Noel Arms

We were out for my older brother's birthday and arrived early for a reservation at another restaurant on the high street, so the five of us, my brother, his girlfriend, my sister, younger brother and me, popped into this pub for a quick drink. We left feeling unwelcome and won't return or recommend it. At the bar, we were stared at instead of greeted, and the looks we got while ordering made us feel as if we were doing something wrong, even though we were paying customers. We tried politely to chat, but got little or no response. The man behind the bar was blunt, not openly rude but certainly unfriendly. An older woman folding napkins kept staring as well. We then saw her serve other customers with a friendlier greeting than the one she gave us. It was a disappointing part of a birthday outing. I hope they take this feedback on board, because a more welcoming and respectful approach would make a big difference.

The location was ideal for exploring Chipping Campden, and we'd certainly stay at the Noel Arms again. We liked our room, especially the bathtub, which was nice for a soak after a long day of walking. The old building is a bit maze-like, with squeaky floors that added to its charm. Service was perfectly adequate, although not quite as welcoming as at some other places we've stayed. The only criticism is the cookie we got from the lobby cafe seemed pretty stale.

The manager was extremely rude and not a good host. I ordered fish and chips and wasn't impressed by the portion for the price, there were just 5 chips on my plate. How is that ample? I've been to plenty of other places where you get much more for your money. I'd strongly advise people to stay away.

The room was OK, but the upstairs areas look very tired and breakfast let the hotel down. I had to order the night before. On the first morning, my full English took half an hour to arrive and was quite small. The sausage was pale and only just cooked; I would have preferred it cooked more. I switched to scrambled eggs and smoked salmon the next day, but that modest breakfast still took 35 minutes, with no apology for the wait. The restaurant atmosphere felt like being in church. I really wanted to enjoy my two-night stay, but I won't be coming back. Don't bother.