The Izaak Walton Hotel

Our courtyard dog-friendly room was really spacious, and having the car right outside made things easy. The location is fantastic, and the sandwiches we had for lunch after checking out were incredibly tasty and arrived quickly. The rest of the stay was difficult. The first night, depending on the dish, we waited 2-4 hours for food. I spent 20 minutes in a queue just to order, drinks took ages, and they were short of staff, with missing cutlery and forgotten orders. The next morning there was no cooked breakfast, just toast, cereal and two types of strawberry jam. Tables were still covered with dirty plates, and there were loads of wasps. Cooked breakfast was available the morning after and was fairly good, though there were huge numbers of wasps again. The staff we met were helpful, but they seemed so understaffed that service was neither quick nor organised. It’s a great venue with potential, but right now it lacks the staff and management to deliver it.

Our room was spacious and clean, right at the end of the hotel with a view of Thorpe Cloud Hill. Cows from the farm came right up to the hotel, and Stepping Stones is a short walk or drive away. We stayed three nights in August '25. Breakfast seemed to bring quite a few people in, though the hotel was quiet during the day and evening. We only saw three or four staff members. One woman covered reception and the bar in different parts of the hotel, which made things feel disjointed. There were only two teabags in the room when we arrived, but we asked and were given a few more, thankyou. We later bought our own and left them with sugar by the kettle, only to find them all removed when we returned on our last evening. At checkout, the receptionist was speaking with someone from housekeeping and just said goodbye. We weren’t asked how the stay or area had been, or whether we’d return. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise pleasant stay exploring the area and visiting lots of places.

It’s sad to see what has happened to the Izaak Walton Hotel. It used to be a lovely, graceful and stylish place with professional service, but now seems to be gasping for breath. The beautiful setting is still there, though the once grand entrance driveway is potholed and the identity signage is tatty, making a poor first impression. The bar, dining room and public spaces feel depressing and tasteless, while our so-called ‘luxury’ bedroom was sparsely furnished and had no style or flair. The building and gardens badly need attention. Payment for rooms is demanded at registration, and purchases that would normally go on the room bill have to be paid for on the spot. One overworked young woman managed to bring coffee and, after checking with the kitchen, a lunchtime sandwich. Cooked breakfast and lunch availability seemed a lottery, and the food from the kitchen was variable. During the only dinner we risked, we could hear an obscenity-filled argument in the kitchen over noisy machines. Another young woman tried her best to take orders and serve, but seemed to lack training and had little help from a man with an unsteady walk and noticeable slur. Even the ‘tea tray’ biscuits were the cheapest. The whole experience was thoroughly disappointing, and the hotel is sliding downhill, a dereliction of duty to what was once a splendid jewel in a wonderful area. Such a sadness.

It’s an amazing place with beautiful views, and the cakes at afternoon tea were good. There are lots of staff, but it was still very difficult to book a table. The property also feels a little tired and run down.