Solent Forts

Happy #SolentSunday! We wanted to share another great customer photo with you! Credit to @tmass4755 on #Instagram for this wonderful shot!
#SolentForts #SpitbankFort #Portsmouth #IsleofWight

There's nothing like the open sea to make you feel free! We love this photo, Sabrina! Thanks for tagging us!
Do you want to be featured in our next #SolentSaturday customer photos? Be sure to tag us on Instagram!
Find us: http://instagram.com/solent.forts
... #seaview #solentforts
See More

Happy #CowesWeek everyone! It's always quite the sight from the #SolentForts!
http://ow.ly/sC8430lay1e
#sailing #sailboats

Weekends are best spent with fine wine! Have you visited the wine caves yet?
#SolentForts #wine #Portsmouth #IsleofWight #luxuryhotel

Happy #funfact #Friday! Did you know that #SpitbankFort, after the military abandoned it, was originally bought in the 1980's and was restored and turned into a #museum?
Find out more #history about the #SolentForts during your visits!

What's your favourite part of #CowesWeek? With live music, family fun and even #fireworks, there's so much to enjoy!
Find out more and book last minute tickets here: http://ow.ly/XcFV30lazbn

There's just half an hour left on our flash #sale!
Book ANY available room for weekdays Monday to Thursday 2018 on Spitbank Fort and enjoy a boat ride, historic tour, buffet lunch, tea and cake, 4 course dinner and a full fort breakfast, all for just £449!
Book online here: http://ow.ly/boOf30ldPVr
... #flashsale #24hrsale #SolentForts #luxuryhotel #luxuryhoteldeal
See More

Get your loved ones together for something special this #Christmas!
Our festive weekend lunch experience includes return boat trips from #GunwharfQuays, a historic tour and a 3 course dinner so you can sit back, relax and spend time with loved ones!
http://ow.ly/Yd4b30layki

SURPRISE!
We're having another 24 hour flash #sale!
Book ANY available room for weekdays Monday to Thursday 2018 on Spitbank Fort and enjoy a boat ride, historic tour, buffet lunch, tea and cake, 4 course dinner and a full fort breakfast, all for just £449!
... You can (of course) also use the fantastic spa facilities including the hot tubs and sauna!
This offer is only available if you book between 5pm today and 5pm tomorrow, first come, first served so there's no time to waste!
Book online here: http://ow.ly/boOf30ldPVr
#flashsale #24hrsale #SolentForts #luxuryhotel #luxuryhoteldeal
See More

Come aboard #SpitbankFort for an evening of #luxury!
Look around one of the UK's most unique #hotels, book some treatments in the #spa and relax!
http://ow.ly/RgRM30laySl

SURPRISE!
We're having another 24 hour flash #sale!
Book ANY available room for weekdays Monday to Thursday 2018 on Spitbank Fort and enjoy a boat ride, historic tour, buffet lunch, tea and cake, 4 course dinner and a full fort breakfast, all for just £499!
... You can (of course) also use the fantastic spa facilities including the hot tubs and sauna!
This offer is only available if you book between 5pm today and 5pm tomorrow, first come, first served so there's no time to waste!
Book online here: http://ow.ly/boOf30ldPVr
#flashsale #24hrsale #SolentForts #luxuryhotel #luxuryhoteldeal
See More

Who's excited for #CowesWeek, the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the world? We certainly are!
Find out all you need to know about #LendyCowesWeek here: http://ow.ly/CfGh30laxYj
#IsleofWight #sailing

#SpitbankFort and #NoMansFort are wonderful places to enjoy special occasions, from #birthdays to anniversaries! See what Julia and Bruce thought of their stay!
#SolentForts #feedback #luxuryhotels

Want to feel a part of #CowesWeek? If you hurry you can enjoy a #romanticdinner and a rib ride experience on Friday the 10th of August!
Book it now to avoid disappointment: http://ow.ly/Ngyz30lcqBH
#luxuryhotel #isleofwight #portsmouth #gunwharfquays

Want to feel a part of #CowesWeek? If you hurry you can enjoy a romantic dinner and rib ride experience for the 10th of August and enjoy the incredible view!
Book it online today: http://ow.ly/lQcT30lcqpi
#romanticdinner #finedining #luxuryhotel

Get the girls together for a gossip and something sweet!
Hop on a boat ride from Gunwharf Quays, enjoy a historical tour around the fort and delicious afternoon tea!
See availability and book online here: http://ow.ly/rA7u30laxVI
... #hightea #afternoontea #SolentForts
See More

There are so many spots in #SpitbankFort that are charming and #nautical! Where is your favourite spot on Spitbank Fort?
#SolentForts #nauticalinteriors #luxuryhotels

When life gives you a #Monday, you pop on a boat and spend some time at sea!
#SolentForts #seaside #boating

Don't settle for a #publunch this #Christmas. Truly get your festivities on and dine at your very own private island!
Find out more and book online here: http://ow.ly/ggga30l6O06

