Best Western Salisbury Red Lion Hotel

We were invited to visit Salisbury, as Group Bookers and we had the most amazing 3 days! Because of the distance, we arrived at hotel at 1.30pm on Thursday 14th Feb stayed overnight and on the 15th Feb and left after visiting the South West Travel Show held at Longleat Safari Park. The whole experience was fantastic and the organisation which including a "guided" tour of the Cathedral, followed by a guided tour of the town itself was just superb. We had dinner at Bill's organised for us and EVERYONE must visit Salisbury, The Cathedral and lunch of dine at Bill's. The food was outstandingly good and the staff were very friendly and helpful. A super 3-days in sunny Wiltshire. less

On Saturday 16/2/19 we called in late afternoon time for a cup of coffee. After going to the coffee bar and waiting, no-one came. We then went to the bar area which had two customers. Behind the bar were two male members of staff who saw us but made no attempt to welcome us, speak with us or seem friendly in any way. They rudely turned their backs and after asking for coffees was told "in the other bar". Seriously??!! When I said there was no-one serving, I was told the younger one would come soon whilst the older man turned away and carried on stacking the glass shelves. We walked out and won't be back. This place needs to drastically improve the customer service skills of these staff members. Unacceptable and very rude. less

Having been given a voucher for an afternoon tea at the Red Lion we decided on a Friday. We have had a few afternoon teas and this rates quite poorly in comparison. 3 small quarters of sandwich each made with standard thin bread with minimal basic filling, and even though the quantity of filling was lacking I still had a big lump of gristle in the ham. The scones were thankfully warm and ok. The top tier was a collection of lots of very small, very sweet sticky shop-bought bits of cake. Fewer, better quality cakes and a bit more thought on the savoury front for the sandwiches would help turn this afternoon tea around. The staff weee good and explained that they once did better bread but people wanted simpler which I find hard to believe but maybe we are in the minority. The RedLion is a great old building and could be so much better. I suspect it’s catering more for the transient tourist population who won’t come back and not for locals as I can’t see me going back sadly.. less

I have no doubt that the Red Lion is a wonderful place to stay. However the food appears lacking in professionalism. Today on ordering two ciabatta sandwiches with tuna, red onion and sweetcorn , coleslaw and crisps, seemed appealing for a lunchtime snack. What appeared was what I can only say , was very disappointing. The ciabatta was stone cold and damp from refrigeration and crumbling, there was a microscopic smear of tuna and sweet corn and a rather wet spoonful of catering pack coleslaw on the plate. For pretty well seven quid each I think it's pretty poor show for such a lovely hotel, which overall appears a professional establishment, however their version of what was described on their sandwich menu was basically a disgrace. less

An old coaching house, the inn boasts a good restaurant, a bar and limited parking (on a first come basis) and is just a few steps from the historic centre of this wonderful English city. The rooms are comfortable and the breakfast both plentiful and tasty. A weekend break is just enough to explore the town, take in the magnificent cathedral and venture out to Old Sarum, the original site of the town with the remains of the first cathedral and Motte and Bailey castle. less