Fabulous stay for 4 nights at Martley Hall. This is a spectacular and very comfortable base for a family holiday (we were 30). The equipment and furniture is excellent and the games, garden and swimmi... See more
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Group Retreats provides large-group high-end accommodation in unique and beautiful country houses. Recognising that large groups often struggle to find appropriate accommodation and that luxury housing for such groups was in short supply, we set out to find the perfect country homes for our customers to enjoy. Our vision is not only to provide your group with a comfortable stay, but to give you an unforgettable experience of staying in a quintessential English country home. You will discover unique settings for a family break, corporate function or a milestone celebration; which you can enjoy in your own way. Typically, our properties are large historic listed buildings with extensive grounds and beautiful gardens. Swimming pools and spas are features in most of our places, along with games rooms packed with snooker, pool and other games. Our properties are generally in quiet, isolated locations, surrounded by countryside – perfect for exploring. At Group Retreats we can help you plan an unforgettable trip.
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23 Lower Brook Street, IP4 1AQ, Ipswich, United Kingdom
- 01473 597897
- enquiries@groupretreats.co.uk
- groupretreats.co.uk
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An unforgettable escape, a weekend of luxury and history at Castle Eden
I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend at the Castle in Castle Eden, and it was an experience I will never forget. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the stunning architecture and the breathtaking surroundings. The castle itself is an impressive blend of history and luxury, with every corner offering a glimpse into a rich past, while also providing modern comforts.
The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, making sure every detail of my stay was perfect. The rooms are beautifully appointed, with tasteful décor that combines traditional elegance with contemporary amenities. I particularly loved the spaciousness of the suite, which offered a magnificent view of the castle grounds.
The grounds surrounding the castle are equally remarkable. The gardens were lush and serene, perfect for a peaceful stroll, while the nearby woodlands provided a beautiful backdrop for a relaxing day outdoors. I also had the chance to enjoy some of the local attractions, and the area around Castle Eden is filled with charm and history.
Overall, my stay at Castle Eden was truly magical. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, a historical getaway, or simply a place to indulge in luxury, I can’t recommend this castle enough. It’s the perfect escape for anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to return!

Reply from Group Retreats
Always accommodate your requests
Stayed at Ashfield Place Farm and it's absolutely stunning. I enjoy peaceful weekends away with my family in authentic country houses surrounded by nature and this was one of our best stays so far. The staff went out of their way to assist myself and my wife during our visit. Very pleased.

Reply from Group Retreats
AVOID A BAD EXPERIENCE
I was initially excited about booking a stay through Group Retreats, as I thought it would be a great opportunity for a peaceful getaway. However, before confirming my reservation, I decided to do a bit of research by checking reviews from previous guests to get a better idea of what to expect.
Unfortunately, what I found was extremely concerning. There were numerous 1-star and negative reviews, many highlighting issues such as poor customer service, cleanliness concerns, and mismanagement of bookings. Several reviewers also mentioned that they felt misled by the descriptions and photos on the website, which did not match the reality of the property or the experience they had.
After reading through the feedback, I realized that proceeding with my booking could lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment. I would strongly advise others to think twice before making any reservations here. It’s clear that this location may not be up to the standards that one would expect from a reputable retreat.
At this point, I’d be better off booking a stay with Skegness Butlins! Definitely not worth the risk or the hassle of dealing with potential issues that others have faced!

Reply from Group Retreats
Disappointing stay at glentworth hall
My stay at Glentworth Hall was nothing short of a nightmare, and I regret choosing this place for my trip. From the moment I arrived, it was clear the property was severely under-maintained, and things only got worse from there.
First, the showers were a complete letdown. The water pressure was barely a trickle, making it impossible to enjoy a proper shower. To add to the frustration, the beds were broken and uncomfortable, leaving us with no rest throughout our stay. It felt like everything was falling apart.
Cleanliness was another major issue. The sofa had tweezers stuck inside it, and cobwebs were present in nearly every corner of the rooms. It was obvious that the cleaning staff weren’t doing their job properly, and we were left feeling uncomfortable in a space that should have been welcoming. The jacuzzi bathtub was also a huge disappointment — it was broken, and when I tried to use it, dirt came out instead of water.
The washing machine and dryer were both out of order, which made doing laundry impossible. Even worse, the Aga wasn’t working, so we were unable to use it for cooking — something that was promised as part of the experience.
To add to the overall discomfort, the lights in several rooms were constantly flickering, which made the environment feel unstable. We also experienced a serious lack of privacy in some of the bathrooms, which was a real concern for a group hoping for a relaxing, private stay.
Lastly, the internet was absolutely terrible. The Wi-Fi barely worked, leaving us disconnected and frustrated.
In short, Glentworth Hall was a massive disappointment. It’s clear the property is not being properly maintained, and the promised luxury simply isn’t there. I would not recommend this place to anyone, and I won’t be returning.
Please do not book for your own sanity

