South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Tours and Activities

Very average hotel and poor service.

I should start by saying this isn’t our first break to Port Lympne. What I can’t fault is the reserve itself-the concept, especially in terms of the variety of stay options, is unlike anything else out there. However, I’ve rated this two stars because we’ve now had two back-to-back experiences where the upkeep of the facilities has really let things down. We stayed in one of the treehouses (Sidonie), and for £1,250 a night, I expected far more. Unfortunately, the double bedroom was completely unusable due to an overpowering smell of damp and, frankly, rot. It was so unpleasant we ended up sleeping on the sofa. We also raised concerns about the marble-topped dining table, which isn’t fixed in place and slides around dangerously-particularly worrying for families with young children. I have no doubt housekeeping is already aware of this issue and continue to overlook it. The overall concept is fantastic, and the buggy provided is a real game changer. The tree house could be great if maintenance was prioritised. At in this price point, Port Lympne really needs to deliver a higher standard. To their credit, the manager did acknowledge our concerns and offered us a free day ticket to return. Still, I would strongly advise avoiding the Sidonie treehouse if you’re considering a booking or ask upfront if the problems have been resolves.