Five Lakes Resort

Four star wannabe

by TripAdvisor Member hrp123

We stayed in the Five Lakes Hotel for three nights in a Village room - at a special rate of 110 a night including breakfast. The room and bathroom were clean and decorated nicely and in a contemporary style. The room service was terrible - we ordered cheese and tuna sandwiches, however, even Tesco sandwiches are much better quality and taste (this is supposed to be a four star hotel)! They also served bacon flavoured chips with a vegetarian sandwich - so be aware if you are veggie. The waffles were cold and stale. The manager assured us the the room service charges would be refunded and sent us free desserts - but when it came to checkout, the charges had not been refunded and we had to explain to the situation to the desk manager all over again - but he eventually refunded the charge. The free breakfast buffet was nice. I would say this is a nicely presented 3 star hotel aspiring to be 4 star - but is let down by the staff, who are not very friendly or welcoming, and my room service experience.

Great weekend in Essex

by TripAdvisor Member travels11

Booked this hotel as saw it advertised at a good rate for a special weekend away, in an area we had not visited before. After reading some reviews on Tripadvisor afterwards, I got worried about the place I had chosen. But there was nothing wrong with it at all! The pool and gym were really nice, and yes, the changing rooms were a little old, but they are being done up. The staff were helpful and the room was good, with views over the golf course and countryside. Ok so it is not the most amazing place ever, but it was a really nice base for the weekend, and definately abit more luxury than our usual sort of B & B.

good, not excellent, all rounder

by TripAdvisor Member jonboy123456

everything about the place was good but not great. golf courses could have been tidier and more imaginative for the most part. all sports activities were in good condition. all food was very average partic the evening meals. wont be going again but enjoyed the trip.

Great weekend

by TripAdvisor Member Judit2000h

We stayed here for my birthday weekend with 12 friends and family. We had 7 bedrooms in one of the village houses. The rooms were large enough for us all to get together for present opening and drinks. The staff were helpful but busy at check-in due to a wedding and other large events. The hotel was quieter on the Sun. night and we all enjoyed the games room after dinner. The food was excellant and everyone is keen to repeat the experience another year.

Just what I needed.

by TripAdvisor Member Ali002

I stayed at the hotel once for work and as it was so nice I went back on my return trip. The hotel is set in a beautiful area with large private grounds including a golf course. So in the morning when I fancied a run the staff gave me a little map as they had a running route to do (up to 4 miles if your keen enough). I saw lots of wildlife including squirrels, pheasant, many birds, and rabbits etc a great way to start the day.
I didn't try the a la carte restaurant but the buffet was yum both times I went and enough variety to keep me happy.
Breakfast had lots of choice if you are bored of the usual 'full cooked' but that was there too.
Some of the staff are east european (which is pretty normal these days) but there was no language barrier that I experienced.
Staff were more than happy to help me with my luggage (or anything) including the manager who happened to be handy as I checked in, and was interested to know when I complimented his restaurant concierge.
Rooms are large and pleasant -some have spectacular views.
No idea what the spa was like as I didn't get the opportunity to try it.
Worst complaint was the teapot in my room didn't have a lid that fitted.

European Castles III

by elcolibri

"St George´s Castle, Portugal"

The Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle), or Lisbon Castle, is named by King Joao I ( late 14 century). After a short period of splendor in the reign of King Sebastiao, the building was severely damages by the 1755 earthquake. It has been used as royal residence, army barrack, prison, and since 1910 the building was declared a National Monument and restoration work began.

"Castle of Bratislava, Slovakia"

The Castle of Bratislava, is the dominant characteristic feature of the city , looking over the historic core of the capital of the Slovak Republic it has a long and eventful history of its own. The history of Bratislava Castle goes besides the history of the town. Today it houses part of the Slovak National Museum. It is also the residence of to president of the Slovak Republic

"Kronborg Castle"

Kronborg Castle is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. Seated
at the entrance to the Sound Channel in the danish side is associate with Shakespeare's drama about Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The Castle is of immense symbolic value to the Danish people and played a key role in the history of northern Europe in the 16th-18th centuries. Work on the construction of this castle began in 1574, and its defences were reinforced in the late 17th century. It has remained intact to the present day.
Kronborg Castle was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on november 2000.

"Gediminas Castle"

Gediminas Castle is located in a hill in the Old Town of Vilnius. From the original settlement, only a few structures remain, including the Gediminas Tower, the only major remnant of Upper Castle still standing. Founded in the 13th century the castle was the residence of the nation’s grand dukes for more than three centuries.The main buildings of the Vilnius Castle, including the imposing Rulers' Palace were dismantled after Lithuania was occupied by Russia at the end of the eighteenth century. Only a tower on the adjoining hill survived because it was used for signaling purposes. Today there is a history museum inside the tower.

"Royal Castle, Warsaw"

The Royal Castle of Warsaw was founded in the early 15th century to be a seat of Mazovian Dukes. Originally Gothic in style, the extension works started in 1568 during the reign of King Sigismund Augustus; but an important remodelling took place under King Sigismund III who transferred the capital of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw. Bombed and burnt since September 17, 1939, its destruction was completed on October 25, 1944, when the Nazis set explosives in the castle walls and blew it up. The reconstruction works were undertaken in 1971 and is a faithfully work thanks to the donations and effort of the whole Polish nation.

"Castle of Trakai Island"

The medieval Trakai Castle is located in an island some 25km west of Vilnius on Lake Galves. Trakai, the ancient capital of Lithuania, is a charming town surrounded by five lakes. It is also the home of a small community called the Karaites who came to Lithuania from Crimea as bodyguards to Grand Duke Vytautas in the 15th century. Today it is an important touristic town in Lithuania.

"Guimaraes Castle"