8.4

Very Good

Overall Rating for Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

Staff

8.6

Location

9.4

Room comfort

9.2

Facilities

8.8

Quality of bars & restaurants

8.0

Value for money

8.2

Reviews

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Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Poor

Excellent

Service excellent. Food very good. Overall very satisfied.

Lionel – Reviewed 17 Mar 2020

Excellent

Great course, staff are really nice. Booking with golf travel was really straight forward to. Thomas sorted everything out and made the booking really simple. Would definitely book again.

Michael – Reviewed 10 Mar 2020

Excellent

Excellent. Very quiet - which was fine by us. Bar prices bit steep but food was good, staff very friendly, room warm, big beds.

John – Reviewed 25 Jan 2020

Excellent

Great hotel the rooms are fantastic the golf was brilliant the only thing i could say was they were under staffed so did take quite long for the food to come.

Darryl – Reviewed 17 Sep 2019

Excellent

Accommodation was clean and tidy. A funny smell on entering our room. The wardrobe door was broken.

Gailo – Reviewed 15 Sep 2019

8.0

Very Good

Nice hotel,unfortunately they are short on staff.The food was fantastic,unfortunately due to staffing levels.It took 1hr 50mins in the restaurant.I had to ask 3 different people to finally get the bill.

Darren – Reviewed 21 Aug 2019

6.0

Good

Disappointing slow service in restaurant Saturday night, meals that came out were not as per menu, carrot and ginger soup was actually carrot and coriander and when enquired waitress said would get bank to us and never did Also dessert said with custard and cane with ice cream, again didn’t come back to us after enquiry

Peter – Reviewed 20 Aug 2019

Excellent

All staff were exceedingly friendly andaccommodating during our stay.

Karen – Reviewed 18 Aug 2019

8.0

Very Good

The rooms were very comfortable with 2 king size beds and room to move around. The bathroom had a bath and shower cubicle. The food over the three day was without fault with three choices for each course, the breakfast was one of the best I’ve had with mushrooms that tasted like they had been picked in the field not soggy and tasteless, sausages that had flavour and eggs fried with firm white and soft yolk. The bar was buzzing with a wedding party and unfortunately there were not enough staff but those that were there worked well under pressure. Prices were reasonable and with the help of 20% off and a £10 drinks voucher we survived !! Would recommend and return.

Keith – Reviewed 30 Jul 2019

Excellent

i had read recent reveiws on the hotel saying pricey lack staff but we had a fabulous time here and would recommend to anyone

Anita – Reviewed 3 Jul 2019

6.0

Good

Room was a bit stale need a good airing and no free water surprising for a Macdonald. Overall site was well kept. Service was prompt and smiling. Excellent breakfast choices

Chris – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

Excellent

Brilliant hotel, staff very helpful & polite

Nia – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

Excellent

The hotel was the best this group had stayed in during our last seven years. The staff were friendly and helpful, nothing was to much. The rooms were outstanding Not one adverse comment was made of my party of 96. Very happy to return again.

Keith – Reviewed 26 Jun 2019

6.0

Good

It’s a basic hotel. Rooms we were allocated were ground floor and smelt of damp.they were adequate for the purpose of one nights accommodation. Food was very disappointing. Our evening meal was booked by ourselves as YGT forgot to book our meal time. Dinner was poor. A choice of 3 starters,3 mains of gammon, salmon or vegetarian pasta. All plated before hand and served canteen style. Not enough food. We asked for extra veg. But this was not forthcoming. Breakfast was buffet style. Overall pretty poor would not go again. We walked into the village in the evening and had a pleaser evening in the local pubs. A couple of pubs served food. Which helped a number of hungry golfers.

Brian – Reviewed 20 Jun 2019

Excellent

The hotel is very nice, the bar prices was a bit steep. The food was very nice.

John – Reviewed 17 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

The reception staff were very friendly and helpful. The bar staff are fantastic adverts for this hotel,great fun and very helpful. the restaurant staff are very nice and again very helpful. Its a real shame that a complex with such beautiful golf courses dont seem to know anything about golf as the Tee times are crammed in and the pace of play is appalling.

