“Quirky, arty style hotel”

I see this place gets mixed reviews but I think it’s all about expectations. It’s a quirky hotel, I’d say like an ‘artists’ residence! It’s rustic, and the decor is not polished but artistic, exposed floorboards and at times it may look unfinished but then stark bright blue staircase and very moder… Plus

I see this place gets mixed reviews but I think it’s all about expectations. It’s a quirky hotel, I’d say like an ‘artists’ residence! It’s rustic, and the decor is not polished but artistic, exposed floorboards and at times it may look unfinished but then stark bright blue staircase and very modern art adorns the walls. The bedroom was very spacious but again not high end finish, no wardrobe, no desk area - so it’s not conventional but I liked it. Sort of 70’s take & a bit hippy! The on site restaurant was lovely and busy and nice outdoor courtyard. I liked the food style but again not to everyone’s taste I suggest. So read their website well before booking but if you decide it’s for you, then I am sure it will be!

Moins

“Nice place, chaotic restaurant”

I feel that I can't be too critical, as the price was very reasonable for the stay itself. The place itself is pleasant, lots of spaces to sit and catch up, nice walking and animals to view. However, bit of a shame that the lido is so freezing cold (I get it's autumn/winter but would have expected … Plus

I feel that I can't be too critical, as the price was very reasonable for the stay itself. The place itself is pleasant, lots of spaces to sit and catch up, nice walking and animals to view. However, bit of a shame that the lido is so freezing cold (I get it's autumn/winter but would have expected it would be heated) but agree it's more of a working space vibe than a total relaxation zone. I also found it bizarre they don't do housekeeping, their claim is so that you can totally escape (i.e. be left alone, I guess), but were quite happy to knock loudly on the door at 09.45am and shout "HOUSE KEEPING". Anyway, main gripe was the dining experience at Valerie's which was chaotic to say the least. We are normally relaxed about these things, but even for us it was a bit too much. Other tables were also having the same experience. At the very start of our meal a family was complaining and it required the manager to come out. We waited 25 minutes after ordering drinks before having to remind someone could we at least have some water? Wait staff not knowing whether or not people had ordered. Certainly not a shortage of wait staff, there were several milling around but they didn't seem to know what was going on. Not putting in our dessert order "as the system failed". Others I know have said they experienced the same when they first went to Birch, but thought it was teething problems as it had just opened... but doesn't seem to have changed. The food was fine, nothing mindblowing, but if I'm spending 75 pounds per head I would expect reasonable service. We opted to skip breakfast and go to Mcdonald's as I didn't want to spend another 40-50 pounds and be moody!

Moins

“Do Not expect a normal Hotel”

My Niece booked the hotel, as we where going to a wedding nearby, upon arrival, i have to admit ,I was disappointed, it was a rainy day and the place was muddy outside and looked run down, at check in, the staff where polite, and we where shown the stairs leading to our room, there was no carpets o… Plus

My Niece booked the hotel, as we where going to a wedding nearby, upon arrival, i have to admit ,I was disappointed, it was a rainy day and the place was muddy outside and looked run down, at check in, the staff where polite, and we where shown the stairs leading to our room, there was no carpets on the stairs, this led me to worry even more, on arrival to the room 217, it was very basic, and the bathroom tiles had been painted over. we quickly changed then went to our wedding. I had a lovely sleep that night, and the bed was very comfortable, in the morning, i went for a little walk around the grounds, we then all met to have a lovely breakfast, service was very good, we then decided to go and see the chickens and the pigs and sheep, i have to say the hotel began to grow on me, i daresay i actually began to like the hotel, would i go back?, the answer is yes. Do not expect a normal hotel, but their is something about the spirit of the place which was very appealing.

Moins