Forest

My husband and I booked a one night stay on a DBB basis to celebrate my birthday so that we could visit a nearby restaurant for lunch and both enjoy a drink. The afternoon before we were due to arrive (having booked around 6-ish weeks before) we received an email from the manager (Sean) to say that there had been a burst water pipe on the main road and that the bedrooms were inhabitable. He asked us to call to discuss the matter further. He was unable to find us anywhere nearby to stay as an alternative. I was completely understanding and said that it did not matter in the slightest and explained that we could get taxis to and from the restaurant for lunch as an alternative. He offered us a compliment stay another time. I said there was no need given the difficult time they were going through and that it was circumstances beyond their control. He insisted and said they’d love to have us stay on another occasion. We duly went to the restaurant intended (20 minutes walk away) and had a wonderful lunch. We decided to walk down to the Forest Fence and support them at what seemed to be a difficult time for them, and grab a pint before heading back home. Sadly, the heavens opened on the way and we got drenched! When we arrived we were extremely surprised to find a sign saying they were closed all day due to a private event. We went inside and all tables were decorated with white balloons and table decorations. We spoke to a member of staff who claimed to know nothing about a burst water pipe and said they had a private booking for the entire venue. A lady in charge came over and initially claimed that the rooms were indeed flooded but that there had always been a booking in the restaurant all afternoon/evening. I queried how they had accepted our booking on a DBB basis and she became extremely uncomfortable before saying -along the lines of “I’m sorry, yes I’m lying we have a private event for the whole venue” Essentially our booking was cancelled less than 24 hours before arrival based on a lie. We had booked through Off Peak Luxury. I emailed Sean to express my sincere disappointment and how used I felt in offering him sympathy given the reality of the situation. I always emailed the owner of the group “Seafood Pub Company”. Neither have had the courtesy to respond. Nor have Off Peak Luxury. I have been refunded my spend albeit was without those funds for 6 weeks since booking. This hotel/restaurant does not care about people nor the truth. They care simply about maximising profit and don’t care whether they hurt people in the process.

Throughout this place is very very good. Staff are relaxed and entertaining and efficient. Rooms good. But to serve chateaubriand as an evening meal - and to present this so well - was an absolute treat. Breakfast also very good maybe some side plates would be a help! Definitely recommend.

Went for an evening meal for my daughter’s birthday. The location is great with a lovely garden overlooking the farmland. Great choice of food, excellent, friendly service and fair prices. A very modern and relaxed setting for a nice family dinner.

The service was excellent from Sean and all the staff on duty this day. The food was delicious and fantastic and we were made to feel very welcome by all. This was to celebrate my mother in laws life due to bereavement and we could not have asked for anymore from Sean and his staff!

Had a great stay at Forest, we arrived early on Friday afternoon & fortunately were allowed to get into our rooms a little earlier. Very friendly staff at check in, both our rooms were nice & clean. Bar staff nice, excellent breakfast, looks great inside & out & very clean. Forest is set in a lovely location, we were blessed with good weather. I would definitely recommend this hotel for a short stay, if we're ever back in the area we will be staying with you again. Thanks again & greetings from The Netherlands....my son says Dooeee!

My wife stayed on business so here is her review.... GF and GFA on the menu is the some of the best food I've had. Loads of pillows for the bed which is super comfy. Staff and service lovely, friendly and fabulous both nights. Can't wait to come back. x

Had a meal and drinks at forest at fence and stayed over in the hotel afterwards. The room was nicely decorated but the bed was a small double and the room at night was far too hot with the heating on full blast at nighttime. The food was very disappointing though we had at night. I ordered Cumberland sausage and mash only to be served plain pork sausages. When asked the waiter was told No definitely Cumberland sausages. The sausages were plain pork sausages know because was served the same at breakfast that were advertised as plan pork sausages. My wife had a chicken pasta dish which was ok but nothing too special. We ordered some cocktails also only to see the bar tender using pre made funky cocktail mixes and pouring this into cocktail shakers and passing these of as proper cocktails made on site at the bar.

When I arrived I checked in at the restaurant till. The waitress that checked me in got the hotel bookings up on the till but it faced the restaurant so the guests sat behind her and myself could see all the names of people saying there that night which im not sure is in line with GDPR rules. Anyway, she was multitasking and putting a food order through at the same time which was fine but she then turned to me and said ‘ I bet you wondered what the **** I was doing then’ in a joking manner. I got given a slip of paper with breakfast times on but the emergency number was blank and hadn’t been filled in. I also wasn’t told that there was no staff in the hotel overnight. My room was located on the ground floor at the front of the hotel backing on to the main road. I was awoken at 11.30pm by a gentlemen banging on the front door for an hour screaming ‘let me in’. I didn’t feel comfortable opening the door as there was no way for me to know who this person was. I eventually found an emergency number on a booklet in the room and rang the lady to let her know of the situation. At first she said thank you for letting her know and to ring the police if I didn’t feel safe. After some convincing she agreed to drive down. She came to my room to say the gentlemen was staying there and that his key to he front door didn’t work. The man she had let in was clearly intoxicated and I could hear him banging round upstairs. When I finally got back to sleep I was then woken at 2.15am to a leak in my ceiling. It was coming through the ceiling light onto the bed and getting me wet. The water was running quite heavy and I was worried that someone has left a bath or shower on upstairs. I called the emergency number back numerous times and no one answered. The leak did stop but my bed was cold and soaked and therefore couldn’t sleep in it. I had to leave the hotel in the middle of the night. All I received was a text in the morning saying sorry I missed your call and that you’ve had a bad experience’. I am disgusted by the customer service and it was certainly the worst hotel stay i have ever experienced. No offer of a refund for the night was given.

We visited some friends in the local area and decided to stop here for Sunday lunch, was such a lovely visit. The food was excellent, we all had roasts and absolutely loved them. The atmosphere was superb and having the fire on was a bonus. Would 100% recommend this little gem. Thanks to all at The Forest.