Very mixed one this. When we arrived there were 2 people on reception one serving one not, no acknowledgement of my college will be with you soon. However, all the staff were nice to talk with. The hotel is in ok condition and the rooms were again ok, it had a lick of paint but needs more of a refresh. The food was nice, the starter and dessert were good, the main not bad. The spa needs work. The massage was good. The pool has some loungers around it but not enough, so you end up going to the cafe to wait. The pool also has a small steam room and small sauna. The thermal room also has a bit bigger steam room and 2 saunas one sauna should be aromatherapy but it's not, there are 2 showers only one works and 1 working foot spa. So you can see you kind of run out of things too fast and there is no room to just chill, they need to add more loungers for the spa only users and maybe a Jacuzzi. After the massage I was told to chill in a room, nice idea but again no room and my wife was left to go in a different room again ( garden room ) and needed to text me. Overall very average and they need to up their game to pull off selling the hotel as a Spa brake.

Overall a bit disappointed. For the price the hotel is very tired and really in dire need of an update, or at least a lick of paint. Our room was fine but the bathroom was very dated. The staff were all lovely, apart from a rather grumpy and absent barman. The breakfast was reminded me of one I would expect to find in a hospital canteen after a nightshift and not worth the additional charge. The pool facilities were reasonable and warm enough for our toddler although it’s a bit of a walk from main hotel site. We stayed for 2 nights and to be honest we were looking for alternatives for the second night as it really wasn’t what we were expecting or hoping for! Following some research there aren’t many options in the area which I think being able to keep the relatively high price tag (£250/night). On chatting to some locals at a family event it seems that it used to be very smart and “the place” to stay in the area so perhaps is also still riding on those coat tails. If you need to stay in the area it’s fine but is not a destination hotel and I’d not bother with breakfast. Doesn’t really feel good value for money!

The rooms were so old and stains all down the walls, they have put taps in the hallway which is nice to get water whenever you want but no robes provided so you need to get dressed every time you want some drinking water. There was also a constant drone in the room like there was a broken boiler right above us that every half hour would get even louder making it impossible to have any sleep. There was also no hair dryer and very few plugs for charging. When we arrived the staff weren't very welcoming and we had to walk so far to our room with a lot of stuff after arriving from our wedding. Just a genuinely unpleasant experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, especially for the price they are charging.

Location and grounds were lovely. Staff seemed very friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean but dated. Some of our party complained that their rooms smelt like drains. Drinks prices are rediculous! £17 for 2 medium glasses of wine! £6 for half a lager and a soda water. The spa is lovely but think they have issues with their air conditioning and the service in the spa cafe is quite slow/understaffed. Again the staff were friendly and apologetic. Its a shame as the hotel has lots of potential.

We did have a nice time however our room was very tired, in need of a lick of paint, the chairs had yellow stains all over the seat, wouldn’t want to know what that was. The beds were not comfy and very springy. Bathroom had mold in the grout. The hotel was extremely over priced. We had breakfast included but if you wanted a Latte you had to pay £4 extra! You don’t pay that amount even in Costa. If you wanted Avocado on toast it was £5 extra. A simple sandwich was £8.50, a pint of Peroni £7.20. The continental breakfast was basic and they had no croissants as they were waiting in a delivery. The breakfast that was included was the smallest breakfast I’ve ever seen and if you had to pay it was £18!!. Hotel staff were nice, spa staff were less helpful. Spa changing room could have done with a clean as it smelt of urine. The pool had mold around the rim and very crowded. Spa treatments also very over priced. Hotel needs a good bit of money spent as the prices do not match the quality, I’ve stayed in much cheaper hotels and got much better quality. Would not recommend, wish I had checked all the recent reviews prior to booking.

