Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
With its stunning location in the New Forest overlooking the Beaulieu River, this historic hotel at Buckler's Hard offers a relaxing stay of quirky but affordable luxury. Tuck into a pint and a snack in the Yachtsman's Bar & Gardens, or treat yourself to a sumptuous meal in the Riverside Restaurant. Most importantly, relax and enjoy every minute of your time with us.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Bucklers Hard, New Forest National Park Hampshire SO42 7XB England
The Master Builder's House Hotel
1,741 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
The Master Builder's House Hotel garners appreciation for its hospitable staff and pristine cleanliness, with guests frequently lauding the spotless environment. The rooms, while noted for their comfort and cleanliness, are sometimes criticized for being a tad small or outdated. Nestled in a picturesque riverside setting, the hotel's location is a highlight, offering stunning views and historical charm.
However, reviewers often find the pricing steep, despite some believing the packages provide decent value. Comfortable amenities and a cozy, charming atmosphere with luxurious touches add to the appeal, though some guests have suggested areas might benefit from rejuvenation.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Comfortable
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We used the Waitrose offer for our 2 night stay that included breakfast on both days and dinner for the 1st night. During booking I was told that dinner was in fact a £30/pp allowance and we chose not to upgrade to a higher spec room. Booking in was fine and we were in the new extension rather than the main part of the hotel. Two things noticeable straightaway was that there were no carpets on the floor, just vinyl and that the room did not have a central light, just 2 bedside lamps and a desk Anglepoise lamp. We could not get the Anglepoise lamp to work so rang reception who came quickly to try and sort out; it turned out that one of the 4 light switches controlled the socket it was plugged into and that it had to be set to the off position to power up the socket! The shower was over the bath and when turned on water not only came out of the jets but also around the shower head fitting in an uncontrolled way, very annoying; we did report this to reception. The food at dinner on the 1st evening was fine - I had fish and my wife had the duck. Starters and deserts were fine and as it was a birthday celebration pushed the boat out with a bottle of wine and some desert wine with the pudding. Total bill came to £172.69 less the £60 allowance; most main courses were around the £30 mark (mine slightly below & my wife's slightly above) so you are only getting a main course included in the deal. I was very disappointed that because I asked for the Chantilly cream on my desert to be substituted for ice cream there was a £6 charge on the bill which they would not take off; my wife had the same desert and substituted the Chantilly cream for pouring cream without being charged. Needless to say our booking for the following nights dinner was cancelled. There was a good selection for breakfast to choose from. Slightly perturbed that the 2nd morning's breakfast was not up and running ready for the 7:30 advertised start when we arrived at 7:35 but the chap setting up up was fine about us being there and dealt with us promptly. Service was fine throughout and just a shame that the weather was not very good as we could not enjoy sitting out on the terrace overlooking the river.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Organised a Reunion of Friends who had worked together and known each other for 50 years and selected the Master Builders due to its location and nautical connections. We hired the Admirals room for our dinner and we were not disappointed. The planning was fully supported by the on site team and on the night it all ran smoothly. The kitchen and serving staff did us proud with their efficient and friendly operation delivering a wonderful selection of well prepared meals to meet all of our tastes. Wines were similarly enjoyed - perhaps too much - hence no photographs ! Breakfast was busy the next day but the home team again managed the service well and we were sad to finally have to leave. The facilities at the Master Builder and Henry's Bar are flexible and there were other groups enjoying similar events in parallel with our own. We all chose accommodation in the Main House which has its quirky ups and downs and sloping floors which are a quaint feature of older buildings but not ideal for some perhaps who might prefer the more modern Henry Adams "Annex" situated conveniently alongside. Either way we would all recommend the Master Builders for a similar event or simply enjoy a few nights being looked after well.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:If you are a light sleeper you might prefer the Henry Adams annex away from Henry's Bar and with...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 20 May 2024
What a tremendous review. Thank you!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
This is an iconic hotel full of character and history situated by the river at Bucklers Hard. We booked on a Beaulieu break which gave us bed ,breakfast and a £35 per person allowance towards the evening meal, it also included entry tickets to the Beaulieu motor museum. We stayed in room 30, a river view room which was very spacious with a large bedroom area and a separate sitting room both rooms having views over the river, marina and marshes. The first night we dined in the main restaurant but found this expensive and with a limited menu and so we chose Henrys Pub( which is part of the hotel) for the next two nights. Be aware that this is a very old building and does have some tight steep stairs. We very much enjoyed our stay but did have a problem with midges at night and were forced to keep the windows closed. This is not the hotels fault and very little they could do to combat the problem. There is a very good private car park next to the hotel with ample easy parking. The hotel is well placed for visiting Beaulieu Motor Museum(10 mins by car or a 2+ mile walk) or the surrounding New Forest area. Don't forget to visit the museum at Bucklers Hard.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:if eating at the hotel make sure to book a table as it gets very busy.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 21 Aug 2024
