On July 5th, my wife and I elected to have breakfast at the HOBNOB restaurant in this hotel. We had been staying at a superb B&B, Greenview Manor, just down the street. Our hosts had decided to treat us to a different breakfast experience than was usually available ( breakfast at NOTL GOLF Club). We took them up on this special treat. This, unfortunately, proved to be a negative choice. We arrived at 9:05 AM and found our way to the breakfast location in the hotel with little help from a manager located under the stairs. We sat ourselves in the covered verandah area. Service people were prompt and we were provided tea/coffee and our order taken by 9:15. We had noticed a larger group of people ( 10, as were to learn ) in another room. A table of 4 filled up approx. 15 minutes after we were seated. Our food ( good as it was ) did not arrive for about 40 minutes!! My wife watched the table of 4 being served 15 minutes BEFORE we were ( I had already questioned the delay in our service only to hear about the party of 10 ). This refrain was repeated again before we left. In no way, is any blame attached to our servers as they were very personable and responsive. The failure of the kitchen to withstand the challenges of a group of 10 during breakfast service is mystifying and unacceptable! We passed along our experience to our hosts at the B&B who regretted having provided what they felt would be an enjoyable change for us. One last thought is we will not, in good conscience, be recommending this hotel.

We stayed here one night and that was enough. The place is tired ( no not because it’s ye olde worlde) It needs a refresh. Cleaning , the front steps could seriously do with a brush up , painting etc.
But besides that our experience was seriously marred by one member of staff who frankly didn’t want to be there. We arrived early. He watched us struggle with our luggage, it wasn’t clear if we were at reception so I asked if this is where we check in. And his response was so inhospitable that the first impression was dear god where have we arrived? . With a little coaxing , and stroking his precious little ego ( sorry who is the customer here?) he finally decided he’d look after our luggage. Yes we were hotel guests with a booking. Amazing eh?
We then met a lovely young lady who was a star and a sooper lady at breakfast. Breakfast was good and professional.
But we had infact made a mistake and had booked for 1 night thinking it was 2. The sales prevention officer chap was back on reception and asked when we were checking out. A reasonable question. We were confused but agreed we’d be out of the room in 20 mins. No offer of help with luggage, or taxis or finding another place , no empathy. Nothing. Couldn’t wait for us to leave. But you see he did us a favour. We contacted Somerset Inn and ended up with a brilliant solution with a stay at their sister hotel Royal Manor Hotel. Please read my next review of the Royal Manor Hotel. Spoiler alert it has many more stars than this place.

This is a very lovely hotel with a lot of history and atmosphere to match. It does, however, need a little attention. Our room was very nice, well appointed and comfortable. The balcony outside our room, however, was in pretty shoddy condition with dirt and debris and only a few, very worn cushions for the chairs. The tables were just plain dirty. This was in contrast to our guest room and the rest of the hotel which were all well cared for. Another complaint is that our confirming email referred to the hotel's "on-site concierge team." There was definitely no concierge. "Ivy" is a virtual creature who was of no help. The staff was very friendly but not all that knowledgeable about the area which we were expecting when we read about the "concierge team." The breakfasts were great and elegantly served. Dinner in the main dining room was OK, but a little disappointing. The location of this hotel is great and the flower garden in the back is beautiful and scrupulously maintained. All in all, we would recommend this hotel and would go back. They should, however, stop saying that they have a "concierge team" and should give the balcony some attention. The town is so very beautiful!