Stayed a few times ...the facilities are good . The room ok ...no remote control for the TV had to ask several times as I couldn't get the TV on ... eventually had to grab a member of staff going into an empty room and coming out to ask for the remote. . sorted eventually . The room was comfortable and we had a nice view ...I would definitely recommend a stay here as it's very close to Chester town centre and Cheshire oaks ....the only downside is the breakfast was either £18 or £20 per person ...I think that's very expensive. If I had booked with the booking it would have been cheaper but at the time I didn't realise and just booked the room. The breakfast better be worth it for that price ..you can go down the road to the local brewers fayre for breakfast ...other than the price of breakfast ( and fish ..joke ) it's a nice place to stay

From being woken up in the middle of the night, because people were smoking in their rooms, and the hallway stinking of smoke... to the room being incredibly dated, holes and ripped carpets in the rooms, to a carpet that is incredibly stained. I am so disappointed in this hotel, I have been here over the years and it is now in decline and needing refurbishment so bad...such a shame, it used to be such a nice hotel... The service was good on reception and very welcoming, the service for food was good too, very polite at breakfast. Just let down by the actual rooms. The sauna and steam rooms are also a let down now, they used to all work and be clean, now the herbal sauna doesn't work anymore, as the buttons to release the aroma no longer work. One of the foot spa's no longer works either, so have to wait to use it and the fragrance shower no longer works too. It used to be so good, just run down now.

I am 1 hour into my 1 night stay. I have already moved rooms once. This place is truly awful and I'd rather stay at the Bates Motel. I can't wait to have the generic response with a typo in it. The rooms and corridor have a damp/smokey smell (I cant place it but it is not nice). My chair has a stain suggesting the previous occupant died in it. The décor is like a hand-me-down from Donald Trump. Knackered gold fixtures and fittings with a dose of deep varnished wood. A throw back to 1986. Truly dated. The WIFI is awful, for a 4* hotel it is shameful. I was after a regular hotel as I am a business traveller, but this is off the list. I have to get up and walk to the room door to get a signal once i move away I lose signal. It's not fit for purpose. I am in two minds to go and ask for a refund and go the Premier Inn down the road. Oh and if you do have the misfortune to stay here have a laugh at the charity shop 'art' adorning the walls.

Set just on the English/Welsh border Craxton Wood was our choice for a large family get together to celebrate recent birthdays. The staff were great and very helpful with a range of our requirements. The spa facilities were great and the pool was ideal for the kids (they can use this between 9-11 and 3-5 busy best to check). Rooms looked a little tired probably due to the age, however the rooms were spacious for standard rooms. The evening food was good value as we had £25pp allowance. The breakfast I would say is the only part of the stay which didn't add value for money, compared to what you can get across the hospitality sector today. Our breakfast was included in our room rate but if you were paying for this then it might be worth looking at other options, however this would be a personal choice. However the staff who work here made our stay and are a credit to the hotel.

Very pleasant stay in the hotel and Spa for our spa weekend. Everything is in close vicinity and the spa and servives offered were very good. Nothing was ever busy so you never felt rushed anywhere. Re the hotel the restaurant and breakfast service was very good with good menus for both these services and the food was great. For breakfast it is a mixture of continental and cooked breakfast to order. The restaurant menu was varied and all meals looked good and the steak was very tasty. Re drinks however take plenty of money as it is very steep. £20 for a pint and a large glass of wine I felt was toom much. The hotel rooms were pleasant and very roomy. Ours was clean but the carpet could of done with a bit more cleaning however, it had everything you needed so no real complaints there. Overall a good spa hotel with good services and only minor things including price of drinks that could be improved on.

First day here. We arrived very early, and they were kind enough to accommodate us by getting a room prepared early. Food lovely, if a tad expensive. Room nice with good view. Haven't tried the spa yet. Staff lovely. Beautiful surroundings. So far, a thumbs up. Oh...the WiFi is awful, so make sure you can rely on data.

