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The Best Western White Horse Hotel offers a welcoming atmosphere and is often praised for its clean, comfortable rooms, though some guests have noted that certain areas appear dated. While the breakfast and spa are highlights, the service and maintenance of amenities like the pool receive mixed reviews, with some guests experiencing attentive staff and others facing slow service.
Travelers have also voiced concerns about unexpected additional charges which have impacted their perception of the hotel's value.
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Mixed
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The front desk staff Emma Kayleigh and Sean, the bar manager, Alistair, Ellen, the beautiful breakfast attendant...et al absolutely enjoyed from beginning to end
Hands down, the best place we have stayed in a very long while!!!
The food was so very traditional and in the best way! From pastries to food allergy accommodations, so very sweet and patient!
There were so many amenities, so very clean. Sadly, we were unable to visit the indoor pool, were unable to get a spa appointment, and didn't request room service, which is all available. It was our first time international trip so we didn't spend a lot of time indoors.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:We visited in the off-season...I would book very much ahead. So very much worth the stay!
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.
We stayed in the hotel for one night. The main reception and hall decor is dated and could do with a refresh, however the room had clearly been renovated as it was fantastic. Loads of space, spotless and very modern. The bathroom included a large shower, which was powerful which we love and the mirror had a built in light which is just perfect to get ready. Bottled water was provided and also tea, coffee and a kettle. We rang and requested spa robes which was delivered to our room for us to use the spa facilities. The pool was massive, it was cool and with a young baby it wasn’t the best, that’s one thing we would recommend to the hotel to review. But very clean and well looked after. Steam room and sauna was fantastic. You’ve to pay extra to use jaquzzi pool. We got so much use out of the pool and towels were available on arrival. We didn’t eat in the evening in the hotel but ordered desserts when we returned with drinks and they were lovely. We had cocktails and they were delicious, was very impressed with that. We had breakfast the next morning, all freshly prepared hot breakfast, which was constantly replenished. Pastries, ham, cheese, fruit juices etc was also all available and delicious. Coffee was good and staff couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful. We also had the staff sterilise our baby’s bottles in the microwave which was no bother to them at all. We will definitely return and stay again, it is perfect for a family and so welcoming. Thanks for a great stay.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Budget Stays are difficult to rate but I'll try to be as specific as possible.
Hotel staff were very good friendly professional and helpful.
Main lobby is clean front office staff excellent service.
Room was small yet clean bed reasonable size and comfortable the bathroom was a phonebox sized room with a shower head that was both filthy and clogged with white sediment or calcium buildup. Again a budget stay so we can't be too critical.
Bar was spacious offering plenty of seating. Unfortunately many of the draught beers were unavailable as there was issues with the taps during our stay however staff were apologetic and helpful throughout our evening.
We did however take advantage of the swimming pool and sauna steam room. There was issues there that I believe are unacceptable. When I stood in the pool it was very cold the floor of the pool felt dirty it's difficult to describe but it just felt sluggy. There was black mould in a few areas on the walls of the pool also. The sauna was fine as was the steam room. But the pool needs attention.
Overall we enjoyed the stay would recommend this hotel to someone driving while visiting Derry as it's quite a drive outside the City. Cost of around £15 in a taxi if you can find one willing to go out that far late at night. Which is quite hard based on my experience this past weekend.
Overall happy but certainly the pool needs attention.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Taxis are expensive and this hotel is quite the distance from the City. £15-£20 pounds for a taxi...
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.
One of the hallways absolutely stank of cannabis and no one seemed to be trying anything to fix this issue which isn't good with a non smoking hotel. We went to use the pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi only to discover that the jacuzzi cost £15 per person for half an hour and the steam room was not working so we were very disappointed and didn't want to spend the extra money, in the end they did let us in the jacuzzi as the steam room wasn't working. As for the room I will say it was spotless and a good size hence the 2 stars but very disappointed in the other aspects
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip 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.
