The Bell Hotel

Parking is plentiful, so getting here is easy even when it’s busy. The pints are also reasonably priced compared with other places nearby. I’ve been in several times over the past few weeks, and it’s been clean and well presented each visit. A good, dependable local pub for a relaxed visit.

I booked because the room was described as dog friendly, and dogs were allowed in the room. But when I went to the pub hoping to try one of the “award winning pies,” I was told dogs weren’t allowed there. I couldn’t believe it. Either the place is dog friendly or it isn’t. They told me to go to the competition across the road or eat in my room. What sort of business does that? I’d been thinking of buying a lot of pies to take home, but after that I didn’t want them getting any of my money. “Award winning pies” is probably another lie, along with “DOG FRIENDLY”.

The beer and puddings were excellent, and my partner enjoyed the Christmas pie. My liver and onions were only okay, though, and the mash was obviously microwaved. We stayed in room 8. The bedroom needs updating, and it seemed uneven, with the bed slanting. There was also a lot of loud talking from the pub below. The bathroom was good.

Booking.com said a cancellation fee waiver was appropriate, but The Bellw in Winslow still wouldn’t cooperate, making the whole resolution unnecessarily difficult. The booking had been made by mistake, and I asked to cancel within minutes. We hadn’t used the reservation, yet there was no flexibility or effort to sort out a genuine error. The property’s communication felt dismissive and unhelpful. Check-in information is inconsistent too: the website says one thing, while phone support gives another. That makes the experience confusing from the point of booking. Very poor handling and communication.