Went for a day spa and afternoon tea. Was so nice. Staff are lovely. Coulddo with sorting out lockers that needed new batteries, door lock broken on loo door. Regulars said been broken for a while. Beside that we really enjoyed

We've been coming for a few years mainly for the location. However I'm not sure we will come again. The reviews describing how tired the hotel is now, are spot on. The beds were not particularly comfy. The chairs were worn and mismatched. The art is old and doesn't add anything. There is mould and water damage in bathrooms. The shower was at least nice and hot. The carpets seem dirty. The corridors are in need of paint The rails are damaged. Unfortunately, I ordered the porridge for breakfast, thinking it would be homemade. If you definitely looked and tasted like a packet ,microwave oats. The sort I don't even make at home. So disappointing. There is no internal connection to the spa, really couldn't be bothered to walk to go see if the pool was worth using. Particularly since the bathroom had mould, I didn't have high hopes. I note craxton staff respond that they will look to change things ,but in honesty they should have done by now. Definitely gone downhill even more in the last couple of years.

Hi, this my honest review. We booked 2 nights for our anniversary, it was nearly £500 for a good sized room with breakfast for 2 mornings and £50 towards an evening meal in the restaurant, with a bottle of prosecco thrown in, and 2 treatments of your choice and an afternoon tea for 2. All staff were excellent, friendly and nothing was too much trouble, the place was spotless and seems to be newly decorated, the food in the restaurant is not too badly priced but the drinks prices are very high, the food on the first night was excellent but overcooked on the second night. Breakfast is shockingly overpriced at £24 per person luckily ours was in with the deal, the continental breakfast choice was great and the full English was good except for the sausage and bacon were cremated under a heat lamp(the bacon was inedible) and no coffee machine you had to ask for extra drinks. The spa treatments were great according to the Mrs and the pool and steam rooms and sauna were really good. Verdict.... Pricey... But overall mostly excellent especially the staff... And despite the food errors and high prices we would book again.

Visited with girlfriends for a night away and a spa treatment. The spa was lovely, the staff very polite and helpful. Couldn't do enough and made sure we were looked after. The treatment rooms and services were lovely and relaxing. The spa facilities were OK, relaxation room and garden room pretty busy and we were told to keep drinking water after treatments but there was no water in the rooms. The hotel itself was OK. The rooms are slightly dated and well used, scratches over the desks and broken shower screen. No robes in the room. It was clean, though, and the bed was very comfortable. The food let this place down in our opinion. A couple of us had the rack of lamb with broccoli and mustard and chive mash with red wine jue. Well.....firstly there was no jue, it just looked like the juice from the meat on the plate, the meat itself was very fatty but was cooked OK. The mash, we couldn't see a single chive or taste any mustard plus It had a "crust" on top like it had either been sitting or been reheated. Breakfast wasn't much better. If I didn't have it included in my room cost, I wouldn't have had it, £18 for continental and £24 for full English breakfast. It had a potato scone I had never heard of, but it was soggy or burnt for others. The toast machine took 3 attempts to toast the bread. Overall, we expected better. Probably wouldn't return again.

We visited for a spa day and had a back massage and facial. Staff were all lovely and a very relaxing atmosphere. There is a cafe that is easy to use between treatments - the chicken caeser salad is amazing! Some of the lockers were a bit temperamental for putting pin codes in. There is a thermal room with two saunas and a steam room but the steam room wasn't working while we were there.

room was very dated and cold. electric heater didn't work. Bar manager was extremely rude and short with my party and complained about ourselves being picky. However when you're paying £8 for a pint of beer you don't really want it flat. The barman however was extremely engaging and helpful. Think the boss could learn a thing or 2 from his staff. won't be rushing back.

Unfortunately, not a good experience at this hotel for my wife and I. This hotel is in need of a major refurbishment im afraid. Our room smelt damp the moment we stepped into it and it was very dated. Dont look too closely is my advice. We were allowed to use the spa facilities as part of our costs, but to get there you need to walk out of the hotels front door and walk along to the entrance of the spa and function room area through the unmade and muddy car park. Not a big deal, but surely this could be arranged internally instead.? On your way out of the main entrance of the hotel, you also have to pass the kitchen area with its windows open and then the smell of chip fat wafting through the opened windows, and again, this could be addressed better. The day we went to the spa, the water in the pool was colder than normal, which we were told about before hand, although once in the water it wasnt too bad. The pool was nice to swim in, and I had a pleasant time in the steam room. Unfortunateley, we had a cold walk back to the hotel via the external route once again. The christmas party night went well, and we enjoyed the music, but unfortunately after the last note of the last song finished, the house lights came on to signal the night was over. Unfortunately, a rather grumpy barman on the night (short guy) decided to open all of the external doors to make the room cold and for the remaining hotel guests to feel uncomfortable and so to leave the room. We thought this was exceptionally rude and we told him so, especially after spending so much money for a night out, and so he stormed off. No respect for the guests at all. The full english breakfast wasn't too good either, over cooked sauasges were served and a very waterery poached egg. Should do better. And finally, I note the numerous replies to customers complaints from the Craxton Wood management team are the same apologetic words, but with just the name changed at the top of the repy. Together with a couple of typos in the wording to change, surely they could address previous guests complaints individually to make us think you care.? I wont be returning or recomending you im afraid.

