Solent Hotel
Bad Reviews
in the Fareham area

We booked two nights separately to stay at the Solent Hotel. The first night was a dinner, bed & breakfast desk however there was no room in the restaurant for either meal so we were offered room service which wasn’t an issue for us. We had a four poster bed room which I was warned had not been updated but we found the room comfortable and clean. Beds were not very big we felt - normally hotel beds in the kind of room sizes they have, you’d expect a huge bed. I ordered our room service meal for 9pm, breads & oil, a steak, fish & chips & a chocolate brownie & panna cotta. They arrived promptly but disappointingly lukewarm. It was as if the steak had been cooked once then reheated and the chips were just warm soggy chunks if potato. The fish was tasty but chips same as the steak. The breads were a huge disappointment for their money. The best part of the meal was dessert - both delicious and moreish! The shower was warm and powerful and we found robes in the wardrobe for us to use. Enjoyed the pod coffee machine! I ordered breakfast on the card provided in the room and hung it out that night hoping for a better breakfast than dinner but again I was disappointed. Lukewarm cooked breakfast again with soggy toast piled on a plate. The eggs were very overcooked. It just wasn’t inviting or appetizing. We checked out as we were changing room - a premier suite for the next night, really hoping it paid off as the rooms were both expensive. The first night was £198 for db&b but I don’t feel we had value for money at all. We checked in later that afternoon for our Sunday night stay which included a bottle of champagne in our room and a late check out - 2pm. The room (premier suite) was spacious and modern, in the compliment mini bar were two bottle of Estrella, a bottle of white wine, two Cokes and two apple juices. Complimentary fruit was 3 lonely oranges sat on a plate and I did wonder how long they had been there. Also a small complimentary toiletry pack with two items in. Nice touch having a bath in one bathroom and another separate shower room. Lounge area was comfortable but another small bed we felt. We arrived to find the champagne missing fo I had to ask for that when I passed reception next. Also no robes in the wardrobe so I called reception to request them for using the spa. We had a swim booked that afternoon which was lovely and we enjoyed a lot. The room was cold and we struggled to warm it up despite calling reception and then resetting the system their end. It blew cold air out and every time I raised the temperature it dropped back down on its own. We had a table booked for dinner but to my disappointment the menu was much the same as the room service with not a lot of choice. It was expensive and I wasn’t prepared to have another meal like the one the evening before so we decided not to eat there. I expected a more varied menu than the one available for room service. It was a shame as it was my partners birthday and we hoped to celebrate with a meal ‘out.’ We opted for a continental room service breakfast the following day so that we wouldn’t be disappointed! We swam again but this time we had other guests at the hotel enter the jacuzzi whilst we were still in it despite the signs because they wanted a turn. We stuck to the 10 minute rule and had been very patient because all lanes were in use in the pool and jacuzzi when we arrived. It led to us leaving the pool area straight away with frustration for others rudeness and a complete disregard for personal space. We checked out and left, not really sure that I would ever go back. The hotel is close and would provide an ideal escape for us on another occasion but would I risk another £350+ for two nights of disappointing food and problematic service? The answer is no. If you’re thinking of booking, give it a try but just be aware of the troubles a few of us have experienced.

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I took some time to calm down and to don’t write straight after, so I can be more objective. But I still feel strongly disappointed. We live locally to Solent Hotel, so we visited restaurant and spa few times and were quiet happy about service and food quality until our last visit. After all complications last year brought we were finally allowed to reunite with family and wanted to go for treat in form of private hot tube and dinner. Everything was booked in advance. We asked for bottle of sweet Prosecco for hot tube to be ready in advance. We were told “no problem, just tell us when you are here and we will choose drink on your arrival”. This was promising treat for our family, we didn’t see each other for over a year. On day of visit: staff from spa has no idea about drink range, so we were offered cider, wine, gin. We asked for pretty basic Gin&tonic drinks and went to enjoy hot tube. Drinks arrived after 30 minutes. I have to say that staff tried and gave us 2 drinks free because of the delay, but it was just the start of horrible evening. After hot tube we moved to restaurant for dinner. When greeted, we asked if heaters and blankets are still available outside and if we can be seated there. We ordered drinks from drink menu, not everything on menu was available and waiter had troubles suggesting substitute. Famine part asked for blankets. When ordering out meal we also asked for heaters to be turned on and were informed, that we were seated under not working heater. After few questions waiter reluctantly agreed, that we can move to another table. I have to highlight that WE can move everything from our table to another (no help from waiter). We were still optimistic, as good food can make you forget about the rest. Unfortunately there comes biggest disappointment for me. We ordered 3x medium tomahawk steak and received 3 different steak doneness: 1 medium, medium well and rare. Unfortunately, for me again, I had rare one ( please see photo, I am not that picky, but this was too rare for my liking). When waiter asked if everything ok, I pointed out that steak is not cooked medium. 3/4 of my steak was sent back to the kitchen… no feedback, no comment from chef…we had desserts offered and served from another waiter, so I couldn’t ask what happened until we asked to pay. 1st waiter came with bill and I had to ask what happened to my steak and received answer: “It was done the way you asked for it”. When you are treated right and you get good food, you will close your eyes even on messy tables. But when staff walks constantly only to one table ( by attitude) with their friends and has no time to clean tables, take empty plates from your table and can’t be bothered to come back with feedback from chef, you just have enough. Gladly there is enough restaurants in the area which would accept £300 spend and treat us right.