Hoar Cross Hall

All in all, we enjoyed our stay, largely because of the quality of the spa and grounds,which were excellent. As far as the hotel itself is concerned, there were unfortunately some things to criticise. We had a pre-dinner drink in the library on each of our 3 nights, and found that the table we wanted to sit at, right in front of the main window, had not been wiped or polished. We could actually see the same marks each night. Also, no member of staff came into the room on any of the nights. Our bedroom was OK, but a bit minimal in the furnishing stakes for what was a large room. Could have done with 'softening up; a bit. Our biggest gripe however concerns the main dining room dinner menu. No prices were shown on the menu (we were on a B&B tariff, and when we asked for a priced menu we were told there wasn't one but that 2 course were £25.00pp and 3 courses were £37.50pp. I pointed out that that meant, if I chose a starter and main course, it would be £25.00 but if I subsequently decided to have a sweet, then that alone would push the price up to £37.50. In other words, a sweet cost £12.50 ( bowl of ice cream and an arctic role and cheese & biscuits were featured on the separate sweet menu - a very expensive bowl of ice cream, arctic role or small plate of c&b!!) The maitre d' shrugged his shoulders and said that was the price. Can I suggest that this needs looking at - please.

The hotel itself was situated in a lovely old building sat in wonderful grounds. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful in their attempt to find me a room that I liked. The main issue was that I had booked a luxury room that I had read would be situated within the old part of the hotel. This was one of my main reasons for selecting this booking. Unfortunately, on checking in, i reminded the reception that I should be in the old part but there was nothing available. When we were allocated our luxury room in the new part of the hotel, I was disappointed with the furnishing and views of the room and it was definitely not luxury. This led the hotel team trying to find me a better room which they did but it involved switching rooms twice. Secondly, although we booked quite late, four days before the trip, it was disappointing to find that their was no spa treatments that we could book. They only had two thirty minute appointments left across the whole weekend and both we couldn't do. The strangest part about the whole experience is how many people are in white bath robes in all the main areas of the hotel. Even in the main dining room, main reception, and main bar and day space that you relax in, during the day, over half of the people are sat in white spa robes. This doesn't work in my opinion and demonstrates too bigger emphasis on spa days rather than the experience of hotel guests. There perhaps should be areas where people in white robes can't access

Hoar Cross Hall could be quite exceptional if it was given some attention by management but I generally found that my stay was mediocre at best. Firstly, the room walls are paper thin. You can hear everything in the adjoining room as unfortunately for us, it was a very loud couple who used the jazzuci both into the early hours and then at the crack of dawn. With respect to the rooms, they are in desperate need for some TLC. Examples include mold & mildew in the bathroom with peeling sealant around the sink and taps. The same goes for the public toilets on group floor. The fact that they were still advertising events that were 2 months out of date in the toilets just went to show how often they paid attention in there. The hotel and spa facilities are NOT cheap. At £39 per person to use the spa on top of the £250 a night rate, we found the spa so oversubscribed, nearly every where we went, we couldn't get in because there were too many people, i.e. steam room, sauna, break out areas etc. Considering how very little we could use the facilities, we actually felt quite robbed. The food in the restaurant was good but the table placements were much to be desired. We were placed on a small table at the end of the dining hall by a doorway which had people walking by every so many minutes. To be honest, we went there to destress but unfortunately we left feeling more stressed than when we arrived.

First impressions of this hotel are amazing - the building is beautiful, the grounds simply amazing reception very attractive and on the whole the staff really helpful but my stay was mixed. Room 321 - WiFi reception really poor, I called reception who gave me an alternate wifi password, it was still weak but manageable, reception offered to change my room but I was settled and by now had a signal, it did not last and by 10pm had gone completely and was not available at all the next morning. I went down to the restaurant at 7.30 to check the menu and see how busy, waiter told me very busy so I booked a table for 1 at 9pm - went down again at 9 and the restaurant was packed and very noisy, great atmosphere but not so good for a single diner - went to the bar for a gin to take to my room & order room service but barman suggested Henry's a smaller restaurant at the other end of the hotel. Arrived and asked girl behind the counter if I should take a seat or wait to be seated - she said no just choose a table and we will be with you - after 20 minutes with no menu and no drink I called a waitress over who was clearing the tables and asked for a menu only to be told they had stopped serving at 9 - she offered to check with the kitchen but I was just fed up by now so headed back to my room for room service. So now the positives - room service was speedy and the food ( caesar salad ) lovely. Room was really comfortable and I slept well and finally breakfast was equally good.

Beautiful hotel which was a former stately home, expectations were reasonably high a s the room was of good standard in terms of size. However that's all the good things I can say really. Time after time I was locked out of my own room as the wristband I was given as a "key" wouldn't work. After numerous trips to and from reception (considering the room was on the second floor and a 10 minute walk through the endless corridors back to reception) after eventually solving that problem on the first night the fire alarm then goes off at 4.30 am waking me up in a panic. (found out next night it was a false alarm and regularly happens due to the pools and spas) i then had to be awake at six ready to leave. Breakfast was delivered and was ok if basic. Arrived back for second night only to have thesameues again with the room key to the point the porter cones with me back to my room to let me in after I'd been up and down 3 times already. Takes my room key with him though and lets me in the room. I then notice the room has been serviced however my breakfast was still sat there rotting away on the side and smelt. Went to sleep got up for breakfast the following morning just about get breakfast whilst being told in the restaurant they're now clearing away and "I'd need to be quick" I eat. Go back to reception as needed a room key to get back in. Got a new key...again didn't work 3 more trips back and forth and they then sent maintenance to fix. Overall it was really disappointing.