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Summary of reviewsThe Master Builder's House Hotel offers an exceptional experience marked by a combination of historic charm, stunning location and excellent service. Nestled on the banks of the Beaulieu River, the hotel provides a beautiful and tranquil setting ideal for a quiet getaway. The scenic views and easy access to the New Forest and Buckler's Hard make it perfect for exploring.
Guests frequently praise the quality of food, particularly the delicious and well-presented meals served both at breakfast and dinner. The breakfast menu, featuring a variety of fresh produce and generous portions, is complemented by the lovely dining areas with scenic river views. It's noted as a highlight of many stays despite occasional service inconsistencies. Meanwhile, the dinner offerings, although sometimes perceived as limited and overpriced, maintain a high standard of taste and presentation in a relaxing atmosphere.
The rooms blend historical charm with modern comfort, featuring unique elements such as oak beams and four-poster beds. Many guests appreciated the homely touches and beautiful river views, although some noted occasional issues with room size, cleanliness and maintenance.
Cleanliness receives mixed reviews; while many find the rooms well-maintained and tidy, others highlighted specific areas needing improvement. The staff, however, consistently earn high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness and exceptional hospitality.
The hotel's dog-friendly policies are a notable feature with excellent amenities for pets and a welcoming atmosphere that extends to the dining areas. Families also find the spacious family rooms with separate bedrooms for children convenient and comfortable, although the lack of disabled access can be a challenge for those with mobility issues.
Finally, the historical significance of the Master Builder's House Hotel originally the master shipbuilder's residence from the 18th century, adds to its unique appeal. Visitors enjoy the preserved historic features and the picturesque setting, enhancing the overall experience.
In summary, the Master Builder's House Hotel combines a picturesque and historically rich location with excellent food, comfortable rooms and outstanding staff, making it a highly recommended destination for a peaceful and memorable stay. Show more
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Categories
Historic Hotel
An 18th-century house that was home to Henry Adams, a master shipbuilder for Nelson's navy. Ships were built on the Beaulieu River. The hotel retains original features like grand fireplaces and oak beams, with rooms named after ships and views over the Beaulieu River.
Hotel near Golf Courses
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Parking
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Deluxe Double RoomLarge luxury room with bespoke furnishings and original features offering river and village views.This room is not dog friendly.
Comfort Double RoomThis double room has a flat-screen TV and electric kettle. These rooms overlook the car park.
Double RoomThis double room features an electric kettle. Located in the Main House with no view.This room is not dog friendly.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Master Builder's House Hotel is praised for its exceptional location on the banks of the Beaulieu River, offering a stunning and tranquil setting steeped in maritime history. Guests highlight the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, which are ideal for a quiet getaway. The area provides interesting walks and easy access to the New Forest and Buckler's Hard, making it a perfect spot for exploring.
The location is often described as incredible, brilliant, fantastic and idyllic with many noting the lovely views from the rooms and dining areas. The hotel's historical significance, being a site for building ships in the 18th century, adds to its charm and appeal.
The quality of food is consistently rated high with delicious and well-presented meals. Visitors also appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, contributing to an excellent overall stay. The superb decor and cozy, comfortable rooms, some with lovely river views and four-poster beds, are additional highlights noted by guests.
In summary, the Master Builder's House Hotel offers an outstanding location with beautiful scenery, historic charm and excellent amenities, making it a highly recommended destination for a peaceful and memorable stay.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at the Master Builder's House Hotel receives largely positive reviews with guests frequently praising the variety and quality of the offerings. The breakfast menu boasts an impressive array of fresh produce, including both hot and cold options, beautifully presented dishes and a selection that caters well to different tastes and preferences. Many guests appreciated the substantial and well-cooked breakfasts with specific mentions of the delicious and generous portions.
Diners also valued the lovely dining areas and the scenic views over the Beaulieu river, which enhance the overall experience. However, there are occasional mentions of service inconsistencies, such as slow service and a lack of proactive staff monitoring the self-service stations. A few guests noted that the coffee was somewhat weak and that there were occasional delays in being served.
While some found the portions a bit small, the general consensus is that the quality of the food was very good. Despite some minor hiccups, the breakfast experience at the hotel is generally very positive with guests finding it to be one of the highlights of their stay.
Dinner
The Master Builder's House Hotel offers a varied dining experience with options for both pub and restaurant settings. Reviewers consistently praised the high quality and delicious taste of the food served at dinner, highlighting that meals were well cooked, well presented and of exceptional standard. Many noted the evening dining as an enjoyable experience with particular dishes being labeled as superb, tasty and very good quality.
However, some feedback pointed out that the dinner menu could be more imaginative and varied, especially for longer stays. The menu was described as somewhat limited and not particularly suited to those with specific dietary preferences, such as non-fish lovers. In addition, while the food quality was high, the dinner was often seen as overpriced.
The restaurant service appeared to be a mixed experience with some reviews mentioning slow service despite the restaurant not being busy. On a positive note, the atmosphere was described as relaxing, although not necessarily romantic. Overall, while the dining could benefit from more variety and potentially quicker service, the food itself was consistently excellent and remains a highlight of many guests' stays.
Rooms
The rooms at Master Builder's House Hotel offer a mix of charm and modern comfort with several guests praising their character and stunning views. Many rooms, particularly those in the old part of the building, boast unique features such as oak beams and a cozy four-poster bed. Spaciousness and cleanliness are consistent positives with numerous guests highlighting the comfortable beds and well-maintained facilities. Lovely touches like shortbread biscuits, raspberry gin and milk in the fridge enhance the homely feel of the rooms.
Despite the many positives, some rooms fall short in terms of size, cleanliness and lighting. Rooms in the main building and near the stairs faced disturbances and could use better cleaning. A few guests found their accommodations stuffy or too hot, especially in the annex and some reported maintenance issues like malfunctioning radiators and outdated showers.
Overall, the rooms are considered comfortable and nicely decorated, offering beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscapes. The hotel provides a picturesque and relaxing setting, complemented by attentive staff and excellent food, making it a notable destination for a getaway.
Beds
The beds at Master Builder's House Hotel have garnered a mixed reception from guests. Many found the accommodations to be comfortable and cosy with several highlighting the beds as particularly comfy and conducive to a restful night's sleep. Phrases such as comfortable bed, very comfy bed and extremely comfortable bed were frequently mentioned, suggesting a generally positive experience for a significant number of guests.
However, there were a few recurring complaints. Some guests noted that the mattresses were old and tired with a few specifically mentioning that the beds creaked loudly. Others found the beds either too hard or too soft for their liking with some stating that the pillows were too soft as well. A few reviews pointed out that the beds seemed small and lacked proper bedding, which affected their comfort level.
In summary, while many guests enjoyed a comfortable and restful stay, there are areas where the hotel could improve to ensure a consistent experience for all visitors.
Cleanliness
The Master Builder's House Hotel receives mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness. Positive feedback highlights the rooms as very clean, comfortable and modern with many guests appreciating the welcoming touches and the overall tidiness of the hotel. The staff are consistently praised for their kindness and prompt responses to cleanliness issues. Several reviewers find the hotel well-presented and situated in a beautiful area with a notable connection to the region's history. However, some guests noted specific cleanliness concerns such as rusty shower heads, cobwebs and inadequately cleaned bathrooms. Issues like the positioning of towels and the need for deeper cleaning in certain areas were also mentioned. Despite these drawbacks, the general consensus indicates that the hotel maintains a satisfactory level of cleanliness and offers a pleasant stay in a historically rich setting.
Staff
Among the standout features of the Master Builder's House Hotel is its exceptional staff, which consistently garners high praise. Guests frequently describe the staff as great, very pleasant and always helpful. The personnel, including names mentioned like Polly, Pam and Izzy, are often highlighted for their courteous and friendly demeanor. Words like polite, knowledgeable and well-trained are used to characterize the team, who are noted for going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
The hotel staff are celebrated for being extremely welcoming and efficient, providing a level of service that significantly enhances the overall guest experience. Multiple reviews have remarked on the team's hospitality, attentiveness and cheerfulness, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even under pressure or short-staffed situations – which have been noted due to pandemic-related challenges – the staff maintained their super friendly and helpful nature.
Guests have also appreciated the attention to Covid safety measures, ensuring a secure environment without compromising on service quality. The front desk personnel receive particular accolades for their kindness and outstanding customer service. Although there are instances where some felt the need for better customer training among the younger, less experienced staff members, these were occasional notes in an overall symphony of positive feedback.
In addition to the staff, the hotel's location, restaurant and food quality are also highly praised, making it a well-rounded choice for visitors. However, it’s clear that the genuine, accommodating nature of the team is what leaves a lasting impression, providing a charming and comfortable stay at this beautiful destination.
Family
The Master Builder's House Hotel is highly regarded for its dog-friendly amenities, earning praise for welcoming pets with exceptional facilities, including beds, bowls and treats, making it a great option for dog owners. Families appreciate the spacious family rooms, which include separate bedrooms for children, providing comfort and convenience. The hotel is ideally located for exploring the New Forest and enjoying boat trips at Bucklers Hard. However, those with mobility issues may find it challenging due to the lack of disabled access, as noted by guests experiencing difficulty with stairs.
Historic
Nestled in an exceptional and historic location, Master Builder's House Hotel boasts a rich historical significance that impresses visitors. The structure of the 18th-century building and its surrounding area exudes a charming allure, allowing guests to feel transported back in time. The impressive history of the property originally the master ship builder's house, is evident throughout and contributes greatly to its unique atmosphere.
Visitors have praised the preservation of historic features, adding a lovely sense of historic preservation to their experience. Located in a stunning setting, the hotel provides a picturesque backdrop steeped in history. Guests also noted the charming and historic area, highlighting the scenic walk from Bucklers Hard to Beaulieu along the riverside. The exceptional building, dating back to 1729, offers not only a glimpse into its glorious past but also a rewarding stay filled with the warmth and helpfulness of the staff.
Master Builder's House Hotel is truly an enticing destination where history and hospitality blend seamlessly.
Dog Friendly
The Master Builder's House Hotel is highly praised for its dog-friendly accommodations and services. Guests appreciated the dedicated dog-friendly rooms and mentioned that the staff were excellent and genuinely cared for their pets. The hotel provides a warm welcome for dogs, including a doggie welcome pack with a bed and treats upon arrival. Guests were pleased with the overall dog-friendly atmosphere and the ability to bring their dogs with them to the dining room. The positive feedback highlights that the hotel is well-suited for travelers who wish to include their dogs in their stay.
No, Master Builder's House Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Master Builder's House Hotel.
Yes, Master Builder's House Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Master Builder's House Hotel.
No, Master Builder's House Hotel doesn't have a gym.