Thank you for your very informative review. I am delighted you had a good stay although sorry the midges were a pest. We do hope we see you again very soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very over priced hotel which is really poorly run and managed. Food is mediocre with no vegetables and is all very greasy and also has very limited choice. The breakfast has no fresh fruit offering which is odd. The ridiculously expensive drinks have tips added automatically even when you order from bar! Staff service is also very hit and miss. The cleanliness of the rooms could be better as surfaces all sticky and toilet needs good scrub. I would not recommend because of this and will not be revisiting.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 14 Jun 2024
Dear Seaseaturfle, Thank you for your review. I am very sorry that you did not enjoy your stay with us. All our restaurant dishes are served with vegetables and although Henry's pub classics don't always come with greens, they are all available as side dishes. We do not add service charge to drinks orders in the bar. Thankfully viewers can see our reviews are overwhelmingly positive so will understand that your comments are far from typical.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you're looking for a modern, bland hotel, don't come here! It's refreshingly characterful, unpretentious, quiet and unique, right by the water's edge in Bucklers Hard. No traffic so unbelievably quiet - though I imagine it could get busy with day visitors in the peak times. We were warmly welcomed by Andrew, who was always available for information/assistance. All the staff we encountered, without exception, were friendly, helpful and "focussed". And all the bar/restaurant areas had a number of staff on duty at any time. We spent our first night in a room in the newer Henry Adams block. Very convenient to the car park and linked to the main building by a covered walkway. The room was compact but comfortable, with a lovely touch of Classic FM playing on the Roberts radio on arrival. Also welcomed was the coffee machine, with fresh milk in the fridge, wonderfully soft fluffy towels, great pillows and comfy bed. It was quite warm so we needed the window open and found the noise from the boiler adjacent was quite a nuisance through the night. But we had booked a room in the main house for our second two nights, and our belongings were moved whilst we were out for the day. It was slightly more challenging for my husband who has mobility issues, but not unexpected and well worth it for the beautiful room, fabulous view of the estuary . . . And the feel of sleeping in history! Also very welcome here was the decanter of gin and chilled tonics, as well as the coffee/tea making facilities. The bathroom was somewhat smaller than in the Henry Adams block, but considering its been added to a very old room, it was to be expected. We loved the antiques, but another chair would have been appreciated. Expect a huge, fabulously comfy bed with dreamy duvet & pillows, but very creaky!! We ate at both the pub and restaurant, on the Beaulieu break deal, and had excellent food - especially the venison, plaice and Sunday roast beef (one of the best we've ever had). The charge point for our electric car was very easy to operate and there was always one of the two available when we needed a top up. Do go to the Bucklers Hard museum, which is a real step back in time and makes the stay much.more meaningful. It was my husbands birthday while we were there and we spent a fabulous day at the motor museum and Beaulieu estate. Lots to do if you are a walker or cyclist too. A wonderful short break - we will very much hope to return and wilk most certainly recommend the Master Builders Hotel
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 13 May 2024
What a wonderful, comprehensive review. Thank you
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Just spent a couple of relaxing days at this lovely hotel situated on the Beaulieu River. Our delightful bedroom (in the annex) was decorated in a New England style with shutters with nice furnishings. The bathroom and bedroom were spotlessly clean, and the room came fully equipped with a coffee machine, tea, coffee, biscuits and a large carafe of water. The staff are very welcoming at this hotel and it is clear they all enjoy providing excellent customer service. Our meal in the evening was very good and they were very accommodating to my husband, who has food allergies, and provided lovely adaptations to the menu. The breakfast was excellent, a continental offer, together with a tempting full menu of cooked food. We will definitely stay here again, a truly lovely find.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Garrett, General Manager at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 18 Jul 2023
Dear 817ainsleyc, For all of the team, we thank you very much for your lovely review. I will be sure to let the team know of your amazing comments. We look forward to seeing you again at The Master Builders House. Kind Regards Chris Garrett
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The moment you enter the master builders we were met by the ladies at the reception Nikki and Anneleise who were so friendly and welcoming and as my daughter was getting married they were very helpful and reassuring. Even the housekeepers were amazing at getting the rooms ready early for our guests and were there for any thing we needed extra water,milk,coffee ect all we had to do was ask. So a huge shout out to Angie you were fantastic and Gary behind the scenes. The rooms were beautiful with wonderful views with every thing a guest could need including a little bottle of gin and shortbread by the side of the bed. We had 20 guests stay over night who came down to a wonderful breakfast continental and cooked available with pots and pots of coffee appearing every time we asked. The waitressing staff were fantastic on hand for any of our needs very friendly,approachable and fast . A huge shout out goes to the chefs who made tailor made meals for our guests taking into account any allergies. The wedding breakfast and the evening buffet was nothing short of amazing . Laura our event manager made our daughter's wedding perfect in every way,from decorating the tables for the sit down meal right down to the memorial table for our lost loved ones. The reception was decorated beautifully as per my daughter's request in short Laura was fantastic. Rooms,restaurant,service and location I would highly recommend for a short or long stay event or wedding The Master Builders is perfect in every way.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Garrett, General Manager at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 15 Jan 2023