Reply from Group Retreats
Glentworth Hall
I had some concerns during my recent stay at Glentworth Hall that I feel should be addressed. Unfortunately, the property seemed to lack basic maintenance and cleanliness. A majority of the showers were not functional, which was disappointing.
In terms of cleanliness, I noticed torn duvet covers, dirty floors, and cobwebs in various areas. Additionally, the mattresses appeared worn out, with springs popping out, which affected my comfort.
I also felt that the caretaker's engagement with the property could be improved, as it seemed that there was a lack of attention to these issues.
03/01/25 -I disagree with your assessment of the property’s condition during our stay. It was clear that the property had not been properly maintained for some time, as several basic cleanliness standards were not met. This impacted our overall experience and left us disappointed.
As for the damage deposit, I believe there has been a misunderstanding. There was no clear or significant proof provided that the damage, including the alleged smoking, was caused by our group. I also feel it’s important to point out that a family business should strive to maintain transparency and fairness in their dealings with guests. I am disappointed by the false accusations and believe that the full deposit retention was unfair under the circumstances.

Reply from Group Retreats
Complete let down!!
Disappointing Experience at glentworth hall
I recently stayed at glentworth hall and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory.
Firstly, the most critical issue was the lack of running water during my stay, which made it extremely difficult to maintain basic hygiene. Additionally, the Wi-Fi connection was non-existent, which was particularly frustrating as many of us had planned to work during our visit.
The lighting in the unit was also problematic, with flickering lights that created an uncomfortable environment . To make matters worse, I discovered a dirty tweezer lodged between the cushions of the sofa, raising concerns about the cleanliness and maintenance of the property.
Furthermore, the caretaker was essentially non-existent, providing no assistance or support throughout my stay. This lack of attention to guests' needs was disappointing and added to the overall negative experience.
I hope these issues can be addressed for future guests.
please do not book!!!

Reply from Group Retreats
Do NOT BOOK AT GLENTWORTH
We’ve stayed at a couple of AirBNBs. One was outstanding and we gave it a great review. The second was a huge let-down, (Glentworth hall). Caretaker was clearly a “don’t give a damn” person.
Bed that felt like plywood furniture, dish washer smelled when opened, no pressure from the showers had to resort to one shower for the whole family to use, washing machine and dryer kept on coming up with error codes contacted the care taker no show no surprise there,
internet felt like we were back in 1993.
Bunk beds had broken planks, unsafe to sleep in. tried to sleep in the spare beds, but caretaker couldn’t provide any duvets. Absolutely appalling service, will never be booking with Group Retreats again!!!!

Reply from Group Retreats
I arrived on the 17th dec 2024.
I arrived @ glentworth hall on the 17th dec 2024.
The place looked beautiful but unfortunately soon as I entered. I was disgusted with the cleanliness of the rooms, it took us multiple hours to clean it. I have no idea what your maids are doing. The kitchen floor was that dirty my slippers were sticking to the floor. WiFi was absolutely terrible. Showers were horrendous too. The worst shower I have had ever.Furthermore, i was injured by the bed which was worse as I have chronic back pain. We asked for more duvets and we were ignored. I do not recommend this place and will not be staying here again.I don’t normally put a review up but I’m pre warning anyone else who wants to stay @ this place.

Reply from Group Retreats
Avoid Glentworth Hall and Group…
Avoid Glentworth Hall and Group Retreats
I recently stayed at Glentworth Hall with my family, and I cannot recommend this property or the service from Group Retreats. We paid thousands for what turned out to be an extremely disappointing experience.
* Property Condition: The house was in poor shape. The showers were electric (likely for cost-saving) with very low pressure, and the water temperature was unpredictable—ranging from scalding to freezing within seconds.
* Unresponsive Caretaker: We reached out for help regarding these issues, but the caretaker ignored our requests. Despite promises of assistance, no help ever arrived.
* Unjustified Damage Charges: After we left, we received an email from Group Retreats claiming they were keeping our £2,000 deposit for damage. The issues they listed (such as a broken piano and cigarette burns on a sofa) were either pre-existing or unfounded. We provided evidence, including proof that the sofa already had a burn mark, but our concerns were ignored.
* Poor Service and Accountability: Group Retreats refused to take responsibility for the state of the property or address our concerns properly.
In short, I would not recommend this property to anyone, and I highly advise looking elsewhere for a better experience. There are certainly better properties and companies that offer much higher standards of service.
I would give no stars if I could!

