Writing this, I am aware that my usual reviews are about places we’ve enjoyed visiting. Not quite so this time… My wife and I went to this hotel for Champagne Afternoon Tea, a birthday gift from family who had gone to some lengths to find somewhere nice for us to enjoy. This only made our disappointment even greater.
We had rung in advance and were told we needed to book, which we did for 1.00pm, in Nelson’s Lounge bar. Arriving a few minutes early, we found no-one at all in this bar. No other customers, no staff. Thinking we were expected, we waited…and waited. I eventually went to Reception, who found a waiter for us. However, he had no knowledge of our booking, so our food wasn’t ready. It would take another 20 minutes. I asked if we could have a drink in the meantime, and he took our order. Rather than serve the drinks in the bar we were in, he went away and didn’t return for 15 minutes, as I was on my way to complain further. The food did arrive eventually a few minutes after that, but we didn’t have time to enjoy our drinks first.
The afternoon tea itself was very good overall, with champagne that tasted like champagne rather than prosecco! However, the choice of sandwiches was poor, as the menu indicated a range of 4 fillings, when in fact only 2 different ones arrived. Further, as it had all arrived so late, we had to rush to eat it as we had a train to catch.
The whole experience was generally so disappointing that I have complained to the hotel manager, and he has asked for an opportunity to make amends by offering us a return visit for the same tea. We have accepted….so watch this space!
“Hotel website”:http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-A0H6-mercure-exeter-rougemont-hotel/index.shtml
