Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire — Hotel in South Oxfordshire

This was our second visit within eight months, and compared with our first stay, it was such a disappointment. ||First, the positives. Our suite, Hollyhock, was spacious and well appointed. Situated in the main building overlooking the entrance to the hotel, it was a comfortable space in which to relax and enjoy our champagne which we had bought as part of the celebration package. The roses, chocolates and lemon cake in our suite were a pleasant touch. Check-in was efficient and friendly. ||Unfortunately things went downhill at dinner and didn’t improve. Arriving downstairs for our aperitif, we were directed to sit outside. After five minutes, I managed to catch the eye of a waitress, who plonked a couple of menus on the table and an iPad which contained the wine list. She wasn’t exactly friendly. ||Another ten minutes passed by and a couple who arrived after us had already had their drinks order taken and the menu explained to them by one of the senior waiters. At this point I got up to find someone. When I returned to our table after failing to find a waiter, a waiter came over, and I said no-one had come to see us for over 15 minutes. “I just came to see you, sir” was the curt and frankly inappropriate reply, rather than “I apologise you’ve been left here for over 15 minutes while other guests who arrived later have been attended to, please accept my apologies”. We then ordered our drinks, and both opted for alcohol-free G&Ts. Both of our G&Ts were flat, so we didn’t bother finishing them. Odd that this didn’t merit a simple question such as “Were your drinks OK?”. ||We were eventually shown to our table which was situated in between the sommelier’s station, a serving station (where food is placed prior to being served), and the till. I could see the restaurant was full so it was what it was and I didn’t say anything, but the table was small and I didn’t feel at all relaxed with all the movement going on around us constantly. I could also overhear conversations between the wait staff, including about their shifts and when they were going home. Not professional. ||Overall, service was just about OK, and the lady serving us was trying her best, but it’s clear the restaurant was seriously under-staffed. Waiters were rushing around. When I pointed out that I had a small insect in one of the flowers in my risotto, this elicited an apology from the waitress, but I would have expected a manager to come over as well - especially since I hadn’t finished it. Our dessert order was also wrong, so it had to be sent back. ||Breakfast was an opportunity for redemption but it was terrible. We waited nearly 15 minutes for a coffee. A second coffee order took 20 minutes. I had to ask twice for a glass of orange juice which I received after 30 minutes. Our food order was wrong - boiled eggs instead of fried eggs - and rather than re-make my eggs Benedict so my husband and I could eat together, it was clear they just placed it under a heater during the ten or so minutes it took to fry my husband’s eggs. It tasted nice but not exceptional and had dried out presumably whilst it was left standing under a heater in the kitchen. This is unacceptable. Again, no apology from a manager. ||Overall, as returning guests paying over £2,300 for one night, this was such a disappointing experience. I acknowledge that the hotel wrote off £300 of extras from our bill, but it’s not about the money. We felt incredibly let down and frustrated by the litany of errors, the lack of attentiveness and the less than relaxing dining experiences. The senior wait staff were aloof and the first one we dealt with was condescending bordering on passive aggressive when we spoke to him.||We would have returned at Christmas, and I was also going to purchase a night here for my in-laws, but I now won’t bother. The hotel needs to up its game and ensure that it adequately resources its restaurants so these slip ups don’t happen. It’s not acceptable for 2 Michelin stars, and absolutely not acceptable at this...

When one expects so much, one is almost always disappointed: and such was the case with our visit to Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. We booked a table at short notice, on the day on which we went to the restaurant and that in itself surprised me. The setting is beautiful, the garden around the house perfectly kept and it appeared to be full. We were greeted by a very smartly turned out team whose smiles were cardboard perfect but which conveyed no warmth or enthusiasm at all; the choreography was flawless, up to the point at which the maitre d’hotel came over to welcome me back and asked whether I still had an allergy to scallops; well, the last time that I had been to the restaurant , my relationship with that fine mollusc was still particularly friendly. He had been fed the information by the very polite lady who took the reservation and asked if anyone in the party suffered an allergy. His performance was oily and unnecessary.

The sommelier was knowledgable and gave me some good advice with the result that the burgundy which we ordered was sublime; the only thing which was.

Our food, on the other hand was so unmemorable that I don’t even remember what we ordered, except that it was eye wateringly expensive, making me feel like a complete fool for being taken for such a ride. I was not happy because my guests on that day are epicureans and the week before we had eaten together in a restaurant of equal standing, 2 Star Michelin, in London where the food was of such high quality and so well prepared, that I am still able to recite every order, starter, main, pudding and cheese which everyone had.

We were only there for dinner so I have no opinion on the hotel section except to say that it looks wonderful; and some of the other diners were staying for the night. But it is not somewhere where you feel relaxed nor comfortable; the staff and waiters are stiff, as if they are being watched, all the time.....and that rubs off on the guests.

I wish that I wasn’t right and that the evening had been more memory making than it was; in reality, it was an expensive mistake, one which will not be repeated. It is not acceptable, in this day and age, to treat customers like fools. There is too much choice out there and living on past glories is shortsighted. The evening may have been an aberration but I won’t go there again to find out if it was or not.

Lastly, in restaurants of that quality, the price of the food includes the service charge; not in this one. When I asked, I was informed that service was on top; so dinner for three came to an eye popping £879....and the irony is that had we eaten in the other restaurant which I mentioned above, a better meal would have cost half the price.

Fool me once, more fool me; fool me twice, more fool you. I’ll...

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. A 2 Michelin Star Hotel which has held this status for the last 39 years, which in itself is truly an Exceptional Achievement and it's all because of Monsieur Raymond Blanc's incredible Passion and Gastronomic Vision of Perfection to the last detail. Of course an 'Admiral' needs a strong Crew to fulfil such and his Crew are Truly Exceptional in every way possible. Their skill and passion is relentless towards the Guest and it is a totally natural experience for them. Everything they do, is Perfection. Le Manoir certainly exudes L'art De Vivre. A 15th century manor house set in acres of beautifully manicured grounds which include, large ponds, statue's, a huge organic vegetable garden, herb gardens, mushroom valley, orchards, wildflower meadow, Japanese Tea garden and Topiary abound. An extremely tranquil setting for peace and relaxation. 32 beautifully inspired and individual bedrooms created by Monsieur Blanc, a true genius. Our time here in residence was Magnificent, our rooms were 'Jade' and 'Opium'. Fresh Fruit, a Fresh Baked Lemon Drizzle Cake, Madeira Wine, Mineral Water greeted us upon entering our rooms. After dining and returning to your room, you will find your room has been 'turned down'. Slippers by your bedside, mineral water on either side, curtains closed. Our dining experience was a Masterclass, our food a Gastronomic delight, each and every course. Dogs are welcome here also, indeed we took ours along and I must say to people who think these rooms must smell of 'animals', they certainly Do Not. A luscious dog bed is provided with drinking and food bowls, a dental treat, along with 'poop' bags, a container outside your garden room to deposit such and even a small present for your prized pooch. Everywhere smells absolutely exquisite. Upon leaving, you are given a small gift bag at reception, a nice touch to a remarkable stay. Various celebrations throughout the year is another dimension of Le Manoir. A Perfect host for Business Meetings/Celebrations, or your Ultimate Wedding Venue and much more. Non Residents can dine here, but expect a 3 month + waiting list. Residents have the pleasure of dining here everyday. I'm surprised it doesn't cost more to stay here, because I would certainly pay more to do such. I must say that I'm not connected to the Hospitality Industry in any way. This review is my family and my own Honest Experience of Le Manoir. Tell the truth when You review and there's no comeback, it's that simple....