Byfords

We stayed here for a 21st and 60th birthday party in nearby Hempstead. Byfords was wonderful! We stayed in Room 1 which was perfect. Smart, comfortable, fab bathroom, air conditioning and lots of thoughtful touches. (Good night biscuits!). But what we were very struck by was that the staff were all, without exception charming and helpful. As a bonus, breakfast in the restaurant was delicious. 10 out of 10 for sure.

We booked specific room for a special occasion, on arrival at 4.30 we were told our room was not available due to building works and we would be in a self-catering apartment called WELD across the road. This was very unsuitable as it had a narrow winding staircase to the bedroom on the first floor mezzanine the toilet was on the floor below, we are 80+ and disabled! We went back to the hotel and explained the difficulties but nothing else was available. I think they thought they were doing us a favour and this was an upgrade, as they are all young they didn't appreciate the difficulties, plus my husband had had an operation on his foot. We asked to speak to a manager but was told she was on holiday, given her name and told to phone the following week. We were given an incorrect name but spoke to Laura who said she would talk to the overall manager the following week and call us back.- no call ever came! She offered us 20% discount for a nights stay but as we live a 3 hour journey away this was unacceptable. We were given £100 off our total bill but this does not compensate for the difficult days we experienced. I will also point out that the information on the WELD apartment is incorrect as they advertise an en-suite shower but it is on another floor abd a hotp tub that is in fact a bath with jets. There is NO notice to say it is unsuitable for anyone with high blood pressure, a heart condition or pregnant. There is also NO notice to say that the induction hob should not be used by anyone with a oacenaker. Overall what should of been a special few days away was fraud with difficulties

We only picked this place because it was central to Holt and from where we needed to be. We really wanted to like this place, but its service was a let down and not to the "posh" standards they state to be, in terms of service. Pros: -tea, cakes and pastries are all well made and tasty - parking option onsite or in surrounding area at no cost -Spacious rooms -complimentary tea and cake voucher for guests -Modern Nespresso coffee machine inside room Cons: - we went down at 9:45 for breakfast. Waited 10min before being seated, staff wouldn't make eye contact and we had to ask for a table, there were plenty available. The booth seating's were covered in crumbs. Had to wait a further 25mins for hot breakfast order to arrive. Service was so slow. -Water filter in room was not clean and not topped up with any water after housekeeping had been. -light switch placement in room 9 is odd. There are three switches directly on the headboard, which we kept hitting our heads on in the middle of night -lumpy and old mattresses. The minute you lie down, you feel your sinking right in -In the evening you can hear all the doors slamming and staff talking loudly. Appreciate its a old building and why they provide earplugs -Water pressure in bathroom sink and shower is very very bad. -check-in and check-out staff , not very welcoming, they are cold and robotic -overall services does not match the room rates and prices they charge. -Wont be returning and unfortunately wont be recommending to others