Stunning 4* countryside spa hotel just outside London
BookMember since 2011
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stayed: March 2024
Firstly the positives: It is a beautiful old building and our room was better than we expected, and the view from the window was lovely. The room and the communal areas were all very clean.
The food was excellent, couldn't fault it and for the most part, the staff were very helpful and friendly.
Now the negatives: We took up their offer of 2 nights with inclusive 3 course dinner and breakfast at a cost of just under 400. Their site says "some items (on the menu) incur a surcharge", what it should say is "most items incur a surcharge". Only 3 of the 6 starters were "inclusive" and the same applied to the main course, and that was only for the "main dish" itself. Whether there was a surcharge or not, if you wanted for example the Salmon, that is what you you wanted a small dish of vegetables that was 6 extra, and if you wanted a small dish of potato, that was an extra 6.50. A medium sized bottle of water was 5.50 and even the "nibbles" they offer you whilst waiting for your starter were 5 or 6. If you shared a dish of veg and potato, shared a bottle of water and some nibbles, your "inclusive" meal would cost you an extra 23 (for two).... more if you didn't share the extras and even more if you chose a meal with a surcharge (For example Beef @ 10 extra each) ....Plus a 10% service charge. The "offer" is very misleading, because the "inclusive" dinner wasn't very inclusive.
That was by far the biggest let down. Other issues included a stone cold room on arrival and only lukewarm water (that was soon resolved though).
We decided to have an evening drink in a lovely large room with a beautiful fireplace. It was cold so we asked if the fire could be lit and although the staff tried, they were unable to do so as they'd "run out of kindling". My partner chose a Pina tasted great but the four large ice cubes reduced the amount of actual drink in the glass and at 14.50 we expected better.
Finally, on the second morning we didn't get down to breakfast until 09.15 (open until 10.00). Most of the fresh fruit had gone and wasn't replenished, and the "hot" food was only just warm. I should add that the hotel was not very busy during our stay.
A beautiful place but the experience could have been so much better.
offpeakluxury says:
Thank you for your feedback.
We do advise within the package description that supplements may apply to some dishes, however, we contacted the hotel and asked for the menu to be sent over to us. There are 6 choices for starters, main courses and desserts (1 with a supplement for each), we feel this is an adaquate amount of choice on a Table d'hote menu. It appears that some vegatables come with the meals, like seasonal trimmings and sea vegetables, but the choice is there to purchase additional if wanted.
The 10% surcharge is discretionary, which is stated on the menu, the hotel would have been happy to take this off if asked.
We are sorry the menu did not meet your expectations on this occasion and bringing this to our attentions.
Kind regards,
Off Peak Luxury
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