Dear marialL Thank you for taking the trouble to post such a good review. We really do appreciate it. We will make sure all your praise is passed along to the team. Kind Regards Chris Garrett
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Great location, but..... Prices are quite high reflecting a captive market. Prosecco was booked as a nice surprise for my wife on our arrival in the afternoon, as upsold to me by their website. Wasn't there in the room and ultimately I had to cancel it, because the moment had gone. Wanted to sit and just have a coffee at a Riverview table looking out over the boats - told we couldn't because the 'restaurant was shut', even though we were residents and not asking for food - just wanted to sit at table and relax after an arduous journey to get there. Not allowed - go elsewhere. Staff we felt were offhand, I'm sorry to say, and we were very surprised at their manner which either smacked of complacency, or desperation due to lack of staff - or both? The room was lovely albeit the carpet up to the room was threadbare and needs replacing - and on wanting to make a cuppa the kettle lead was so short that on pulling out the platform the kettle was on - it kept falling over. All very strange - all very difficult and unexpectedly inconvenient, sorry to say. The meal at Henry's in the evening was, by contrast, lovely and one waitress in particular (tattoos and piercings - sorry we didn't get her name) was superb. Breakfast in the morning was lovely, albeit slightly impacted by the people behind us complaining that a hot chocolate order had been served cold. They argued the toss at reception and got two breakfasts back because of that and other complaints they had. We felt sorry for the receptionist, tbh - being let down by other people in the hotel. In summary - hotel staff need to be trained more to provide above and beyond excellent service, rather than 'computer say no' type approach. It was a strange blend of politely disdainful and disrespectful by some who will remain nameless, but are letting the side down. To wrap up - the best thing about the hotel is location - namely Buckler's Hard (outside it) and Henry's restaurant which served great food with good service (although we still had to ask for steak knives after our steak had been served!)
In summary - must try harder, and no - we won't be back, I'm really very sorry to say.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 9 Aug 2024
Thank you for your comprehensive review. I'm so sorry we didn't get things quite right and that you won't be returning. I have to say, I don't agree with your comments regarding our team. They work tirelessly and consistently receive warm comments as you can see from all our other reviews.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel might seem a little quirky to some, but for us it was excellent. There were always staff on hand when needed from the time we arrived (mid-afternoon) to the time we left (after lunch). Whilst the restaurant/bar where the meals were served was not the height of luxury, it did exactly what was needed which was to serve good quality food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The young Maitre d' who looked after us on the first 3 evenings was absolutely excellent and his skills at watching what was happening and coming to the table instantly when required were superlative and could give many older (more experienced?) staff a lesson in how it should be done! Our room was very clean and warm with excellent views over the river in a couple of different directions. The bed was very comfortable and the rest of the room facilities were similarly of a high standard.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paul Brown, Owner at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you for your detailed review. I'm delighted to read that you were so well looked after by the team who are very grateful for your kind words. We all hope to see you again very soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Room 31 under the eaves was cosy and quirky with everything we needed for the stay overnight: except the toilet seat kept folding forward when you sat on it ! Also no separate shower Star of show was the head waitress Kirsty who was efficient friendly and a joy to talk to ❤️employ more like her and you’re onto a winner. Breakfast was plentiful and fresh Overall we’d stay again but in room 32 called Pandora Near to Beaulieu museum and house which was a fantastic place to visit
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Garrett, General Manager at The Master Builder's House Hotel
Responded 27 Sept 2023
HI annsB212NV, I would like to thank you for leaving a wonderful review about your recent stay with us at The Master Builders House. I am sorry to hear you experienced a issue regarding your toilet. I will make sure your feedback, which we really appreciate is passed on to the correct department for correction. I will also be sure to pass your lovely comments along to Kirsty, as well as the rest of the team. We look forward to seeing you return in the future. Kind regards Chris Garrett
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thank you for asking but as a visitor I am not in a position to say. You would have to confirm with the hotel reception. All I know is that several families with toddlers (and dogs) came in while we had lunch and were seemingly catered for very happily and efficiently. Form the outside, the accommodation looks very suitable, too.
There are more places to choose from in the Bucklers Hard area.
PRICE RANGE
$319 - $426 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
master builders hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandHampshireNew Forest National Park HampshireBucklers Hard
NUMBER OF ROOMS
26
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.