Location and grounds of the hotel are lovely. Rooms are satisfactory and clean but could do with updating. Families be aware that the pool has limited times that children can use it, a couple of hours in the morning and 3-6pm on an evening and even then the pool is reduced to half to allow an adult only section - very disappointing and can not see this advertised anywhere. Restaurant, drink prices and service however severely lets this place down. Disinterested staff, with the exception of some lads on the breakfast duties. We waited over one hour on our first evening and had no apologies even when we had to ask where our food was. Food was very disappointing for the price - very basic. Only 3 of our plates where cleared and no-one came back to ask if we wanted desserts. Lots of empty tables with dirty plates. Breakfast was not much better with limited choice on cold table, no milk or croissants and the chef refusing to put any more in despite half an hour of service being left. We paid for a deal with room and meals included but refused to eat there the second night and went to the amazing Pesto restaurant just down the road. We chose this hotel for the location but more for the pool as the kids were excited to use it, but had we known the time restrictions coupled with the poor food/service, we would have chosen the Premier Inn just down the road.

We had a one night stay on the weekend after visiting Chester Zoo. The hotel itself and grounds is lovely, we were very impressed with the building, the service and the price. When entering our room we had over 5 spiders around the room on the ceiling, my partner had to get a tissue and remove them (there was quite a lot of dust too). Both windows were wide open when we came into our room so I think this might have been why… but it was a massive let down. Other than this we could not have faulted the experience.

Excellent Location if you want to visit Cheshire Oaks for a weekend out. The hotel is situated in lovely grounds and has ample parking. The hotel inside is modern but the rooms are looking dated and tired. The bar area is nice but the drinks are so expensive we only had one round. If the price was slightly lower we would have definitely bought more. The breakfast was amazing. Plenty of food on offer and the quality was excellent. We would definitely visit again.

The hotel was very nice and the staff lovely. The restaurant service was slow and food not amazing. We sent the deserts back. There was a small stone in one meal. The staff were very apologetic and didn’t charge for the deserts and drinks. The pool changing rooms were dirty and we didn’t want to shower there so went back to the hotel room. Because of the experience in the restaurant we didn’t order breakfast. However the room was love,y and comfortable and the staff very nice. The chef may need feedback.

Staff were really nice. Set in a nice location. The standard room we stayed in was clean but extremely dated and needs refurbishment. Didn't have chance to use the leasure facility's but they are apparently good. Breakfast... Again staff lovely. However they are dying for a rotisserie / conveyor toaster people didn't know how to work the one provided. Had to ask for a clean plate as the last one left on the table for guests to collect was dirty. No sausage or bacon available had to ask and wait for this to be brought out (5-10 minutes). Weighted food lids that cover some of the full breakfast items slammed down on my hand and really hurt me, god forbid a kid tried to use them... If the Iron in the room is overfilled it leaks out the front of the unit to boiling hot temperatures (told by reception just don't overfill it) well mine at home certainly isn't a death trap if overfilled but I was polite regardless. Overall for £190 a night it was a real let down. Do the hardworking staff a favour and invest some money into the place.

Great setting and location. Room was really tired. Chair covering was ripped, paintwork chipped. Bed was comfy. Cleanish not spotless. Shower was impossible to get a reasonably temperature. Desk staff were friendly and reasonably efficient so no issue there. We didn't use the spa which I think is the main attraction... its convenient for us to visit family and has been like this for years now.

