The Popinjay Hotel

Popped in for lunch having noticed they served a lunchtime menu and car park looked busy. Never been before I don’t usually write reviews but on this occasion felt compelled due to the appalling food served. Haggis Bon Bon burnt Bruschetta described as hint of garlic had large clumps of garlic and served on dry bread Macacroni swimming in grease 2 napkins to soak up and a mountain of salt to give any taste Lasagne much the same Keep driving to the garden centres is my advice certainly won’t be back Shame as staff seemed friendly

I recently had the unfortunate experience of staying at the Popinjay hotel and I feel compelled to share my thoughts to warn others. Upon entry to our room, I was greeted by a filthy toilet that had what can only be described as the remains of the previous occupants bowels in the toilet pan. The floor tiles were cracked with large gaps that made the place look even more neglected, there are obvious hygiene concerns with this too, to make matters worse the windows were so filthy that it was hard to see outside and I noticed that one of the window handles from the bathroom was lying on the roof in front of us, good job it wasn’t that cold or windy because it didn’t close properly. Breakfast was a huge let down as well, when I enquired about the delay the staff member who eventually brought it to our table claimed that it was freshly cooked and that’s why we had the wait, however it was cold so I sent it back, when it returned two of the items were missing and it was evident that the breakfast had simply been reheated in the microwave. When the two missing items arrive back, it was the same pieces that had been taken away, just reheated and served again, you could even see the teeth marks on my piece of bacon which was the only thing that I had bitten in to, I had cut a small slice off the haggis, when this returned it had the same bit missing. The breakfast items were the cheapest of the cheap so even if it was freshly cooked it would still have been grim. There seemed to be a shortage of staff over the course of our stay and inadequately trained in my opinion, one couldn’t pull a pint, another didn’t know how to make a pink g&t and another didn’t know where to get a bucket of ice. I raised my concerns with the manager but to be honest I think the Popinjay is one of those places where you could complain all day long but it would fall on deaf ears

Restaurant - 2 course lunch for £10.95 - served 12 - 3 pm. My friend had lunch here 3 days before she and I visited. She had no complaints and recommended it. However on the day we visited it was a different story. We arrived at 12.30 on a Thursday and told there was a waiting time of 30 mins for a table. We waited in the bar and were then advised that one of the starters and three of the mains were not available as they were very busy. Shown to a table after 20 mins (although no-one had left the restaurant and obviously no-one had time to have had their lunch). Dining room was busy and obviously under staffed (only staff visible were the receptionist and two waiting staff to cover food and drinks). Placed food and drinks order - after 40 mins had to chase the staff for drinks - we were going to leave but were assured our food would only be a couple of minutes. When soup arrived it was cold and had to be returned to kitchen. Pate was ok. Lasagne then arrived quite quickly - but not worth the wait ! Chips were not great either. Unless you are sitting at a window the restaurant has very dark decor. Won't be back !

Plenty of parking. Windows could do with a clean. It was very quiet when we arrived for lunch however it filled up quite quickly. A good set of menus, one with a two course bargain price. We had our drinks quickly however we had a very long wait before our main order was taken and we were passed over for a table that had arrived after us. My pate had just three small biscuits, nowhere near enough for the pate. My cheeseburger was very good however the vegetables with the other main were so hard as to be inedible. The meal took so long to arrive that we skipped the pudding.

Food and decor was lovely and well worth the bargain lunchtime menu price Huubby had Mac and cheese and I had a sandwich. Chocolate fudge cake was superb. However the absolute star of this lunchtime was the staff. Two young blonde girls were exceptional and excellent at their job. Well done ❤️

Over 2.5 hours for the two course menu, food was mediocre at best, worst mac n cheese I’ve ever had, cold chips served u see a greasy fish and the triple sandwich was an absolute joke!! Drinks….we sat for over 2 hours with the drinks we started with. Clearly under staffed with a poor kitchen. Won’t be back.