Solent - A Shire Hotel & Spa

Solent - A Shire Hotel & Spa descritpion

With a swimming pool, spa and gym, this 4-star hotel is set in woodland between Southampton and Portsmouth. Its restaurant has an AA Rosette, and an outdoor terrace for summer.
Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and mineral water are in each room. Ground coffee and fresh milk are also added. All rooms have a modern décor and comfortable beds.
Solent - A Shire Hotel & Spa is just off the M27 highway. The New Forest, Goodwood and Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard are ideal day trips.
A tennis court, whirlpool and sauna are also on site. Eight treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge are part of the relaxing spa.
Parson's Collar is a country-style pub next to the hotel. It offersThwaites beers and home-cooked meals, including traditional Sunday roasts.

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Facilities of Solent - A Shire Hotel & Spa

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Solent - A Shire Hotel & Spa

Review 1：Other guests pulling the hotel apart like they are amateur hotel inspectors. Clearly they need to get a life!!!

Review 2：I liked everything. Yes, you could go round like some reviewers and put every aspect of the business under a microscope and come up with faults but we were there to have a good time. My daughter got married at the Solent Hotel. The staff did everything that they could to make sure we were happy. Thank you to all concerned

Review 3：The pool area could have a time when no longer open to children. It would be nice to have some adult time only in these facilities. The pub that is at the entrance to this hotel car park is disgusting.

Review 4：Facilities are excellent. A great Spa Break for any occasion.Restaurant is lovely - typically priced and staff appear genuine and accommodating. Highly recommended to couples - romantic breaks, business stay overs and families. The gym is really well equipped. Pool, steam room and all spa facilities well cared for. Lots of places to sit and chill out. There is a retail park in walking distance. Some nice shops and restaurants for going for a stroll and having a bite to eat.

Review 5：I was the first one down for breakfast and most of the items on the so-called 'hot buffet' were already cold. Not a great start to the day.

Review 6：Good pool, steam room and sauna.

Review 7：We weren't shown around the spa, not told about breakfast time, price of the lunch menu was crazy considering the state of the food.

Review 8：Spa ok gym had just enough equipment

Review 9：The only slight down side for me was the 'darkness' of the pool which made it difficult to swim properly due to low visibility under water.

Review 10：The room was extremely comfortable (standard double). The food was of high quality with cheerful and attentive waiting staff. Good location by road and by rail (5min taxi ride from Swanwick station).

Review 11：The rooms especially the bathrooms are rather shabby for a relatively expensive hotel. Some refurbishment needed fairly urgently I think if they are not to lose their reputation. It would be nice to book spa treatments spontaneously but they were fully booked the day we were there.

Review 12：It was quiet and clean. We didn't have time to use the pool or spa but it was nice to sit in the spa area. The bar was good and good service. Staff were all very friendly.

Review 13：Not a criticism, but perhaps if you were here for a while and looking to branch out to a variety of eating places that are walkable, then somewhere more central may be more appropriate. However if you have a car with you everything is within very easy reach. It certainly was not a problem for us.

Review 14：We felt that this hotel struck the perfect balance between child friendly and a more sophisticated experience for the adults! It was cosy whilst spacious. Special mention to the staff who were all - without exception - extremely polite, friendly and helpful. The little treats left for our young daughters arrival with the two glasses of milk for them in the fridge, were honestly, really touching!

Review 15：Quality of food was only average, verging on poor, restaurant seemed understaffed, breakfast not available until 8.00am which was too late for us as we had to leave at 8.00

Review 16：Location and quality/ cleanliness of hotel, and friendly helpful staff.

Review 17：Unfortunately the after hours service was quite slow. No one had anticapated that so many people may want room service after hours.

Review 18：the staff and service has improved immensely . The breakfast was delicious and the way it is now served for you is a small but great improvement.

Review 19：MY ROOM WAS COLD ROOM OVERLOOKED ROOFTOPS!!!!! NOISY PARTY GUESTS BANGING DOORS AND TALKING LOUDLY FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE MOST OF THE NIGHT AS THERE WAS A PARTY AT THE HOTEL

Review 20：FRESH MILK TO HAVE WITH TEA

Review 21：Poor 4 star standards throughout, threadbare furniture, stained carpets, blocked basin in our room was not actioned, lights not working in our room not actioned, tinned tomatoes for breakfast, wine served was corked, reception staff uninterested and non-responsive to our requests to attend to basin and lighting etc, etc.

Review 22：Not much going on in the Whiteley area (obviously can't be helped), had to wait 40mins for a taxi and couldn't find anywhere to eat when we arrived late Thursday. Hotel decor a little dated. Overpriced for what you get. Paid £30 more for 4* hotel in central London last weekend which was pristine!

Review 23：Nice exterior, good tea and coffee making facilities, easy to locate, polite staff, large sized rooms.

Review 24：Poor service at breakfast. No milk one day, no butter the next day, tea didn't arrive the following today. Lots of staff, but they lacked attention to detail.

Review 25：Spa treatments a bit expensive,

Review 26：Staff were welcoming and friendly, car parking was easy and plenty of it. The rooms were really nice (and quiet), the leisure facilities were excellent. A really nice place to stay and relax (Breakfast good too).

Review 27：A couple of little niggles in my room the plug to wash hand basin the chain was broken off which meant when you had finished with the water I had to lever it out with a teaspoon handle, also the desk lamp wasn't working but very minor.

Review 28：The stay was very good the spa excellent. I thought the hotel dinner was a little expensive but the food was really good. The pub attached was less expensive and the food was good. I also particularly liked the fresh milk in the room fridge for your tea.

Review 29：Ladies toilets in health club could have been a bit cleaner

Review 30：Very friendly good facilities for children,particularly liked games room and film night,Sunday lunch very nice ,breakfast very nice as well

Review 31：Not sure where one would find the 4 stars this hotel holds: bathroom felt like a leftover from the 70ies and the room service was not up to standard (we had to call reception on every day of our stay to ask for different things room service should have taken care of).

Review 32：The breakfast staff were slow but as we were on a leisure break , it was not a problem.

Review 33：The reception staff were helpful, made an afford to sort out errors on my bill. The rooms were comfortable,I would stay in one of your hotels again.

Review 34：We enjoyed the hotel facilities especially the pool and spa. The staff were all very approachable and friendly both at the front desk and in the restaurants. The breakfast was great - there was a wide range of food choices!

Review 35：We have been frequent visitors in the past and chose the hotel for a family celebration. The weekend lived up to our expectations particularly the attention of the staff at our Sunday lunch. The Hotel was busy hosting two weddings but we were looked after well. We will be back.

Review 36：Nothing we were happy with everything!

Review 37：Brilliant service, food was great! Our room was perfect, our bed was very comfortable. Spa facilities are a 10/10.

Review 38：Found the air con temp a bit cold during this stay but usually its fine.

Review 39：The staff are lovely and the pool area is great for kids. My son spent 2 and a half hours playing in the pool!

Review 40：The setting isn't great but nice beaches, villages and towns all within a half an drive or less.

Review 41：It's a smart and comfortable hotel but what really makes it really stand out are the staff. Such a happy, organised and helpful group of people.

Review 42：Breakfast was chaotic , not a huge selection for a 4* hotel, and had to wait 15minutes for a table , but it was a weekend so hotel possibly full

Review 43：The spa is lovely and very relaxing the staff in the hotel are very helpful , especially reception staff , we stayed in a suite which was a great size although bathroom very basic compared to previous hotels, lovely size room though , with 2 televisions and lounge area , will defiantly stay again

Review 44：Breakfast slow, tea and toast come far later than everything else. The shower was too low for anyone over 5'8". Restaurants over priced for average food but that's typical for hotels. Should've eaten out locally instead and we did our second night. Sound proofing needs improving as could hear people in room above going to the toilet at night!

Review 45：Staff excellent, good with kids and lovely touches on arrival. Coffee machine in room was very welcome. Pool and gym great

Review 46：Heating in room too hot ! Didn't know reception can control . Food was average generally - needs improvement - compared to Northampton shire which was much better

Review 47：Pool, kids games room,

Review 48：Al good, staff very helpful,facilities excellent. I liked the complimentary water in the fridge. I had issue with my bill, hopefully Claire has sorted it out. I am waiting to see if my refund has been processed..

Review 49：Breakfast is poor (no bread in a breakfast! only toasts available). Room could be refreshed (old facilities, old shower not fully functional)

Review 50：Staff is very friendly and helpful Location is great because not far from the office Restaurant is quite good

Review 51：Slight downside, but manageable... access in and out of the business park can be congested at rush-hour.

Review 52：The location is excellent. Great facilities in and nearby the hotel.

