Hollin Hall Country House Hotel

Just arrived home from a stay at Hollin house, i treated my husband to a half board stay. The house looks lovely outside and reception looks impressive, the staff are for the most polite and friendly. We were in room 65 which like the rest of the hotel dated and in need of some tlc, but the bed was well made up clean and very comfy, the shower had a mind of its own but the was functional. Our room overall was though at best basic. We had an evening meal, the main was ok buthen we were left waiting for 45 mins after ordering desert, mine was Eaton mess which arrived a a dish of warm slop i have never seen anything like that, i hate complaining but it was in edible i was offered another choice of dessert which i then had a bash at Tiramisu which turned out as cream and chunks of sponge my hubbys warm cheesecake was ok and he didn't get ill!! Breakfast was better but it left us with the feeling that we should have booked somewhere else for the money.

Booked this through wowcher as a last minute anniversary stay, as have done with many other hotels. On arrival, there was a wedding taking place, which was fine, but cars were parked all over the place, so it was difficult to get through, and the car park is down a very steep slope, so would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues, although this may well be stated on the website, am unsure. Walking up from the car park, there is a view of the dated and ugly extension which surprised us as it doesn't show this on the website. Lovely hotel entrance. Staff member on reception ok, although not particularly smartly dressed informed us that our 6pm dinner booking would have to be moved to either 7.15 or now (5.30) due to the wedding occupying the kitchen staff. I had requested the booking online a day or so before and had had it confirmed, so would have thought at that point they would have been aware of the wedding. We were directed to our room which is through the restaurant (bizarre), and was in the extension. Dirty carpets throughout and all badly in need of an update including our room which was basic but ok. Bathroom very 1980's, but shower was great and hot. Went for dinner, food was ok but very expensive for what it was, and people trudging through to and from their rooms throughout. Staff in restaurant lovely, attentive and really helpful. Huge lampshades hanging all around looked dirty and full of dust, and it looked like they've tried to modernise the furniture/look of the place, but on the cheap, and it just felt unclean. Bottle of rose was £32! Breakfast - awful. Refills were going into hot serving dishes on the side buffet style from big ice cream type tubs that was offputting. I left mine in the end as the qualiry of the cooked breakfast was just awful and I'm not difficult to please. Had some apple juice which was watered down. Sadly couldn't wait to leave. Such a shame as I try and give really positive reviews. The staff were probably the best thing about the hotel, but some looked unkempt and the hotel clearly don't feel a staff dress code is important. (The two girls in the restaurant serving the dinner looked smart though).

Humm well overall somewhat disappointed. Someone need to spend some money here. First lets say staff were great. Room:- wall and ceiling paper peeling. Double glazing blown. Shower cold (basically didn't work Rm 61). Restaurant and food:- restaurant lovely and atmospheric. Breakfast: Cold plates, hot food was not, tinned tomatoes which a very bad sign, watered down orange drinks, tea water cool, coffee cold and simple awful. Ours was inclusive but I think that they charge £17pp for this! Evening meal (sorry chef!) but this was pretty average. Two mains a one sweet came to £64.