Marwell Hotel Winchester South

Hotels
Independent
7.6 (142 reviews)
Thompson Lane, Winchester, England, SO21 1JY , Winchester , GB

Pets allowed

Facilities

Free WiFi
24-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Sauna
Golfing nearby
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Smoke-free property
Wedding services
Snack bar/deli
Free self parking
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Attentive staff
Great location near Marwell Zoo
Cons:
Poor cleanliness
Overpriced food and accommodations

Categories

Cleanliness
5.9
Multiple mentions of poor cleanliness and maintenance of rooms.
Service
9.4
Staff were noted as attentive and helpful, which positively influenced the rating.
Location
8.9
Great location next to Marwell Zoo and surrounded by nature.
Room Quality
6.4
Rooms reported as in poor condition and needing significant upgrades.
Amenities
7.9
Amenities like the swimming pool were mentioned but reported as dated.
Value for Money
6.9
Multiple reviews suggest overpriced services and poor value for price paid.
Food and Beverage
6.9
Food described as overpriced and disappointing in quality.
Overall Experience
8.5
Mixed experiences; potential exists but significant improvements needed.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 03:48

Property Description

Welcome to Marwell Hotel Winchester South, your perfect getaway nestled in a serene rural location!

Recreational Bliss
Delight in our exceptional recreational offerings, including a rejuvenating sauna and complimentary wireless internet, designed for your comfort and relaxation.

Dining Excellence
Savor the culinary delights at our Dining Room, specializing in Modern European cuisine, or relax with in-room dining during select hours. Don't forget to grab your favorite drink at our inviting bar/lounge!

Versatile Event Spaces
For your special occasions, we boast seven well-equipped meeting rooms along with a dedicated 24-hour front desk and seamless luggage storage for your convenience.

Book your enchanting stay at Marwell Hotel Winchester South today and make unforgettable memories!

Important information:

  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

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

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

  • Pets

    Pets allowed

  • Sustainability Certifications

    Green Tourism Program

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

7.6
Based on 142 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.9
Service: 9.4
Location: 8.9
Room Quality: 6.4
Amenities: 7.9
Value for Money: 6.9
Food and Beverage: 6.9
Overall Experience: 8.5
M
Margaret solo_traveller gb
7
Decent
Pros:

Comfy beds
Unusual building
Good breakfast
Good wifi
Would use again if in the area

Cons:

Cold plates at breakfast
Needs some refurbishment but that is ongoing apparently

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
M
Michael family_with_children de
5
Unangenehm unhygienische Erinnerung
Pros:

Sehr freundliches Personal. Schöne Lage des Häuserkomplexes zwischen Baumbestand an einem Waldrand mit neugierig machendem Verbindungsgang-System zwischen den einzelnen Häusern. Lodge-artige Lobby.

Cons:

Muffig-moderig riechendes Badezimmer und muffig riechende Fenstervorhänge, gleichzeitig Arretierung des Schiebe-Fensters kaputt, das heisst bei Erdgeschosslage des Zimmers und umlaufendem Rettungsweg Lüftungsmöglichkeit nur bei Anwesenheit und nur bei Tage. Erschreckend fleckige Teppiche, bei näherem Hinsehen im Zimmer fleckig, nicht dreckig aber im Frühstücksraum/Restaurant dreckige Teppiche. Ingesamt eine in die Jahre gekommene Anlage mit abgenutzten Möbeln und Wänden.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
S
Shaji Shelley couple gb
3
Never had a shower like this in a hotel in last 20 years in the UK
Pros:

Location

Cons:

No maintenance and creepy noise and the shower

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
I
Iain family_with_children gb
3
Other than its location for the zoo, it’s a very poor hotel
Pros:

It’s greatly located for Marwell Zoo, and that’s how this hotel is surviving, as everything else operationally is poor

Cons:

Carpets and chairs all stained, the staff all sat on phones at reception. The room doors hardly open or close, people smoking outside our room when we have kids in room and had to have windows open as it was so hot. 2 glasses outside our room from someone in another room stayed there for 24 hours. Breakfast was so basic we left. You can tell this place isn’t being managed at all, no standards are set and it runs throughout the whole facility.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
S
Sharon family_with_children gb
7
A perfect venue for our visit to the zoo.
Pros:

Overall I think the public areas of the hotel were very good, but my room was a little ‘tired’. I believe it is in the process of being spruced up, so as I only stayed for one night it was perfectly acceptable. The wardrobe was falling apart in room 106 and I found the duvet very heavy for my liking. However, I do like the Marwell Hotel very much and would stay again.

Cons:

As mentioned already, the duvet was very heavy and I had to sleep on top of it and the wardrobe in room 106 needs urgent repair.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
M
Margaret solo_traveller gb
6
The hotel has seen better days much as the zoo itself.
Pros:

It was very quiet and close to the zoo.

