Northcote Manor

Nice enough, pretty good value, really nice staff, but a few things left to be desired throughout our stay: - phoned ahead of booking to find out about the dinner offer and basically didn’t get an answer. Went for it anyway as only an extra £5, still didn’t get told during the evening. Desserts were really poor, like, terrible. The whole menu has far too much going on and chef needs to just choose 3-4 things and do them really well. Strange to be charged £12 for tea at the end of the meal without being told it had a charge. - wouldn’t let us drink our tea/coffee at the table, had to move to the lounge. I guess they wanted to tidy up the whole dining area. Seemed odd. - Breakfast was okay - the orange juice is defo not the good stuff; service too a while as noone to greet us; cooked breakfast was nice but quite minimal helpings. Recommended sampling some other hotels to understand how to improve. - gym is fine and spa area is really nice but the sauna was fairly cold and no sign of it getting much hotter in evening or the next morning, which was disappointing. A notice said to consult reception, but the spa building was unstaffed. - Bathroom is very nice, modern and new. Clean. Room is nice enough & comfy bed, needed a dust in the high ceiling, the bedside lamp, and outside around window frames. - beautiful setting, especially the view from the gym and spa But overall, it wasn’t very expensive for two to stay the night, so if they tighten up a few things, it could be a really good place to stay.

I have been fortunate enough to stay in some of the best (and worst) hotels in the World and I can honestly say, I have never come across such friendly, willing and able staff as offered by the Northcote Manor and Spa. Nothing was too small or too much trouble and everyone just smiled all the time. Even the challenge of our two Cocker Spaniels was dealt with by a tummy rub and petting. The property maybe old but has been sympathetically restored, particularly the room allocated to us and the new additions of the Spa and breakfast room. The Spa had a large pool, jacuzzi, fitness studio, sauna and steam room plus a large relaxation area where food and drink could be ordered to undo the good work you have just finished. Everything and everywhere was spotless and the kitchen made biscuits in the room were to die for. If there was one thing I would like to see improved is the driveway. It is long and in need of a really good re-surfacing but that will not come cheap. The attitude of the staff and the ambience of the Hotel comes down to the way it is managed and the way the staff respond to the Manager. Richie, you are doing a very good job.

Very good service and high standard of food however the place is starting to look a little tired around the edges now. It could really do with a refurb to bring it to it's full potential.