Ellenborough Park

I wished to write a review to give this hotel the accolades it deserves as we simply cannot relate to the most recent negative reviews. We stayed for the weekend as part of the dinner, bed and breakfast package as a celebration for our 10 year wedding anniversary. We had our wedding reception at Ellenborough 10 years ago so it seemed like a fitting location. The room was beautifully decorated tastefully in keeping with the Manor House charm. Beautifully comfortable bed and the shower was one of the best we’ve had! Unlike previous reviews, we enjoyed a lovely drink in the bar, lots of choice on the menu and found the bar staff nothing but charming and delightful. Food in the restaurant was beautifully presented and such good quality. The sommelier was talking to other tables about the wine and cheese with such knowledge. It was fascinating to listen to. All the staff were attentive, friendly and always willing to help. Thank you for a perfect stay! Wouldn’t hesitate to return to this beautiful hotel!

My partner Karen and I revisited the Ellenborough for the fifth time. As per usual, everything was top class, from the welcome at Reception, help with our luggage (thanks Zee), first class dining experience (especially the gorgeous breakfasts under the professional eye of Sarah), help at Reception with a query (very helpful advice from Kate). The various teams excelled themselves with friendliness and professionalism. It is always a joy to visit such a wonderful, professionally run Hotel. We will hopefully return next year and have already started making plans. If you are in the area, this is the Hotel for you, a 5 star experience like no other. Well done to all the team and thank you all so much for our all too short 3 night stay.

My husband and I booked interconnecting rooms for Sunday 6th September. We wanted a room each. Don't go on a Sunday night - the staff are very young and inexperienced. Some of them don't even know the names of the different areas in the hotel. Barman in Brasserie knew nothing about sherry - had to be helped by another member of staff. Check in area very cramped. Only one person can be dealt with at a time so guests have to queue which makes check in not all private with other guests waiting around beside you. The reviews on TripAdvisor that I read were good so I was disappointed. Room 29 was very bland and dull. One lampshade was dented and another was askew. For the price one would expect perfection. Room 30 was slightly better. Neither of the bathrooms had the correct toiletries to have a bath ! Both rooms felt rather dated. Water bottle in fridge had the cap so tightly fixed that I couldn't open it. Personally I do not like air conditioning or bedrooms that you cannot open the windows more than a few inches. Dinner in the main dining room was pretty gloomy. Such a dark room with very dim gloomy lighting. White tablecloths would have lightened the atmosphere especially considering the prices charged. I understand that previously white table linen was the norm. No sign of a hotel manager the whole time. He only appeared after I complained about a few things at reception the next day. All too late to discuss as the trip was spoilt by then. Spa area very small dark and cramped with only one member of staff in charge. Other spa guests waiting around for trays of drinks for a long time. Not an inviting area at all. Extra charge of £35 to use jacuzzi and cold tub in garden spa area. Lovely grounds and building but are Covid pods still necessary in the grounds ? Reminds one of the awful few years. The sheds for staff to take their breaks in looked ugly and inhospitable. Most unattractive empty marquee with some tables and benches/chairs in one area. Lunch on the Monday in the brasserie was a big disappointment. Manageress didn't appear to have heard of tonic light or diet tonic. Risotto was disgusting. I have since heard that other people I know have been disappointed with their visit/stay at the Ellenborough Park.

So disappointing. The cheese and pickle sandwich came with multiple spots of greeny blue mould on the bread. I ate mine thinking it was herby bread. Then my wife pointed out her bread had mould on it. At which point I realised I had just eaten mouldy bread. She ate half her slice before she noticed. The two members of staff were apologetic and brought out a new cheese and pickle sandwich. But we couldn’t eat for obvious reasons. Sorry guys but when your sole purpose is to serve food, it really shouldn’t come out of the kitchen like that.

What an amazing stay! I proposed to my girlfriend at the hotel and the staff could not do enough for us. The service, impeccable, the room stunning and the staff blew us away with well wishes kind gestures. The team made this a weekend to remember for us and the hotel lives up to all expectations of luxury, charm and beauty as advertised. Ellenborough Park will always be a special place for us now and we look forward to celebrating with you again over the years!