Who'd A Thought It

We usually book with the Crazy Bear chain, but chose this little place in the Kent countryside for our anniversary instead. We were greeted warmly and shown to the Ace of Spades room, which really impressed us. It had a private outdoor area with loungers and a hot tub, plus full Sky TV, a Swarovski bath and mirror, a posted bed, and a corner bar with a fridge. There was complimentary fizz and chocolate waiting for us too. Dinner was oysters to start, then lobster and a chateaubriand steak to share. Prices seemed in line with similar hotels. Everyone on staff was friendly, polite, and ready to help. The hotel and its restaurant and bar are right out in the countryside, and there's little reason to leave since you have what you need on site. I can imagine it gets busy in the summer. We'll come back to try another room, and we'd recommend staying here.

The venue was lovely, and the band was fantastic. We were eight at the table and all had a great three-course lunch. The mixed meat roast was full of flavour, with generous portions and really good quality. We've had trouble finding a Sunday roast we love before, but The Who’d a Thought It got it right. Definitely 10/10. Can't wait for the next Whod’y Day!

The meal was probably the best I've had in a long time, and very reasonably priced. The younger women on staff made everyone feel welcome, mixed the best drinks, and got them out quickly. The woman who checked us in and served us on Saturday was also the epitome of customer service. She was so good at her job and made us feel completely welcome. The stay in the Piano Lodge, though, was a huge letdown. We gave up a four-night Centre Parcs trip with the kids to spend one night here by ourselves, for the same cost. The room was dusty, with cobwebs everywhere, and the cups for tea and coffee hadn't been washed, with old stained rings inside. There was old hair and bubbles in the bath, no champagne, and the Sky TV signal didn't work because of the remote location. The hot tub was the worst part. It was so yellow, with bits floating around, like the kids had peed in the bath. Taking the cover off made our eyes sting from the chemicals. There's no way it had been cleaned in a long time. Sunday morning felt completely different. The staff seemed annoyed that we'd come down for breakfast. A woman who appeared to be in charge was rude, didn't make eye contact or answer when I asked how she was, and stood there slagging off a staff member for having a tooth abscess. We felt insignificant, like we weren't supposed to be there. The hotel has books celebrating 50 years, and our room had the exact same bedspread as the photos in a book that's almost three years old. I'd just received a small inheritance after losing my dad, and it was my birthday, which is why we'd gone. We had wanted to visit for so long. It's horrible to finally go somewhere you've only dreamed about and be so disappointed. If we ever returned, I'd check that the Sunday woman wasn't working first. We'd eat there, but we wouldn't stay again. Such a shame.

We had a really nice night at the hotel last weekend. A big thank you to Frankie, the young woman who went the extra mile with the service and made sure we were looked after. Nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend.