Macdonald De Montfort Hotel

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights and it was fine. The hotel could do with updating but the food was good, service good and staff friendly. I would rate is as a 3 Star and then you will not be disappointed.

My family and I wished to attend an event in Warwickshire over the Bank Holiday weekend of 26th - 29th May 2006. Using the Internet I found the Macdonald De Montfort Hotel at Kenilworth. It was 18 miles from the event but the closest 4* hotel with the room configuration we required. I booked the accommodation in April 2006. I rang the hotel on the morning of 26th May, about another matter, and reception confirmed my reservation. Upon arrival at 4PM the reception staff could find no record of my booking. It took nearly an hour to sort the matter out. The sole receptionist stated that this was a common problem. We were embarrassed by this as several other guests were attempting to check in or make enquiries. There seemed to be no extra staff that the receptionist could call on for assistance. Later, while we sat in reception, we heard other guests having the same problem with 'lost' reservations. The rooms were adequate, but not 4* standard. Luckily the hotel was quiet on our first evening as we had to keep going to reception to obtain supplies of towels, tea, coffee, milk. We reported a defective TV in one bedroom and were promised that the duty manager would attend to deal but, by the time we checked out 3 days later the TV still had not been examined. Reception staff were lethargic and in one case almost obstructive. On the first morning a chambermaid walked into our room, at 7:45AM, without knocking. She asked when we would be leaving as she wanted to get away early to attend a wedding. She was obviously annoyed when we told her to wait 30 minutes. We left the room, as arranged, and sat in reception waiting for her to service the room. We returned an hour later to find that she had not been to the room. We went out at 11:20AM with still no sign of her. When we returned in the evening we found that the beds had been made but towels, tea, coffee, bottles of water etc had not been replenished in either of our rooms. I spoke to the Head Receptionist about this chambermaid and was told that there were 'issues' with her. Why had not these 'issues' been sorted before it adversely impacted on the guests? There are no leisure facilities at this hotel - disappointing for a 4*. The only highlight was the Terrace Restaurant. We did not dine there in the evening but the menus appeared well structured and reasonably priced, although we never saw any customers dining. The breakfasts were hearty in the English tradition. Haddock is on the menu but never apparently available. Would I stay there again? If I were a businessman at a conference, or on a group coach tour, - possibly. Would I recommend it? Definitely not. I booked on the Internet, only paying about 30% of their rack rate. If I had paid full price I would probably sue the hotel. At the rate I paid I was still very disappointed by the service I received. This hotel bears a prestigious name. It is located in a quaint market town with good transport links to the Midlands. There is space which could be adapted for leisure facilities. It has immense potential but overall is spoiled by indifferent staff and is overpriced considering how little it offers its customers.

Good Hotel. Staff friendly. Room was clean, comfy and had good decor. Great breakfast with plenty of choice. Hotel easy to find. Would stay again

My husband and I stayed here for four nights. Cannot by any stretch of the imagination be considered a 4 star hotel. Should have taken previous reviews more seriously. Standard rooms are threadworn, wallpaper peeling, saggy mattress on bed (kept rolling to center), worn bedspread, scratchy blanket, worn carpet, old furniture and lamps, outlets not working. Bathroom surprisingly better than bedroom, seemed to be newer with good recessed lighting. Elevators and hallways need sprucing. Public rooms better than bedrooms. Nice buffet breakfast served, hot and cold foods well prepared. Front desk personnel cordial. Did not see a superior room.

We stayed at the De Montfort for one night to save ourselves the hassle of getting home after a Christmas party (at another hotel nearby). It has got to be the ugliest building in Kenilworth but hey it was only for one night! All I can say is it was as awful inside as it was outside...the room was tiny and had no more comfort than a travel lodge room ...and this is a 4 star ???!! The window only opened about 2 inches and the heat was stiffling during the night. There was also an annoying buzzing sound all night that we couldnt get rid of, even after turning all the plugs off in the room. Hairs in the bath...need I go on? If I'd have been here on a weekend break there is no way I would have stayed. Thankfully after our nights stay we could make a hasty getaway but never ever again !!! Take my advice a travel lodge is cheaper and more comfortable...this is NO 4 star !!

Having read the previous reviews of the hotel, I was apprehensive prior to our visit. We've stayed at the Macdonald Castle (Windsor) and Francis (Bath), which were both excellent (ask to stay in the old part of both hotels), and although the De Montfort lacks their ambience, we couldn't fault it. Ok, our bedroom did need a little tlc, but it was very clean and comfortable. We were allocated a superior room as we were travelling with a baby, and the standard rooms are apparently too small for a travel cot. This was great - nice seating area, huge bathroom. It's great knowing that toiletries are provided, and the tea and coffee supplies are ample. Breakfast was great, and we ate dinner there both nights too - the food was good quality, well presented, and if anything the portions were a little too big! The staff were very friendly and helpful, particularly when our baby wasn't too well - nothing phased them. Overall, a good stay.

This hotel is badly rundown and in need of a complete refurbishment. The first room we were allocated had clothes hanging in the wardrobe. The second room was drab and the cleaniness left a lot to be desired. This hotel does not deserve a 4star rating. The breakfast was the best part of the stay

The hotel is a really ugly 1960s building but having checked the website thought the rooms looked reasonably modern. Whilst the rooms were clean the hotel desperately needs redecorating. There were three of us staying and all the rooms had pealing wall paper. The lifts are practically antique! However the staff were helpful and the breakfast was excellent.

Very chintzy, out of date decor and poor decorative finishes in various places. Attention to detail was very lacking e.g. only one handtowel for 2 guests, heating not turned on in the room before arrival, insufficient ventilation in the bathroom, worn-thin bedlinen (should be replaced) etc. Service was less than enthusiastic and a touch on the surly side. Booked executive twin room and was given a standard double which they subsequently changed to a family room with a double and single bed. When queried why the allocated room was not of executive standard, they simply replied the change of room (thanks to their own mistake) meant no other room of the standard required was available. It was very take it or leave it. Breakfast service leaves something to be desired. All in all, not a well run hotel.

Looks horrendous from the outside - sixties architecture. Inside is better - but not sure how 4 star rating is justified. No leisure facilities on site (I understand can use leisure facilities elsewhere, but not close by), no gardens and problems parking at times. Standard rooms not brilliant - especially when you get allocated the room with the pull down bed in what must be also used as a meeting room! However, Kenilworth is a lovely place and De Montfort is situated opposite the Sunam Balti House - fantastic Indian cuisine, take your own booze, not expensive. Further down the high street is the Coconut Lagoon, trendy Indian cuisine, fab food, but not cheap! A wander round the (close by), Abbey Fields is highly recommended to walk off those post spice blues!!