If one fort just isn't enough, triple the trouble with the our trio of forts experience!
In this two day fort break, spend an afternoon exploring the intimate and very exclusive Spitbank Fort, stay both nights aboard the recently refurbished No Man’s Fort with its spa, lighthouse and roof-top hot tubs, and step back in time with an exhilarating rib ride around Horse Sand Fort, our virtually untouched third fort still in its raw state!
Find out more, check availability and b...ook online: http://ow.ly/H5Qo30l6PSm
#SolentForts #uniquehotels #luxuryhotels
See More

Wow, what an experience ! Absolutely fascinating ! Unfortunately I didn’t receive my confirmation since my name was misheard on the phone as Grill (which was a source of amusement for my dad the whole day ) but after being contacted through Facebook by Dylan I found the customer service offered was brilliant . On the day , we were looked after from start to finish all the staff were very friendly, there was masses of cakes and sandwiches for afternoon tea , we couldn’t finish it all and we were also lucky enough to meet some friendly guests on the same package as us. I will definitely be taking other friends /family back and we are looking at doing an overnight . I know that it’s so popular at the moment and on occasion people are struggling to get in touch , but do persevere, I promise you it’s worth it !

What a fantastic day we had today on - No Man's Fort. The staff are helpful and make your experience special. The afternoon tea is delicious and you get so much choice. We really had an amazing day. The sea became very rough and the staff brought us tea and coffee while we waited for the boat back. This experience really was fantastic and enjoyable from the moment we arrived, Thank you! I cant wait to come back for an overnight stay. Thank you to all the fabulous staff!

We have just returned from a weekend on Spitbank Fort. It was absolutely brilliant. The team that run the whole operation make it feel like a home from home and the facilities are outstanding. The food is exquisite and the surroundings are quite unlike any other. My husband bought this for my 50th Birthday and it was amazing.

My husband and I had an amazing time at our overnight stay at Spitbank Fort on Wednesday. The staff were very friendly and looked after us from start to finish and our room was awesome! We would highly recommend this. Thanks Solent Forts!

What a fantastic venue for a family Sunday lunch. We went to Spithead Fort for a joint family birthday celebration. We were greeted on the fort with a cold glass of champagne. We then had a very informative tour of the fort including a peek in one of the rooms available for an overnight stay. We then had a fantastic four course Sunday lunch, followed by coffees in the bar area. I would throughly recommend this for a special occasion or for something a bit different. The staff were all very helpful and attentive. The fort has been restored to a good level and has some quirky areas. Would love to return for an overnight stay at some point in the future.

Lovely unique place to visit ... took my mum for afternoon tea for her birthday.. very disappointed with the food ... scones were hard/ over cooked and cake was very stodgy.

Had an enjoyable day at No Man's Fort on Wednesday, with lunch. I didn't receive confirmation as they had copied my email address wrongly. I phoned and left a message, as all lines were busy, and I was phoned back within 12 hours and the email address was amended. Still didn't confirm the date booked on the email so we arrived at Portsmouth with fingers crossed. There was a bit of hanging around at Portsmouth as we had to catch an early boat from the Isle of Wight. Once on the boat to the forts all ran smoothly. The three course lunch was lovely, there were table plans so we knew where we were going to sit, the guided tour was interesting and we had enough time to explore ourselves before returning to Portsmouth. As there were so many negative reviews I was very pleasantly surprised but I guess they are mainly from people staying the night who don't like 100 day trippers ruining their tranquillity.

Had a wonderful experience myself, on valentines day, in high seas. Booked for my parents on a much quieter time, which was cancelled because of snow. However, when the rebooked date was cancelled due to poor weather on the best day of the year to date, we were somewhat distrusting. 8 days after the promise of a refund and I'm still waiting.

Wouldn't have got one star for recent experience had it not been for an historical trip. Fail to refund and much more will be shared

We've had our trip cancelled for the 2nd time - we originally booked to go for our 10th anniversary in January then had to rebook for February.



January was understandable as there was a major storm forecasted, but we received a message yesterday to advise it was being cancelled due to high swell.



We're lucky in that we live in the Portsmouth area so don't have to abandon other travel plans, but this equally means that I can simply go to the water and see the state of it myself.



Having sailed a lot in the Solent, there was certainly no adverse swell this morning at 11am in the approach where No Man's Fort is - perhaps cynical, but reading other comments, I agree, "lack of bookings" springs to mind with the perfect excuse of a "weather dependant" venue.



I do understand the hazards, but the staff at Solent Forts simply tell you about weather, health and safety and what you can't do with you rebooking- I've been told I have to rebook by the end of April!



As it's hardly my fault we can't go I should be able to rebook for whenever is convenient - as it happens, we can only do one weekend before May on which they have a private party!



Even with the 2nd cancellation, not even a sniff of a goodwill gesture, so I'm afraid refund it is.



The venue looks amazing (can't confirm, never been) but is too unreliable for any form of special occasion and the staff simply hide behind health and safely.



So thanks Solent Forts, a spoilt 10th Anniversary and 3 days of annual holiday used without leaving home.....

