"The attached pub had a cozy atmosphere with lovely decor. The food was exceptional, accompanied by a nice selection of wines. Although it was slightly pricey, I felt the quality justified the cost. I started with a prawn cocktail that was generously filled with prawns and tasty accompaniments, followed by a homemade cottage pie featuring fresh minced beef, topped with creamy, cheesy potatoes. For dessert, I enjoyed a delightful creamy salted caramel ice cream, although there were even more indulgent options available. I finished with a rich cup of coffee.
I slept soundly in the very comfortable bed with good quality sheets, though I would have appreciated pillow protectors. The breakfast matched the quality of the dinner—great ingredients well prepared—except for the poached eggs, which were lukewarm in the center, likely pre-cooked and not warmed long enough.
I often feel frustrated when a place is so close to excellence but falls short due to a few missteps. For example, the room was cold upon arrival, as the underfloor heating hadn’t been pre-heated. The receptionist pointed out the controls, but everyone knows it takes time to warm up. I also encountered a leaking shower, which spilled water over the floor. After dealing with the mess, I discovered a sign hidden behind the soap dishes indicating the shower tray had a plug and could overflow. This concept of a shower tray being a plug was new to me, and I believe the management should consider replacing it with a drain-only system, as the water stains on the floor suggested this had been an issue before. After driving 400 miles and feeling exhausted, this was not what I wanted to deal with.
Another minor annoyance was the flashing white lights from the smoke detector, which disturbed my sleep twice during the night. I mention these points in the hope that management will address them to ensure future guests have a flawless experience. Would I stay here again? Absolutely! The rooms were beautifully designed, and the quality of the food and drinks was outstanding."
Crispy Duck
