The Goring

My friend and I visited the Goring Hotel yesterday for coffee and some champagne to raise a glass to each other for Christmas. When we meet in London we always chose the Hotel and as always this did not disappoint. All the staff made us welcome and we had friendly and efficient service but this time would like to particular mention Billy the bartender who was charming and went out of his way to make our visit special. Can’t wait to return in the New Year.

F&B The Big 3s: Food: great (though cold) in-house made mince pies; lovely vegetarian and traditional sandwiches Service: started strong and weakened as servers disappeared; started with not pouring our own tea and by the end I finished asking for tap water; nobody offered refilling teapots with hot water or any extra pastries; strange that the scones come with the sweets as a single course; added touch of in-house made mulled red warm wine; Braida was the best for the first half, but then she must have disappeared to a break as we never saw her again; staff seemed very tired by our 1530 appointment of explaining the way the service works here, and I said "I'm not sure how you're going to enjoy getting through the holiday making memories for guests if you're already over the tea scene" Ambience: light background music did not match the holiday feel and was very upbeat for a romantic afternoon tea room with twinkle lights and holiday spirit; while the hotel boasts Christmas, this room Veranda held nothing of the holiday but the plastic fern in plastic pot on each table

The Dining room is sumptuous and delights with a delicious modern fine dining experience in the most sumptuous of surroundings, the wallpaper in the lobby is extraordinary and the lovely staff informed, relaxed and welcoming giving the impression that your visiting a fine English Country House.

The location is excellent. The rooms are lovely, clean and with good beds and amenities. Dinner was nice but not wow, service was slow. The breakfast was to say the least horrible. Asked for eggs and soldiers, received two hard boiled eggs. When I got the new eggs, one was cracked. They gave me a silver teaspoon with them, which I had to ask for. There was no butter knife. The ham and cheese platter consisted of two grossly cut slices of ham and two slices of square cheese, the one used for cheap toasts. The service was very slow. The worst breakfast I had in years , and I travel a lot ! This hotel can only be used for sleeping

We arrived slightly early and was welcomed to the bar area until our table was ready. We were then taken through to the lovely conservatory area which had a garden view which is a bonus for London. The afternoon tea was done slightly different with the sandwiches coming first as opposed to everything coming out at once which we welcomed, you could have extra sandwiches and cakes if required,tea was constantly topped up and the scones were perfect. All the staff were exceptional and a credit to the hotel, the cost of the afternoon tea was very reasonable compared to other establishments with top notch service in an amazing hotel, definitely try as you won’t be disappointed.