More Traveller Reviews of Porthminster Hotel
Disappointing
from Lilbel
We spent 3 nights in the Porthminster and booked a sea view room as a treat for ourselves. We were disappointed that the sea view was only to be viewed from a small window and could not be enjoyed sitting down. My husband asked the receptionist if there was an alternative room for us to see but she laughed and said no and didn't believe that we could have found anything wrong with the room. The bed was hard and lumpy with very old and somewhat smelly pillows and duvet. The decor was dated and the bathroom was dirty. The breakfast was very basic and when we arrived in the dining room (within serving hours) there was little food left to chose from. We also found the waiting staff unhelpful and somewhat unfriendly. As noted by some of the reviews about this hotel (perhaps because we were out of peak season), we did not find any problem with parking and we did not have to leave our car keys with reception. Our stay in St Ives itself was fantastic but I certainly wouldn't rate this hotel highly and the website is misleading.
Management response from PorthminsterManager
15 Sep 2008
Dear Lilbel
Thank you for your comments. I can assure you that we do take such feedback very seriously. I note you mention you stayed out of season - quite possible before our improvement programme began. If you had stayed more recently then I would be confident that you would have seen several key areas of improvement. If you would consider a stay in the future I would be delighted to personally ensure that you receive an experience of the hotel that would exceed your expectations.
Mostly a good experience
from PClarke
We stayed for one night in August for my husband's birthday and had booked a double sea view room - which we had. The room was much as we'd expected after reading this website and we think had been refurbished. There were, however, some stains on carpets and curtains. Would have preferred a KS bed but the room wasn't vey large. Lovely views from our room and enjoyed a drink in the bar and also breakfast overlooking the beach. The only issue we had was with the television reception, as it was really problematic in our room and the Olympics were on! Looking at the comments made by the manager - we had meant to mention the tv when we checked out but the receptionist was so busy after breakfast dealing with bills and car keys that it wasn't appropriate. If he left forms in the room for us to fill in quickly, we would have preferred to have done that. I think that previous people have every right to discuss issues on Tripadvisor as who wants to have to complain when on holiday and when paying a lot of money. The condition of the rooms should be reflected in the price. Our room was £200 for the night with breakfast which is a lot of money but we felt worth it to make a birthday meal at the Porthminster cafe more enjoyable. Would stay again but be very careful which room we booked. All the staff were very helpful, especially in the bar and the lunchtime sandwiches were lovely. Would look forward to eating dinner there next time as the menu looked very good!
We were duped by the website, please don’t make the same mistake!!!!
from RobandKateSaffron
We’d decided late on to take a break in St Ives, we’re a young couple in our late twenties and we wanted to treat ourselves to a nice hotel for our holiday especially given the weather forecast. We are easily pleased and easy-going people, however, we have been compelled to share our experience with others on this occasion. We didn’t mind a non-sea view room as we booked late in high-season, it was the location, the luxury accommodation and spa facilities that we were looking forward to, as detailed on the hotel’s website. We pre-booked a standard room for a 2 night stay via laterooms.com. Upon our arrival we were impressed by the location, however, our first issue was parking, the car park is too small – you basically have to squeeze your car in, blocking everyone in then leave the car keys with reception so that they could shuffle the cars around to let people out, we’ve never come across this before. We were allocated room 27, walking into our room was like walking back in time, the place must not have been touched for over 25 years, we were so disappointed!!! Our main gripe is that the website portrays a modern hotel with premium accommodation, I’ve stayed in hostels before that are plusher that this! The bed was not uncomfortable but the pillows were so lumpy and the duvet had big holes inside with no substance, it was like sleeping under a doily! The retro bathroom just felt small and dirty, for example the carpeted flooring was probably older that me, the tiled walls were mismatched and mouldy. The public areas of the hotel including the reception area were smelly, especially the corridor area leading to the pool and games room which stank of stale cigarette smoke. We were perturbed by floating particles in the spa pool and the disgusting and dirty changing rooms hence we never took a dip. There was a lift that was basically an ancient metal cage but we were not brave enough to take a ride and carried our bags up the stairs instead! The staff were generally pleasant except for the night porter who seemed to have his backside glued to his chair! Given our overall impression of the hotel we did not even dare go for breakfast which was probably a good decision given other guests’ reports on this site! It is a real shame as this hotel has so much potential as it is in a prime location with amazing views across the bay but we felt totally ripped by the standard of accommodation. The place needs a total revamp. We regret that we paid over £100 per night for this sub-standard accommodation. St Ives is a lovely place, great beach, nice shops restaurants and bars, so we’ll definitely return but never again to the Porthminster! To pre-empt the management response why do you charge this embarrassing amount of money for such accommodation? We’ve now had time to read some of the other guest’s comments and your responses, it appears that you have admitted that the accommodation is sub-standard in the non-sea view rooms so stop ripping people off!
