Ellenborough Park

Do not book this for a special stay because you’ll be deeply disappointed. The website is misleading. This is described as a “sumptuous Manor House” The reality is whilst the original building is interesting structurally- Furnishings are old, grubby and worn Much of the wooden items are reproductions that have been chipped and damaged through over use Our main house bedroom had been partly refreshed but stained and drooping curtains, blinds and an old carpet remain The hotel is described as “luxurious and 5 Star” yet - There is no pre dinner drinks service in the lounge / instead you walk some distance to the bar and carry them back yourself No pre dinner canapés - when asked some stale nibbles served in a breakfast cereal bowl were offered! No one has any idea of bringing a menu to you pre dining - if only I’d looked online at the menu it would have spoken volumes! Dinner is largely pub fare. The unchanged menu majors on burger, battered fish, cutlet or steak and chips. The crab tartlet starter might have been OK if it had been taken from the fridge and allowed to return to room temperature. Instead the pastry was solid and inedible. The sour bread was nice though! No white linen or nice tableware just sad utility items There is no room in the lounge for you to relax when afternoon teas are laid up Returning to the lounge after dinner again you hunt for drinks and a clean table as debris from the earlier occupants still litters the tables Oh and there isn’t even disabled parking - despite a blue badge we were told our car had to be moved although numerous tea guests were parked by the hotel. They didn’t mislead though when they said the dining was laid back! There is no dress code - not even smart casual - so sweat shirt tops or T shirts, jeans and track suit bottoms abound. This is really an old and quite elegant building with a treatment Spa attached with lots of motel add on bedrooms in new buildings and with a view of the distant race course. It must heave on race days. This is not luxurious or sumptuous. More Bovey Castle than true high end such as Gravetye, Hambleton Hall or Matfen. Don’t make the mistake we did!

I booked a special tea for a friend and the week before a staff member called to cancel my booking, saying that they had a private party booking so I could not be there! Very casual, no compensation, no real apology just sorry we need to cancel your booking! Dismal!!!!

We had a night here for a special birthday. We were upgraded to an even more fabulous room and offered free champagne with our afternoon tea. Staff were lovely. Breakfast was fabulous. Amazing hotel in fabulous setting. Loved thr gym and spa.

Massively disappointing experience with Ellenborough Park. Bear in mind that this establishment is listed as 5* and I would therefore expect 5* treatment. Rang to reserve a table for dinner the next day but was advised that it was uncertain whether the restaurant would be open until the following morning and suggested that I call the following day. Having done so at 10.30am it was confirmed that the restaurant would indeed be open and therefore booked for 7pm. At 3.45pm received a call to say that the restaurant was being used for a function and was offered an alternative in the brasserie. The brasserie at Ellenborough is little more than a posh pub and therefore declined. This was to be an anniversary dinner to celebrate a first date at Ellenborough so it can be imagined how thoroughly disenchanted we both felt. Black Mark Ellenborough. ? 5* treatment?

Been to Ellenborough a few times before and had a lovely time. However, I would go elsewhere for afternoon tea! I took my son here for a celebration today and was massively disappointed. The afternoon tea is extortionate at £40 per head, this came with no meat other than a bite size sausage roll each! The sandwiches were dairylea & cucumber, smoked salmon, and egg mayo. We had 3 finger sandwiches each, (the equivalent of one sandwich) standard sliced bread, so I asked for more sandwiches. The cakes were very much mr Kipling and not homemade, we had slices of carrot cake, battenburg and scones. I think this is one of the worst value afternoon teas we’ve had, very average and ridiculously priced for a cuppa and some sandwiches……… not even fizz for that price! Sometimes it’s more about the experience, however we were unfortunately sat in a room where a fire had been lit so it was very Smokey and came home smelling like we’ve been to a bonfire! 🙁 I don’t think I’ll get over the fact that I paid £80 for that today! We could have actually gone into the restaurant and had a steak each.