Crabwall Manor Hotel & Spa

Extremely disappointed with the spa experience at this hotel. Nothing relaxing whatsoever about the spa environment itself. Tiny sauna and steam room, pool so cold that no one wanted to swim in it, people fighting for space in the sauna/ steam room/jacuzzi to try to keep warm. Seating area around pool cramped and inadequate for the number of people - a few cheap, plastic reclining chairs crammed together at one end , everyone had to squeeze gingerly past them to get around the pool and access the sauna/steam room etc. We were given flimsy flip-flops to wear which you couldn't wear around the pool at all without slipping and hurting yourself. No relaxation area in the spa ,the only place you can sit is in the brightly lit cafe area in the spa reception itself, where you are also competing with those eating their lunch (there is no separate dining area). We had to eat our lunch crammed up together on a small couch bent over a rather grubby table, whilst people were constantly taking the remaining chairs so there was space for everyone to sit. Awful! Uncomfortable and not conducive to a relaxing spa retreat at all. Hotel is completely understaffed, the service was like Fawlty Towers. On arrival, my friend went to reception to ask if we could have an ice bucket for our room. She was told by the rather dozy young man that someone would be sent along shortly. After waiting for half an hour, we tried repeatedly to ring reception- no reply. I went down to find the place empty apart from a stressed looking workman to be told it was a busy time and they were probably checking people in and I would have to wait. After a few minutes a young girl came who told me she had taken over from said dozy young chap - he had knocked off his shift without bothering to tell anyone we were waiting for an ice bucket. I was told I could have one but I might have to wait as she was busy and it might be quicker to go to the bar and ask for one myself, which I did! Dining room was dark and dreary, in dire need of updating,like something from an old people's home, only a tiny bar area in the with just a couple of old wooden tables and chairs, no comfort whatsoever. Dining room staffed by a slightly nutty young waitress who spent ages boring us about her personal life whilst serving us with warm white wine, poured right up to the brim of the glass. When asked for a wine cooler she said there were none left and despite being shown an empty one on another table it took two goes before she finally brought it. At the end of the meal she gave us the wrong bill, told us we couldn't put any extras on our room tab and had to pay immediately, so we had to go back to our room to get cards and didn't want to serve us an after dinner drink (at 10pm) as she said she had had a long day and the float had already been removed from the till!! Upon pressing, she did eventually serve us a drink and added it to the bill to be paid immediately by card. Only good points - nice room, food ok.