The Hoste

The building and location are lovely, and a few staff members were really friendly, though the service wasn’t consistent. We weren’t asked about our stay at checkout, just whether we’d taken anything from the honesty bar. We hadn’t, so handed back the key and left. For nearly £350 for one night, the room was clean but mediocre, with tired fixtures and fittings. Dinner cost £85 for two drinks, two starters, and two mains. The pig cheek starter was delicious, but the chicken Caesar salad was a letdown: stale croutons, limp lettuce, overcooked chicken, bland dressing, and some unidentifiable old cheese. Breakfast was another disappointment. We had to ask if we could order while sitting with empty coffee cups, which felt lazy for the price of the stay. The eggs Benedict was flavourless, and my wife and I suspected the odd muffins were the same ones used for the stale croutons the night before. There were some bright spots, but for me, it’s a definite no to another stay. That’s just my opinion, and you can make of it what you will.

Sean & Tom were great with us, clearly experienced and on top of everything. The staff were also happy to suggest food and wine. I started with the pork cheeks, which were perfectly cooked and so tender. The locally sourced mussels for my main came with an excellent white wine sauce, fries, and a chunk of bread. Bread and butter pudding with custard was a lovely way to finish. I’m sure I’ll be back before long. Thanks, guys!

We’ll definitely come back. The food and drinks were excellent, locally sourced, good value, and available all day. The service was kind, friendly, and helpful, and Lisa, our lovely waitress, even showed us around the refurbishments after the meal. The pub has been recently renovated to a high standard, with extra fireplaces and comfy chairs that make it cosy.

The team, from the Manager and Reception to the dining and cleaning staff, were all very welcoming. Our room was comfortable and the food was good. The sink was tiny, though, and impractical given how much space there was in the bathroom. The bigger disappointment was being told shortly before our stay that the bar would close at 4pm on our final day, with no dinner or drinks available after that. When I said the notice was very late, the receptionist said they’d only just found out. For a project this large, I doubt that was really the case. We decided to come anyway because the call came just before the non-refundable payment deadline, leaving no time to find a decent alternative. When we arrived, scaffolding covered the front of the Hoste, which we hadn’t been told about either. We’d be glad to return after the refurbishment is finished and experience a stay without the disruption.