This is my 3rd time staying here now, I really like the location of the hotel, set is tranquil woodland but only ten minutes or so from Cheshire Oakes /Chester so great location. The staff are very friendly and helpful, we had booked a twin room but when we got up to our room, it was a double but they moved us into a new room straight away, no problems. There was a bit of a wait for our evening meal in the restaurant once we had ordered (45 minutes) however when the food did arrive it was delicious!! Same at breakfast (bit of a wait) but food very nice and staff were working hard to get everyone's food to their tables. On my first ever visit here, the buffet breakfast was on which to this day is still the best breakfast I have ever had! But I assume they only put that on when the hotel is full? The spa is really nice, great treatments, friendly staff. Very enjoyable stay and will definitely be back for another visit.

Nice hotel. Old style decor but looks like it was just installed. Very clean. Breakfast was a bit of a let down. No plates, no bread, no juice. Had to keep asking for things that weren't available. Sausages were cooked through but were cold and looked anemic. Friendly staff. They have still or sparkling water from pumps in the hallway between rooms which is nice.

The makings of this hotel is its staff, they went out of their way to help me and my team at every step. The food was phenomenal and consistent they handled our large party well for 5 nights and put up with us watching football and drinking until 3am on a school night. Highly recommended for work parties or conference style events in the area.

This is a very poor hotel. Upon entering the bedroom I was overwhelmed by a strong damp smell (although no obvious sign of any dampin the room) room facilities were OK but rather dated (standard TV and a heater which sound like it was on the fritz). Bed was reasonably comfortable. The water fountains in the corridor are a great idea and sustainable, however, the sparkling water tap at no point had any sparkling water. The breakfast was horrendous. I wasn't expecting it to be fine dining but there are basic standards which this hotel fell well short of. Firstly, you are greeted with an odd odour, not overpowering but certainly disconcerting. There was a small continental offering which looked like it had been left out uncovered for some time. The cooked breakfast was terrible and certainly one to avoid. I'm not sure it was necessarily down to the cooking, but more due to the quality (lack of) of the ingredients. The mushroom and tomato were flavourless and obviously the cheapest available but the worst bit was the sausage, it looked awful (it was orange!) and did not taste good at all. I was glad to leave in the end. There seemed to be very few staff on site however those that were there were pleasant and friendly. Significant investment is required.

I've stayed at several cheaper hotels recently and they were more satisfying overall. Although we didn't have issues with the service or staff here, other patrons did. One member of staff had a huge critique laid on him by a customer to the duty manager. My wife and I stayed in a super deluxe king room and I was expecting wonderful decor and class. But the reality is a tired room with creaky floorboards and damaged wallpaper. Webs in the bathroom, minimal refreshments (1 small biscuit per person). The dinner was nice as was the breakfast. The gym was good, loads of equipment in good working order. The swimming pool isn't that big (18m) so expect it to be busy. If not with guests then definitely with gym members. The Spa: My wife who has had a lot of massages, said the one here was way overpriced. Plus, she said the changing room was quite dirty. Which brings me to the drinks price: £7.20 for a pint of Peroni. Even the barman said it's ridiculous. So, we had a nice time between us, but my honest opinion of the hotel and spa is that I didn't feel particularly special or that we got a 4* experience out of it.

We visited here for a spa weekend. The hotel is in a beautiful setting. We were warmly greeted at reception and checked in. It was a lovely day, and we decided to have afternoon tea in the garden. The afternoon tea sandwiches had cling film on them and two scones. There was no jam or cutlery or side plates. We had to keep trying to find staff to get what was needed. No tea or coffee. Tables were dirty. Dishes were on most tables. Again, finding a staff member so we could sit and just enjoy it was challenging. However, the desserts were gorgeous ! It was a hot day , we decided to go for a swim. We were provided with slippers and a bath robe. After we went for the spa treatment. They were behind on appointments, so we were late going in. There wasn't time to have the remainder of my treatments, and they rescheduled for the following morning. The spa rooms are lovely and changing facilities. However, the pool had mould around the tiles, and the windows were blown and dirty. We had booked an evening meal , the food was gorgeous. Beautifully cooked angus steaks and lovely starters. It's an old place, but areas of the hotel just seemed dirty and in need of some tlc. Again windows were dirty, outdoor tables were not clean. The following morning, we had breakfast that was nice all lovely Scottish sourced meats. Great choice of breakfasts. We had the remainder of our spa treatments. It's was quick and was glad to finish the weekend. I would recommend this place for the spa. But for what you pay in terms of a nice hotel. It wasn't worth it. Just tired looking.

