My wife and I have enjoyed many stays in the Manor House over very many years and this is the first time that we came away feeling exceedingly disappointed. Sadly, my wife is now disabled; she cannot climb stairs without help. When we arrived at the hotel, we first had to make our way up a ramp into the long corridor outside the bar, before eventually reaching the reception area. When we arrived there were no chairs or seats available, either in the main foyer or the reception area, so we had to ask for help so that my wife should sit and rest while I registered. We then asked for the location of the lift to our preferred room overlooking the lake (where we have stayed many times) and we were told that because the hotel was a listed building, no lift could be provided. This is a very poor excuse; I subsequently found several places where a lift could have been provided. The alternative to helping my wife up a long flight of steps to our room would have been retracing our steps down the ramp to the front car park, walking approximately 200m over rough uneven ground to the rear car park, then up another ramp to reach the spa area, from where there was indeed a lift. Since it was raining we decided to attempt the stairs, which we managed with some difficulty. The long flight of stairs had to be attempted again to reach the dining room, where we did have an enjoyable meal. However, when my wife asked for the location of the nearest disabled toilet, we discovered that not only was it up some more steps in a passage behind the reception, but the disabled toilet was only accessible from inside the ladies' toilet, so I was unable to accompany my wife. Luckily a member of the public who had witnessed our difficulty offered to help and accompanied my wife into the quite inaccessible disabled toilet. The following morning on being asked if we had enjoyed our stay, I explained our experience to the reception staff and then to the hotel manager. I asked her if she would pass our comments and concerns up the management chain to the hotel general manager and to those who would be interested in our concerns. I also left a copy of our comments in writing for her convenience. Five months later I am still waiting for a response and sadly, while for years the Manor House has been our favourite local hotel, it is no longer and we do not intend to return. It was a most disappointing experience. MikeM
Перевести