Cons:

The bar needed comfy sofas. The chairs were too hard. The restaurant menu has too much fast food.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
L
Lauren family_with_children gb
6
Nice for a short stay but beds and rooms could do with maintenance.
Pros:

Food was delicious, very tasty and staff on bar and restaurant were very kind and efficient!

Cons:

Didn’t sleep well unfortunately beds were uncomfortable. Requested cot but didn’t receive one, had to go to reception to ask for one. Rooms were tired, lots of marks, could do with some maintenance.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
E
Edwards solo_traveller gb
9
Pros:

An appealing property with a fun layout and a jungle hotel feeling but with excellent amenities and friendly, helpful staff.
Clean comfortable rooms with well laid out bathrooms.

Cons:

The winter duvet could have been swapped with a lower tog duvet.
But I'm always a hot person, so maybe that is only me.

2026-07-03 via Nuitee
E
Elaine solo_traveller gb
3
Nostalgia visit to marwell zoo
Pros:

Pleasant staff

Cons:

In desperate need of an update. Appreciate that there has been a takeover. Disappointing hot breakfast.

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
P
Peter solo_traveller gb
6
It served a purpose, but would think twice when staying here.
Pros:

The room was very spacious.
Where the hotel is situated. The walk to the room was wonderful.

Cons:

The room was extremely hot with no air conditioning. There was a set of patio doors which you couldn't leave open over night as the balcony was a communal fire escape and everyone has access to it.
Breakfast wasn't great.

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
K
Kate extended_group gb
7
Pros:

Stay prior to cruise from Southampton

Cons:

Dining room, needs a clean.

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
L
Lisa solo_traveller gb
9
Pros:

This is a lovely location right outside Marwell Zoo about 20 mins outside of Winchester. Staff were really friendly and helpful

Cons:

The hotel is a little dated, the decor is a throwback. When I stayed we were in the middle of a heatwave and the room was stiflingly hot 🥵
This is a pet friendly hotel but pets are not allowed in the dining room, so as a lone traveller was not easy to get breakfast! Had to eat in the lounge on a low table

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
R
ROCKY family_with_children gb
8
Lovely and cozy
Pros:

Lovely ambience and love decored hotel.

Cons:

Breakfast could be bit much better. (Spoons missing for cereals)

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
S
Susan family_with_children gb
1
Place needs a serious makeover
Pros:

How is this place still open and not bull dozed

Cons:

Breakfast was a disgrace and the decor is hideous. It needs a couple of million spent on it, the place has potential but now Im worried how the animal enclosures are, probably better than the hotel??
Oh and drinks were crazy expensive

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
R
Robert couple gb
9
Nothing much to say apart from a great stay.
Pros:

Location great. Friendly staff. A great style of hotel. Value for money excellent. Would not hesitate to return to this hotel

Cons:

Nothing at all.

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
R
Romana solo_traveller gb
10
Stunning setting
Pros:

The open plan corridors allowed the outside in, you felt like you were walking through nature, just so calming and tranquil!

Cons:

There wasn't anything I didn't like, it was perfect and I'd love to come back for a longer stay.

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
G
Geoff couple gb
5
Very average, wouldn’t go back!
Pros:

The receptionist was very helpful

Cons:

Not really a dog friendly hotel, couldn’t leave open patio door because the balcony floor was an open grid. Not suitable for our little dog. Not allowed in breakfast area with dog.
No air conditioning? Had to beg for a fan for the room (it was very hot in the room)

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
E
Emily couple gb
5
It was fine but I don’t think it’s good value for the price
Pros:

Nice location , room was clean and comfortable

Cons:

The tv isn’t a smart tv , no air con and only one fan per room

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
N
N A extended_group gb
5
Disappointed
Pros:

The bed was very comfortable, the staff accommodating

Cons:

The room facilities such as coffee and tea making were not as expected. There was no dinking water in the room. The bath was dangerous . The restaurant food was very basic, one of us is coeliac and was only able to have one choice, we ended up going somewhere else to eat. The breakfast was poor, flies on the hot food and limited choice. Overall very disappointing

2026-06-27 via Nuitee
J
Julie couple gb
5
Pros:

The room had been updated the bed was very comfortable. The location is good.

Cons:

The hotel was 'tired' in many areas. The grounds could be beautiful but appeared in many areas not to be cared for. The breakfast was ok but quite basic. The dinner menu was very poor especially for vegetarians with many items not available. Only 1 dessert option and no ice cream! There appeared little link with the zoo next door. The hotel has so much potential to be a very good resort but seemed to lack imagination in decor. It could be like a mini animal kingdom lodge , Disney Florida, and a real fun place to be with some creative design and ideas. It doesn't seem to reach its full potential at all. We love the zoo and the bed room was fine, the receptionists were very helpful. We were directed to an amazing restaurant nearby.

2026-06-27 via Nuitee