The Royal Oak Inn

We stayed at the pub, where the bed was very comfortable and the linen was really good quality. The tasting menu was a real treat, with generous portions across numerous courses. It began with a Snack course of four mini dishes each. Every course was delicious, thoughtfully put together and beautifully presented. What a talented chef!

Johnny in the kitchen really knows his stuff, the food was divine. We loved the cheese soufflé and ended up having the toffee pudding every night. The pub was so welcoming, and the whole team did everything they could to make our stay comfortable. Our top-floor room had lovely decor and a spectacular bath. We did have a few hot-water issues, but the staff acted quickly. We'll be back if we return from Australia.

This was our second visit to the Royal Oak, and we won't be back. We had booked a table for 2:45 PM to celebrate Women’s Day, but ended up waiting in the bar until 3:15 with no update about our table. We finally left and booked somewhere else. When I went to pay for our drinks, nobody acknowledged what had happened or apologized. As a family, we'd looked forward to the visit, so we left feeling frustrated and unvalued. Good communication and customer service matter in hospitality, and I hope this feedback helps improve the experience for future guests.

We had lunch with friends at The Royal Oak yesterday and really enjoyed it. The food was superb, the building is beautiful, and the staff took care of everyone with real enthusiasm and kindness. It's well worth the drive from Southampton. We'll definitely return, and maybe get to say hi to James next time.