Review 53：Staff incredibly helpful & friendly. Very large room with double bed & double sofa bed, already turned down with smarties & apple juice gift for our son. We were late so ordered room service which arrived in 15 mins & was very good. We'll stay again. Great value.

Review 54：They overcharged me for breakfast by mistake and were pretty grumpy upon giving a refund. They also over promised to say it would be refunded to the and that day. Which of course it wasn't.

Review 55：Great facilities and good food. Power shower in the room was one of the best I've ever had !

Review 56：The ladies showers in the spa were awful hotel management were aware though and had set in place maintenance for after our stay ended. The bathroom in the bedroom was due an update as had peeling paint, rust and staining. Bringing it to the attention of Tom the night manager we were offered a discount on the amount we'd paid.

Review 57：We had a pretty relaxed stay in part because this was a phone/computer free stay so the wifi availability did not effect us. One of the best children's dinnertime activity packs for young children. The bedroom suite we'd booked was very comfortable.

Review 58：Had to wait 4 hours for room to be ready, toilet blocked, no robes or slippers for spa. waited over 2 hours for them despite 2 phone calls and 2 face to face requests. Despite a one night stay house keeping came in 3 times and woke us up this was before our check out time!!!

Review 59：The rooms look a little tired The family room with two small boys was a bit small as was the bathroom Pool was extremely busy on bank holiday weekend

Review 60：The hotel environment, particularly outside facilities

Review 61：The bed was absolutely horrible - very uncomfortable. We were travelling with our 3.5 year old daughter and were very excited as we thought we would get a full nights sleep (left our 11 week old son at home with his grandmother) - because of the bed we hardly slept. Also we were never told our room was going to be next to the lifts (room 208) and because it was a very busy booked weekend we were kept up by the noise of the lift going up and down through the late hours.

Review 62：The staff were very friendly and always wanting to be helpful.

Review 63：It is very expensive for what it is. The food, especially breakfast, is average and more limited in range than I had been led to expect. The setting is away from a major town and with nowhere really to walk. For the money I expected something far better. A good mid-range hotel masquerading and charging as if it is something exceptional.

Review 64：A well trained and very helpful staff team throughout. Excellent bedroom and comfort.

Review 65：Outside of our room each day was a selection of dirty dishes waiting to be cleared. Restaurant lacked any charm ,seated next to a dirty counter,just needed a little bit of attention. £164 a night is on the high end with no breakfast included.

Review 66：Liked our room,spa,pool.staff were helpful and friendly.

Review 67：Dinner was a let down - the chef seemed have put a lot of sugar in all our starters and mains - really didn't need dessert after! The coconut rice was sickly sweet.

Review 68：Staff were very friendly and accommodating

Review 69：Had family room booked. Bunk beds not made up which we didn't fully appreciate until after our large family get together. Didn't want staff in at that stage so made ourselves but no sheets or duvet covers do kids lay on dressing gowns. Also when checking out were overcharged for breakfast which was apologised for and corrected but only noticed as I questioned it being on the bill.

Review 70：Spa very nice. Staff friendly

Review 71：Cup of tea cost about £4.80 - even in a good quality hotel I think this is extortionate. Whilst room was very comfortable it was quite dark. Despite being a hot weekend, we were unable to use the outside area at the back of the hotel on Friday or Saturday afternoon due to weddings. We ended up sitting on a picnic rug at the front of the hotel in the car park area.

Review 72：Great gym and swimming pool. Friendly and helpful staff - particularly on check in and at the leisure club. Lovely housemaid.

Review 73：Orientation towards children. Lots of children in the pool. Adult swim only should be priority not exception in a spa hotel. In fact children under 14 are not normally allowed in the spas I have visited internationally as well as in the UK.

Review 74：The rooms where quite dark and I feel a bidet is un necessary especially if it means you cant get into the bathroom because the door is so big, so loose the bidet and make it easier to enter the bathroom. Too much furniture in the room - there was no where to put the coffee table as we had the sofa bed up. Coffee machine a bit temperamental - kept stopping when there was only a few cms of coffee in the cup (I made certain I wasnt using the espresso coffee too) and had to top up with boiling water from the kettle as coffee was barely hot, but a nice touch having the machine in there but very fiddly.

Review 75：We requested a top floor room, and although this wasn't available when we arrived, we where offered a larger suite after we encountered problems with the ground floor room we where originally issued. As we where travelling with teenagers it was nice that they got their own area with TV. The pool was great.

