Woodford Bridge Country Club by Diamond Resorts

We stayed at Woodford Bridge for seven nights in December and were really disappointed. We had an apartment which was designed to sleep 4 but personally, I think if there had been 4 of us we would have been very cramped. The decor was very tired and in need of redecoration.

The first apartment we were given had a really musty smell and thick layers of dust on the skirting boards and radiators. Also lots of cobwebs and scuff marks on the walls. The carpets were also stained. We complained and were offered a reclean or choice of a different room. We were given the choice of 2 other rooms, both were marginally better. We moved ourselves. During the week other issues arose. I had a bath one night and the water went down the overflow. I then found myself lying in a bath of black scum, which came out of the overflow, not very nice! Next day I asked the cleaners to put some bleach down the pipe. I could not believe how they just sprayed a bit of cleaner spray on the outside of the overflow.

In the end, I bought a bottle of Domestos and did it myself, including removing the mould from the shower door.

The oven door did not shut properly and as a result, did not heat up. The hairdryer also had to be replaced.

I cannot fault the reception desk staff, who were always friendly and dealt with all our problems efficiently. It is the accommodation which urgently needs money spending on it.

I used the leisure centre which is a real bonus and I did have a fantastic massage on site.

As my review title indicates the staff were exceptional and a credit to Woodford Bridge. However, there are hidden charges that are not written anywhere for example a charge for a towel at the leisure facility. As we purchased the leisure package as part of our stay we did not expect to pay for towels.

Also the charge for the use of the leisure facilities includes wifi is a joke at £20 per day!! The Diamond group customer services are not as customer focused and have failed to deal with my query based on the above and I would not recommend using the Diamond Group due to this.

Do not believe the pictures on Diamond Resort website.

They are just one apartment and are not representative of accommodation on site. We were given a two bedroom unit. Very run down, old pine furniture including the beds. In the tiny kitchen, the worktops were all scared, the floor was orange lino, again scarred, the unit under the sink was down to bare MDF, the fridge freezer was rusty. I could go on and on. Told they might be able to move us a nicer unit the next day – we did not stay, choosing to drive home through the night instead.

We have stayed several times and usually had a good experience. However, on our last visit, we were “allocated” (yes, that’s what they call the process, not “offered”, a more appropriate word, I feel, when dealing with a customer) a suite specifically for guests with a disability. No carpet in the bedroom, all kitchen surfaces low for wheel-chair users, bathroom and WC adapted for users with limited mobility. Marvellous for guests who need these features, and, if I or my wife were disabled, I would be the first to request this type of accommodation. Fortunately, we are both able-bodied. I paid in advance for a double suite. I did not say we had any special requirements for our stay. On arrival, at around 9pm, and after a 100 mile drive, the hotel staff claimed all their accommodation was full (this was 12th February !) and offered no refund when I refused to accept this “allocated” suite. Nobody at the Diamond Resorts management level can grasp the concept that if a guest considers the accommodation offered unsatisfactorily there can be no argument about it. A refund and an apology must be the automatic – and immediate – response.

Stayed here for one night in July 2011, the weather was beautiful and the beaches of Devon were divine. But The Woodford Bridge Country Club was not good. The accommodation was dated and even worse it was not clean. Heavy dust on the carpets, and many other surfaces. The whole place smelt of dust as soon as you walked in, a finger run across the dated bed headboard produced thick grey dust to fall onto the bed pillows… a disaster for any asthmatic. the water pressure for the shower was pathetic and there was very little temperature control… basic stuff.

Add to this the bland and soulless reception and bar….with food that was not cheap, but worse than I can cook…(and I am a rubbish cook!) Linguini with Mediterranean chicken, I mistakenly thought well they can’t do much to wreck that…Wrong! Overcooked linguini, processed and tasteless chicken bits, foul tinned or jarred olives, a bit of onion and some tinned tomatoes…no seasoning = a very disappointing meal. Didn’t even bother with breakfast!

The whole place does not seem to have any atmosphere or soul, it is uncared for and bland. It is indeed a shame as with a little money and effort…oh and a decent cook this place could be quite a haven. Apparently, it is Timeshare….pity those who have wasted their money.