but £13 for a regular glass of poor quality rose wine is crazy. Only choice was dry or sweet and it definitely was not a good rose. Sadly we wouldn’t return

Positive experience: Overall a disappointing experience You today asked me how you failed me after my last review. As my review stated over all disappointing. The waitresses and staff in general were friendly, polite and trying to do their best . I enquired after the name of your drinks/ manager, as when he realised that we had been served drinks in glass containers by the pool by his staff he became very rude and offensive muttering under his breath and took away our drinks. When we enquired what on earth he was doing he began to raise his voice and argue with us. Did I mention the vegan menu? It appears that chef adapts the normal menu to fit in with a vegan menu ,which disappointed those members of my family who are vegan as it became a very poor choice of what was available. My last comment must be as we were all sitting having breakfast the couple sitting next to us appeared to be unable to control their dog as he continually jumped up and sat on their table 2or 3times. So yes these are the reasons that our visit to you was disappointing and fell short of our expectations.

Fantastic experience: Night away with husband, I had spa treatments which were lovely so relaxing hotel was lovely and all set for the coronation. The food was great, and fab cocktails made it even better look forward to visiting again

Fantastic experience: Nice place had a balcony room for our wedding. We didn't have our wedding there only stopped off for one night. Restaurant was a little bit disorganised for the type of venue. A lot of the staff seemed very inexperienced when it came to service or knowing what they were serving.