Andrew – Reviewed 12 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

Bradley – Reviewed 11 Jun 2019

Excellent

Hotel and the facilities provided were excellent. Spacious room. Breakfast was a good standard. Evening meal meant 3 courses from a set menu or £25 off the a la carte. We had the second option which gave you 2 courses and the food was top notch. Bar prices were expensive so we took a 5 minute taxi ride into Tarporley on our two nights and found the pubs warm and welcoming. The only down side was despite being given our 4 tee times by YGT, when we arrived at the course, none of these times were reserved, nor were any other times. This is the 5th time I’ve booked with YGT and never had this problem before so I put it down to a hiccup rather than an on going problem. The pro was very good however, and sorted us out so we didn’t miss any golf

David – Reviewed 6 Jun 2019

Excellent

A first class hotel, I cannot fault a single member of staff, everyone was friendly, charming and helpful.

David – Reviewed 25 May 2019

Excellent

We had one problem, on the first night the dining room was terribly understaffed and they had split us into 2 separate tables. I told the overworked and very stressed manageress that I had agreed with the hotel manager, during my visit in March, that we should have 1 table each night. She sorted it out entirely to our satisfaction.

Mike – Reviewed 21 May 2019

8.0

Very Good

General experience very good, staff were very friendly and helpful. Only issues were .. the Bar ran out of Beer (Bitter) each night (3) we were there. (Wasn't us Gov' we were only 4) Plus each evening there was 1 or 2 items on the Menu unvailable. However, Good Food.

Peter – Reviewed 19 May 2019

4.0

Average

the hotel ruined the break by over booking the meal booked for 6.30 a year ago they changed it 2days before our trip to 9.15 not good aparty of 24 only 16 dined as it was to late for some hotel not intrested over 100 diners in the room and 1 bar staff same in the lobby bar no good enough for a 4 star the staff were great though not go thier again and not recomend it ruined my trip for me as i had organised it

Chris – Reviewed 1 May 2019

Excellent

Lovely large bedrooms with 2 comfy armchairs. Elemis toiletries a very nice treat too. Breakfast and dinner both excellent with hot plates and v nice presentation. Spa area and swimming pool fabulous

Lynda – Reviewed 1 May 2019

6.0

Good

The hotel is very well appointed and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Very good beds and showers. It is let down badly by the standard of catering. We had a party of 16 booked in the restaurant and we were then told it was a buffet. On arriving in the dining area our table was taken by a number of other people watching the Masters. The buffet had obviously been laid on to cope with the Masters event however the quality of the food was appalling. Many other groups were also complaining. Breakfast was only slightly better although this was in the proper restaurant.

Ray – Reviewed 17 Apr 2019

4.0

Average

Our trip was a bit of a nightmare from start to finish. The place was completely overbooked, overpriced, they kept trying to charge us for stuff when we had already paid for everything, had to argue to get into the restaurant which we were told we had and then spent 2 hours in there for a 2 course meal, then they tried to charge us for someone else table, had to come off the golf course because it took 2 of us 3 hours to do 9 holes because it was so busy and slow. I could go on all day about how poor the experience was.

Chris – Reviewed 9 Apr 2019

Excellent

This was a lovely hotel with lovely staff food and rooms. Golf course on site was lovely and the site up the road was also very good but sadly very inclement weather on day 1 meant we only really got one full round of golf so missed out on the first day due to heavy storms and bitingly cold winds. Hope to return for the full experience sometime. Can recommend.

Sandra – Reviewed 8 Apr 2019

4.0

Average

We were disappointed with the condition of the Hotel. Thread bare carpets in the Bar area etc. This Hotel was advertised as having a Multi Million pound refurbishment but there was no evidence of this. The temperature in the Hotel was always very cold. The reception staff were quite rude when I asked to take a swipe of my debit card instead of a credit card, they did not allow this, which I found peculiar. The food in the Restaurant was very poor, both for dinner and breakfast. We even had to serve our own Tea and Coffee from thermos flasks, these drinks were luke warm as was the buffet breakfast, the foreign staff were unhelpful and unpleasant. This Hotel was nowhere near its 4 Star Accreditation in my opinion. We will not be returning.

Raymond – Reviewed 1 Apr 2019

8.0

Very Good

Jack – Reviewed 25 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

EVERYONE IN OUR GROUP THROUGHLY ENJOYED OUR WEEKEND. THE STAFF WERE GREAT AND FOOD IN RESTUARANT WAS EXCELLANT. HAD GREAT NIGHT IN THE BAR, BUT PRICES ABIT STEEP

Keith – Reviewed 17 Oct 2018

Excellent

Hotel has excellent facilities with a great choice of food and drinks.

