I really wanted to give 5 stars if only for the venue.
A few…read morethings:
1. We were promised in the help of the setup on the day, but the person was on holiday. The general manager arrived at about 3 pm, but we'd done by then. There was a young chap about who I had to seek for some assistance. I was introduced to the manager sometime later and this helped.
2. Upon arrival the details were incorrect in that it said pay on checkout, but the rooms had already been paid for, and a relative nearly got charged the wrong rate.
3. We had the "Garden Suite", which was just in the right place for accessing the marquee.
4. None of the TV's worked in either the main lounge (no signal), blamed on the weather. The other room, the TV socket on the back of the TV was broken, and, therefore, could not be plugged into the TV.
5. The water wouldn't run away in the shower fast enough, and nearly overflowed. Reported it to the manager, and took our key and would sort it out later. He returned the key and said all should be well. Next morning the same problem, and I reported it again on checking out. I was a bit surprised that there was only one key to the room, namely, ours
6. I don't think the pictures of the room really show things properly. They all needed more TLC. We told before booking that some rooms weren't available as they were having a refurb. I think that they should have started with the main ones they display.
7. The bar area out side of the marquee was looked after by a young lady who chatted and did a splendid job.
8. It was difficult to keep trying the find the barman sometimes in the evening. The manager came out to help during the party. I decided not have a tab, and it would have been difficult for them, and in the end, I decided that the contactless option was best.
9. I had to get a huge TV, on a stand, removed from the entrance to the ladies' toilet.
10. The heating of the marquee was just right.
11. The buffet was plenty for 50 people, although I did wonder at the beginning, but I needn't have worried, and some had to be cleared away.
12. At breakfast the person serving didn't know that our breakfast was included. She didn't always have an eye for detail, when the orange juice had run out. She walked by it several times. The inclusive breakfast includes the usual cereal, tea, toast, etc., and the cooked items was to choose four items from the list. I chose: Fried egg, bacon, sausage, and mushrooms, and I got: Two fried eggs, one rasher of bacon, one thin sausage, a few overcooked mushrooms. I did get an extra pot of tea. My children were in separate rooms, and I asked their breakfast to be added to my room, as they chose items were extra: Egg Royal (should be served on a muffin, but they were out of muffins) and smoked salmon and poached eggs. Others (three) wanted toast and four small pieces were present for them. There was no offer of preserves. In fact, at my earlier breakfast, I had to request marmalade.
13. At the end of the evening, the general manager allowed us (residents) to have a final drink at the bar. He kindly covered three other drinks ordered by my niece's partner.
Hire of marquee: £350.
Three rooms at: £95 per room
Buffet: 50 x £15.50
Total: £1410
Would I book again? Perhaps not as the rooms need a lot more doing to them. Plus, I found some inexperienced staff, and lacking in numbers. See pics.
