The Priest House Hotel, Exclusive Hire

Executive room priced at £69 is fair price for what is a very basic room with an old flat screen TV, no Aircon, no fridge, one packet of unbranded biscuits and some teabags flung in a tray, single glazed window and one plug socket. Very depressing to be honest considering this place pitches itself as a fancy wedding venue. Rooms were very clean but very tired, felt like the 70s (and I was around at that time so can compare then to now). I've also stopped here in it's glory days before it went into Administration some years ago, then it was a much more luxury experience. The external of the hotel needs some love too, it's an impressive building and private road through trees but the rendered walls are stained with green moss, the reception area and common spaces are really nice and modern and clean, staff were all friendly and helpful. Receptionist was a little gruff but probably in a constant state of waiting for customers to complain about their very basic and outdated rooms. Dinner, taken in the bar, nice space. Menu on website is not what is offered at hotel, but nice variety to choose from nonetheless. My meal was fine but my partner's food was stone cold, as was her "hot" pudding, which was returned. There were three staff on, all working hard but seemed a little rudderless, suspect kitchen produced hot food but was left to stand before being served, no way a chef would let food go out cold, should not be possible to receive stone cold custard at the dining table. Breakfast was good (buffet) and hot, not a massive selection of continental or English items but what was there was good quality. Just the one staff member who was seating people, replenishment of buffet was slow but down to lack of staff, a common theme it seems...but it was a tasty start to the day. In it's hayday, this place cooked a breakfast to order, but appreciate nostalgia is just that, the past. In summary, this place needs serious investment inside and out, I'm sure the owners know this, the pricing is about right, wouldn't pay more than £70 for any room even if it's peak time holidays or to attend a wedding, there are some good things here that are let down elsewhere and in the end, too many negatives drown the positives, probably alright for an overnight before a flight from the nearby airport but this is not a romantic place as the rooms really are a let down.

Night one, asked 4 times what time last orders at the bar would be, was told 10.30. Went at 10.25 and it was closed. Receptionist had the bar reopened, but still annoying. Lounge music is played through a tiny speaker with a tablet in the corner of the room. Lounge is far from the bar, which is surrounded by dining tables. Lots of faults in the room, sink drained extremely slowly, coat hooks loose, pillows ridiculously old and thin, tv has hardly any channels, WiFi went down every day for the 5 days we stayed, so couldn't get any work done. Room had a cracked window and a damp smell also, as well as the bed being less than comfortable. Cottages have brackets for hanging baskets but no flowers or baskets, external paint is chipping, spoiling and flaking. Bridge over the river is damaged, no evidence of intention to repair it. Didn't eat during the stay as the menu is a bit dull and if there is disrepair front of house, then surely there is disrepair back of house? Fair assumption. Staff made the lounge much nicer with candles, well maintained fire and better music on the final night, but it feels like either management or owners are letting this property down. It's underinvested and feels like a place that was good once, and is being allowed to slip downward gradually.