Fowey Hall Hotel

We stayed at Fowey hall for a week and unfortunately were extremely disappointed from the moment we arrived. Once checked in no-one showed/ told us what or where the facilities were or what time they ran ie breakfast, the den, the spa, etc. all this required working out ourselves. We came away for a very special trip and had stated that upon arrival, and while there’s no expectation for a big song and dance not once had it been mentioned upon check in - again it’s the little touches which are so important so you can build a relationship with your customers. This very much felt like a travel lodge experience… Food was over priced and mediocre and varied from one day to the next. I rang down twice to order ketchup and it never arrived as part of my room service and while that sounds like a first world problem, having spent several thousand pounds at the hotel this was something basic I would expect to be delivered when I specifically ordered it with my meal and chased up. One night we ordered food for our dog with our meal and it had to be chased and when it arrived we had finished eating. Also it was piping hot, when my husband touched the bottom of the bowel he winced, our server even told us not to feed the dog straight away and wait 20 mins. If that was the case why did they bring it out?! - health and safety doesn’t seem to be a priority here… Staff didn’t seem as attentive and the place is honestly run by a bunch of 25 yr olds and that isn’t an insult but an emphasis on how little experience people had based on service and what is expected of a “luxury hotel”. The spa was however phenomenal and the massage with Sophie was sublime!! Where you don’t have to interact with staff I would say the hotel has all the bones to be superb but unfortunately you can see the lack of service will quickly make it feel run down. I’ve recently read some of the reviews on trip advisor and are surprised that the same issues keep arising…. We were keen to try out their newly refurbed ickworth hotel in November however upon our stay here we have decided to avoid this brand of hotel all together and I would heavily encourage those who plan to stay here to do so with eyes wide open!

We absolutely loved this place. The rooms were amazing, facilities fab and the staff all really lovely. We can’t wait to go back next year.

We stayed at Fowey Hall in May with our 1 year old. Whilst the hotel itself is lovely - amazing facilities, lovely pool and spa etc., we were shocked at the safety measures in the hotel , especially considering the fact it is a luxury family friendly hotel. There are no safes in the room or CCTV in the corridors. Unfortunately, we had some jewellery stolen from our room which was locked with a do not disturb sign on the door. At the time, the hotel did not take this seriously and it was only after another incident that the hotel management engaged with us. Whilst the hotel did reimburse us for our stay, and offer an apology, they have not installed safes or CCTV. This is worrying considering that the many families leave children in the rooms whilst dining. We flagged this to the hotel management but have been informed that CCTV and safes are not going to be installed. It is a shame as the hotel is lovely but until they sort out their basic security, we will not be returning.

I live in Cornwall and booked the full package spa day for my birthday, £190. The online marketing is alluring, however my experience was a vast disappointment in comparison. According to online, upon arrival you will be greeted with a smoothie or herbal tea. I arrived and was met by a lovely young woman on reception, gave a quick instruction of where the towels were and to get gown. I entered the very small changing room, with lockers all with the same security code, 1234. I over heard this from a child in the changing room, and wasn't told this at reception. The changing room had no private areas to undress, and there was a large number of children, of all ages in the spa and indoor pool area. The noise level was extremely high from the children playing in the pool. I didn't expect this from a spa day advertised as relaxing. It did state on the marketing that children would be in the pool but nothing could prepare for what felt like a water park experience. There was no space to enter the pool so I sat in the jacuzzi, which was pleasant. I then asked about the smoothie to the young woman in charge of reception, and was told there wasn't any, but I could ask the hotel on their menu, but she believed they didn't have any. She said there is a herbal tea station outside the pool. I had no clue where this was so I asked another guest who directed me. The herbal tea station was a few small packets of dry tea and hot water. I felt so stressed at this point by the high noise level in the spa I got dressed and went to the main hotel to ask for a drink. The hotel has no real reception, a young man sitting at a small table under the stairwell is it. There was no staff to ask for direction and although many were busy they appeared inexperienced and offered no contact. After hanging around the dining area I did eventually find a staff member who helped me to order a drink. After I returned back to the spa to try and find a way in to the pool for a swim. At this point I shared the pool with 2 young boys who were running around and hiding in the pool cover. There was little to no supervision, and although signage stating danger, this was ignored. My £190 spa day package included a 2 course lunch. I went back to the main hotel for lunch which I booked at 12pm. I again hung around the dining area in hope someone would serve me. Eventually I was asked what I wanted and proceeded to order a glass of sauvignon blanc wine, only to be told the hotel doesnt stock it, just a local alternative. I then ordered a starter of a lamb kebab, and a main of a caeser salad. The food can only be described as appalling and of a low quality. The meats appeared to be prepacked, the salad was brown around the edges and was smothered in sauce to disguise the overall dismal ingredients. I couldn't eat the salad. There was a young man set up to cook pizzas on the terrace. After a brief friendly conversation with him, he told me he had never cooked a pizza before and wasn't a qualified chef yet, but was doing a qualification. He did say he loved working at the hotel. I was charged an additional £20 for a coffee, a bottle of water with my lunch, and the wine. I had 2 treatments booked in later in the day, but due to the chaotic spa and indoor pool, the terrible food and the overall stressfull experience I decided to leave there and then. There was a definite family vibe at the hotel, I was the only single person there at that day and time. I have a son myself and have no problem with children and families, and would of chosen elsewhere for my relaxing, birthday, spa day treat if I knew it was their domain. To conclude my experience of Fowey Hall Hotel and Spa was awful, overpriced and stressful, with low quality food, inexperienced staff, lacking in any real service. I felt for the families who were staying there on holiday, at least I could return to my home in Cornwall. I have visited many places throughout my life and this hotel experience is now in the top five worst places I have stayed. Congrats! I do not recommend. (but the staff are friendly)

Fowey Hall has all the ingredients to be an exceptional family hotel. Yet unfortunately, our experience reflected many of the concerns raised in other recent reviews. The service often felt inconsistent and lacked the warmth and attentiveness you would expect from a hotel of this standard, afore mentioning a children focused demographic. Rather than feeling genuinely welcomed and cared for, there was an overall absence of the hospitality that should define a luxury family destination. The family facilities also fell short of expectations. Some of the children’s swimming toys appeared tired and poorly maintained, and the spa experience was well below what we anticipated, both in terms of the facilities and the overall standard of service. We left feeling that the hotel is relying too heavily on its stunning setting and reputation, when the day-to-day guest experience needs significant investment.