Wessex Hotel

We had the misfortune of staying at the truly awful Wessex Hotel as part of a coach tour (Festival of Lights) with Majestic Coach Tours. My suspicion is that Majestic optimise their profits by paying peanuts to use substandard hotels. I guess it’s the only way that the Wessex can fill their rooms, as nobody in their right mind would choose to stay here. We stayed in room 107. Upon opening the door we were greeted with a pungent musty smell. We deduced that the smell was a combination of a rotting window frame, damp peeling wallpaper, filthy carpet and dust. We also couldn’t miss the mouldy black bathroom sealant and rusty taps. I (foolishly) attempted to make a cup of tea but it was undrinkable due to all the floating limescale from the filthy/dusty kettle. My son attempted to have a shower and called me in upset, saying that the shower hurt! The shower head only provided a few needle like jets of water, which we were unable to adjust. It was also impossible to regulate the temperature. We then tried the TV, noting that someone had thoughtfully trailed the aerial lead across the window and secured it to the glass with silver tape, this still only achieved 2 channels though. We then tried to connect our iPad and phone to the hotel WiFi, this was incredibly weak and we had to stand in the corridor outside our room for connection. Next came dinner - brace yourself! Upon our table sat a grubby jug of water and 4 smeared glasses. Staff began serving ‘vegetable soup’ the smell of which made us feel slightly nauseous. We had a vegetable pasta, which was both crunchy and soggy and contained unidentifiable vegetables. We were also given a tray of undercooked cauliflower in a watery cheese sauce, a lump of mashed potato and school dinner style slices of cabbage. The staff kindly made our children chicken nuggets but they only ate a few mouthfuls, saying it tasted like fish. Finally the apple crumble arrived, this seemed to have lost its crumble and the apple was coated in such a thick layer of cinnamon that my son actually spat it out coughing! Given the lack of hygiene and astonishingly poor quality food, we decided to avoid any further experience of hotel catering. The only positive I can draw is that the staff were friendly, we felt sorry for them working here. Naturally the Wessex hotel did not request any feedback. I have emailed feedback to Majestic who have shown no interest in replying. Huge pity that Majestic treat their customers like this. The actual coach trip was good and we loved Longleat Festival of Lights. However I can’t more strongly advise you to stay away from this hotel. The best part of it is leaving!

Visited this hotel with 3 friends on a 'Turkey and Tinsel' break for 5 days. Staff were amazing. Friendly and helpful. Food was excellent. We were entertained very well in the evenings. Rooms were big enough and clean. Pillows were bit flat so asked for more and they arrived promptly. Bar prices were reasonable. Overall, a super short break. Street and surrounding towns and area wonderful.

Perfect location for all emenities, but, At £166 a night for a family room with No breakfast included the word pretentious comes to mind. Why? Ok, at 12.15am the fire alarm sounds momentarily waking everybody up swiftly followed by a man shouting 'Sorry'. The lift feels like a vibrating platform..a bit disconcerting but reliably informed by a chap in the lobby ' you'll get used to it' I can honestly say I wont be here long enough for that to be the case. The TV is a beauty of early 2000s technology, but I seem to remember we had remotes back then..not here. I love the retro vibe of a springy mattress, in reality for £166 a night ( remember no breakfast ) I had hoped for something a bit more comfortable. In short if you have deep pockets and low expectation this is the hotel for you.

Don't book this hotel. Simply the worst I've seen. We did not stay the hotel is in poor state Did not look good as we pulled up. Going in to the foyer we were dubious but did check in as been on the road for over 5 hours. However we did not put are bags down. The bedding was stained the pillows thin and lumpy. The bath tub had rust in the bottom. The room was smelt like an old train carraige. No upgrade in the 50 years since it was built. We checked straight back out and have requested a refund. I would have been upset to pay £50 per night but it is laughable to charge double. We had to continue our journey to Barnstable to an outstanding hotel called the Park Hotel. Chalk and Cheese is the phrase.

The room was very large and recently decorated, with a new carpet. Everything was clean and tidy and the room was warm. Two comfy chairs to sit and relax and watch tv, tv had all the usual channels. Tea, coffee, basic shower gel/shampoo was provided, plus an iron and ironing board and hairdryer. The window was huge, but unfortunately, due to the hotel being in a residential area, there was a feeling that you could be overlooked, so we kept the curtains closed. Some net curtains (which I generally dislike) could have provided a little privacy and allowed the daylight in even in gloomy November. The toilet was separate from the bathroom, not something you see very often, and a nice touch was the double sided shaving (make up) mirror in the bathroom. Once you get the temperature right, the overhead shower is nice and powerful. The only noise we heard was the window rattling in the wind, but if we weren't in the middle of Storm Bert then we probably wouldn't have noticed this! Other than this it was a very peaceful stay. We were at the back of the hotel so we didn't hear any traffic noise. The corridors look like they are in the process of being smartened up, we didn't use the bar or restaurant and the staff that we spoke to were courteous, as you would expect. The location is perfect for walking into Street, visiting Clarks Shopping Village and Glastonbury. There are lots of eating and shopping opportunities and we would definitely stay again.

We were a group of ten seniors on a tinsel and Turkey break coach holiday. The Hotel was convenient to walk into Street. The Wessex Hotel was really good for us. The staff were brilliant. Very attentive and nothing too much trouble. Always had a smile and a chat when possible. Molly was a real gem. So happy in her work and a 'Jack of all trades' taking the bingo session as well as the quiz night, as well as waitress at meal times. She was mature for her young age and a credit to the Hotel. Dining room staff Art, India, Molly (of course) Chris, and Cassandra in Management all deserve a mention. Entertainment could have been better with a live singer instead of disco type music two nights running. And of course mock 'New Year's Eve', we had a quiz and no entertainment as the Hotel had been let down with the booking!! Didn't deter us though, we sang Auld Lang Syne' together. Thanks to all.