Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth, Exclusive Hire

Short Review: Hartsfield Manor boasts stunning historical charm and comfortable main house accommodations, but the experience was let down by inattentive service, lacklustre food, and missed opportunities for better guest engagement during the murder mystery evening. While enjoyable overall, improvements in staff professionalism and event logistics are needed to fully deliver on its potential. Longer Review: Hartsfield Manor offers a stunning and picturesque setting, perfect for a weekend escape or a special occasion. As part of a murder mystery evening entertainment package, my stay was overall enjoyable, but there were notable areas for improvement that stopped it from reaching its full potential. Stunning Location and Historical Charm The manor itself is a beautifully preserved country house steeped in history, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular wedding venue. The aesthetics and atmosphere exude charm and elegance, particularly in the main building, where we stayed. The rooms in the main house were well-kept, tidy, and comfortable, adding to the luxurious feel of the stay. That said, the lodge-style accommodations situated on the grounds seemed incongruous with the historical vibe of the manor. While I didn’t stay in these, their appearance felt out of place, so I’d recommend paying extra for a room in the main building if possible. Service Shortcomings Unfortunately, the service let the experience down. One recurring issue was the absence of bar staff in the lounge bar. Each time I wanted to order a drink, I found myself heading to reception to find someone to serve me—a tiresome inconvenience for what should be a seamless experience. During the murder mystery dinner, the lack of table service was a missed opportunity for the hotel. Drinks were not served directly to guests, forcing you to leave your table and risk missing parts of the show. A simple solution, such as offering table service via a QR code for easy orders, could have significantly enhanced the experience while boosting the hotel’s revenue. The serving staff also fell short of expectations. Many appeared to be teenagers lacking professional development, with little understanding of efficiency or the etiquette required for polished service. However, the older staff members were no better. One short, stout waiter—sporting a comical moustache and a sour expression—clumsily bumped into me while clearing plates, causing me to stumble forward. To make matters worse, he didn’t offer an apology, leaving me feeling obliged to apologize instead. This lack of basic courtesy and attentiveness was a glaring issue throughout the evening. Mediocre Dining Experience The food was adequate but far from memorable. While I consumed everything on my plate out of sheer hunger (dinner was served at 8 p.m.), the dishes lacked imagination and flair. For an event designed to immerse guests in a lively dinner show, the culinary offerings felt lacklustre and uninspired. Final Thoughts Hartsfield Manor has the potential to offer an outstanding experience, especially with its stunning location, historical charm, and comfortable main house accommodations. However, the subpar service and uninspired dining detracted from the overall enjoyment of our stay. The murder mystery evening was fun, but the lack of table service, inattentive staff, and lacklustre food were significant shortcomings. I’d recommend the manor for its location and aesthetic appeal but would encourage management to focus on professional development for staff and consider creative ways to improve the guest experience during events.