Management response from PorthminsterManager
26 Aug 2008
Dear RobandKateSaffron
I wish you had contacted me or one of my team while you were staying with us. I'm not sure why you chose to stay, pay in full, leave pleasantly only to then write a terrible review here?
I would have been delighted to have made things right for you while you were still with us. After all as you point out I have already admitted that a minority of our rooms do fall short of the standard of the rest of the hotel. We are about to embark on a thorough refurbishment of our worst rooms which doesn't help you now but I feel needs to be reiterated.
Do please bear in mind that unless I hear of a guests dissatisfaction I am unable to rectify the issue!
That said, as I've expressed previously please do drop me a line as I'd like to attempt to put things right with you if you would care to let me.
Lots of money for loads of rubbish!!!!!!!!!!
from AnnabellaSomerset
We decided to go to St Ives for our first year anniversary, so we spent a long time looking for a great hotel to stay in rather than the cheap B&B'S we usually stay in, Looking at the Porthminster website we thought this was the place for us, Beautiful views, fantastic rooms, We were very much mistaken!!!!!!!!!! The car park was the first problem,only enough room for 20 cars, so you couldn't even park, eventually we found a place, but you have to leave your keys at Reception as they need to move cars to allow people to get their cars out!! We checked in,then were given the keys to what we thought would be our beautifull room for the next two nights. We walked in to find the smallest bedroom & bathroom, we have ever stayed in, The mini bar consisted of 3 miniture bottles of sprits on the bedside table, which you could hardly see for dust, costing £4.50 each. The view from our window,which you needed to stand on a chair to see out of ,was a meter from the main road, no beach in sight as we were on the opposite side of the hotel!!! Now the bathroom.........I would at least of expected a seperate shower & bath, not a manky 1970s shower over the bath. On futher inspection, we noticed all the tiles surrounding the bath were riddled with black mould & the sink was splattered with blood from the last occupants teeth cleaning, I called my husband in to look at this, but I had to leave as there wasn't enough room for both of us in the bathroom at the same time. I then went to see the manager and they sent someone up to clean the bathroom before we could use it. The whole hotel is still stuck in the 1970's & is in need of a complete revamp. We refused to stay for the 2 nights but even after complaining to the manager still had to pay the full price for 1 night of £130.00 yes thats right £130. We are a young couple & never moan about things but this was unacceptable for the price & what we expected after looking at the web site. Mr & Mrs Rashleigh. Somerset, England.
Management response from PorthminsterManager
23 Aug 2008
Dear Mr and Mrs Rashleigh
Thank you for your comments.
Your room (47) is our last let room and as you booked relatively late in the day this was all we had available. Also, as you are aware, you booked a standard non-sea view room online, hence no sea view and a standard room.
As I've stated on previous reviews we are due to embark on a complete renovation of the hotel, which will greatly improve the quality of our standard non-sea view rooms, of which there are only a few now remaining.
You stayed with us at the busiest time for the hotel. We would have been quite within our rights to charge you for your second night but, due to your the circumstances we agreed with you to waiver the 2nd nights charge. You decided not to stay and as such we were left with an empty room which we could then not sell.
I would add that if you had stayed for the 2nd night the room would have worked out at a thoroughly resonable £65 per night.
Having spoken with my Operations Manager we can see no evidence of a lack of cleanliness, the chamberperson who went up to the room said there was nothing to clean. Also as the rooms are all inspected by the Head Housekeeper of the last 30 years I would be surprised to say the least if there was 'blood splatters' in the sink.
This not withstanding please allow me to make amends for your dissapointment, please do get in touch directly with me at the hotel and I will endevour to make amends for your dissapointment in the standard of accommodation.
Difficult to Accept !
from Viszla4
We have been staying at the Porthminster Hotel for 25 years along with a group of friends whom we met there during that period of time . The magic of St Ives and the hotel draws us back each year , this year though despite fantastic weather we have returned home a little disillusioned , the Hotel is under new ownership and we felt that the new administration had not been prepared to ' hit the ground running ' and deliver the same level of service we have experienced in previous years .We left dismayed to learn that the outside Swimming pool will disappear to make way for appartments , reducing an amenity enjoyed by many . Accepting that nothing stays the same forever we hope that this Hotel will still keep its identity as a 'Family Hotel ' wanting to retain repeat custom such as ours year in year out . We did speak with the Manager expressing our concerns , he did listen and take on board our comments . Despite our disappointing holiday this year we do hope to return again next year , in the hope that 12 months will see a huge turnaround .
Management response from PorthminsterManager
14 Aug 2008
Dear Visla4
Thank you for your comments following your stay with us in early July of this year.
As the new Manager of the hotel I would like to assure you that I do take great value from your comments. As explained during your visit an extensive programme of modernisation, refurbishment and maintenance is now well underway.
