I reviewed this hotel last year and I must say it was wonderful THEN. I arrived at the hotel at 3.00pm only to be told my room was'nt ready, check-in time on the website stats 2.00pm. The reception team offered me a coffee in the bar free of charge, whie I waited for my room. The coffee arrived 30 minutes later, by this time I was really thinking am I in the same hotel I stayed in last year. The coffee was cold and served with no milk, mints or anything. I tried to book a table in the Bentley room, I had a wonderful meal last year in this restaurant. I was then told the Bentley was closed as there was no customers. I then asked if there had been any changes within the Kitchen team as last time I was here there was an ex Gorden Ramsey head chef. They told me that they had a new Head Chef and a new Manager. I read only a matter of weeks ago that the Ramsey guy was cooking at the Haycock. I had to book the Orchards restaurant in the end, the food was shocking to say the least and there were only 4 other tables dining. I don't know what has happened at the Haycock but the whole place was quiet, staff very unhappy and not a Manager to be seen. I will not be going back to the Haycock any time soon, such a great place less then 6 months ago. The free coffee I was given, was on my room bill upon check out.

We booked just one night at this hotel,and had a very pleasant stay.The room was off the courtyard overlooking the delightful gardens,clean and comfortable and spacious.Some traffic noise from A1 when we had the window open,but didn't stop us from having a good nights sleep. Dinner in the Conservatory was very good,if a little pricy,and the staff were very attentive and pleasant. Breakfast was buffet style,and a good choice.One small grouse ,the plates for the cooked food were cold,so by the time you had served yourself,and walked back to your table,your cooked breakfast was cooling down quickly.However the toast and coffee,were hot and excellent. The gardens are a major feature,and we enjoyed a walk round before leaving. We would certainly stay again,if in the area.

We stayed for a Saturday night after a wedding locally. The overal building is charming externally, and the gardens are very pretty. Our room was clean and tidy and it was nice and quiet, but it just wasn't terribly special. We came away feeling it was rather overpriced - that the bedroom had a disappointing corporate upmarket Travelodge-ish feel to it, whereas the outside presentation promised so much more. To be fair, I should just add that the staff were all excellent, but on balance, we would not stay again.

We visited the Haycock for Sunday lunch after travelling quite a way and were extremely disappointed to say the least. I don't go out for Sunday lunch all that often so when i do i really look forward to not having to cook and enjoying a meal that i have not spent hours preparing. We were seated in the area adjacent to the conservatory and seemed a little bit out of the way of the main action, which didn't help when trying to get staff's attention. The starters were okay, but nothing startling. We then waited over an hour and a half for our main courses. The lamb was very fatty, the yorkshire puddings undercooked and soggy and most of our roast potatoes were rock hard. Oh and the gravy tasted very strange. From what we heard there were others who were not happy also. All of this for a very unreasonable ?24 per head! Needless to say we didn't hang around for dessert. If you are planning on going here for Sunday lunch, please think twice, or maybe if you book for 12 noon before the rush you might be okay (we were there after 1pm). Overall, not a great experience. The hotel seems pleasant enough, great location but i won't be going back.

I organised a meeting at this hotel and stopped overnight with a colleague. The service was appalling, food was cold and overall the attention to detail was lacking. I did complain on the day and received platitudes, I then wrote to the hotel manager who has not bothered to answer my letter! I will certainly not be using this hotel again.