The Villa Wrea Green

I’ve been coming to The Villa for years, but after last night’s awful food, I had to write a review. The serving staff were trying their best, and the location is still prime. It also looks like money is going into a refurbishment. But the standards have dropped a lot over the years, and the low-quality ingredients take away from everything else. We ordered simple dishes. The £17.95 steak burgers tasted like cheap fairground “meat,” came on dry buns, and the “cheese” had melted into a slimy residue. You couldn’t tell by taste or sight that cheese was supposed to be there. The menu said the burger came with bacon mayo sauce, but it was missing. When we asked, they brought a pot of watery, cheap catering mayo with a couple of pieces of chopped fatty bacon in it. The BLT came on dry, untoasted bread with no mayo or moisture at all. It currently has a 4* AA rating, and I’d be staggered if it keeps that if the reviewers came. To me, it feels like the place is surviving on past glory and predictable income from BAE Warton business stays. It’s no longer somewhere I’d choose to spend money, and it won’t be until the ingredients and execution match the rest of the venue.

I was with a big group, and the service on the first night was brilliant. Matt was particularly attentive and friendly, went above and beyond, and is a credit to the team. The next evening left a bad taste, though. At breakfast, we ordered our main meals and gave our names and room numbers, but at dinner the staff couldn’t work out who had ordered what or which steak had come out of the kitchen. They had to go back and check. People waited for sauces while their steaks went cold, orders were mixed up, and every steak was overcooked. The manager offered to refund our dinner and also offered us some wine. I think the kitchen and waiting staff need to be better organised. Still, I enjoyed my stay overall, and it’s a nice hotel in a good location. Hopefully they can improve.

The food is excellent, and the service feels classy. It’s a lovely hotel run by excellent managers and staff. The rooms could use some improvement, though. The beds can be quite uncomfortable, and the hot water is warm at best. The showers feel a bit old-fashioned, and it took five minutes for the water to warm up.

The breakfast was great, with loads to choose from, and the team serving it were quick and attentive. We were travelling with children, and the bar staff even sorted warm milk for bedtime, which made things feel like home. The reception team were welcoming and helpful with recommendations, and housekeeping did a fantastic job too. We stayed a few days ago for a wedding nearby. Communication before we arrived was spot on, and check-in and check-out were really easy. Our family room was spacious, comfortable, clean and well stocked, especially good for the price. We made some lovely memories here and will remember the stay fondly. Thank you, and keep up the great work.