Restaurant at Stanwell House Hotel

Graham (12 December 2007)

It’s simply stunning! Much has changed over the last few months - it appears the new management has got to grips with both the hotel and restaurants. I've not stayed in any of the rooms, but I understand they're all being refurbished - certainly the outside has been completed to a high standard and yes - it was rather overdue.

I tried the seafood menu - my whole meal was delicately balanced and a delight in every respect. I had only a starter and main, which were so good I chose not to take a sweet as I didn't want to undermine the lingering pleasure in any way although I was rather tempted! It actually makes a change as often I refuse the sweet because they never seem appetising enough to be worth the extra pounds on my waistline and are often an overloaded let-down. My partner thoroughly enjoyed her sweet.

No doubt at all that I'll be back - I'd try the Bistro too, but then the seafood was so good it'll be a tough decision.

Alex (17 July 2006)

Whilst Stanwell House has always been a firm favourite of ours as a relaxing Friday/Saturday evening bar, it is only recently that we have indulged ourselves with their restaurant menu.

It frustrates me to say, but the whole experience was most disappointing. The service was quite possibly the slowest I have ever encountered. A simple two course meal took nearly three hours to work through!

At no point was I asked if I enjoyed the food. I also had to physically approach the bar to put in a drinks order.

The food itself was only average for the heady prices... My starter of Scallops contained only three small Scallops and one piece of ham... My Fillet steak was not cooked as I ordered. My partner's Lamb was served up with the most bizarre mix of strongly flavoured vegetables... We left far from impressed and begrudged the enormous bill at the end.

I appreciate that we were part of a party of 11 and it was a Saturday night, but we booked well in advance and made no unreasonable requests for food etc. For a Hotel as nice as the Stanwell House, this was a truly disappointing experience.

I just hope we caught them on a bad night!