Lee-on-the-Solent Vacations from $1,041

It's such a shame! The building of the old Mercure hotel holds ok. The double room was spacious, clean, comfortable and with an amazing close view of the Winchester cathedral (practically over its grounds). But there was no milk for the tea in the room and the television did not show a single BBC channel (not even radio stations), had no access to satelite, internet or cable. When I called reception to ask if perhaps there was something I was not doing properly with the remote control, I was asked if the TV was showing other channels. When I said that only commercial channels seemed to be available, I was told that this was what was on offer and that's it. In some way, I'm grateful for the experience because it opened my eyes to how miserable life would be without the BBC service. I'll certainly pay the BBC licence with gusto now!

Excellent team including Mandy on reception who explained we’d booked a room in The Grange (separate building), when we asked she offered an upgrade for a small extra fee, to the main house and showed us her favourite room (gorgeous view of park & ducks behind). Sanya in the restaurant was excellent- food was superb too. Advil at breakfast was great. Lovely comfortable room. Very happy. Thanks team!