Hitchin Priory

The French cuisine was very good. We had three courses each and wine, and the restaurant staff even sang happy birthday when they brought the bill. The new French chef came out between courses a few times to check that everything was okay and wish my partner a happy birthday. We arrived at 6pm, so were the first people in. The place was nice and clean, though a few little things could be improved. We’d heard mixed reviews about the priory but came with an open mind. The restaurant man greeted us with a smile and showed us to our table. The car park is about a two-minute walk in the dark, and it can be muddy, so don’t wear light colours. That’s my only negative. The hotel is being refurbished, so we may come back for a stay later and see how it’s going. We’ll definitely return to the restaurant.

The location is fantastic, with lovely surroundings, but this was a very disappointing first visit. We booked two Superior Double rooms for an overnight stay on 3rd/4th December back in October, and had asked for the Main House. Our friends had to cancel at the last minute because of health issues. The hotel looked imposing and impressive at first, but we were sent to a very muddy car park some way from the entrance, then directed to Priory Court, an annexe a walk away in the rain. Room 56 was on the first floor. It was quite large, but basic, with a small double bed rather than the Superior King size we had booked and paid for. There wasn’t a glass for water or toothbrushes, just a couple of instant coffee sachets. We’re in our seventies, and carrying overnight bags up two flights of stairs was a struggle. The entrance was shabby, with rubbish scattered around, and the security lock on the main door was broken, which left us feeling exposed. We tried to find out if another room was available, but couldn’t locate the receptionist at any point during our stay. At checkout there was nobody on reception either, so we had to post the key without raising our issues. Breakfast was an okay buffet, a bit lukewarm, and again there were no staff around. There were also problems with the final invoice, much too long-winded to explain here. This hotel could be great if more time and money were invested.

The staff were defensive, dismissive and overworked, and they didn’t respond to my emails before or during the trip. There was no phone in the room. In the main building, I had to beg every day to get the heat turned on. It was snowing outside, between 29-36°F, and I estimate the room was about 50°F. It took ages to warm up once the boiler was switched on, which happened multiple times a day. There was no hot water for four days, even after I let it run for 20 minutes. It was barely lukewarm. On the third floor where our classroom was, three toilets were broken. I had to go down three flights and back up two to use the one in my icy room that actually flushed. Never again. I’d give zero stars if I could.

The staff were so welcoming and did everything they could to make our afternoon tea feel special. They even set our table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful view. The gardens are fabulous, and the building itself is beautiful too. The tea was delightful, from the charmingly quirky crockery to the fresh, fluffy scones. The sandwiches and cakes were just right, and the staff were polite, friendly and accommodating throughout. Thank you for such a memorable visit. We can’t wait to come back.