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Reviews of Explorers Retreat Matlock Bath

Temple Walk, Matlock, DE4 3PG, United Kingdom

#7 of 8 hotels in Matlock

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 1879 hotel reviews

8.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.2

  • Comfort

    8.2

  • Location

    9.0

  • Facilities

    8.0

  • Staff

    8.9

  • Value for money

    8.2

  • Free WiFi

    8.0

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Showing 76 – 100

  • Reviewed: 24 September 2023

    7.0
    Pleasant and just what we required.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    No hot water for bath/shower after once used. Weren't advised about heating control booster till we mentioned on departure. Would a have been useful if a sign was placed somewhere [prominent in room. TV may need checking as it either went off or came on of its own volition Room 19 in the castle btw

    Room. Nice view in ours. Cosy. It was a family room so have recommended to friends with small children

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 September 2023

    8.0
    Interesting.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing in particular.

    The accommodation is overall of a very good standard in a very pleasant location with polite staff and offers value for money. I will certainly return and would recommend.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 20 September 2023

    8.0
    Gorgeous location, fun entertainment
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Princess Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beds too small. Lack of crockery and cutlery in rooms .

    We stayed in the princess themed room . It was a good size and good value. You're literally in the middle of Gulliver's kingdom. The view from the balcony was absolutely gorgeous, probably not as good in the pirate rooms as you're behind trees. The fridge in the room is very small. There is a microwave, kettle and 2 tea bags/ coffee sachets. There are mugs provided. If you're planning on eating in your room self catering, you'd need all crockery and cutlery. The beds and pillows were comfortable but all the beds are very small. My son and I co-sleep for some of the night (he's 18m) this was impossible in the single beds. The double was also quite small for my husband and I. I hadn't realised there was some evening entertainment, we arrived late because we had been to Alton towers for the day then doing Gullivers kingdom the day after. The DJ was great with the children and played lots of games until 9pm. There was a bar serving decent larger (£6 a pint). This was followed by toasting marshmallows outside the pirate block. (£4 a bag , so take your own!). I think bingo must have been on earlier which is quite fun I'd imagine. The staff were very polite and helpful, friendly, too. The location is great for the children but also it's beautiful surroundings. Gulliver's kingdom itself could do with some tlc. It is cheaper than other places and we were there 10:30-3 you could do a full day. Though they didn't serve coffee until lunch which surprised me considering it was a self serve machine, but fear not you could pick up some donuts! If you have dietary requirements I'd suggest you take your own food . There was very little my coeliac daughter could have aside from candy floss and sweets. The park is on a steep hill with some pathways being narrow. We were advised to take our double pushchair which soon became more of a hindrance than a help !

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 19 September 2023

    9.0
    Could have been better but not too shabby.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The loo really really stank on arrival, and every time you opened the door, it filled the room. The chushions and extra bed decor fabric were stained and smelled. The towels and bedding were clean. The location was good, but when there's only six bookings, you could have chosen one that didn't stink for a family to go into. We also had a few creatures join us, a ladybird and three spiders.

    Theming was fun. Beds were adequate. Staff were really lovely and an asset to the stay. Kids loved the bunk bed. The towels and bedding whites were clean and all well appointed. The tea and coffee station in the room did what you needed and the bed was comfy for a good nights sleep.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 18 September 2023

    9.0
    Lovely stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Minor.. but the tea and coffee didn't get replaced for our 2nd morning

    We had a lovely stay. Rooms were small but just what we needed, very clean. The location was 100%. Would definitely return and recommend

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 September 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No option of food

    Close to town and amenities

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 September 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Value and quiet

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 September 2023

    8.0
    Would highly recommend for young families, beautiful location and themed rooms are great.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Pirate Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not that anything could be done about it but we stayed over a really hot few days and the room was unbearably hot making it really hard to sleep, reception did provide fans on request. Ran out of hot water and no sign to explain what to do with the controls when this happens. Few stray hairs and a bit of dust on mugs and surfaces.

    Lovely themed rooms. Great location. Friendly staff. Reasonably priced. Lovely addition of a pay as you go continental breakfast that we weren’t aware of. My son loved the little park and Lego table in Reception. Stunning view.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 4 September 2023

    7.0
    Great themed hotel but without a full quality breakfast and no park tickets.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Princess Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The breakfast 😖 I'm not one to be negative but this was not edible. Dried bacon and cheapest dried sausages in cheap bread buns, no cooked breakfast or anything but cereal and juice cartons for the kids, although for this we paid £30 which upset me when we couldnt eat it and staff were not at all concerned by what they were serving up and actually charging me for that, so upsetting!... that is a definite let down because travelling with children and all... it just needs sorting out really. Also like I heard others say, the park tickets were not included in the £144 a night for the 3 of us (1 adult and 2 little ones) apparently you can book a ticket and hotel combo ticket but I didn't see that nor did anyone else from what I heard. Having said that the cost of £144 per night with an early 10am check out and a late 4pm check in is still alot to pay and should also be looked at.

