We had stayed at this hotel many times before and it was a special hotel for us, as it was the location for our very first romantic break together. However, the last visit in January of this year was an absolute nightmare.
Firstly we'd asked for the room we had stayed in on our first visit, when we made our booking, however, when we arrived the Manageress, who had taken our booking showed us to another room? When we explained why we wanted the other room, she reluctantly agreed to give us that room. Lunch was good, but they quickly ran out of real ale and said they got it on a Thursday and when it ran out that was it? But this was only Saturday afternoon? The service at dinner was appalling. They had only four tables occupied, but it was an eternity before we got served, even although the Manageress had asked us what time we wanted to dine when we arrived? We, eventually, after 45 minutes of waiting for our sweet, gave up and asked could we just have our coffee in the lounge. The coffee when it eventually came looked as though it had been heated in the microwave and had spilled all over the saucers and tray - we asked for the coffee just to be taken away.
The next morning we went for breakfast. My partner asked for porridge, but when it came it was instant (reminiscent of baby porridge). He couldn't eat it, so we asked the waiter to take it away, explaining it was not real chunky porridge. The next minute the assistant Manageress came storming over and claimed "the porridge is real and made fresh every day with proper porridge oats - okay sir!". It was reminiscent of Fawlty Towers and she appeared to be a female version of Basil Fawlty! So much so, other guests began to giggle at her behaviour.
We decided not to complain, to just pay the bill and put it down to a bad experience. However, after we paid the Manageress stated "is there a problem? The staff are walking on egg shells, every time you come here you complain". We were absolutely gobsmacked as we'd always enjoyed our stay on previous occasions and had never complained previously. She said "do you want to speak to the chef?" "do you want the Head Office address to put in a complaint in writing?. We were so shocked we said no. However, after I got home I was really angered by their attitude towards us, so I telephoned to get the Head Office address and Area Manager's email.
I was given a false address and my emails have been returned.
If you dare go to this hotel - make sure you don't complain!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
no way!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, A romantic getaway
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine