I have stayed in some truly exceptional hotels in my life - and this isn't one of them. It's just plain 'very good'.

The first time I looked at the hotel (a good 9 months before I stayed) it was a fairly shabby affair; and the rooms I was shown looked like any other long-in-the-tooth trying-to-be-posh-but-not-hitting-the-mark hotel room that can be found the length and breadth of Britain. And the staff were indifferent and pretty unhelpful.

I am pleased to report that since it has been taken over, things are looking up. The staff were delightful without exception and very helpful. The rooms were better (but still need redecorating in a more modern style) and the beds had obviously had a big overhaul and were terrfically comfortable.

The food was also excellent and there is a wonderful spa and swimming pool area.

However, there is just something about the place that doesn't quite work for me. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the decor. Maybe it's the hopelessly muddled layout. Maybe it's the lack of air conditioning. I don't know but nice as it was I wouldn't make a huge effort to stay there again.

We decided to have a 2 night break a dinner B&B package and choose the Goodwood Hotel. I enjoyed my nights sleep so much as we had such a comfortable bed, it was amazing and I do not sleep very well in Hotel beds! We booked a standard room which was lovely could be a little more spacious but you don't grumble as you have paid for a standard. This room was a smoking room which was fab a rare thing these days!The food in the dining room was next to none and the service was first class. The spa facilities are lovely but can get a bit crowded as they seem to have the public in the gym etc
There was 2 weddings on the Sat at the Hotel which you would hardly notice, there was no noise or disruptions. The breakfast was lovely ( pre cooked) plenty of staff on hand if you need anything and always willing to help.
I would definately go back to this Hotel and would highly recommend a stay here.

My husband and I arrived at the hotel at 2:45. The receptionist advised that only smoking rooms were available and asked whether we would like to take one of these or wait for a no-smoking room. We had booked a no-smoking room but there was no record of this. Since we had to dash off to go to a wedding the staff suggested we shower and change at the leisure facilities.

We asked what time check-in was and were told 'from two o'clock' - when I reminded them it was well past two the receptionist then argued that this actually meant that you might be able to get a room after two o'clock. Silly me. No apology for the delay at all.

We stuck to our guns and a king room became available. The room was pleasant and clean but smaller than I would expect; the bathroom in particular was tiny, though with a decent shower and Molton Brown products. The bed was large but very soft.

Breakfast was very busy on a Sunday morning but the maitre d' had it all under control and was charming. Although we had to wait a few minutes for a table this wasn't a problem. Breakfast was a buffet. We had to grab a waiter's attention to have any chance of a cup of coffee and staff were struggling to keep the buffet replenished. Buffet only meant that the scrambled eggs were watery and there were no poached eggs left.

For £150 for a night I found the overall experience disappointing.

We stayed in the "Character" rooms for three nights (Thurs-Sunday) for my Mum's birthday and we had a fantastic stay! The rooms were spacious and clean with everything you could want - exceptionally comfortable beds, wireless broadband, Molton Brown products, mini-bar, bathrobes, lockable safe in room etc. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the facilities were good. Breakfast consists of a self service hot and cold buffet which was delicious.

If I had one point to raise it was that we found the restaurant in the hotel was not as good as the restaurant we booked into on the second night - Crouchers -
ht[--] which I would highly recommend
On Saturday night there were two wedding receptions being held at the hotel, but these were well staffed and organised and they did not interfere with the enjoyment of other residents. I would definately recommend this hotel to couples or families wanting a quiet weekend away in the country.