Yarmouth, Norton Grange Resort

We have just returned from an otherwise excellent holiday - however my traveling companion and I have received a most impertinent and abusive unsigned letter from someone calling himself MWT host. This apparently results from our request to sit elsewhere in the auditorium since our view of the stage was completely obstructed by a pillar. We were then allocated another seat - behind two pillars! It was observed that there were approximately 24 unoccupied although allocated seats surrounding us - we did not occupy any of same over both evenings and decided to ditch the alternative seat for those evenings following. We find the zonal allocation of seating results in overcrowding of certain parts of the auditorium whilst great sections remain empty throughout. This allocation then destroys flexibility, including the ability to sit with friends. As long standing holiday makers of Warners we would welcome a reply properly addressed to "Mrs XXX and Mr XXX" not the other way round! Ongoing poor management!

What a farce ! No turkey on "Christmas day " No alternative to lamb on Boxing Day ! No bacon on last day , the restaurant manager admitted there was a "problem" why do so many people want turkey on Christmas day ? rocket science I dont think so. Accommodation excellent ,entertainment good ,food and restaurant very poor.

First I would like you to be aware that i/we were traveling with a coach party. This was an all inclusive deal, ie. meals and drinks. the disabled room that we were in was ok but nothing to write home about, the shower was antiquated and must have been installed i the 1950`s with barely lukewarm water. We were out on a day trip when 1 of our passengers was travel sick (this being due to the fact that we had to travel on the back roads and the coach having no aircon on.) While we understood the fact that we had to be guaranteed, for 24hrs, what we did not appreciate was the fact that we where treated like second class citizens by the upper management of this place. only offering us pie&mash or sos&mash for our evening meal, this being despite the fact that we had already paid for a full menu, we where delivered these meals on the back of a golf buggy ( that could have been being over run by rats at night ) and the neals that was delivered uncovered and despite telling them about this it made not 1 difference. the rest rooms were often not supplied with hand towels despite the fact that the blower`s were not working and very often had no soap available.We where sitting the bar 1 evening when we where subjected to 2 men going round i what can only be described as biohazard suites and spraying all of the tables and the bar. Needless to say we left then, the next morning when the duty manager was spoken to and asked why this had happened he said someone had been sick in the restroom and it was a precaution but he would not explain why it had been done with people still in the bar, and asked why the people had not been guaranteed he just said what do you want me to do quarantine the whole camp in a could not care less attitude when asked his name he refused to give it. Talk about double standards THUS I ADVISE PEOPLE NOT TO VISIT HOLIDAY RESORT

dont beleive about the chalets being dirty been several timesd and the chalets were lovely everything was satisfacrtory will be ther again the 10th september 2012 and will write ny reveiv after

the entertaiments team were brill. the scottish chap(cant remember his name) was very friendly and tries to draw the crowd together. David James brilliant and was the main reason for going back lovely man with the best singing i have heard for a long time.would like more quizes.

My father and I spent a happy three days at Norton Grange. The staff on site were friendly and helpful. On our final night there was a fire on site. Our holiday was full board. Due to the fire it was not possible to provide a breakfast on our final morining so we purchased a breakfast elsewhere. Upon our return,I phoned the Central Call Centre and requested a reimbursement for our breakfact. I was offered a £10 voucher to spend on site. We have no imediate plans to return to Warners so I requested a reimbursement in cash. Charlotte, the Team Leader, said this was not possible. We were advised to make an official complaint to Tina Edwards,Guest Liaison Manager. We were unimpressed. Very poor Customer Service at the Central Call Centre.

We've just spent Christmas at Norton Grange on the Isle of Wight, just thirty minutes on the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth.

It's one of the few remaining Coastal 'Resorts' that Warner Leisure Hotels offer for short breaks. Most of their outlets have been upgraded to hotel status, with traditional rooms set within a hotel layout, but there are four locations left which are classified as Resorts and these still offer chalet accommodation. Set within walking distance of a main block, they do have a certain appeal - depending on the weather. Norton Grange is a little dated, the chalets are old and tired and the total experience seems to be set in a time warp. But we still had a fabulous time. The secret?

