Botleigh Grange Hotel

“Couples weekend”

We have stayed here many times before it changed ownership during COVID and had some good memories of the hotel. We decided to try it out again when we heard it had been reopened, first impressions were good nice reception staff and the rooms both my wife and I had and that of our friends were re... more

We have stayed here many times before it changed ownership during COVID and had some good memories of the hotel. We decided to try it out again when we heard it had been reopened, first impressions were good nice reception staff and the rooms both my wife and I had and that of our friends were really nice, newly decorated and spacious, we went to the bar for a drink but this is where it started to go slightly wrong, no bar staff we waited for 5 minutes before I went to reception to ask if the bar was actually open, I was told they would send someone to man the bar, when I got back a young lady was behind the counter and about to serve us. Drinks were around what I’d expect to pay in a hotel and coming from London it wasn’t to expensive. We ate out in the evening and came back for a nightcap to be told the bar shuts at 11 whereas before it was 1 o’clock before it closed. Breakfast was a farce there were no juice glasses so we asked the man on duty and he came back with 3 glasses but by this time 6 other people had come into the restaurant and wanted glasses, the breakfast trays were mostly empty and when they were refilled it was with limited amounts, 6 fried eggs and 8 sausages were bought out and were gone in a flash, the toaster was useless as it only produced warm bread, there was one staff member seemingly doing all the work as there were no other staff on duty and the tables that were vacated by earlier diners hadn’t been cleared. Breakfast was from 8 until 10 and at about 9-45 lots more staff came into start work. If you wanted anything other than a fried egg like scrambled or poached you were told it would be a 20 to 30 minute wait. As a hotel you must have a good idea of how many guests would be coming in for breakfast and lay out the required amount of glasses and tea cups and most of all food, they filled the food trays about 20 minutes before breakfast ended so a waste of food unless the staff are able to eat it

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“Overnight stay”

Booked an overnight stay prior to a cruise from Southampton. Looks an imposing old building on first approach via a long driveway, albeit in need of a coat of paint! Reception staff were very friendly and welcoming and we were shown to room 6, a superior room on the first floor overlooking the g... more

Booked an overnight stay prior to a cruise from Southampton. Looks an imposing old building on first approach via a long driveway, albeit in need of a coat of paint! Reception staff were very friendly and welcoming and we were shown to room 6, a superior room on the first floor overlooking the gardens. Had everything we needed for an overnight stay. We booked dinner in the restaurant, which was pleasant enough although no atmosphere; not many people dining, and our food went cold very quickly due to the doors left open on a not particularly warm evening! Breakfast left a lot to be desired. Food served on luke warm plates, again went cold very quickly and was overcooked. The buffet with fruit and other breakfast items was being taken away before we had finished our meal, ridiculous - please address this and do some staff training. If you're looking for a contemporary hotel this isn't for you. However, there are renovations going on and the staff I'm sure are doing their best. Overall an ok overnight stay, which suited our purpose and, hopefully, if they can get the dining room sorted it will be a good venue.

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“Smuggle your lover”

The building is beautiful albeit a little bit shabby and in need of attention. I arrived a little bit early. At other hotels, that has never bneen a problem. At other hotels, if my room is ready I am given my key. If not, I am offered coffee. Here, I was told very clearly that my presence was... more

The building is beautiful albeit a little bit shabby and in need of attention. I arrived a little bit early. At other hotels, that has never bneen a problem. At other hotels, if my room is ready I am given my key. If not, I am offered coffee. Here, I was told very clearly that my presence was not welome until the publisehd check-in time. So, I let and returned at 3pm. The room was very nice. Large and clean. They have a very strange rule. Non residents are not permitted in guest bedrooms. I have never encountered this before. That is the rule and there are 'no exceptions'. This makes it very difficult to manage and conduct an illicit liaison. It can be done. I was waiting, as I climbed the stairs - close to reception, to be called out. But, thankfully, my paramour and I managed to make it to my room without having been interecepted on the way there. We later ate in the much boasted about Admiral's Restaurant. Food was not great. It may be because there was no one else dining that night and the chef had gone home. But the food was not great. That saddened me as my inappropriate lover is usually persuaded to meet by the offer of a decent dinner. The food on offer looked a lot better on a later night when the hotel was busier and the kitchen fully staffed. So, nice building and room, If you want to get a non-resident lover past reception, you need to be creative or bold or wait until reception is not manned. If you want to eat - wait until the hotel is reasonably full.

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“Disappointing service”

My husband was given the Groupon afternoon tea offer with prosecco for his birthday. We were shown our table and for 15 minutes nothing happened. Then tea was served from a jug - it was undrinkable - and I had to wait a while for my decaf coffee - also undrinkable. A few more minutes until the m... more

My husband was given the Groupon afternoon tea offer with prosecco for his birthday. We were shown our table and for 15 minutes nothing happened. Then tea was served from a jug - it was undrinkable - and I had to wait a while for my decaf coffee - also undrinkable. A few more minutes until the milk jugs appeared. I had to ask for our Prosecco and the waitress didn’t know it was included and did we want the fizzy one or the other one?!?! We were not asked if we wanted water or more hot drinks or if there was anything else. The service was non-existent . I cannot fault the food - well filled sandwiches , warm scones with ample cream and delicious little cakes. But the lack of service would put us off from returning. Please train your staff to an acceptable standard.

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