During a nice sunny Easter holiday weekend we took a trip to Weston Manor Hotel as we were on our way to visit Clarkson’s farm and pub for the third time.
This lovely little hotel in the Cotswolds certainly has that extravagant visual appeal with its beautifully furnished rooms and old world charm but not everything that glitters is gold and despite a wonderful stay it didn’t come without a few hiccups.
On this occasion we opted for a Junior Suite and as far as suites go it was rather, small. Don’t get me wrong it looked incredible, the large beam across the ceiling, plush furnishings and more but as far as suites go this was perhaps the smallest suite I’ve ever stayed in, in my life.
I stayed in a Hilton next to Gatwick airport last week that had a twin room larger than this suite so to pass it off under a ‘suite’ title I thought was a little cheeky.
Despite the beauty of the room the bathroom was very cramped and small and the TV was in the most ridiculous place I’ve ever seen as you had to creak your neck to one side just to watch it from the only place in the room you could fit two people to see it (the bed).
The £200+ price tag is certainly incorporating the Manor House into the price and that’s absolutely fine but to call this room a suite was rather cheeky indeed.
That evening we had a reservation booked at the Lavender Restaurant, a place that prides itself on high quality food, I ordered the Salmon and the person I was with looked instantly disappointed when told there was only one Vegetarian meal on the entire menu.
If you’re vegetarian, I’d probably stay away from this place entirely but after tasting how salty and bland my salmon was I’d probably suggest no one attending if that’s the quality of food being served up in an establishment like this.
As I didn’t want to be scoffing down a starter / dessert whilst the person I was with couldn’t eat anything else on the menu I decided to ask for the bill. They handed me a receipt that said £109, I was gobsmacked.
Two drinks (one alcoholic, one soft), a salty salmon and an asian cauliflower dish… £109.
Money clearly doesn’t always buy taste, especially in this instance.
It was in this moment when I was told that because we didn’t order an extra course we were charged for either two starters or two desserts we didn’t even order!
After wanting to remain calm and not kicking up a fuss I signed the bill but brought it to the attention of the front desk the next morning where they kindly (and rightly) refunded my the cost of the two imaginary meals we hadn’t ordered.
I thought this was really poor form from such a nice establishment.
As a thank you we got the refund and 10% off our next visit.
I’m sorry Weston Manor Hotel but despite how beautiful your building and grounds are, you left a taste far more sour than whatever god awful sauce you dunked my salmon in.
We won’t be back!