"Go with a positive attitude and soak up the experience"

Top of the list for us was the entertainment. With a resident team of six entertainers led by the talented and masterly David James, we enjoyed several well choreographed and colourful shows, accompanied by the versatile and talented house band, with visiting singers and comedians completing the line up. The cabaret venue could be updated. Some of the seats have restricted views and the height of the tiered seating needs to be increased. David James is a master at presentation with a superb singing voice. The star 'turn' was David Copperfield for the first night and he failed to show up -stuck in Los Angeles, so Mr James explained. David turned the disaster in to a piece of pure theatre, using the crisis as a base for quick fire jokes and rearranging the program to fill the vacant spot left by the unreliable Copperfield. David invited the 'star' to put in an appearance 'anytime' within the next four days. "We'll arrange a spot for him anytime" said Mr James tongue in cheek. "Even lay on a special boat!" In fact if Copperfield had shown up 'late', we'd have all chucked him in the sea.

Help- your-self carvery or chef prepared meals served direct to our table were offered for dinner during our four night stay. Breakfast too was buffet style traditional 'English' - or selected dishes served to our table. Chefs carved with a smile, bar and waiting staff laughed and joked and everyone on the staff offered us pleasure and contentment with nothing left to chance. Christmas day lunch was served to our festooned table in friendly style admist the sparkle and glitter of the table settings by our Polish waitress Aga, who was excellent. As David James said in his introduction when we arrived on the twenty third, "it is the staff's Christmas too and we are all determined to enjoy ourselves".

But the stars of the show were the people we met. Norton Grange seems to generate good will and delight and the team do have a talent for generating happiness. We met dozens of couples who return time and time again to soak up the magic of Norton Grange. Our allocated table for two was just close enough to our neighbours to enjoy sparkling conversation, but also far enough away to have some time alone to get on with the business of eating and drinking. Our neighbour's table too, was similarly located, so we all had a chance to meet not only our adjoining neighbours but there's as well.

All in all we had a fabulous time. We wish them all the best for the future and hope they can keep generating their magic in the years to come. One piece of news: they are closing from January 2010 for three months for refurbishment, so perhaps those tired chalets will get a breath of fresh air. We're already looking forward to seeing the improvements later in the year to stock up on good feeling and laughter.

One thing is for sure - we'll go with a positive attitude and hope that David James is still weaving his magic. Happy new year to all.

I will never visit any Warner resort again after this experience.

The Chalets are overpiced dated and dingey (need a light above the mirror). Glass light shades on ceiling full of dead flies.

Bathroom was dirty, magnolia emulsion painted tiles with a thick layer of dust, fluff and grime between the bath and WC.

Buffet dinner is roast meat and soggy veg with long queues due to short serving times.

Starters, A'La Carte and pud all pre pre made and arrive within seconds.

Bar prices are steep but staff are good.

Entertainment team are brilliant, but policy from above seems to be: Dinner ,Bingo, Caberet and get rid of em quick.

This place is a well oiled machine that runs much to fast for its own good.

Lovey sea veiws with a ZERO relaxation factor

I have visited most of the Warner sites, and all are extremly good value.

BUT. Norton Grange, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight,is just about as good as it gets, a wonderfull setting, (right on the edge of the Solent) I now visit about once a month, (I have to travel over 100 miles, but it is well worth it. What can I say? Great Place, Great Food, Wonderfull Staff, A very tallented entertainments team, etc, etc.

The icing on the cake, is the lovely small town of Yarmouth, 10 minutes walk away.

Very, Very sadly, this little piece of heaven, is going to be closed Jan, Feb & March 2010, (Looking forward to April though)

Norton Grange Resort accommodation: Unattractive brick-built blocks of chalets with paint flaking from wooden areas. Gloomy poorly-lit interior.

Cheap poor quality furnishings well overdue for replacement. No lights over mirrors. Unpleasant smell in bathroom. Floor-covering peeling at edges, dirty in corners. Ineffective extractor fan.

Meals: Good hearty breakfast. Very limited choice for evening meal. Limited meal times meant restaurant very crowded with production-line serving. Largely foreign serving staff very willing.

Reception: Having to defend the indefensibe must make life difficult for the Reception staff.

Comparative rating: Well below that of Travel Lodge style of accommodation at considerably higher cost. Poor value for money. If asked, would advise anyone against staying at any Warner Leisure resort

Holiday camp style resort. If that's what you like this might be for you.