Review 76：I felt very let down by our experience at this hotel. A very dusty skirting board and a broken toilet seat was disappointing. I mentioned the dust to the chambermaid but nothing was done.

Review 77：Breakfast was good.

Review 78：Next door bathroom situated immediately behind bed. Noisy during night. We stayed in junior suite for £170 per night not what you expect to experience.

Review 79：Too expensive for just myself. Didn't have anyone to share the bill with and the cheapest room was aimed at 2 people.

Review 80：Comfort and cleanliness was excellent

Review 81：The food was absolutely terrible. Not only in terms of quality but also price. My sandwich cost upward of £7 and was worse than something I could have got from a service station. They also have a pub on-site which is no better. My family room was also indistinguishable from a regular double room.

Review 82：The power shower alone was worth a star. Very decent spa facilities.

Review 83：The bed wasn't very comfortable. Far too hard I thought it was quite pricey

Review 84：Very friendly staff in all areas Good location for visiting Portsmouth. Lovely pool and spa.

Review 85：Very poor breakfast, very poor restaurant service, didn't replace towels when requested. Rooms a bit tired. Manager never called back with a resolution to our complaint as he promised.

Review 86：Nice location and a quiet room. Nice Spa

Review 87：Breakfast was pricey, took the edge off the deal I thought I had.

Review 88：Attentive and alert staff, quick to take the initiative to sort out any questions. Good facilities and comfortable room.

Review 89：When we arrived we found that our room had not been serviced properly. Apparently the hotel was full so we could'nt have another room so had to wait while ours was done properly. We were only offered a free drink.

Review 90：Our 2 night stay at the hotel was wonderful. we made full use of the swimming pool and leisure facilities. We also enjoyed the local shopping centre, restaurants, beaches and peppa pgi world visit.

Review 91：Bathroom fan not working so bathroom unusable after shower for ages. Peeling tiles behind shore tap curdled milk in fridge. Not enough coffee teas for stay - would have had to ask for more.

Review 92：Pool, sauna pleasant staff

Review 93：It was clear that the floor in the restaurant was not cleaned in 24 hours - I saw some breakfast spilled and it was still on the floor the following morning. Every laid table we sat at was dirty.

Review 94：The room was a good size and the location of the hotel

Review 95：The staff were extremely welcoming, helpful and accomodating. The reception was particularly helpful and changed my room for me as I needed a quiet room to work. The rooms were spacious, very well equipped and decorated to a high standard. The whole hotel was stylish and a pleasure to be in. I enjoyed the swimming pool and spa facilities even though I was there for work. A free coffee by the pool after a long drive was very welcome. I ate in the bar and the service was efficient and the food excellent. I would really recommend this hotel and I will definitely look to book with them again.

Review 96：Sofa bed made up for use in my room in addition to standard double was a little unnerving.

Review 97：The friendliness and helpfulness of the reception staff was truly exceptional. Breakfast quality very good with a great range of choices.

Review 98：Our only minor gripe would be that the in-house restaurant evening meal and wine prices were a bit on the high side. We didn't realise there is also a 'pub grub' type venue within the hotel grounds and would probably use that in future.

Review 99：Large well equipped bedrooms. Complimentary spa membership. Staff were very friendly.

Review 100：Not enough car staff at the small bar next to Hambledon suite where the disco was. Staff didn't even acknowledge you whilst waiting which was odd. Extortionately high drinks prices.

Review 101：Everything close at hand.

Review 102：Book dinner in the restaurant early as they don't allow children after 7.30pm which is little restrictive when your on a holiday. Swimming pool can become very crowded during the weekends so prefer to do that early as possible.

Review 103：Generally good facilities.

Review 104：The location, very clean hotel and spa plus the satff were really helpful and friendly! It was a surprise for my girlfriend and the staff went over board to help me. Cant wait to stay again !!

Review 105：Still trying to find something !!!!!! Sorry can't !

Review 106：Cleanliness and warm staff welcome . Proximity to motorway without knowing it once you're installed!! Fabulous power shower.

Review 107：The kid's beds were laid out with a Capri Sun and Smarties, a nice welcome for the kids. We swam in the pool every day and splash time for the kids was great.

Review 108：the only thing bad is the beds the mattress in all 3 rooms we had booked were in need of replacing they seem to be cheap. none of my family will stop over night again till they do the beds.