Reply from Group Retreats
No hot water no WiFi showers not…
No hot water no WiFi showers not working properly house was dusty and dirty hot tub cold thing broken when we arrived and then tried to charge for it overall not the best

Reply from Group Retreats
Glentworth hall shambles
Horrible WiFi
No pressure in the showers would have been better stood outside in the the rain to get a wash.
The house was dirty.
Piano had loose keys and chipped wood at the bottom on arrival but they thought they could bill the guests.
Left the house in a better state than we got it yet they had the nerve to take the deposit.

Reply from Group Retreats
Xmas at Abbey House
We had a large (~20) family weekend at Abbey House for an early Christmas. The house was perfect - multiple cosy rooms to gather, talk and play games but also spacious enough to find peace and quiet from the children when necessary! Excellent kitchen that got put to a lot of use and the Audley End Xmas miniature railway next door was a major bonus. A weekend none of us will forget for a long time!

Reply from Group Retreats
Christmas party at Caer Beris
Myself and a large group of friends stayed at Caer Beris for a Christmas retreat. Our time there was truly magical, even with Storm Darragh hitting us on the first day. Fortunately the team at Group Retreats were incredibly understanding about potential damages to the grounds due to the storm. Once that had cleared though, it was a delight to wander around the manor and really take in the majesty of it. I distinctly remember my friends and I agreeing within moments of entering the manor that we plan to re-book the place for next year. With the entire place dressed up in time for the holidays, it really elevated our experience there and made it one to remember

Reply from Group Retreats
Alward House, Salisbury
Great location and wonderful facilities, staff available were extremely helpful. A throughly wonderful 4 days.

Reply from Group Retreats
Alward House in Salisbury…
We stayed at Alward House in Salisbury for a weekend to celebrate a 50th birthday. I was a little nervous as couldn't see much history with Alward House, but, was delighted with what we found.
Being November, we didn't use the outdoor pool (or hot tub) both are a 4 min walk from the main house. However, the house made up for that in spades. Whilst very original and period, decoration was perfect and in almost new condition, it was warm, perfectly clean and we helped by Duane when we had a couole of questions.
Despite having a mad weekend of storms, the wind howling around the house, all were warm, happy and had a great weekend. Reassuring that Sunday morning Duane was checking in that we'd made it through the windy night as locally trees were down and some had power outages.
Tempted to return in the summer....

Reply from Group Retreats
Family weekend ruined.
Rented Fawley Court for special occasion with several family children for a special birthday which had been planned for some time. The weekend was a disaster with no heat in half the house, aga not working , pool and spa cold, games room cold, Kitchen pans, table mats not hygienically cleaned. 16 of the 18 guests left a day early. Waiting to hear back from GR. not worth the 1 star. I am so upset was supposed to be a special 75th birthday party,

Reply from Group Retreats
Milton House was just perfect
Milton House was perfect for our family party weekend.
I can't fault the service. Will, the caretaker, was amazing and he really went out of his way to ensure we had the best time. Many thanks, Will.

Reply from Group Retreats
Family gathering
Alward House was the perfect place for our family of 18 to get together. We had 8 children ranging from 9 yrs to 7 months. The provision of high chairs and travel cots made life much easier. The house was SO well equipped with plenty of crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. The heated outdoor pool and hot tub were a real high light which everyone enjoyed. We were looking forward to playing tennis but unfortunately half the court was covered in moss so it was very slippery and not suitable to play on. But we were able to play table tennis in the barn instead.
The views from the house were beautiful and the space outside and in was perfect for all ages.
Duane was an excellent caretaker and was most helpful.
Thank you for great instructions to find our way to the house.
We shall certainly be using Group Retreats again.

Reply from Group Retreats
Fabulous weekend full of fun and beautiful memories
Fantastic weekend at Abbey House to celebrate our Mums special birthday.
The house is tastefully decorated, beautifully furnished with lots of comfort and we has lots space everyone to congregate. We made the most of the hot tub and pool. We enjoyed the games room and also the piano provided lots of entertainment too.
We did have a couple of hiccups with the plumbing which is obviously incredibly old and could do with replacing but the caretaking staff were on hand and happy to support.
The Group Retreat staff were extremely efficient and helpful from booking to answering my many questions which made our weekend run so smoothly.
I would like to give an extra big THANK YOU to Danny and Ross( caretakers ) who were absolutely brilliant when my mum realised she had lost a piece of jewellery ( which she had accidentally dropped and left behind at the house). They went above and beyond to ensure Mum got the item back safely and this was very much appreciated. 10/10 customer service!
Mum was thrilled with her fabulous weekend of fun and beautiful memories. Thank you

Reply from Group Retreats
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