The Wood Norton

Hotel in a lovely setting

There are lots of things to like about this hotel but sampling it with Covid regulations applying does not give one the full experience. We had a 'feature room' which was a spacious suite and was lovely, although there was a problem getting the hot water to run without wasting gallons of water. We had to ask for both a hairdryer and a tea tray and kettle as the room had the bare necessities. In the next hotel we stayed in both hairdryer and hospitality tray were already in the bedroom on arrival, so not sure who's right here. Having seen photos of the beautiful dining room on the internet I was appalled to go in for dinner on the first night to be faced with bare formica-topped tables. At a top restaurant in London just previously there were table cloths (and glasses) on the table on arrival. As table cloths are normally changed after each guest, I can see no reason why they were not used.There were no cold offerings at breakfast (eg fruit or cereal) but many cold starters and desserts at dinner (and cereal can be bought in individual boxes). This seems inconsistent. Ditto no bar snacks such as crisps - as these come in individual packets it's difficult to see why not. In short, we felt the hotel was interpreting the Covid rules beyond necessity. However, the staff were polite and helpful although in the evenings there seemed to be a skeleton staff and we had to seek out someone to serve drinks in the bar 3 nights running. I would like to stay again sometime, under normal conditions!

Beautiful hotel, shame about the food.

Pate, nice enough at 9 yet no toast or bread or garnish literally a piece of pate on a plate. Steak, a cut I had never heard of and not steak rather a thickish slice of tepid roasted beef 26 yet no potatoes of any type. Order ( new potatoes ) get over roasted/fried potatoes, yet still tepid, in a pot. Overall it was such a shame but I honestly feel that nothing we ate was cooked for us but waiting under heat lamps for the next person to order that dish.

Disappointing stay

Booked hotel for 50th wedding anniversary as it looked great. How disappointing it was, premier lodge rooms are better. Restaurant was like a works canteen and no ambiance in the bar which was cold and unwelcoming. Huge disappointment to a weekend we were so looking forward to.