Chris – Reviewed 12 Oct 2018

Excellent

Great hotel. Everything was spot on, nice rooms, nice food, friendly staff and a good atmosphere around the hotel.

Steven – Reviewed 10 Oct 2018

Excellent

Lovely welcome, very nice hotel, clean accomodation, staff giving good service, food excellent, 2 good golf courses well maintained. only down side was the weather on one of the days. Really fabulous 2 days which we all enjoyed and recommend to anyone.

Kenneth – Reviewed 5 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

Lovely hotel, but the sign on the main road was covered by a hedge where the arrow shows left, but because we couldn't see this we went right for 4 mins then decided to turn round, we were also asked if we had booked our time slot for eating, we didn't know about that either before the trip

Joanne – Reviewed 3 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

Staff very helpful, very clean and rooms were comfortable.

Marlene – Reviewed 28 Sep 2018

8.0

Very Good

Martin – Reviewed 18 Sep 2018

Sorry, your filter options returned no results.

8.2

Very Good

Overall Rating for All courses

Condition overall

7.8

Condition of greens

8.0

Speed of round

Slow About right Quick

Facilities

8.0

Value for money

8.6

Difficulty

Easy Average Hard

Reviews

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Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Poor

8.0

Very Good

Same experience to the Premier Course. Would like to play it in the Summer.

Lionel – Reviewed 17 Mar 2020

8.0

Very Good

Obviously because of the amount of rain we have had the course was very boggy. However we still enjoyed the Golf.

Lionel – Reviewed 17 Mar 2020

8.0

Very Good

Fantastic course, the greens needed a little improvement but overall good challenge.

Michael – Reviewed 10 Mar 2020

Excellent

Fantastic course for the time of year.

Michael – Reviewed 10 Mar 2020

6.0

Good

VERY quiet. Played on two days. First day only two other people to be seen. Course in reasonable condition given the time of year. Long course. Couldnt believe how many divots hadnt been replaced or pitch martks repaired - presumably after a club competition on the Sunday. Unbelievably bad. Granted, the crows may have been picking out the repaired divots but pitch marks everywhere on the greens. Worst part was the air compressor had no ooooomph in it, so was hopeless for cleaning cart and shoes.

John – Reviewed 25 Jan 2020

8.0

Very Good

Darryl – Reviewed 17 Sep 2019

Excellent

Darryl – Reviewed 17 Sep 2019

8.0

Very Good

Excellent

Gailo – Reviewed 15 Sep 2019

8.0

Very Good

Good

Gailo – Reviewed 15 Sep 2019

8.0

Very Good

Fantastic greens,rough & fairways a bit long.

Darren – Reviewed 21 Aug 2019

8.0

Very Good

The greens were absolutely fantastic,the best I have played all year & i have played a lot of different courses.I am a member of stand golf & there greens a good,but not as good as both courses & portal golf club.👍The fairways & rough were a bit long.I think this was due to the weather & not be able to cut the grass due we have had a lot of rain.The clubhouse near modernising asap in my opinion.

Darren – Reviewed 21 Aug 2019

8.0

Very Good

Lost several balls just in the rough.... annoying!!!! Members not friendly and quite rude not welcoming at all

Peter – Reviewed 20 Aug 2019

6.0

Good

Very slow behind a group of non golfers that couldn’t have had a handicap, one of group taking 3 shots to get past ladies tee on numerous occasions etc

Peter – Reviewed 20 Aug 2019

Excellent

Fabulous course but slightly hampered by incessant rain. Would like to play again in better weather

Karen – Reviewed 18 Aug 2019

Excellent

Great views over a pretty u dilating course. Quite tough for some of our party but most enjoyable.

Karen – Reviewed 18 Aug 2019

6.0

Good

Philip – Reviewed 17 Aug 2019

Excellent

Slightly tighter course than the Championship with a more varied array of holes especially two of the par threes, one is played from a high tee down to a small green with OB behind, the other is played over a pond onto a raised green which needs plenty of height to keep the ball on the surface. Loved the course pity about the weather!!

Keith – Reviewed 30 Jul 2019

8.0

Very Good

Quite a hilly course and very long so a buggy may be needed if your not too agile. Greens had very subtle changes in them and needed a good eye to read them, along with being quite quick. Fairways and rough were well kept and not too punishing, overall it’s a good test of golf with beautiful views over Cheshire.

