Macdonald Portal Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

Hotels
•
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
7.9 (1242 reviews)
Cobblers Cross , Tarporley , gb
+44 344 879 9082

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Helpful staff
Great location
Comfy rooms
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Basic amenities
Noise disturbances

Categories

Cleanliness
7.29
Some reviews noted cleanliness issues, including outdated and unclean rooms.
Service
8.76
Staff were described as extremely helpful, polite, and welcoming.
Location
8.8
Location was generally praised for its convenience.
Room Quality
7.75
Some rooms were described as large but outdated.
Amenities
7.78
Amenities were viewed as basic, with a lack of expected items in the room.
Value for Money
7.74
Some reviews suggested the pricing felt high given the issues experienced.
Food and Beverage
7.29
Food quality varied, with some positive notes but also complaints.
Overall Experience
7.76
Overall experiences were a mix of positive and negative, with significant issues reported in some stays.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 13:18

Property Description

Luxurious Amenities
The Macdonald Portal Hotel offers a range of luxurious amenities including an indoor pool, spa with various treatments, and 3 golf courses for guests to enjoy.

Championship Golf Course
For golf enthusiasts, the hotel boasts a Championship standard golf course, perfect for a challenging and scenic round of golf during your stay.

Fine Dining Experience
Indulge in traditional cuisine with an organic twist at the award-winning Ranulf Restaurant, or unwind at the Lounge Bar with freshly brewed coffee and a light snack menu.

Experience luxury, leisure, and top-notch service at The Macdonald Portal Hotel. Book now for a memorable countryside getaway.

Important information:

All beauty treatments and golf sessions must be booked prior to arrival and are subject to availability.

You are advised to make your dinner reservations before arrival.

The credit/debit card used to book a pre-paid rate must be presented to reception on arrival at the hotel. Please note that failure to do so will result in an alternative payment method being required.

Children 12 years and under sharing suitable room with 2 adults are inclusive of Bed and breakfast, all other meals are charged as taken.

Please note that the hotel doesn't accept any cash payments

When booking 7 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: MAN

Location

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 35.71
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Leveled: No
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: No
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
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Guest Reviews

7.9
Based on 1242 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.29
Service: 8.76
Location: 8.8
Room Quality: 7.75
Amenities: 7.78
Value for Money: 7.74
Food and Beverage: 7.29
Overall Experience: 7.76
S
Stuart • couple • gb
8
Excellent facilities and good staff. Breakfast not as good as on previous stays. Will stay again.
Pros:

The room was very big, The bed was huge and the shower was great. The room was also quite cool thanks to the heavy curtains which was a god send at the moment. Plenty of space for the dog. The staff were well turned out and very professional.

Cons:

We have stayed many times before, both with and without our dog. When we have the dog we sit in the bar area for breakfast. Due to low occupancy this time, breakfast wasn`t a buffet, but table service. Both mornings of our stay, the staff were good, but the food wasn`t up to the usual standard. The first day it took a while to arrive and had obviously been sat ready under the heat lamp. The second morning, the bacon was rubbery and very poor. It won`t stop us from staying again, but you expect better from a four star hotel.

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
A
amanda • couple • gb
7
Was ok but not the best
Pros:

Needs a update

Cons:

Looking worn

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
B
Bernie • couple • gb
7
Expensive
Cons:

For the price you would of thought there would be air conditioning .

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
M
Muriel • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
D
Dereck Thompson • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Excellent service thank you

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
D
Devon • couple • us
7
Ok
Pros:

Golf access, lounge tv for watching The Open

Cons:

No A/c in the room. Very hot

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
10
Perfect
Pros:

Lovely location it was spotless

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
D
Donna • couple • gb
10
2026-07-14 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
6
Hotel has huge potential but lacking at present
Pros:

Nice size hotel with good swimming pool and spa facilities. Staff on reception and spa were excellent

Cons:

Breakfast was not worth the money, coffee was appalling, food was average and staff need to be more attentive

2026-07-14 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • family_with_children • gb
7
Pros:

Amazing location ,amenities, staff were extremely helpful and professional at every department

Cons:

Breakfast needs improvement.

2026-07-14 • via Nuitee
A
alistair • couple • gb
5
TLC required
Pros:

Breakfast - no yoghurt no honey no cold meats or cheeses
A thermos flask of coffee or tea ?

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
J
Janette • solo_traveller • gb
10
Will be back again next year
Pros:

Stay here every year it’s lovely for a family get away

Cons:

It has lovely staff good food and a fantastic swimming pool and great facilities

2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
J
Jessica • couple • gb
9
2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
A
Alan • solo_traveller • gb
5
I visit Oulton Park Circuit often, the hotel is well located, but I will be looking for other option
Pros:

Reception Staff were welcoming and very pleasant. Room was clean if a little tired and old fashioned, bed was comfortable.

Cons:

Evening meal menu is poor and the quality of the food likewise. Stick with fish & chips, anything more ambitious is of poor quality. Staff attention is also poor, with a request for table condiments forgotten. Breakfast was a disaster. On arrival I was told with some distain that I wasn't on the list. I explained that was correct as for the majority of my stay I had hospitality catering at Oulton Park Circuit where I was a competitor. I requested that breakfast be added to my bill. I was then asked curtly if I had my Credit Card with me, and I was asked to pay for breakfast prior to partaking! The quality of the breakfast was appalling. There was no choice of eggs, the fried eggs were dripping in grease/oil. Bread was sliced white or brown! I witnessed the staff rearranging croissants with bare hands, and when I requested more croissants the 'Chef' relaid the message that a delivery was pending, but no more were available for the day. Breakfast went downhill from there...

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
D
Duc • couple • gb
9
2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
N
Nehaya • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Reception team were lovely and helpful

2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
J
Jason • couple • gb
1
Never again
Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

The room was dirty and musty.
The staff were slow and have no idea of customer service. I waited at an empty reception desk for 15mins to check in.
The night service room service for a simple sandwich was appalling. There was no salad, no crisps and it arrived on the wrong bread

2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
C
Chandra • couple • gb
6
Okish
Pros:

Yes breakfast was good

Cons:

It’s little out dated

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
C
Colin • family_with_children • gb
9
Really like staying here when we are racing at Oulton Park
Pros:

The blonde lady on reception was superb.
Rooms are nice , comfortable.

Cons:

A bit pricey if you don’t book a long way in advance

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
J
James • extended_group • gb
6
Friendly staff and nice hotel, but a disappointing breakfast
Pros:

Staff were very friendly and helpful, although they felt a bit short-staffed for breakfast. The bedrooms were nice and good value for money. The grounds and the views are pretty. Dinner was pretty good.

Cons:

Breakfast was poor. There was very little choice and you had to pay an extra for anything cooked other than porridge or Full English. The bar is large but pretty characterless.

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee