"Two weeks in advance, we excitedly reserved an afternoon tea experience through the enticing promotion we spotted on Facebook. This offer included unlimited prosecco, setting the stage for a delightful outing. Our anticipation was palpable as we arrived at the venue, but unfortunately, our experience took a disheartening turn. Upon arrival, the reception provided only partial directions regarding the location of our booked afternoon tea. However, our hopes were quickly dashed as our initial interactions unfolded. The staff member managing the check-in process guided us to a seating area and presented us with a Sunday menu, a stark contrast to what we had pre-booked – the afternoon tea experience. Our attempt to clarify this discrepancy was met with a suggestion to change tables, as the initial one designated for us apparently suited the Sunday Roast crowd. Adding to our dismay, as we settled in, it became apparent that the tablecloth and serviettes were noticeably dirty, marred by large gravy stains. This further underscored the lack of attention to detail and cleanliness. Despite relocating, our situation remained unclear. Another staff member, seemingly uncertain about their role within the establishment, informed us that no reservation had been made for the afternoon tea we had booked. This response left us perplexed and frustrated. Our attempts to rectify the situation were met with an astonishing lack of professionalism and empathy. Our complaint about the inconvenient £20 taxi fare we had incurred fell on deaf ears, met only with rudeness and indifference from the waiter. The staff member made no effort to investigate or provide a suitable resolution for the predicament. Rather, they nonchalantly dismissed the issue, suggesting that such occurrences were simply a part of the process. Faced with limited options, we reluctantly chose to settle for the afternoon lunch at the hotel. This decision required us to relocate our seating for the sixth time, highlighting the disarray in the service we had encountered. The overall experience felt disjointed, exacerbating our disappointment. Adding insult to injury, the staff offered us a small drink, despite our earlier expectation of enjoying the unlimited prosecco that was an integral part of our pre-booked arrangement. The lack of concern exhibited by the staff members in addressing the chaotic situation was glaring, leaving us feeling like mere spectators in a disorganized circus. On our departure, the waiter made a passing comment that next time we should ensure to double-check the accuracy of our booking details. This remark, however, seemed misplaced, as we had directly contacted Langton 's at Cooper 's Hill to make the reservation, ensuring accuracy on our part. In conclusion, our much-anticipated afternoon tea with unlimited prosecco turned into an exasperating ordeal marked by confused service, lack of accountability, and a blatant disregard for our pre-arranged reservation. The experience fell far short of our expectations, tarnishing what should have been a memorable outing. The state of the tablecloth and serviettes, marred by unsightly gravy stains, further highlighted the lack of attention to cleanliness and detail, compounding our disappointment."