Keith – Reviewed 30 Jul 2019

Excellent

a difficult course with lots of long grass to loose your ball but enjoyed it

Anita – Reviewed 3 Jul 2019

Excellent

we all enjoyed our golf on the course

Anita – Reviewed 3 Jul 2019

4.0

Average

On arrival no chef so we had to wait 45min having been told food was available by hotel reception we then had to rush to make our tee on time. No fresh coffee just a machine. Pro shop a disaster This is the first time ever I’ve come off a course and not been able to sit down with a drink the whole place was locked up at 5.30 on a Friday night ?. Not a good experience and disappointing when you have brought a group to spend their time and money.

Chris – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

8.0

Very Good

A challenge for the high handicappers but a good experience overall

Chris – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

Excellent

5* condition staff at club house very helpful

Nia – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

Excellent

Course in a fantastic condition 5*

Nia – Reviewed 1 Jul 2019

Excellent

Very slow due to number of groups booked on on our first day. Course lay out was excellent. We had a hole in one. The group enjoyed this course .

Keith – Reviewed 26 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

Great layout with a number of demanding holes. Our group scores were very good best score on the last day 45pts.

Keith – Reviewed 26 Jun 2019

6.0

Good

Played the course twice as agents did not tell us that the other course was a few minutes drive away and not at the venue we were staying at. We made a decision to play twice on the championship. First game fairways not cut. Rough overgrown. 2 nd day the mowers were out. A different course far better. Overall wouldn’t bother again.

Brian – Reviewed 20 Jun 2019

Excellent

The greens on this course was in much better condition, the ran faster and true.

John – Reviewed 17 Jun 2019

Excellent

Really enjoyed playing these courses, it was a surprise to find out how many hills you have to go up and down, but that just added to the quality.

John – Reviewed 17 Jun 2019

Excellent

this is a beauty of a layout but let down by the shocking pace of play.i would also add that little things like ball cleaners having no water in them is very lazy and annoying.

Andrew – Reviewed 12 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

such a shame the hotel group don't realise what a cracking course this is. the clubhouse is very run down and does not give a great impression. the course is a beautiful layout but a little let down by the greens.

Andrew – Reviewed 12 Jun 2019

Excellent

Bradley – Reviewed 11 Jun 2019

Excellent

Bradley – Reviewed 11 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

Much preferred this course. Has some interesting holes with two cracking par 3’s on the back.

David – Reviewed 6 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

This is meant to be the ‘ main course ‘ and though in the same decent condition as the sister course, found this less challenging than the premier, despite it being considerably longer. The only thing that let both courses down was the state of the bunkers. A distinct lack of sand in them on this course, with the Premier having an equal ratio of sand to pebbles.

David – Reviewed 6 Jun 2019

8.0

Very Good

a very nice way to pass the day. course I would describe as average, only downside is if you get caught behind a corporate golf package, then its very very slow.

David – Reviewed 25 May 2019

6.0

Good

Excessively slow on the Saturday, over five and a half hours!! Far too many groups on the course and no marshalling. The staff were apologetic, but the responsibility lay with those who took the bookings and crammed them in. When there are mixed ability groups they need to be marshalled. The round on Sunday , teeing off at 9, was fine, just over 4 hours.

Mike – Reviewed 21 May 2019

6.0

Good

Poor greens and slow going.

Mike – Reviewed 21 May 2019

Excellent

First round no issues, however, when checking in for the second round, we were advised there wasn't any Buggies available, even although we reserved them Months in advance .. Apparently a Corporate day (? or whatever) of 50 (or so) was also booked on that day. Our thoughts were: This Group was given priority over our group of 4. "Business is Business"(?) However, we were offered a Round at another McDonald GC approx 20 mins away .. with a 90 mins later T time, with the benefit of No Cost on the Buggies. We accepted. Overall we were Happy with our 3 night 4 rounds stay.

Peter – Reviewed 19 May 2019

8.0

Very Good

4 hour round for a 4 ball, whereas the Score Card 4hr 32mins for a full round, so no complaints there .. Played 2 rounds (with a round on the Champion Course in between .. Fairways a bit wooly, however, they were cutting them on the second round.

Peter – Reviewed 19 May 2019

8.0

Very Good

great course looked after better than the prem course bunkers that were not playable were GUR greens true and in good condition

Chris – Reviewed 1 May 2019

6.0

Good

bunkers unplayable greens slow & bumpy

Chris – Reviewed 1 May 2019

Excellent

Loved the course. Only disappointment was that 4 of our party unable to play as no buggies allowed on the course that day after heavy rain in previous 2 days. They were physically unable to walk round the course. Great views and very good course condition.

