The Leicester Arms Country Inn

Lunch here on a sunny day was just right. Everything we ordered was spot on, and the kitchen team is very talented. The young woman who served us brought the whole hospitality experience together. The pistachio brûlée was my standout. Definitely worth a visit.

The wine list is very nice, and the food was outstanding, seasonal and full of flavour. This countryside boutique hotel is a real gem. It's peaceful and beautiful, with stylish, comfortable rooms that are kept immaculately. From arrival, everything felt calm and thoughtfully done. Staff were friendly and attentive without hovering. I relaxed straight away and was already thinking about coming back before we left. Highly recommended.

We'd been before and had a decent meal, but after this visit I won't be rushing back. Trying to walk in on a Saturday was a mistake: the kitchen didn't have enough staff, and the front of house staff were rude and unhelpful. They could have handled the situation with some of that Leicestershire hospitality and turned a negative into something positive. I suppose that's Kent and its prevailing attitude. Life's too short to feel like a nuisance as a customer.

It's still an amazing place for the atmosphere, with a beautiful pub in a great location. But Saturday evening was disappointing for the first time: our mains came out cold, so we had to send them back. The sides lacked imagination too. The salad was mostly lettuce with no dressing, and the blood orange salad was just orange slices on a plate.