We had the full Bell Inn experience for a good friend's wedding dinner and reception. It was mostly…read moregood, but a few overlooked elements--the most critical of which was the room we stayed in--bring it down a few notches.
I should mention immediately that the staff was very attentive and courteous throughout every aspect of our stay, from the wait staff, hotel reception, and bartenders. I could not have asked for, or expected, better service than we received. Well done!
Now for the other basics: the food was great (pate, chicken, dessert, and nibbles during the reception), and the common areas and reception rooms at the hotel were very nice. The hot, made-to-order breakfast the following morning was a nice touch, even if only offered for a short time period (8-9:30am) Yada, yada, yada...
So why, three stars? Some background:
My friend and I first met when he was the bartender at my local village pub. He introduced me to all the village locals on my first night in village after moving over from the US. He helped me to fit in. He also taught me about some great British concoctions, most memorably, the snakebite and snakebite black. (That's half lager, half cider, with added blackcurrant cordial, for those unaware.) It was our goal to, at his wedding, share a snakebite to toast his marriage. However, apparently The Bell Inn employs and anti-snakebite policy. The bartender flat-out refused to make us a couple of snakebites. No exceptions, not even for the groom and his mate on his wedding day. Are you kidding me? I understand the drink has a bit of a reputation for causing violence, but what groom is going to get in a bar fight on his wedding day? Or, perhaps more appropriately, what wife will allow her new husband to get into a bar fight on their wedding night? We're not at a Manchester United football match.
Now let's talk about this room. We were privileged to be offered a room by the bride and groom, so I did not have much input or insight into the various room classes at the hotel. Our room was situated at the end of a long corridor, which was a great location, given its distance from the ongoing reception below. The room itself, however, was in desperate need of a makeover. From the pink porcelain in the bathroom, to the bright red carpet, the interior design was from a different era--I don't know which era, but it isn't one I hope we see again anytime soon.
So, a mixed experience. Great for a meal out in Stilton, if that's your choice, but some aspects are overlooked.