    We stayed in the wizard room and it was such a treat. We had a perfect view of the valley and the park with patio doors that opened inwards. The boys had a triple bunkbed that had a TV and dvd player in their own little den. All was lovely and clean too. There was a playpark at the end of our row of apartments that was great to keep the kids occupied while we loaded up the car. Evening entertainment was on aswell in the lobby area.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 3 September 2023

    7.0
    Kids loves it but over priced
    • Business trip
    • Family with young children
    • Pirate Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Wasn't given option for food, didn't like that we had to purchase Gulliver's kingdom tickets separately. In total it was very overpriced for both because whilst the hotel was great the theme park was run down so the experience overall was mixed and let's face it you don't go to the hotel and not go to the park too.

    The room

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 August 2023

    8.0
    Lovely room to stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bed was too soft very uncomfortable. We didn't sleep so well. Also there was a big spider inside the emergency lamp that was unpleasant to see for the whole night. Please check very well these kind of things.

    The room decoration was very nice made of wood. We loved it. And very well organised. The images on the door are great. The distribution of all the things was very nice. We like as well the window on the ceiling.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 August 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    price of drinks behind the bar have sky rocketed , £5.50 a pint

    Kieran behind the desk went above and beyond to make ours and others stay very welcoming

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 28 August 2023

    8.0
    Overall good, kids enjoyed it
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Wizard Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Fridge didn’t work properly, nasty smell from either fridge or cabinet it was in

    Didn’t have breakfast, location good

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 August 2023

    7.0
    It's clean and good.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    the sink in the bathroom is too small.

    Location is good if you drive.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 August 2023

    9.0
    A most enjoyable overnight stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    TV wasn't connected/working, --- no remote.

    The Otter room was delightful. Convenient location

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 August 2023

    8.0
    Great views lovely local amenities x
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Explorers Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The fact our room was above smokers was annoying as we got all the smoke up into our door which we had to have open as it was so hot in the room. Also there were cups and a kettle but no spoons or cutlery or crockery which had read were available. The tv remote didn’t work in room 20 either and there was a few things that could have been dusted like the top of the toilet roll holder was thick with dust there were also dust webs all over which take 2 mins to remove. The carpet also needs replacement as had a line where it had a hole in it but the bedding and towels were lovely and clean and the place was generally clean apart from a few missed bits none of which made our stay uncomfortable. And we would love to stay again x

    The location and view was worth it all

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2023

    8.0
    Loved it would deffo come back
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not much on offer food facilities and breakfast could of been better

    Love the room cool decor and great fun for kids

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2023

    9.0
    Stay was lovely for daughter’s birthday
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Wizard Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    A few things broken light in bunk room, sign decor and no window which makes it a little stuffy

    Property theme was wizard room and kids absolutely loved it. Clean, plenty of towels, quiet.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 21 August 2023

    9.0
    Enjoyable and relaxing
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Wizard Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    thought there would have been some basic cutlery and plates etc provided.

    Lovely location amazing views

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 20 August 2023

    9.0
    Nice lil stop for. Weekend road trip
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The area and the themed rooms are a nice change. One of the most comfortable beds ever slept in Really helpful reception lady

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 August 2023

    9.0
    We will definitely be back to visit again.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Promenade Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great place to stay for 1 or 2 nights. The cabins are small but quirky, we loved it , and made a change to a standard hotel room. Lovely views to wake up to with the morning cuppa. Staff all seemed very happy and helpful.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 August 2023

    8.0
    We booked as a last minute and found the hotel was exactly what and where we needed!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was very quirky

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 August 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Wizard Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Steep walk back from the bottom of Gullivers Kingdom- some sort of shuttle service would have been good and we would have been happy to pay for that.

    Excellent location, themed room was a great hit with the grandchildren. Staff were exceptionally polite and helpful. Evening entertainment was also a bonus.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Explorers Double Deluxe Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location was great for the theme park, really impressed with the room facilities and cleanliness. The bunk beds were great addition for the kids. Evening meal and service of staff excellent

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2023

    8.0
    Excellent stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bathroom sink very near to bathroom shelf making using the sink hard and I'm a short person. But didn't spoil visit.

    Location excellent, staff very helpful, room very cosy and well appointed.

    Stayed in August 2023

Showing 76 – 100

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