I have seen some disparaging comments on bookings.com, but I cannot see how any of them are justified. I'd like to respond to a few:
1. Lack of choice on the menu The menu changed every night, and there was also on the facing page a choice of standard items that were there everyday. Invariably on the changing menu there were a choice of three starters, three main, and three sweets. I think that is reasonable, given there are other choices too, which, as I say, does stay the same.
2. Children's menu was more expensive than the adults' menu I can't say that I found that to be the case, and the hotel were prepared, with some adult dishes, to do half portions, at half the adult price.
3. Never any towels in the pool area Whilst I was there they were constantly being replenished. I can only think it must have been a busy time. However, we were told towels were available, and what would it matter to ask for one before entering the pool?
4. The breakfast buffet was quite meagre Not whilst I was there. Plenty of choices of cereal, various fruit juices: tomato, cranberry, grapefruit, orange, and apple. Also, a selection of fruit cocktails: melon, grapefruit slices; I could go on. The hot breakfast had a tremendous choice. Most days I had the Traditional Breakfast, but on the last I had scrambled egg, done as I like it, and as I requested, with smoked salmon, which didn't appear to be farmed salmon.
My wife came across the place by chance as our hotel booking was for the one next door. See a separate review for The Ormonde House Hotel.
We stayed three nights.
The children loved the pool.
We had two double rooms. There are family rooms, but we were an extremely late booking. We were given an exceptionally low rate for the first night for the two rooms, and an equally good rate for the separate rooms for the other two nights. Given that we had walked out of the other hotel, I think we were extremely lucky to get any rooms, as nothing was showing up on the Internet, for what we wanted.
The staff were very friendly, and some good-humoured banter. The host, Charles, was exceptionally good at making one feel welcome. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. I agree with another reviewer on bookings.com: I will always use this hotel on future trips to Weston.
I had one moment where I mentioned that I didn't like the roast potatoes. I still think, although cooked properly, are left to go cold and are then reheated. Nevertheless, Charles was on the case, and apologised if I was unhappy. When I came to my sweet, I ordered a dessert wine, but they were out of stock. However, Charles offered me another dessert wine (a more expensive one) by the glass, and full to the brim in a large wine glass. This was by way of an apology for the potatoes. How can you fault that service?
I can certainly recommend the house wines both the white and the red: Sauvingnon Blanc, and a South African Shiraz. I think that the wine list is pretty inclusive, and at a price I have to pay in other restaurants. Charles likes his wines too, and serves them at the right temperature.
If I wanted to be really picky, I would have preferred other brandies. Although I do like Courvoisier, I actually really like Hennessy or a Bas Armagnac.
They have recently decroated the lounge, and dining areas, which looks very good. The rooms we stayed in were OK, but they are due to be refurbished according to Charles. I have to say wallpaper is not a good idea for a bathrooom.
The bathrooms were roomy, and had a bath with a shower over with a curtain. There was no smell on the curtain; as I have found with some other upmarket hotels. The shower had a good pressure, and I was more than happy with the facilities.
Did the children enjoy their holiday? Yes they did, and a good hotel makes all the difference. read more