Review 109：we all liked the hotel and staff and the hotel has it all so we did not have to go into town.the food on offer is good so we ate in all the time.

Review 110：The reception staff were not particularly friendly, I would describe them as 'business like' efficient but not warm. Breakfast; the food was ok you can pick what you want but someone serves it on to your plate - the continental selection was very small, and 4 slices of toast for 6 people in my opinion isn't enough, we had to ask for more each day as we did for the butter to go with it; we were always made to feel uncomfortable when we were asking though. The service at breakfast time wasn't great either and it wasn't that there weren't many staff around because there was they just weren't very efficient, definitely more training required in this area. Bed size for children this isn't just this hotel it is lots of hotels - with older children (age 11 & 13) a sofa bed just isn't big enough, hotels need to think about this, however the rooms were clean and if only 2 people were lovely however a little cramped with 4 people.

Review 111：The spa facilities were excellent very clean, and the staff were very polite and friendly. There were some times where the children weren't allowed in the pool but this didn't affect us with our 2 'older' children; towels were supplied so no need to take extras from home which is always a plus. The cleanliness of the hotel was fabulous, so a big thumbs up for the cleaners and the polite ladies who made up the rooms.

Review 112：I have one small complaint though - I requested bunk beds on the booking.com website and I think it needs to be made clearer that this is only a request and you may not get your request - I had two disappointed boys who had a rather uncomfortable sofa bed instead!!

Review 113：This is the third time we've stayed at the Solent and we had another lovely stay. We find the staff extremely friendly and helpful and the hotel is very clean.

Review 114：Bathroom old, badly maintained and potentially dangerous due to extensive rust including shower rail hooks. Staff need training in areas.

Review 115：Staff are mostly delightful.

Review 116：Service. They always apologigize but never change or step up to the challenge. In all of my 5! Stays I had horrible, noisy rooms. Still I got every time the same, bad rooms.

Review 117：Restaurant

Review 118：Nothing at all to complain about.

Review 119：Arrived in Portsmouth at 6.20pm so overnighted here before 5 hour journey home - 20 minutes drive from port - happy staff - good dinner and breakfast - comfy bed - excellent decision.

Review 120：It doesn't make clear until you book the room that the £12.45 is per person for the breakfast, when all other figures are for both of you.

Review 121：Lovely friendly staff, clean and comfortable beautifully appointed spacious room.

Review 122：Said above

Review 123：Fab touch for kids re drink, sweets, cookie & dressing gown - prob need a few larger sizes!!! More loungers needed by pool - I would seriously think of having a girls weekend their but not enough seating as it would be in dec - prob ok if weather good as outside space!! Breakfast great - disappointed we could not eat in restaurant and other local places booked. Didn't like pub next door - we then drove to Portsmouth which was great but not our plan!!!

Review 124：resturant host front of house very rude to us and staff although they were young they should still be treated with respect. the food wasn't great we didn't have any plates to eat our main with and had to wait a long time to be asked for drinks.

Review 125：relaxing break great spa and masage

Review 126：Pool is beautiful BUT ver slippery around the edge. Each day I see kidds fall over and my daughter slipped twice in two separate vista to the pool. The hotel really needs to do something about the tiling around the pool. It's a hazard.

Review 127：Very friendly stuff

Review 128：Breakfast was average and very overpriced. The coffee was weak and cold.

Review 129：Dinner was excellent and the staff were very freindly and helpful. The wifi is very good.

Review 130：The hotel was perfect for us as a family with teenage children. We played tennis and used the pool and spa facilities. Our evening meal and breakfast were great and the staff very friendly.

Review 131：Really good service on a busy easter weekend with children. Pool was full but they called our room as soon as we could go in. My son has allergies and they catered for him really well, offering options and not making us feel like it was a hassle. Very kid friendly but those with older kids or without can still enjoy.

Review 132：We had to leave to get back home!

Review 133：The pool was lovely, happy to lend us a float for the kids and no restrictions on their playing in the pool. It was a beautifully appointed room, kids were so pleased with the milk, cookies and snacks. They also got a robe each, like us, and were very happy.

The Fine Print

If you are due to arrive earlier than 2 pm, please contact the front desk in advance with your expected arrival time.Children's meals are available, but the hotel asks that families with children less than 12 years old dine in the restaurant prior to 8 pm.Please be aware the restaurant is closed for table bookings on December 24 - 26 and December 31, 2015. Please contact the hotel for alternate options for dining.