My partner and I stayed here a few weeks ago, and from the moment we booked, the experience was exceptional. We even received an email before arrival asking if we had any special requests, which was a lovely touch, and everything we requested was fulfilled perfectly.
From the transfer from the station to arrival at the hotel, the service was fantastic. The staff were incredibly attentive, always on hand to help with our bags and opening doors as we came and went. We were also fortunate enough to receive a room upgrade, which was amazing. The room itself was beautifully decorated, spotlessly clean, and made our stay feel even more special.
The breakfast also deserves a special mention, as it was honestly one of the best hotel breakfasts we have had. The quality and selection were excellent, everything was fresh and beautifully presented, and it was the perfect way to start each day. It really complemented the overall luxury experience of the hotel.
What really stood out, however, was the staff. Every member of the team was friendly, welcoming and genuinely went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful stay.
The only slight hiccup came on the day of departure. After breakfast, we headed back to our room to finish packing before checking out, as we were quite tight on time and had a train to catch. However, we found that our key cards had been deactivated and we were locked out of the room. This meant we had to go back down to reception, where we were immediately asked about a small outstanding room dining payment that had apparently not gone through.
It appeared that payment had been attempted overnight rather than simply being settled upon departure, as is the case in most hotels. While the amount was only small and we had every intention of paying it at checkout, being locked out of our room felt like a rather strange and somewhat insulting practice, as it gave the impression that it was assumed we were not going to settle the bill. This was not something that had been explained to us on arrival and is not what we would have expected from a hotel of this calibre. Had it caused us to miss our train, it could have been a much more frustrating experience.
That being said, this was a minor issue in what was otherwise an exceptional stay and it certainly did not outweigh the outstanding service we received throughout.
Overall, we had a fantastic experience and would still happily give the hotel 5 stars. The level of service, attention to detail and warmth from the staff made this a truly memorable stay, and we would not hesitate to return. Thank you to everyone at the hotel for making our visit so special.