We have appointed a new Executive Chef who joins us from J Sheekeys in London as well as several key members of senior management all of whom are making the service delivery far better then previously.
The specific areas of concern you mention are all already in hand, although I wish we had been aware of them whilst you were here as we would have put them right for you straight away.
We will keep you and all our loyal guests up to speed with all the developments at the hotel.
Thank you again for your comments.
Dreary seaside hotel
from rothsberg
We were recommended to stay at The Porthminster hotel from another hotel we stayed in. I rang and they advised they had sea view rooms at £200 per night with breakfast. Well it takes the best part of 30 minutes to park your car, they have a small space for 20 or so cars or else you have to park a 10-15 minute walk down the bottom of the hill. The hotel looks very dull and lifeless from the outside. At reception the welcome was as dreary as the building looked. The rooms were l will agree with a good sea view, but possibly the most ugly rooms l have ever stayed. Pillows flat and lumpy, as with bed. The shower had mould in the grout, and the tolet not cleaned very well. The breakfast also tired and sad. Personally to charge £200 for the room we had is an embarrasment. Save your money people and go to the Cove for half the price.
Management response from PorthminsterManager
31 Jul 2008
Dear Rothsberg
Thank you for your comments.
As I mentioned below the hotel is now under new ownership and management with a complete refurbishment already underway.
I would have welcomed your comments whilst you were staying with us as we may have been able to put things right for you. If you would care to contact me directly I would welcome the opportunity still to do so.
5 star view, 1 star room
from MobyLondon
I am generally easily pleased with hotels and thus never take time to write a review whether good or bad, but here I feel a duty. Before I speak of the negatives, I must say that the view from some hotel areas is superb and the staff were generally friendly. However this did not excuse the boarding house style room that my wife and I were offered. I am sure that many others were given splendid rooms to stay in, but we paid very good money to be put up in room 28 which had damp smelly carpets, with furniture from a charity shop, a bathroom which used to be a wardrobe and a view of the car park from the window with almost 24 hour high decibel traffic noise if you chose to open it for fresh air. The hotel corridors whiffed of urine much like an old people's home and the ancient lift could be called cute, if it actually worked! Don't let that detract you from the town itself and the commanding view of the beach- they were lovely. We were told there were no other rooms available, but there weren't many people at the hotel. If you seek a taste of 1950's cheesy seaside hotel you can do no better than this place, especially room 28.
Management response from PorthminsterManager
28 Jul 2008
Dear MobyLondon
I am dismayed to hear of your comments.
The hotel has recently come under new ownership and I have been appointed as the new manager. We have a very clear objective - to refurbish the entire property and move the whole experience to a 4 star level.
Whilst all our sea and garden view rooms have already been upgraded we still have a few non-view rooms which require investment, there is a schedule in place for all the remaining rooms.
I, or one of my Duty Managers would have welcomed your comments directly while you were here and we would have done our best to put things right for you. If you would care to drop me a line I would like to see if I still can.
Friendly staff, in new ownership, good times to come
from matt303939
We stay at the hotel for a wedding. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The rooms were a bit tired, but have been told that it is in new ownership, and we saw one of the new rooms re-decorated and it looked really nice. Very clean hotel and nice soft towels. Hot water was a bit temperamental, and the water pressure in the bathrooms wasnt the best. The location is great and if you get a sea view you cannot be disappointed. Well worth a consideration, but might want to leave it a while until they have redecorated a few more rooms.
A Short Break at the Porthminster
from johnwetherill
I have known this hotel for many years and last stayed there a few years ago for family wedding the town. This visit was a "short break" in the absence of the availabilty of another hotel elsewhere and the wish to see the current exhibition at the Tate. Being January it was early and quiet and we gathered that the hotel had been closed until just before we arrived but after a pretty average reception we had an excellent room with sea views. Meals were a bit quiet with only 3 or 4 other couples around but at least allowed sea view tables. Meals appeared to be try outs with a new chef on the go but were good albeit with a pretty informal lady "maitre d'". Good breakfasts. Pool and jacuzzi a definate plus. All in all a good stay but a little impression of "fading grandeur" from a hotel that I had always regarded as "up market". Would stay there again however.
The ideal winter break.
from rogerpacker
Just arrived home from a 3 night winter break at the Porthminster Hotel, my wife booked a sea view room which gave us wonderful views over Porthminster beach and St. Ives bay. we also booked breakfast and evening meal both of which we can fully recommend. The indoor heated swimming pool and jacuzzi is also a plus for this hotel. The hotel staff was always cheerful and helpful . Looking forward to a return visit.
More hotel photos
Tired 80s style rooms, the beds were so soft you sink into them, rooms on the road side are very noisy as the hotel is on a busy intersection. Room prices are PER PERSON so very overpriced and almost a con.