Dovecliff Hall Hotel

I have been here twice now, but unfortunately will not go back after my second visit. Negatives: Staff young and inexperienced. Not enough to show us to our tables - bit of a queue and wait for welcome drink. Fillet steak was very hard and unpleasant - I suspect it had been pre-cooked and reheated. Entertainment deafening, so we couldn't hear each other. Tables had 1 x popper each, nothing else, no atmosphere. Positives: Manager attentive and helpful. Lovely setting. Courses served in quick succession. Very good desert course.

This hotel is set in its on private grounds and looks very impressive as you drive down the long driveway to the hotel! As I arrived I saw members of the hotel staff getting coats for other guests and helping the guests into their coats, very impressed with the staff straight away! I was checked in without fuss and sent to my room (10) which was one of the furthest away from reception in a more modern wing of the hotel. My room was very spacious and full of all nice touches throughout eg complimentary shampoo, shower gel and soap in the very nice en-suite, right down to robes and slippers in the wardrobe! My room had a lovely view of the river and countryside. Breakfast was served in the conservatory and was very nice too.

We liked this hotel and the gardens. We arrived after a late booking not knowing what to expect. Parking is free in front of the hotel with plenty of room to park your car. The lady at the reception was not very helpful and curt and unfriendly. We saw her again the next morning and he demeanour was the same, not the professional behaviour you expect.. There is a very nice garden with lovely old trees around the hotel you can walk in for some time. We talked to the gardener who seemed friendly and seems to need more help with this very large and beautiful garden. We stayed in the annex not in the manor itself. The room was a bit tired but very large with a good large bed with fresh linen, the mattress was too soft to my liking. The bathroom had a bath with no separate shower. There was a dark mould between the bathtub and the tiles which you wouldn’t expect in a good hotel. The breakfast was excellent with a choice between continental or hot English food, served by a very cheerful lady. So some of the experience was very good and other less to our liking. I hope the new management can improve the bathrooms and rooms then it will be a delightful hotel again.

A lovely weekend in an excellent setting. Beautiful grounds and a spacious relaxing room . Friendly and polite staff . Nostalgic feel and well worth a visit, interesting food and well presented. The evening was fun with a tribute act to abba . Lots of fun and cocktails were had by all. All in all a great weekend .well done the hotel team ,

Dined with friends for a pre Christmas meal Lovely location ,dining rooms overlooking the garden Food absolutely delicious veggies not boiled to death , and portion size about right Service a little gentle , but then they were really busy Lemon Roulade absolutely gorgeous