Bridport Arms — Restaurant in England

Went here for Sunday dinner today. Booked weeks ago as a treat for the last day of our holiday. Very disappointed, our roast dinners were lukewarm, pork and beef were both very tough (chicken was lovely). Had to ask for steak knives as we were only given butter knives which weren't sharp enough to tackle tough meat. Our waitress gave very poor "service". Anything we asked for was met with a death stare (mustard, steak knives etc). We felt like an inconvenience, although not as much as the table next to us who got completely forgotten and they walked out after waiting nearly an hour. It didn't feel safe in terms of covid, we've eaten out a few times this week and the difference in safety measures is shocking. Waitress got up close to talk, then stretched over us to clear plates. Plates were handed to us, as opposed to other places who bring a tray of food then step back for you to pick it up yourself, thus avoiding close contact. Nothing like that in place here. I asked for a dessert menu, got another death stare from the waitress, and it didn't arrive so we decided to have dessert somewhere else. I got up to use the toilet and my partner got up to go outside, the other 2 members of our party were still at the table, and they were going to pay. But on my way past the bar to the toilet the waitress slammed the bill on the bar next to me. I said I'm not paying, they are, and pointed to the other members of our party still at the table. When she got to them she snatched the card from my nan's hand (more unnecessary contact) and put it in the machine herself,then gave the card back after she'd paid. When leaving I saw this waitress stroking a dog, not really appropriate when she's handling food drinks and cutlery. This waitress needs some serious training on customer service and the establishment as a whole really needs to improve their covid safety measures. The waitress was a young girl with long red hair. After shielding for months, the thought of eating out and supporting hospitality is very daunting. Places like this don't help with that anxiety. Very...

Having stayed in West Bay as a child, one might have hoped that standards and service had improved since the 1970s however sadly this isn’t the case at the Bridport Arms Hotel.

The new staff are extremely rude and carry an air of entitlement - simply disregarding any dissatisfaction from customers.

At breakfast our group of 5 were made to sit at a small table for 4, on which there was so little room one of us had to eat off their laps!

In addition, service was so slow that four of the group had finished their cooked breakfasts before the fifth had even received theirs. When raised, the response from the staff was “it’s a bad world isn’t it”!

Rooms had no tea or coffee making facilities and the towels provided appeared to have been used.

Windows were dirty and the general appearance and cleanliness was poor.

We were also charged twice by the hotel, once under the auspices of “pre authorisation” and again the next morning…. Effectively charging £1300 for one night. Thankfully we had funds in our account as we were informed that the refund of the pre authorisation may take a few days.

As a seasoned traveller, this is the first time I have seen this practice, although the patronising receptionist said it was standard policy across the sector - although certainly not in any of the other 20 hotels I have stayed in this year! Evidence that the Bridport Arms are still stuck in the past.

It’s sad that at a time when the hospitality sector needs support from the public after that last 18months of disruption, that there are some hotels that do so little to deserve that support and treat their customers with such disdain.

Will not be staying here again and will seek a more hospitable hotel in West...

Appalling!

We visited last Sunday for my Mum’s 99 birthday lunch. Had to pay exorbitant car parking fees to park outside with no refund from the Bridport Arms. Mum is disabled and we have to park close by.

I had already phoned and reserved a table for 3 adults and 2 dogs. We were shown to our table. We ordered a child’s roast beef with separate gravy for my Mum. I was asked how I would like my roast beef and I asked for rare. My husband ordered roast chicken. The waitress after a short wait, brought a very small portion of cauliflower cheese (extra £5), cauliflower rock hard and the cost of roast beef £19 and roast chicken £17. (No breast meat but a chicken leg). The rare roast beef was well done with a lot of fat. I could hardly cut it. 2 roast potatoes only. (Extra roast potatoes were a further £6!). Veg was mediocre. Swede lumpy. No condiments offered. We had to ask. Waitress was sultry. Not welcoming or pleasant in any way. What was supposed to be a family meal for my elderly Mum was so disappointing and costly. I did complain and we had the cost of my beef roast dinner deducted from our bill. Management apologised. This doesn’t cut it. Just saying sorry does not make it right and our experience was ruined.

What happened to good old fashioned customer service?? A smile when entering the premises maybe a greeting? Condiments on the table once the order is placed? A smile when food is delivered…. These points should not need to be raised surely it should be normality in hospitality!

Needless to say, we will not be...