We had a brief overnight stop here in Mid-August – it’s in the Best Western tradition of reasonable quality, low prices so we took two rooms, one Suite known as the Donnybrewer Suite and a family room for my daughter and grandchildren, who picked the hotel as it had a swimming pool and a spa, both of which they tell me were very nice.
It’s an odd location, it’s a low rise structure adjacent to a busy road roundabout which causes a fair bit of traffic noise but that’s livable with and there is a huge, free car park front and rear so you should always be able to get parked !
Great greeting from Emma at the open plan reception area/counter and a very informative check in – straight to our room although we were a little early – no problem.
Our room was billed as a suite but it’s not a true suite – it’s a large room with a sitting area as you can see on the attached photographs and in the photographs its location was as per the layout plan I attach. My daughter’s family room was rather basic but comfortable, my daughter advises me. There was a problem with the wardrobe bar being broken meaning no clothes could be hung there, the towel rail was lying on the floor and the liquid shower gel dispenser was empty but otherwise their family room was adequate.
Our “suite” was fine – cost about £180 for the night and just about worth it – clean and comfortable but don’t expect air conditioning, there isn’t any and the hot night of 23rd August was a little uncomfortable, even with the windows open as wide as they could be.
The Wireless internet was fast(ish) free and functional – no problem there and the bathroom was clean with dressing gowns and slippers but not a lot of general toilet amenities. There was a shower and a separate jacuzzi bath which did not work other than to function as a simple bath – maybe that was just me failing to operate it properly, but I don’t think so.
The Restaurant was the great saving grace – nicely designed and a comprehensive menu with plenty of choice (see my menus attached) and a pretty good wine list – I think my photographs will confirm this. There were too many efficient staff to mention but Ellen was exceptionally friendly and efficient – an excellent meal and well served – one problem – the salt and pepper cellars were really dirty – we cleaned them – see attached (if Trip Advisor publish the photo at all – there is a habit of not mentioning negatives like this).
That’s it – not a bad stay – a few glitches that should be improved on but we enjoyed ourselves.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Try for one of the two suites
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.
We had our daughters baptism here at the weekend. From the first conversation I had on the phone to enquire about booking our event the whitehorse were by far the friendliest I spoke to! Two weeks before Catherine got in contact to check in and make sure I was happy with all the plans we had put in place. Which I thought was a lovely touch. When we arrived on Sunday we were all greeted by not one but a handful or your staff who were all so welcoming and friendly.(sorry I didn’t get names) I was honestly so impressed by them all! Everything was so well organised and they made us feel really special as we had our own private room and bar which was lovely to celebrate this special day. The food was also incredible (we went for the Sunday carvery) and we had a welcome drink each when we arrived. Would highly recommend and would book again for our next event; as would all our friends and family! Thanks again for making our day! The olpherts
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip 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 Emily Dixon, Owner at Best Western White Horse Hotel
Responded 27 Oct 2023
Hi Ruth, many thanks for the wonderful review, it is very much appreciated. We are so glad you had a wonderful experience we hope to see you and your family again soon :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We arrived unable to hear our receptionist over the live wedding music at reception. While the majority of the stay was pleasant, this hotel at night was an absolute disaster. The noise was deafening. I could hear every conversation, every door slam, and every cough from the neighbouring rooms. The walls were paper thin, and the soundproofing was nonexistent. The guests were making phone calls right outside our door and their kids were running rampant knocking doors. I got absolutely no sleep. We were offered to move at 3am to a "quieter" part of the hotel, at this point it we were already packed to leave and it was too late to even attempt to move. We paid for the breakfast which we couldn't receive and when I called the next morning to ask for a refund for the breakfast and we were told we would have to wait a few days for a call from management to discuss it further. Disgraced that the staff did nothing to quiet them down and staff were non-existent past 11pm. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to my worst enemy. I left feeling exhausted and completely miserable.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Ask if there is any event before booking your dates. They will not let you know until your arrival
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.
I came here with my mum as a birthday treat for her. Got the spa package was a £115 pounds each. Was to include 30 minutes hot tub outside, pool and facilities, 60 mins scrub, shower and moisture, sorbet on water beds and 2 course lunch and 2 glasses of prosecco.
