The Lighthouse - Haslar marina

[gerryl]

I've had a really awful experience there recently. Basicaly waited two hours for food they hadn't got and a further 30 mins for a refund. They seemed to be totally disorganised.
I have emailed them the details of my experience twice now, but they've not responded....
Anyone had similar?

 

[Anthony]

Havn't been there for a number of years, but sounds about right for most of the time I was based there.

Ants

 

[Stemar]

I haven't set foot there since I went for drink one evening with a mate from Haslar and we were told, barely politely that they were closed for a private function. I was under the impression that part of their contract was that they should provide a watering hole for berth holders and their crews.

 

[dnickj]

Since the new management (if thats what you call it) have taken over its gone a long way down hill - I wont be going back - over the last bank holiday they ran out of food by 7:30

 

[Bosunof]

What a great pity to hear of your complaints. I was there in September 2007 and it was just the job. Food, booze, showers etc so good that I have recommended it several times since. Not only to users such as ourselves but also to other marina managers.
Get a grip team.

 

[jonjo]

The lease of the Lightship transfered to a new operator this year, they are the same people that run a hotel a few miles away in Alverstoke. That hotel has received favourable reviews on this forum before which is notable because the hotel is not exactly adjacent to yachting turf.

The recurring problem with the lightship is an undersized kitchen that cannot cope with peak demand, but running out of food is a crass management error.

In general I like the Lightship but pick my visiting times. The new people scored some brownie points early this year by offering a free coffee to the swmbo and myself when our faces registered disappointment on hearing that breakfasts were starting later in the season.

Looking deeper at the Lightship saga over the years, I think the underlying problem is that the Haslar Marina management view the place as an asset to milked and they lease to the highest bidder. I hope one day they will realize that the consistent, competent operation of the Lightship would profoundly enhance the leisure value of whole marina particularly to annual berth holders.

After 4 years at Haslar I have moved on.

 

[l'escargot]

I have experienced similar situations with the successive management over about 10 years. I think they all try to get too adventurous with the limited facilities you mention. I remember when one manager decided to open the downstairs room as a "Bistro" only to find it was full of kitchen smog at busy times due to the poor ventilation. Having the dumb waiter behind the bar doesn't help at busy times.

Perhaps they need to accept their limitations and stick to drink and a limited menu - go for pub grub instead of trying to be an upmarket restaurant.

 

[Ruffles]

Anyone know if Landers is any good these days? Haven't been there since 2007.

 

[Petronella]

Have only used the shower facilities on our first visit there last Bank Holiday. Absolutely excellent - clean, plenty of space, individual cubicles (with toilet if I recall correctly), hot water and close to visitor berths. Can't comment on food as we ate elsewhere.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know if Landers is any good these days? Haven't been there since 2007.

[/ QUOTE ]
Erm, two evening meals in 4 years both severe disappointments and I am no foodie.

4 years ago under the previous management I once had a tasty fried strip beef lunchtime sandwich at Landers but the new people scrubbed that from the menu when they decided to focus on an Italian theme. Over the past two years Landers has become a bit more of a hip hangout for a lively crowd as a counter balance to the Lightship and its recent pretentious "yacht club" aspirations.

All in all the whole situation is arse about face and only serves to confuse and disappoint Haslar marina users. I blame Haslar Marina management for lack of direction in the tenancy conditions.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Have only used the shower facilities on our first visit there last Bank Holiday. Absolutely excellent

[/ QUOTE ]
The Lightship was in dry dock over the winter, the facilities might be better than you experiened. The swmbo thought so in March 2009.

 

[l'escargot]

The showers are managed by the marina, the restaurant is contracted out

 

[Vanilla]

The new owners seem to have chosen to have a cheaper, less interesting or "bog-standard" menu than the last lot. I thought the food was pretty good last year, though more expensive, but am not impressed so far this year. On the upside, the staff are very welcoming and the top deck is a great place to drink when it's sunny.