Decent resort, definitely not 5 Star

We recently ended our December holiday with 3 nights stay in a family suite at Arabella. I'll try and break the experience into meaningful components and rate them individually: Starting from the top;

1. Breakfast. 10/10. Service and offerings cannot be faulted. Get there before 8 to get the staff to yourself.

2. Room: 8.5/10. A little dated, but no complaints. Spectacular views onto Fisherhaven and gold course.

3. Service: 6/10. We called ahead before arrival to request an early check-in and have the booking linked to our Marriot points. Receptionist was too lazy to investigate and told us it could not be done (it can, and was eventually done on arrival). When we arrived there was no mention of early check in. receptionist then forgot to call me when room was ready (as agreed twice when I chased) , so we ended up checking in a little late.

Understaffed around pool, so you have to go to the bar yourself to get snacks and coffees. Twice the food we ordered arrived ice cold. Not enough loungers available, so a lot of people have to sit on grass on towels.

They then proceeded to check us out a day early, even though we had paid for the 3 nights in advance. I spent the last day coming upstairs every hour to request the room be cleaned - ignored until I demanded to see manager at 2.30pm. Room cleaned at 2.45pm - so a day without a room. Our Shower did not work, took 24 hours to fix (we are supposed to be saving water are we not?)

Generally got the impression that the staff were tired from a long December - wasn't top quality service with a smile at all. On occasion it felt as if they were doing me a favour by giving me their time.

Very little constructive advice on local restaurants from reception nor bar staff - not sure if this was intentional, but I'll choose to not be cynical.

They did give us a late check-out, which was good, and appreciated.

Facilities: 6/10. Lovely pool area, decent putt-putt outside for kids - but really nothing else in the hotel. Mezanine level is tired and uninspiring. If you are a golfer than it is a different story. My wife had a spa day, which was very good. Expensive, but good.

Very little for kids to do. Kids club was a damp squib.

5. Overall: 6.5/10. All in all it was a good rest, with a great breakfast. This is not however a 5 Star standard, and one should manage their expectations accordingly. At this price there is choice, and I did leave a little underwhelmed. Judging by the scripted, 'cut and pasted' responses from the resort on this site, I don't see this happening anytime soon.