Lynda – Reviewed 1 May 2019

8.0

Very Good

A long course with some excellent holes. Very scenic views. Greens were better than the Premier course. Overall a challenging course but very interesting.

Ray – Reviewed 17 Apr 2019

6.0

Good

I would class the Premier course as a normal hotel course only made memorable by the par 3 15th which is a stunning hole. Staff here were very pleasant especially the starter. Greens were not great but overall the course was in good condition for the time of year.

Ray – Reviewed 17 Apr 2019

4.0

Average

Paid for 36 holes, did 9 on the first day because it took us 3 hours and did only 5 on the second day because it was even slower.

Chris – Reviewed 9 Apr 2019

6.0

Good

Chris – Reviewed 9 Apr 2019

Excellent

A great day - weather was perfect today - everything about the experience thoroughly enjoyable hope to be back

Sandra – Reviewed 8 Apr 2019

8.0

Very Good

Sadly we only managed a few holes here the inclement weather was against us - extreme winds heavy rain and sleet... so we gave up after 6 holes.

Sandra – Reviewed 8 Apr 2019

6.0

Good

The fairways were long and muddy and the greens were slow. I didn’t like the fact that there was no Clubhouse for this course, only the Hotel.

Raymond – Reviewed 1 Apr 2019

6.0

Good

The fairways were long and muddy, the greens were very slow. There were people playing in front of us that were not fit to be on a golf course. They had no idea of rules or etiquette. We came in after 14 holes as we had suffered long enough. We met the head of Golf when we were in the Clubhouse, when he asked how we enjoyed our round I told him about our experience on the course. He was sorry we had not enjoyed our round and offered us a voucher for a free round to be used at a later date which we accepted. He and the rest of the staff were very helpful.

Raymond – Reviewed 1 Apr 2019

8.0

Very Good

Not as good condition as previous visits.

Jack – Reviewed 25 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

The greens staff were top dressing on a hole that we were playing,one half of the green was full of sand the other half ok.we had to replace the balls to put out.NOT happy.

Jack – Reviewed 25 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

ENJOYABLE COURSE WITH SOME INTERESTING HOLES. NOT AS WELL PRESENTED AS CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE BUT STILL A GREAT DAYS GOLF

Keith – Reviewed 17 Oct 2018

Excellent

SUPREBLY PRESENTED COURSE, IN GREAT CONDITION DESPITE RECENT WEATHER. CHALLENGEING BUT REALLY ENJOYABLE WITH STUNNING VIEWS OF LOCAL AREA

Keith – Reviewed 17 Oct 2018

Excellent

Tighter off the tee than the championship course with some great looking holes. Again fast and slopey greens. Really enjoyed the challenge.

Chris – Reviewed 12 Oct 2018

Excellent

Tough course if you're not on your best game but still enjoyable. Greens are fast and slopey..

Chris – Reviewed 12 Oct 2018

Excellent

Loved this course. Great design and great condition. We will definitely be back to play this course again. Especially enjoyed the Par 3's

Steven – Reviewed 10 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

The course was in good condition considering the time of year (Oct) and the very dry summer we have just had. Greens were very good. We all enjoyed the course with the only complaint being that there were too many long Par 4's

Steven – Reviewed 10 Oct 2018

8.0

Very Good

Being 74 years young I found the course rather drawn out and long. Good for the hard hitters but not as interesting as the Premier course.

Kenneth – Reviewed 5 Oct 2018

Excellent

Heavy rain spoilt the round, but the course was well drained with no puddles, good greens. Better two of the courses.

Kenneth – Reviewed 5 Oct 2018

6.0

Good

quite bare in places on the fairway with no free drops, greens were spongy and strange which left pitch marks quite deep which players before us didn't repair!

Joanne – Reviewed 3 Oct 2018

6.0

Good

We arrived to be told we hadn't booked buggy's when we had and was on the booking form, we teed off at 215 and got in after 7 to find out the clubhouse closed at 6 which they didn't let us know, luckily the bar lady was still cleaning and let us in to get our shoes!

Joanne – Reviewed 3 Oct 2018

Excellent

Hillier but shorter. Liked it very much

Marlene – Reviewed 28 Sep 2018

Excellent

Enjoyed but liked premier better

Marlene – Reviewed 28 Sep 2018

8.0

Very Good

Long course 4 me

Martin – Reviewed 18 Sep 2018

8.0