We booked for tomorrow to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At 10:30am today we received a text message notifying our trip has been cancelled due to weather conditions for boat transfers. I would love to think for that price, your hotel would have been so much more organised and would have had the sense to notify your customers than leaving it so late! Now you have two angry customers having no backup plan for their wedding anniversary because of your disorganised office!

Pretty appalling customer service based on my experience so far – I have sent a couple of enquiries via the ‘contact us’ page of your website asking two quick questions about dietary requirements etc. prior to making a significant group booking for my upcoming 50th Birthday. I received no reply whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement. Followed this up with an email enquiry and, once again, nothing – not even an email to say that you will check and get back to me. A colleague also tried to call the fort office during working hours to ask the questions on my behalf and the phone just rang out, unanswered. Sadly, your customer service does not support the image and branding you are trying to promote.

Our weekend away was cancelled just before we set off to stay there, leaving us without any chance of booking anywhere else. I’m yet to receive a refund. When I expressed that I feel it’s unfair that I was only notified via text to woman in the phone she just sighed as though I shouldn’t complain. When I originally asked to rebook the woman on the phone said there aren’t even any other dates available. Avoid this company. Completely ruined our weekend.

I can’t say I hated it be just a few hours before we were due to leave it was cancelled. All I can say is if you are booking it for a special occasion, have a plan b!!! It was my partners special surprise birthday treat, but it was ruined by the late cancellation. The fact we travelled the night before and could see the sea from the hotel, I still can’t believe it was too bad to sail!!! My cynical side thinks it was lack of bookings not increased tidal swell. I’m sure all who go enjoy it, but I wish I had been warned prior to booking.

Have tried repeatedly to contact Solent Fort but they do not pick up or phone you back when you leave a message. Their customer service is terrible and I will be reporting them to Red Letter Day if they do not phone me back within the hour.

Daughter Booked for a special birthday treat for my husband and I for tomorrow night. When contacting them this morning to confirm booking arrangements was told it was cancelled and that numerous attempts had been made to contact my daughter yesterday, was told she was emailed and called. No email received and a message left to contact them and when we did last night just got answer phone. Was told if I could get there in two hours two nights would be offered, for more money of course but James Bond event tomorrow would be cancelled. Being told that wether is good today and Saturday to travel on boat but tomorrow it’s not. Then when my daughter contacted them to complain regarding lack of email/adequate voicemail message she was informed that now we have the option of taking another boat at 4pm tonight. Disappointed in Customer care, communication and lack of effort to make our special event happen and no complimentary offers made for the inconvenience. I’m greatly upset. It’s completely ruined the experience even if we did make it there again now. For the price it cost, the service is seriously lacking �

Can't say I've hated it, as never got to see it. They don't answer my messages regarding access to the fort!! All I get is an automatic message saying someone will reply to me....�

Can't even get in touch with them to redeem gift vouchers and do not return calls. What is the point in having an answer phone when they ignore the messages. Their website does not even allow you to redeem the vouchers on line!!!!

Booked only to have it cancelled via a cold text. Then instructed that I had to call them back! Then asked if I wanted to rebook? No thanks. Then refused to refund the card I paid with. I wouldn’t recommend this trip for such a poor service or for British weather. I arranged so much to be cancelled with just a days notice...I have a sneaky suspicion that not enough people wanted to pay the £800 a night cost for Valentine’s Day So didn’t run the trip. Shame really ..... won’t brother next time. Now reading the reviews this happens a lot and if I knew that In the first place wouldn’t have bothered booking. Extremely let down and frustrated

Afternoon Tea

we visited no man fort for afternoon tea

Which was a gift for my husband and I from family

I would first like to say the staff were very Pleasent and the building very interesting.

BUT sadly the actual afternoon tea was very very disappointing , not what I would expect at all in fact I’ve eaten better sandwich’s from the co op

First • the sandwich’s were dry and not presented how you would expect for afternoon tea which I think is the whole point

Second • the filling were tasteless one type had salmon in but we could not decide what was with it , or if it was just plain or meant to be soft cheese the other type had cucumber but again no idea what was meant to be in with it .

Third • cakes was expecting better than something which tasted like it was purchased from Asda own brand in fact asda do much better

Forth • scones even more disappointing tasteless dry and hard would of made nice decorative pebbles around the flowers on the grass area

Fifth • shortage of sweetness for the tea and coffee I’d say that was bad ordering

Lastly toilets up On grass roof area considering how glorious the weather was I would have thought a good management team would expect these to be the main loos used and to have been fully cleaned and stocked with loo paper NOT the case one cubicle out of order the other no loo paper and dirty in fact it looked as it someone had been having a trim up in there by the amount of Hair cuttings on the floor

So we went from arriving thinking this would be a nice place for an over night stay feeling rather envious of a couple who were , to feeling sorry for them at the standard of food and wondering what they were going to get dished up for dinner and how clean was thier room

I would be very interested to hear back your views on our disappointing experience