Rooms smelly and musty. Smelled like retirement home or wet dog.
Chose Garden block because told these are best rooms. Only SOME are good if you are lucky to get one, which I did. Travelled with many family members who also booked garden block which was to include a balcony or private garden but did not! They wasn’t told this upon booking. BedRooms in Old building are tired and need work.
In fact most rooms in the modern block were incredibly basic for a hotel of this calibre. They were supposed to be the “modern rooms” yet decorated more like a retirement home. I’m talking the exact same furniture!
Cleanliness wasn’t great. My sister witnessed cleaner blowing on the spoons when he was replacing them in the room near the kettle. I mean, this is disgusting on a normal day but right now we’re living in Covid times which makes it pretty gross!
Upon arrival sign on door says it’s been sanitised but it didn’t look or smell sanitised to me! Stray hairs and Pubic hairs everywhere… on sides, bathroom floor, bed sheets, bathroom counter tops, even a long one on the toilet seat!
I carry flash wipes when travelling - especially since Covid - so I cleaned the room myself and put Do not disturb on my door so cleaner wouldn’t enter for my two night stay.
Breakfast shambolic. Wasn’t delivered on both mornings. Most of my party didn’t get their breakfast or received incorrect orders.
Restaurant: food looked good but bland at best. Apparently a “renowned chef” we were told, but wasn’t impressed.
Waiting Service terrible. Staff could do with retraining. For example they would hand you your plate / glass in hand rather than place on table. I serve my family better at home, and wouldn’t expect this at a 4* hotel.
Long wait times for food and even longer for drinks! Some dishes / drinks never arrived. This was actually a running theme for the entire weekend.
Reception is tiny and pokey. Not impressive for such a big hotel.
The hotel overall didn’t feel spotlessly clean and neither sanitised. In fact I returned home feeling “dirty”.
Some Good points : stunning grounds and drive up to hotel impressive - (although the sign from main road could be much better / back lit. You drive past it easily! )
Gardens and grounds are lovely
The garden balcony room I had was the best decor of all the others I saw in that block - the apparent modern block .
Other members paid same price for a room without balcony, not modern and v.small and depressing! less