castlewood Posted October 13, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 13, 2017 We've stayed at the Grand Harbour Hotel many times, since back when it was associated with the Devere Group. The first few times it was very good; then we began to see a slow but steady decline in the physical condition of the hotel and also in its service. The last time we stayed there (July 2016), it was truly dismal -- so bad that I'm surprised local business and health authorities were allowing it to remain open. We resolved never to stay there again. We will need stay in Southampton in a few months, and suddenly my wife is receiving Facebook postings from the Grand Harbour which imply that everything's changed, that the hotel has returned to its former glory, etc. Can anyone comment? It's not easy for me to personally apprise the situation, as I live roughly 3,000 miles away (near NYC). Thanks for any feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted October 13, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 13, 2017 You can stay at the Holiday Inn ! over the road for a fraction of the price. After all, 'if it's only a bed that you'll need, and only for a night before joining the luxury of a Cunard Queen',then take a look at this. The Grand Harbour Hotel is so over rated (especially with our American cousins) and still living on it's laurels . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adammara Posted October 13, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 13, 2017 A brand new luxury 'Harbour Hotel and Spa' has just opened in Ocean Village. Looks expensive! We are trying the fairly new Hilton at the Ageas Bowl next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyholidayer Posted October 13, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 13, 2017 https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186299-d192175-Reviews-Grand_Harbour_Hotel-Southampton_Hampshire_England.html Has terrible reviews and over priced. https://www.southampton-harbour-hotel.co.uk/ This is a new hotel but is very expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickb Posted October 13, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 13, 2017 The new hotel is very good with thoroughly up to date facilities and good food. The rooms are lovely and all have marina views. It's design is like a cruise ship and you sort of feel that you are aboard ship already! If you don't want to eat in the hotel there are also many other restaurants nearby in Ocean Village. It makes the Grand Harbour look more tired and run down than ever! It is an easy walk or a very short cab ride to Ocean Terminal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castlewood Posted October 13, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Thank you. I'm going to check out the new hotel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orvil Posted October 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 13, 2017 We stayed at the Grand Harbor two years ago. It was tired. The atrium leaked in multiple places. The rooms above Ennio's Restaurant looked great. I'm sorry we didn't stay there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 14, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 14, 2017 The new hotel is very good with thoroughly up to date facilities and good food. The rooms are lovely and all have marina views. It's design is like a cruise ship and you sort of feel that you are aboard ship already! If you don't want to eat in the hotel there are also many other restaurants nearby in Ocean Village.It makes the Grand Harbour look more tired and run down than ever! It is an easy walk or a very short cab ride to Ocean Terminal We are booked in for the night before our New Year cruise on QV. Looking forward to trying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted October 14, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Let us know what you think, I need somewhere for a night next March and as it's my birthday I would like it to be somewhere nice. Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csardas Posted October 14, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 14, 2017 We are booked in for the night before our New Year cruise on QV. Looking forward to trying it. So am I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tacticalbanjo Posted October 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 16, 2017 When I stayed in the GHH two years ago it was very tired. Friends have been to an event there and it was so bad the company putting on the event will never go there again. They said the worst parts were the rooms, they just hadn't been maintained properly and the hotel had some sort of heating failure so my friends weren't even able to take a shower before their event. GHH staff didn't seem to care that such a basic thing wasn't working - and of course you worry about eating any food in a hotel when the hot water has been switched off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Let us know what you think, I need somewhere for a night next March and as it's my birthday I would like it to be somewhere nice. Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Forums mobile app Will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laktex Posted October 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 16, 2017 We've stayed at the Grand Harbour Hotel many times, since back when it was associated with the Devere Group. The first few times it was very good; then we began to see a slow but steady decline in the physical condition of the hotel and also in its service. The last time we stayed there (July 2016), it was truly dismal -- so bad that I'm surprised local business and health authorities were allowing it to remain open. We resolved never to stay there again. We will need stay in Southampton in a few months, and suddenly my wife is receiving Facebook postings from the Grand Harbour which imply that everything's changed, that the hotel has returned to its former glory, etc. Can anyone comment? It's not easy for me to personally apprise the situation, as I live roughly 3,000 miles away (near NYC). Thanks for any feedback! Yes, we used to stay at the Grand Harbour too but moved to the Holiday Inn several years ago. We always have an Exec room on a high floor facing the City Terminal so that we can watch the ships, especially in the morning. We also usually take a bed, breakfast and evening meal deal which is pretty reasonably priced - not fantastic by any means but we continue to stay there so it must be ticking some boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennbank Posted October 17, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 17, 2017 The Grand Harbour Hotel is independently owned since it was sold off By The De Vere Group and is no relation to the new Southampton Harbour Hotel, Ocean Village, The Southampton Harbour Hotel, Ocean Village is Brand New and is owned by a company who have around another 13 similar 5 star venues around the country. https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/hotels/ https://www.southampton-harbour-hotel.co.uk/ Access presently is slightly difficult due to the building work still going on in Ocean Village, Five star prices with a 10% service charge added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinta Posted October 17, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 17, 2017 We used to stay at the DeVere, but it grew so shabby & tired that we stopped. We have stayed in the Mecure Dolphin in the High St, but haven't been impressed by that either. A few years ago we finally tried Ennios. Love it! Only ten rooms, very nice & clean. The staff are lovely & helpful & the restaurant is very good, but does get booked up quickly. We always choose a front facing room so DH can watch the Red Funnel ferries sailing to & from the Isle of Wight from the terminal over the road. The only downside is that it doesn't have a lift, but the staff will help with luggage or will store it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnip eater Posted October 18, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Had lunch at the Southampton Harbour Hotel yesterday in the Jetty restaurant, looking at the yachts. Lovely food, excellent service. Prices to suit most people. Also had a drink in HarBar(what a name,) on 6.They have food there, burgers, pizzas etc. They also have a lovely outdoor area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted October 18, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I have stayed in the Grand Harbour Hotel more recently and it was good in my opinion. Decent restaurant and swimming pool. The Holiday Inn just opposite is more basic but cheaper. It depends on what you are seeking. I have also had a top room at the Southampton Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, this is the Hampshire County cricket ground and the best rooms have balconies overlooking the pitch. Provided no cricket matches are on parking is easy but taxis are going to be more expensive due to it being out of town. See images on the website. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted October 18, 2017 #18 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Let us know what you think, I need somewhere for a night next March and as it's my birthday I would like it to be somewhere nice. Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Forums mobile app If you are looking for something absolutely special; what about the forts hotels, Spitbank Fort, No Man's Fort and Horse Sand Fort. Really nice hotels but not really sensible for a night pre-cruise. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted October 18, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 18, 2017 If you are looking for something absolutely special; what about the forts hotels, Spitbank Fort, No Man's Fort and Horse Sand Fort. Really nice hotels but not really sensible for a night pre-cruise. Regards John Interesting ....another time maybe ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoj13 Posted October 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) The Holiday Inn starts it's total room re-furbishment in November 2017. Don't know the time it will take, but there will without doubt, be disruptions, so may be better to check before booking. Edited October 20, 2017 by yoj13 punctuation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted October 31, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 31, 2017 The Holiday Inn starts it's total room re-furbishment in November 2017. Don't know the time it will take, but there will without doubt, be disruptions, so may be better to check before booking. I stayed there a while back when infrastructure was being renovated and it was not too bad at all.They had completely screened off and shut the front restaurant and bar. A rear entrance was in play into a banqueting suite which was normally a functions room and meals were served in there and you could order drinks. I think room refurbishment will be even less of a problem to be honest. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsailox Posted October 31, 2017 #22 Share Posted October 31, 2017 why not treat yourself and stay in Winchester, 15 minutes by train and the Cathedral is amazing. All much nicer than Southampton. Or the New Forest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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