Best Western Normanton Park Hotel

We stayed from Friday night to Sunday morning. It was a birthday present from my partner. The location is beautiful and the hotel is perfectly situated. Unfortunately on arrival we were told that there was an event on that weekend and the conservatory would not be available on Saturday. However, it turned out that unless you were part of the party, the actual conservatory was not available for our entire stay. The problem is you pay for the view and the location, so not being able to even go into the conservatory meant we could not enjoy the beautiful views while relaxing at the hotel. The party was a wedding and overtook the whole of the hotel, so we felt we were intruding by even sitting in the small bar area. As the weather was bad and we had car problems, we had to retire to our room at 9.30pm on Saturday as there was nowhere else to stay in the hotel. The music was loud (it would be as it was a wedding), but this didn't help us as it went on until 12.30am. Members of the party were outside our bedroom window talking and shouting until nearly 1am. It was disappointing that the hotel took a booking from us, when there was a wedding on, it wasn't fair for both parties. I thought we could enjoy the view on the Sunday morning for breakfast, but sadly as we were not part of the party again, we were shoved on a table in what felt like the corridor! The breakfast was a buffet style and was average. However, we ate both nights at the hotel and the evening meals were lovely. I would like to stay again, but I would be very apprehensive as having a massive party take over the accommodation, there is nowhere to relax other than your room. less

Adequate double bedroom with dog friendly services. Location excellent close by Rutland Water offering ideal walking, cycling and other leisure activities. Room could do with re-decoration, slightly dated and needs refreshing, but overall excellent location and good value for money. less

- The location on the resovoir is amazing; - We got a great night's sleep; - The restaurant food and service was good. But: - If you book in advance, make sure you check on bestwestern website closer to your stay, as the same room may be available cheaper; - Our garden-view room was tired, out of date and in need of several licks of paint; - The jacuzzi bath didn't work; - There was also unfortunately a centipede in the bath which very much startled my girlfriend, as well as an earwig and many spiders in the room; - The cooked breakfast was decidedly average and very much overpriced at £12.50/head; - The admin/communication between the website's booking service the and hotel itself was not reliable, and you should double-check your booking if you make it online. less

When the Satnav said "in 50 metres go off road" and shows the destination in the middle of the lake, I pondered the wisdom of choosing this location for a break. Luckily the hotel is on dry land, just turn off right onto the hotel driveway. The hotel is a rather pleasing stone-built 1 & 2 storey building on the south shore of Rutland Water. Plenty of parking in the gravelled courtyard. Checkin was quick and easy and we were soon on the way to our room - Preston Suite - on the first floor. The room was described as having a lake view so I expected to be able to see a glimpse of the lake through the window. Wow, was I wrong - open the French windows and the lake was a few yards away across the lawn by the hotel. What a view! Just sitting by the window listening to the evening birdsong and watching the last of the windsurfers drift by was a perfect antidote to the bustle of the real world. The room was light and airy with a rather comfortable four-poster bed and a pair of equally comfortable antique-looking wooden chairs. Bathroom was large and had all the expected features as well as a Jacuzzi-type bath. The shower reminded me of an old telephone handset as it lived on a cradle above the taps. Food for dinner and breakfast was superb - top quality ingredients cooked to perfection and served by a speedy but very polite team. I must say that everyone we dealt with was really polite and friendly and were a credit to the hotel and its management team. With the shoreline minutes away, the old Normanton Church a gentle walk to the left and the Rutland Belle (boat trips around the lake) picking up passengers a couple of minutes from the hotel courtyard there is plenty to do nearby. Also try watching the sunset from the church - spectacular! (Look out for the rabbits feeding in the grounds at dusk) less

Stayed here overnight on a business trip. It’s a little tired... the courtyard entrance is a bit of a let down and my room with a lake view was a little shabby but certainly did provide a view to die for. Its not often I’m able to sit and work in comfort with French doors open onto a Juliet balcony with such fabulous views! The food served was of a good standard and breakfast plentiful. I found staff helpful and polite. less