Rectory Farm — Hotel in Cambridge

Review of Rectory Farm (2/11/24 Visit) for Wedding Reception

We visited Rectory Farm on 2nd November 2024, but unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing. As of 16th December, after sending detailed feedback on 3rd November, we’ve received no response—not even a simple acknowledgment or apology. While we initially thought we’d decline their offer due to financial constraints, our concerns now center on the unacceptable attitude and language exhibited by one of their staff, Roger, during our visit.

The visit began promisingly: an efficient receptionist greeted us warmly, the venue was immaculate, and the grounds were picturesque despite the dreary weather. However, Roger’s demeanor quickly shifted the tone. His greeting—“I suppose this is… err… congratulations?”—felt awkward, hesitant, and unwelcoming, leaving us with the impression that congratulating two men on their engagement was uncomfortable for him. While intent is subjective, our perception of unease was clear.

Roger outlined the itinerary, introduced brochures, and played a video showcasing the venue. However, the laptop struggled to play the video smoothly, which, combined with outdated content, made it difficult to engage. Afterward, Roger returned precisely on cue but failed to ask if we had any questions, swiftly transitioning to the tour.

During the tour, Roger’s hurried pace and lack of engagement stood out. Walking several feet ahead of us and speaking without facing us, he made it difficult to feel welcome or included. Practical concerns were also met with troubling responses. For instance, when we inquired about accessibility, he admitted there were no accessible rooms in the main house and described a toilet without handrails as manageable since “the wall was close by.” This response was dismissive and demonstrated a lack of understanding about the dignity and mobility needs of wheelchair users.

Roger’s language throughout the tour further alienated us. When discussing the “bridal suite,” we diplomatically pointed out its irrelevance to a same-sex couple. Rather than adapting his terminology to be more inclusive (e.g., “wedding suite”), he persisted with the original phrasing. Similarly, when we asked about non-gendered signage for toilets—an important consideration given that many of our friends are LGBTQ+—he remarked that “the whole concept is dissolving anyway.” This dismissive comment only compounded our growing discomfort.

Other moments added to our sense of exclusion, including Roger’s lighthearted remark about makeup being specific to women when showcasing the “Ladies” mirror. Even when we mentioned that men also wear makeup, there was no attempt to build rapport or address the casual stereotyping.

The final blow came when we asked if the venue had hosted same-sex weddings before. Roger’s hesitant “yes” felt far from reassuring. By the time the tour concluded, we were both deeply upset, fuming internally, and eager to leave. The experience left us feeling discriminated against—not through overt hostility, but through a staggering series of microaggressions that conveyed insidious homophobia.

Rectory Farm is undeniably a beautiful venue, but the unprofessional and discriminatory attitude we encountered tarnished its appeal. We urge management to prioritize staff training on unconscious bias, homophobia, and diversity and inclusion to ensure no other couple endures what we did. This experience was deeply upsetting and, for such a prestigious venue, entirely...

I have stayed at many places across many countries and I have to say this has been by far the worst experience I have had with a place. The hotel owners themselves hardly care of the place making themselves only accessible to contact during the hours of 4-10pm. You could have any issue in the world (lost keys, danger, anything) and if it is outsides these hours there is no one to call. What makes this situation even more frustrating is that nowhere during the booking process is it made clear how restrictive their working hours are and how there would be NO-ONE there for you outside of these hours. In a hidden small tab on their website I later found they had the fact that their check in is between 4-10pm but this does not specify that there are no staff members at the site which I would define as being extremely dangerous for place that is situated in an area that is very secluded from everything else in the city. Even at the actual accommodation the only thing that is written on their door is that reception is opened from 4pm, making me very confused when I finally arrived. I was unfortunately in a situation where I was delayed reaching the hotel and arrived at 10:30pm and was met with not a single staff member in site. ||With no-one in site, I was completely abandoned in a new city with no-one from the hotel to contact and now without the room that was already paid for. Being put in such a horrible position by the carelessness of the staff I had no option but to try find anybody that could help me. I was fortunate enough that I ran into guests that would allow me to sleep on the floor of their bedroom. The next morning I made an effort to find some staff members during their breakfast hours that could explain my room situation. Turns out they have the practice of leaving the keys outside the building in the most inconspicuous spot that you would never naturally check. This is clear carelessness of the staff. This entire issue would have been resolved if: 1. There was someone to contact after hours in case of emergency, 2. The information of keys being left outside was passed onto me prior to my travel. ||I now wonder what happens to travellers that may lose their keys while they are out and get delayed coming back. These people would also have been in the same terrible situation as myself. ||When I confronted the receptionist, I just heard excuse after excuse with no accountability of the fault of the management here. I was fed up and was told by the receptionist that she would figure out why this happened but she never got back to me after and I was given no compensation and was shown no remorse by the receptionist. What adds even more to this story is that I found an elderly couple in the exact same situation as me the very next night. Fortunately for them I saw them outside completely lost and was able to do what the job of the staff there should be and that is to guide them towards where their keys are and where there room might be. Ridiculous that on the same day that I made this complaint that I ran into other guests with my same problem. Fortunately for their case they didn't have to sleep on anyones floor and I was able to show them where their keys...

I have stayed at many places across many countries and I have to say this has been by far the worst experience I have had with a place. The hotel owners themselves hardly care of the place making themselves only accessible to contact during the hours of 4-10pm. You could have any issue in the world (lost keys, danger, anything) and if it is outsides these hours there is no one to call. What makes this situation even more frustrating is that nowhere during the booking process is it made clear how restrictive their working hours are and how there would be NO-ONE there for you outside of these hours. In a hidden small tab on their website I later found they had the fact that their check in is between 4-10pm but this does not specify that there are no staff members at the site which I would define as being extremely dangerous for place that is situated in an area that is very secluded from everything else in the city. Even at the actual accommodation the only thing that is written on their door is that reception is opened from 4pm, making me very confused when I finally arrived. I was unfortunately in a situation where I was delayed reaching the hotel and arrived at 10:30pm and was met with not a single staff member in site.

With no-one in site, I was completely abandoned in a new city with no-one from the hotel to contact and now without the room that was already paid for. Being put in such a horrible position by the carelessness of the staff I had no option but to try find anybody that could help me. I was fortunate enough that I ran into guests that would allow me to sleep on the floor of their bedroom. The next morning I made an effort to find some staff members during their breakfast hours that could explain my room situation. Turns out they have the practice of leaving the keys outside the building in the most inconspicuous spot that you would never naturally check. This is clear carelessness of the staff. This entire issue would have been resolved if: 1. There was someone to contact after hours in case of emergency, 2. The information of keys being left outside was passed onto me prior to my travel.

I now wonder what happens to travellers that may lose their keys while they are out and get delayed coming back. These people would also have been in the same terrible situation as myself.

When I confronted the receptionist, I just heard excuse after excuse with no accountability of the fault of the management here. I was fed up and was told by the receptionist that she would figure out why this happened but she never got back to me after and I was given no compensation and was shown no remorse by the receptionist. What adds even more to this story is that I found an elderly couple in the exact same situation as me the very next night. Fortunately for them I saw them outside completely lost and was able to do what the job of the staff there should be and that is to guide them towards where their keys are and where there room might be. Ridiculous that on the same day that I made this complaint that I ran into other guests with my same problem. Fortunately for their case they didn't have to sleep on anyones floor and I was able to show them where their keys...