Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster

We had a brilliant time at the New Year's Eve event. The carvery was excellent, and the band kept everyone dancing all evening. Our room was huge and thoughtfully laid out, though it was up two flights of stairs. The staff working the event were fabulous.

The shower barely had any pressure and never got warmer than lukewarm. I skipped breakfast because the price seemed outrageous. The room was a letdown too: dirty carpet covered in hair, more hair around the sink, an uncleaned toilet seat, and three long black hairs under the quilt. The guest Wi-Fi was so poor, a speed check showed 3 Mbps and I couldn't load the hotel's own website. After booking a "Superior Queen Room," I found it in what looked like a separate building by the car park, away from the main hotel, and the hallway smelled damp. It felt cheaply done throughout. I won't stay here again when I'm in the area for business, and I'll tell colleagues to avoid it.

Dinner and breakfast were wonderful, and I couldn't fault the food. We were welcomed warmly by the staff. Our room was clean, though it was in the annexe and felt like a sauna. They told us the annexe was due for refurbishment, including work on the heating, so fingers crossed it's sorted by our next visit. We'd definitely stay again.

We came back for three nights from 01/01/2026 and stayed in the family room. It's lovely for a big family or group, and seemed reasonably priced for what the apartment includes. Upstairs there's a large bedroom with a big comfortable bed, two single beds, a TV and a heater, plus stairs that light up. Downstairs has a sitting area with a big sofa, table and chairs, a large TV, and a colour ceiling light in the lounge and bathroom. The kitchen area has cutlery, plates, glasses, mugs, a microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster. There's also a bathroom with a shower. The staff are still lovely, helpful and good fun, and we can't fault the place. We'd already stayed here a few times after my earlier review, usually in Room 16, which they'd made even more comfortable. We still found the staff friendly and welcoming, and liked chatting with them about how cosy the hotel feels and its nice sitting areas. We plan to keep coming back and recommending it. Our first stay was from Friday 12/09/2025 to 17/09/2025 for a family wedding. We planned to leave after the wedding and called ahead to ask if our motorhome could use the car park. It broke down on the way, but we managed to reach the hotel. They let us extend our stay in the same room, and the whole visit was lovely. The room was nice, with an en-suite, a large bed and a good view of Herne Hill. A door card for requesting a room clean or putting up a do not disturb sign would have been useful. Breakfast and dinner in the restaurant were both lovely, and non-residents are welcome. There's plenty of parking and seating inside and out, nice places to sit, and the bar is reasonably priced. The staff were all friendly, helpful and welcoming. The wedding reception was very well organised. There is no lift. It's a short walk into Illminster, a lovely little town, and the hotel is between Chard, Yeovil and Taunton. The building is nice. Thanks to all the staff. We'll definitely go again and recommend it.