The Holiday Inn Basingstoke Bar & Restaurant in Basingstoke and Deane

This dowdy hotel, attracting the budget customer and, through expedience, us, struggles to attain the description 'adequate'. The rooms are small. After a mix up, caused partly by us, we had two such rooms with the connecting door open. Heating was unpredictable and, as in so many places we go these days, there were signs of inattention by housekeeping. One room had, correctly, shower gel and shampoo; the other shampoo and conditioner - no shower gel. Where they really let themselves down is on food, served without a smile by bored staff obviously sad to be at work at all. The nominal restaurant does not open in the evening until 6.30 so we were served, eventually, in the bar. Nachos were a horror story of inadequacy. So-called guacamole was a bright green goodness-knows-what, apparently a paste from a tube - Halloween toothpaste perhaps? What should have been sour cream was no better. Pies were just good enough but served in an overheated, slapdash way. My ice cream should have come with a fan wafer - which evidently came as a surprise to the waiter who went away to 'look at the menu'. Looking at the menu is someting a waiter should do BEFORE service. They returned without apology or explanation and with a microwaved waffle. The restaurant, in all its glory, is the location for breakfast, an understaffed offering of pallid, poorly prepared items. Sausages actually tasted better than they looked; scrambled egg was grey and bacon too hastily prepared. A single toaster (incorrectly set) and single coffee point are inadequate for the footfall. Teabags and juice, unmonitored, were not replenished. This place is, in summary, just not good enough.

Rooms and carpets, along with the bath, looked like it needed to be redone and didn't look fresh. When you got there, the service was good, but no one answered reception at all. Great location for ease

Great location when I was visiting family. With a holiday Inn you know exactly what you are getting. My number one chain on my travels

Budget Tied Hotel ref maintenance issue in room and short staffed. Staff working were good 👍

Very clean and comfortable and fantastic staff

Hotel was fresh and clean, excellent bar service and great breakfast. Would stay again!

Wonderful staff, very friendly and helpful. Lunch service was quick & the food was outstanding. I would highly recommend!

My room was clean but the fixture and fittings such as the furniture, lightning, and bed were very old and neglected. It also had an unpleasant scent. The hotel staff were very pleasant but it gave the impression of a much cheaper hotel than was rejected in the real price.

Very disappointed with communication problems. We booked an event and room and weren't told it was cancelled. No money was taken and an email was allegedly sent but nothing arrived. Shame. Perhaps if emails had been received there would have been more take up.

Air con didn’t work in the room and despite mentioning to reception numerous times it was not resolved over the duration of my 5 night stay! But, location is good and range of food was good too.

No lift. Plenty of parking (a front and rear car park) Nice area to relax in near to reception. Wasn't impressed with the pizza that was served in the dining area. Dough was undercooked and the pizza lacked any tomato sauce and slightly warm mozzarella. Chewy sun-dried tomato instead. Had pizzas from holiday inn in the past and I'm not sure if it's a recipe change, but it's not for the best.

Went here for a 3 course meal and use of conference room. The chicken and fish was over cooked, the advanced order of the food was not provided and no notice was given in regards to changes. A vegan friend of mine was given hallomi sticks with their main, even though dietary requirements was sent to them in plenty of time to find out what vegans to not eat. Do not ever eat here.

Room was booked through work, with IHG Bonus points added and payed for. When checking in the manager wouldn't allow me then points quote a "new policy" where business users don't get the points saying the policy came in 12 months ago. I've not had this at any other IHG hotel and I was extremely disappointed. The points are the main reason for booking a holiday in. Free parking into a dated building. Bar, Reception and Restaurant was modern and tidy. Room were dated and poorly lit and heated. Food and beverage team were excellent but again no heating in the restaurant. Several people complained and I had to wear my coat for dinner. I will never stay here again!!! Not to IHG standard and a real let down. Avoid wherever possible.

Having attended a meeting at the hotel, I made the mistake of ordering a 'toasted' sandwich. When it arrived the cheese was unmelted, the ham tepid and the appeal was zero. Not sure how safe it would have been to have eaten ham that was warm - but I'm glad I didn't. It's not a cheap option, but it is a hugely disappointing one.

The food was good quaity and came out quickly. I tried a fair bit of the menu as had meals covered by work. Some food was clearly micorwaved, The lasagne looked like a cheap ready meal (£15) and the chips they serve looks simliar to McDonalds (very thin). Squid was chewy and seemed to have freezer burn. In general the starters were good but small portions. Most mains were around the £20 mark, drinks were around £5-6 for a pint. This is all very expensive for the area. The town centre is not far away and you'd save a fortune and recieve similar quality, altrenativley Just Eat and other similar wil deliver here

We had a very pleasant and enjoyable dinner during our stay. Waitress was friendly, food well cooked and tasty. Well done

Wanted to plan a surprise for a special guest at the hotel, I found Sarah to be outstandingly helpful and kind. Would highly recommend this friendly hotel.

I recommend this clean and well run hotel to anyone who is looking for a comfortable stay in easy reach of the complicated car-unfriendly town of Basingstoke.