I have written about Clarice House in Bury St Edmunds before on here when I had residential stays which were really good.
I went back last Thursday for a day spa experience and sadly, I was very disappointed.
We arrived and enquired if we would be able to have breakfast as it was still quite early. We were told by a dead-eyed manager in the restaurant “breakfast is finished” – no pleasantries, no other option. It was a very robotic response. This robotic state seemed to exist amongst the staff generally. I had a nail treatment and was sandwiched in between two nail technicians generally slagging off the bosses and other staff! Obviously no job satisfaction here then!
When I arrived to have lunch I was 10 minutes early and asked if it were possible to be seated a bit earlier as the restaurant was only half full. Response from the dead eyed manager in the restaurant – “no”. Well, that was that. I had my starter which was potted shrimps. This was very oily and came with a stale piece of bread. Again, I summoned the manager. I asked if I could possibly have a different starter – response “if you are prepared to wait 20 minutes for another one to be prepared”. I wasn’t. I could not see a problem as the other starter involved soup of the moment! It really does not take a “moment” to bring out a bowl of soup.
Very unhelpful staff – mind you, they did seem to perk up with a smile when I paid up and checked out! I am sad that the day spa experience was not a patch on a residential stay. I will stay far away from this one now.