Owston Hall Hotel

The food itself was genuinely good, but we left disappointed and would be reluctant to return. The 45-minute wait between starter and main was the biggest problem, and nobody apologized or explained the delay. The service felt a bit pretentious without the standard to back it up. At one point, staff cleared another table while someone was still eating, which seemed inappropriate. There were lots of small service misses during the meal. Our water wasn’t cold, and when we asked, staff said a wedding had taken all the cold bottles. They didn’t offer another option until we asked for ice. We had no soup spoon or serving spoons for the vegetables. Butter was offered but never brought, and our request for plain mash resulted in cheddar mash instead. Nobody asked about sauces, and when we requested them, one spoon had to be shared between dishes. A side we ordered never arrived, and a drink was missing. We had to ask for it to be taken off the bill, and still got no apology. Coffee came without sugar, and staff asked us to take away a pint even though there was still some left. Each thing might have been minor on its own, but together it made for a frustrating, underwhelming visit.

The way the team cared for my daughter made a big difference to our stay. She’s on the autism spectrum, and having her name mispronounced or spelled wrong can really upset her. Nobody did that once, which is rare for us and meant a lot. We were there for a busy weekend, with the wedding showcase, a full golf course, my branding shoot, and people coming in for meals like Sunday lunch. Even with all that going on, we still felt looked after. Everyone was warm and attentive, and the place felt calm and well organised. Our Junior Suite beside the bridal suite was spacious, cosy, spotless, and full of character while still having modern comforts. The toiletries and powerful hairdryer were lovely, and there was an iron too. Little touches like towel teddies, treats, and a handwritten illustrated card made it feel special. The food was delicious and service was quick and friendly. Every person we dealt with, from front of house to management, seemed proud of their work. I was there as a recommended wedding cake designer, and it was a really lovely weekend. Beautiful setting, thoughtful people, and I’d happily recommend it.

We had a magical afternoon tea in the Dining Room, right by the window. The scones were warm and fresh, the food was delicious, and there was a huge choice of loose leaf tea and coffee. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful, and the service was 100%. We’ll be back. Thank you 🤩

We didn’t eat at the hotel, opting for a carvery at a local pub instead. But the room was lovely and clean, with a modern bathroom and an amazing shower. The staff were friendly and helpful too. We stayed last night in the snug heritage room, and had a quick look into the deluxe suite while housekeeping had the door open. I’d choose that room next time we visit. It’s a very high class hotel.