My mum really enjoyed it and said she was really relaxed during her treatment. The highlight for her was the treatment she got. The hotel itself is okay. It was quiet when we were there.The pool kinda of reminds you of a leisure centre. The pool was cold but was a really big size for the hotel my mum said the steam room wasn’t very warm. Sauna was good and we mainly stayed in the hot tub, even though it started spitting. We were suppose to get robes, towels and slippers but nobody said anything to us about them I just went and lifted them myself as I knew they were included. Really someone should of pointed it out to us.
My mum thought the beautician she had was really good. Even though we got the same thing we noticed differences she got Emma. My mum didn’t get her face done were I did but my mum seemed to get more of a mini massage which she enjoyed when she got the moisturiser on, i felt like mine was just rubbed on. I thought more of massage would of been more relaxing. I really felt like i just got product put on me. My shower was cold and I had to figure out for a minute to get it warm. The room was lovely but I like to be in silence with just the music on. My beautician kept sighing and seem to have a cold so was sniffling during it. Also we both said the noise of the tape gushing out wasn’t great Ano it’s a small thing but when your trying to relax I thought a bowl of water might be better. I was a bit disappointed with my treatment but mum loved hers. The girl did pull out my nose stud which she was apologetic for but was pretty invitable to happen if your gonna rub the face. They didn’t even tell us the procedure I had to ask the consultation forms seemed more like a tick box they have to do. Declor usually do a big range for certain skin types nothing was asked or even an area that we might of wanted exfoliated more if you wanted time spent on. Water beds are good the lemon sorbet was lovely! Water beds are cold though to lye on.
Food was good wheaten was Soo dry and the roast Potatoe was like a brick but was overall nice food. Service would of been nice to be told the soup of day and the roast of the day instead of me having to ask. We had that in the end. We changed the prosseco for a coffee and Diet Coke.
I properly wouldn’t go back here to be honest or if I did I would properly get a massage or a facial as I feel like the beautician I got would of been better at them as I did get a mini massage on those areas but was disappointed that she didn’t spend longer.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip 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.
My husband and I used the leisure facilities here and we definitely wouldn’t recommend. No towels were offered to us at reception. The changing rooms, pool area and sauna were all filthy. Seat in the sauna is broken, could easily trap fingers/skin! The showers in the ladies changing room made my skin crawl, manky old shower curtain and black mould between the tiles. Bit of a health hazard. Everything could do with a good deep clean. Granted, it is cheap at £7.50 per person for non members but you get what you pay for. Won’t be back!
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Location
Cleanliness
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.
Poor location, at a busy roundabout. Looked more like a mainland motel than a hotel . Room allocated was cramped ( I’m assuming that was because it would be classed as a “ budget room” due to the package offer ) , room had only one small window which opened and no extraction in the very small bathroom. No air conditioning made the room very hot. Hall carpets could have done with either being replaced or given a deep clean to remove staining. On the upside ,the room was very clean and the bed and pillows were super comfy . Paper cups were provided due to Covid 19 and could be replaced on request .Room isn’t serviced due to Covid19 unless also requested. Leisure facilities were good ,with a good sized swimming pool and well maintained outdoor hot tubs, which had to be booked in advance, again due to Covid restrictions. Restaurant menu had a good range , though as our first night was a Sunday , it was very busy and service was very slow, but then hotels are suffering due to Covid19 . Breakfast also had a good range of dishes to choose from and again due to Covid , was table service which I preferred anyhow . To sum up , although this hotel is rated as 4 ****, I feel this was due more to having the leisure facilities .
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Date of stay: September 2021
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.
Train station is about 10-12 minutes car/taxi ride from the hotel (5-6 miles), I am sure if you call a local taxi firm, they will provide with fair price, I used my own car.
There are more places to choose from in the Derry area.
PRICE RANGE
$185 - $269 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
best western derry, derry best western
LOCATION
United KingdomNorthern IrelandCounty LondonderryDerry
NUMBER OF ROOMS
58
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.
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