The Elvetham Hotel

Amazing view with kind host. Package morning breakfast by kids free. Super suggested

The room service staff purposefully didn’t take our call to order room service. Then when I called at 9:31 they advised room service had just finished and to call Deliveroo for good. We came with 2 children who then went hungry. The folder in the room advised room service was open until 10. The person we called was quite rude about it when I questioned this. The room had a view of scaffolding which for the price wasn’t great. Ruined what would have been a lovely stay.

We only stayed one night but had a huge family room in the stables which was comfortable and quiet. The grounds, room and hotel were beautiful and well maintained. I would like to stay for longer next time. The Christmas decorations were lovely!

Beautiful accommodation and surroundings. The short break was let down by poor service. We had a dog with us and knew we would have to eat in the bar. Although this was fine for dinner. Breakfast was another story. We were left in the bar on both mornings with no table set. We had to find our own cutlery and chase for coffee. A minor issue - but with two hungry children and a dog waiting to settle - it was a level of stress that could have easily been avoided. Particularly on the second day.

Gorgeous hotel, very cold though and expensive at £6.50 a pint and £11 a vodka and orange juice. Heating had gone down in the stables (family rooms) so we managed to get a portable heater. Room was quite small and window looked out to a wall so not the best. Lots of staff around who are exceptionally well mannered and trained. Very good there. Breakfast was absolutely amazing.

We visited to celebrate my partner’s sister’s birthday, so had 3 family rooms. We have a 8 year old daughter, but they put a cot in our room. I asked twice to get an extra fold bed, and they didn’t have a clue what to do. We all ended up sharing a bed on the first night, and by mid morning the next day, they still hadn’t taken the cot out and provided an extra bed. They said they didn’t have any. I then saw a cupboard open with 4 foldable beds, so I took one myself and put it in our room. No one at the hotel knew what they were doing. Their answer to every question was “let me get the manager”, or they just stare at you blankly. They said they were under-staffed, but that doesn’t excuse complete incompetence. On the Saturday night, there was a party downstairs. I have no issue with there being a party, but the music was so loud and the windows are so thin that you feel like you’re at the party in your room, so neither myself, my partner or our young daughter could sleep until after midnight. I complained downstairs and they decided that closing the windows in the party room would suffice. I asked why, knowing that we had booked a family room as a family and asked for extra beds, did they think it was a good idea to place us directly above an area where a party would be taking place. Rooms on the 2nd floor were quiet. Again, a shrug of the shoulders. No effort made to appease us. Awful place, which is a shame as the building and grounds are beautiful. Waste of money!

The hotel and the grounds are lovely. Our family room was spacious with a great bathroom. However there was a wedding (with 80 guests) that took precedence over everything. Dinner was a Fawlty Towers affair, service was so poor and the food was disappointing for the price. Nothing child friendly on the menu. There is a tennis court was in a state of neglect as was the overgrown and un-inviting croquet lawn - which is a shame. Breakfast was disappointing, no orange juice and tinned mushrooms just added to the sense of customer neglect. We left a day early.

What an amazing setting to spend our time in the U.K. visiting friends and family. The Elvetham Hotel not only provides an excellent accommodation, but also serves as an insight into history. The new owners of the property are completing a wonderful restoration of this exquisite property, while the staff provide a level of hospitality and service that you would expect when residing here which in my opinion sets them aside from so many other run-of-the-mill accommodations, a credit to the General Manager, Gas Hammed, who is one of the most customer orientated and engaging personalities I have ever come across in my travels, a true ambassador for Jastar Capital. We look forward to a return visit soon!