Springlake Hotel — Restaurant in Ipswich City

We were in the area for business and decided to choose a nearby venue for lunch. We chose the Springfield Lake hotel and were left disappointed on many levels with the service, the food and the environment. The dining room and outside area area were barely patronised with only 3 tables being occupied that may be a telltale of the standard and certainly lack of popularity of this venue. We decided to sit outside for some fresh air. The tables and floor needed a clean although they not recently used. There is a large children's play area that can be viewed from the outdoor dining space. Our waitress was rather despondent and apathetic in her manner. We were left with menus, no mention of any specials of the day.

We went to the bar to order meals and drinks. We ordered the Chicken Parmigiana with salad and chips- a popular and much love choice by many. We requested one salad to be without onion but was told that was not doable has the salads were pre made. My lunch partner asked if they could just take the onion out but this was meant with 'that's not possible'. He made a second request and that was met with a disapproving look. Really?? how hard can that be for the kitchen to remove some onion rings from a pre made salad? The two beers ordered from the tap were rather watery or old lines? We are frequent drinkers of James Squire 150 Lashes in many pubs and clubs for years. This was not like the usual.

The staff member we had ordered food with at the bar came out to say we could have the one salad on the plate without onion.

There was a very long wait for our meals. We were most surprised considering we were the only 2 people in the outside area and only a couple of tables with small numbers of people inside. We considered checking in on our meals but surely it couldn't have got lost in such a small number of meal orders?!

Finally when our lunch arrived the meal looked to be a good large size. Cutting into the Parmigiana the chicken was very dry and the crumb and meat was burnt black particularly around the edges. This made nearly half of the chicken inedible-see photos.

Our choice to sit outside was overshadowed by so many flies we continually had to bat away 3 or 4 flies at a time off our plates for the duration. I'm not sure whether there was a disposal nearby or what was attracting them to the area in such droves!?

Our plates were removed but there was no question from the waitress about how we enjoyed our meals. Perhaps the amount of food left was self evident and her apathy still prevailed.

Rather than have coffee, which is our usual, we were relieved to leave despite our unfulfilled tummies and offended senses.

It was Interesting to observe as we walked out through the main indoor dining area that there was no more tables with two patrons than when we arrived for lunch.

All things considered it was a very...

Updated review- Sincere thanks to the management at Springlake For the prompt follow up on my original rating. They geniunly investigated the matter and made prompt follow up items. Following that we went for another try and had an amazing night. The staff promptly followed up on the orders and were very welcoming. The food was excellent. Kids had a great time - there was a ballon artist who made the best kids baloon shapes I have ever seen. Music was excellent. All in all everyone enjoyed the night. Great place to be to enjoy a great night out for both kids and parents.

‐‐-----‐--------------------------- Original review -

1.5 Hours - No Food

Booked as a group of 17 and ordered the Feed the Family deal for $50 for my family . I ordered 2 adult meals and 1 kids meal and they charged $70. I asked why it is not $50 and they said we are New Management and won't give the $50 meal as you didn't order the second kids meal. I told it doesn't make sense as I didn't want to waste a meal but if they insist I will order the second to get the $20 off. They repeated we are New Management and won't allow to order the second meal without the second child and brought their manager. There were 9 children on our table and and they agreed to give the deal.

When they brought out the meals, they served everyone who ordered before and after us. I asked why the delay and they said it is because my order had Well done. Waited nearly 1 hour and everyone had nearly finished their meal and the wait staff came to enquire on the second kids meal that didn't get served. I told we don't need it and to sort out our 2 adults meal. They said it is being cooked. 1.5 Hours later went to the counter and asked what is happening as everyone finished their meal a while ago. They said they had a technical error on the order and missed the order which is a load of lies as they were constantly telling it is taking time to cook well done. To serve an empty place with only 2 tables of 2 adults occupied excluding ours and intentionally making us wait is a cheap act. I spoke to their manager and got the refund. Very cheap class and act from the new management. The place used to be fully packed Tuesdays and is now next to empty which is not surprising - if this is the service of the new management expect...

My kids love their playground, but we had the WORST customer service ever today (13/5/2022). We were literally KICKED OUT of the restaurant, due to poor communication of this place.

As today is public holiday in Ipswich we and our friends (2 families with kids) planned a catch up. I called yesterday to check if they are open and if the playground is covered. My questions were answered and the staff knew we will come with kids. she said no booking needed from 10 to 11:30 we can just walk in and have drinks, as food services start at 11:30.

When we come in at 10, 2 guys told us they are taking photographs of the restaurant and kids can't get into the playground until 40-50 mins later. We moved to the other side and waited. They were courteous but then I went to purchase coffee, the female staff at the counter said you can't come in - this side is blocked for photos until 11:30. The only place opens is the sports bar but I can't let kids in.

This staff was rude and not apologetic at all. I explained I called and was told by their staff the above, and the response was they will check CCTV to see who answered my call incorrectly. I asked if we can stay in a corner until the work is done, as the kids were excited playing already. But there was no intention of helping us but the "just leave" attitude.

I get new staff or trainees make mistakes. What matters should be fixing and helping with the problem presently in front of you. Do your investigation another time. We came in BECAUSE THE RESTAURANT STAFF TOLD US WE CAN; when we walked in there was no sign saying the restaurant is closed for any reason either.

If you really can't help us or it's outside your control then at least PLEASE TALK NICER. I was shocked by that lady's attitude but of course we left.

The female staff asked if I remember who answered my call which I didn't. What I should actually do is ask the rude lady's name and pass this experience to their management for education and improvement.

We used to love going there but unfortunately they just lose 2 families' businesses from this poor...