As much as I love(d) the Spicer Mansion and dislike writing poor reviews, needs must. The still attractive boutique hotel changed hands recently and is still operating with the same promises of service and quality. However, at the time of my stay, it was not able to deliver. I reserved (and prepaid) well in advance, confirmed via 2 phone calls with 2 different staff that the hotel was still functioning as ever, and sent an email to confirm certain details. And yet our arrival seemed almost a surprise (though the staff on duty was welcoming and did her job well after we found her...). There was no welcome drink and none of the services included in the "resort fee" (bicycles, fire pit, luxury gym?). There was no staff available in the evening to ask about the non-functioning Internet, or to ask about hot water and mugs to accompany the box of tea bags temptingly sitting out near the empty kitchen (and no coffee/tea service in the room). No "wine by the glass" service as suggested by the menus dotted around, no fires in the fireplaces in the dark lounges. No apparent way to get ice to replace the melted ice in the bucket (I had prearranged champagne in the room, but it was put there at noon and not desired until later in the evening...). We were the only people in an unlocked house all night (lots of surveillance cameras dotted all around, however). Strange. In the morning, there was one employee present, but there was no continental breakfast as promised and purportedly included in the resort fee. We had to ask for coffee to be made. We had to ask for food. In previous stays, there was a sumptuous buffet of fruit, and different breads, etc. This time, the lone staff admitted there was nothing in the kitchen (no juice even) except a cold quiche which she microwaved. I had to request cutlery. And despite several staff now being in the hotel, noone has checked back to see if more coffee is desired or clear the table. At least the Internet is working now.... On the plus side, the bed was extremely comfortable with luxury linens and we eventually got the hot water to reach the 2nd floor for the shower. The house remains beautiful, quiet, charming, if somewhat 'dinged' and threadbare around the edges (scuffs on walls, stains on furniture, rotten legs on outdoor chairs -- beware the balcony furniture!). But all the extras that made it a "resort" Relais & Chateaux property are not currently available, and even some of the paid-for basics are missing. (They haven't even decorated for Christmas!) I understand the hotel is in transition, yet guests should not be ignored, left without promised/expected services, or made to feel they are an inconvenience. We would check out now, since our romantic Christmas-time get-away is somewhat of a bust, but we’ve prepaid and there is a no refund policy…and the bed IS comfortable. Maybe the new owner will achieve the prior standards, but until it's proven, the Spicer Mansion is off our list. …