Ramada Hotel & Resort Gloucester - Gloucester, United Kingdom     

i do agree with some of the reviews regarding the decor of the hotel, but after a while you dont notice it - it isnt really the staffs fault... Upon entering my room, again it was a litle dated and shabby looking (like a travellodge really). HOWEVER....it was extremely clean. The bedding, towels and bathroom were spotless. The bedding was changed daily and fresh towels too. All the hotel staff were fantastic, everyone who walked past smiled, from the maintainence guy to the cleaners to the managment. Bar and restuarant team were great too. After talking to a memebr of staff, she did inform me that the hotel was due to be re-furbished (some of the rooms and corridors had already begun). And the old out buildings too. All in all a very pleasant stay was had here and i would return should i be in that neck of the woods.

After reading some of the other reviews of this hotel, i must admit i was extremely apprehensive about our annual golf trip for 8, which in the past has always had excellent accommodation. Arrival I will agree that the main route in towards the hotel does not give much hope, it seems a fairly depressing area. The hotel site is large with a large car park covered by at least 3 cctv cameras. Having read the other reviews i chose to park directly in front of one of these. Reception was located through down some steps (or slope for wheelchair access) and once through the doors there were a few more steps (plus a wheelchair lift) before reaching the average size reception area. Check in Painless, the staff were professional, but also fun and friendly, explaining very clearly the hotel layout and facilities available. We had arrived way before our 2pm check in time, but were still found a room and able to settle in. Accommodation Our twin room was located overlooking the main car park. on the first floor. The room was average size, and very clean. There was coffee and tea making facilities as well as an LCD TV and internet access. The bathroom had a bath and shower combined, the shower wasn't the best, but worked. All the fixtures and fittings seemed to work OK. Food As we had booked through Golf breaks, everything including our food and golf were included. The restaurant had a buffet style for the first 2 days, and the food and choice was excellent. The waitresses were fun and put up with all our banter for our entire stay. Breakfasts were also excellent with plenty of choice for even the heartiest soul. Bar The bar was quite a large area situated just before the restaurant. Like an old barn it had lots of character, only let down by some very low beams, that caught many people out. There was plently of comfortable seating and a pool table and flat screen TV. Leisure club Excellent, we made use of the Pool/Sauna/Steam and it was great, there was a nice glass backed squash court which we didn't make use of and i believe massage therapies were available as well. Golf Although situated about 800yards away the gofl club was excellent and very friendly, we played 8 rounds in total and it never got boring. The front 9 is completely different to the back 9 and there are some glorious holes, for me 17 & 18 were particularly memorable. Conclusions Excellent hotel, great VFM, would definitely return.