Generally good, a couple of small issues, breakfast on last day whilst food was good, it took awhile before anyone took our breakfast order, had already eaten our cereals, on previous days even when busy we were kept informed of delays as soon as we arrived. Dead flies on the conservatory window sill, do not make the meals feel inviting. In spa please ensure that the locker codes work and also code from pool area to thermal suite. Generally a great stay and break, great treatments in spa and excellent facilities. Just attention to the small details would make a great stay to a perfect stay.

Birthday spa treatment and stay... Upgraded room, which wasn't cheap for the whole package Should have been a relaxing stay, yeah??? .... no.... Room right above wedding disco... thumping out until midnight. Increase the water pressure in the shower, and you get scolded or froze. One bedside table and lamp, and you had to physically move that to open the wardrobe. Big room, but dated. Frosted glass in the bathroom but no blind or curtain. Pool facilities no option to get drink or food as closed... told could walk out and back to the main bar if wished.. in our swimsuits and gowns... Food is very average, mine over cooked. Starters were actually handed to us rather than placed on the table . 25 minutes until the main arrived after starter plates were removed. No offer of further drinks. I could go on... waiting for the manager to call us today?? Probably tomorrow, maybe. Very disappointed

We stayed here last week for 2 weekday nights. Great hotel in the Chester area for access to different places to visit. Staff were 10*, answered all questions, always friendly and approachable, super helpful - can't fault them. Evening meals were incredible. The chicken with charred corn was top notch. No issue with catering to my peanut/tree nut allergy at all. Use of pool and facilities next door were fab. Rooms were a little outdated decor wise, but a really good size (we had standard double on GF) and were clean. Towels and bedding were checked/replaced etc each day. (Please note photos taken of room at end of our stay!) Breakfast was good but a little slow on the one day but perfectly fine in terms of quality and quantity. Again, no issue with catering to my peanut/tree nut allergy at all. I would note the prices for some of the dishes online say there is a £3 extra charge, but was £5 on the menu given in the hotel.

My opinion, Macdonald Craxton is the best hotel in UK for according to at least 7 different criteria. But most affecting me is Hospitality. Apart from Rooms, cleanliness, hygiene, location, facilities,... etc. Besides all other criteria, smiling staff, warm welcome. I'll be there as soon as possible again.

Booked an overnight stay with treatments for myself and my friend to celebrate the end of her chemo treatments. Staff were exceptional, I wish I could name names but in particular the blonde lady in the hotel reception in the evening was very pleasant and accommodating. The young lady who served us afternoon tea from the spa restaurant was very sweet and attentive. The ladies who gave us the spa treatments (facial & back massage), were again very pleasant. Faye and Lorraine along with the young male server at breakfast. Would recommend and would come back, particularly because of the staff.

Comfortable beds and good sized room. However rooms were dated, multiple room keys didn’t work for me and the breakfast was obscenely expensive for a basic spread. I’d be unlikely to stay with the MacDonald group again in all honesty. The spa facilities were great though.

Hotel and room tired and outdated - beds were not comfortable in the slightest.. shame as our room was spacious otherwise. Both evening and morning meals was genuinely awful - ridiculously overpriced, absolutely would not eat here again. Staff in the hotel for the most part really lovely and attentive. Spa staff and treatments were fantastic, couldn't fault my therapist in the slightest - nearly had my falling asleep during my facial! However the pool and thermal suite were really grubby. Could do with a deep clean. Shame as the hotel has some real potential - looks like it just needs some serious TLC and investment in updating facilities.