The King's Arms, Melksham — Restaurant in England

A mixed bag! We stayed on a Saturday in a family room as no doubles were available when we pre-booked. We checked in on line to avoid delay but were initially shown the wrong room, this was up a winding steep set of stairs at the top of the hotel, after 3 different keys and trips to reception the very polite member of staff managed to open the door only to find it was occupied by someone else! When we finally got into our room - first floor overlooking the front it initially looked very nice, they had given us a flask of fresh milk, a jar of homemade fudge was on the side, a cafetière for coffee , a selection of teas and hot chocolate sachets, an up to date local magazine, good quality toiletries, a personal sanitiser, iron and board, hair dryer, and the radio was playing - all good. Unfortunately there were no spoons to make the drinks and no bedside lights which made the room very dark, the lights were either full on or off. Getting ready to go to a birthday party we found a good sized bath but no plug, also no plug for the basin, the shower head wasn’t attached properly making washing difficult, there wasn’t a toilet brush. The room was very hot but only one window opened, there was a crack in the glass and no safety chain on the door. Clearly the room had been recently decorated but some of the finishing was poor. We didn’t sleep very well, bed a bit hard as were the pillows and some outside noise (but expected in a town pub). The breakfast menu is good and my selection of scrambled egg with smoked salmon was enjoyed although the sourdough bread was challenging. My husband chose the full English which was very disappointing, apart from the fried egg, all was cooked and dry, the bacon beyond crispy, he gave it 3/10. The room at over £140 was very expensive for what it was compared to many other places we have stayed in. Overall we wouldn’t stay again, but it’s obvious they are trying to improve and the extra little touches and very friendly staff are plus points - they just need to get the basics right and price more...

Went for a Christmas meal with colleagues from work and had the set Christmas meal. We had already but down a 50% Deposit from all of us which had included a 10% service charge. When we arrived we explained that we were to individually pay for our drinks ( which is standard to any work function) they advised that we would be served at the table. We ordered our drinks (9 of us) and it took 45minutes for our drinks to arrive and were only offered once that evening by a waitress if we wanted drinks. We had to ask for more. When the starters eventually arrived they were hit and miss amongst ourselves but overall eaten completely. Main took another good 40+ minutes to arrive. The steak dish with vegetables was so salty and inedible. I do feel a chef should have tasted the gravy before serving. Seems the others whom had chosen the pie had the same issue with their gravy. It ruined the meal! it was truly so salty we ordered water for the table to try and get it down. Not many of us managed to complete our main expect for the few that ordered off of the Christmas menu. Deserts were rather good and went down well. When it came to paying for our bills separately we were charged again a 10% service charge individually. The drinks bill was not allowed to be split even when he had advised this would be needed to be done ( and as they had a list of our names and what we were eating this was doable). When it came to the last two of us to leave we were told someone had not paid. So we covered the remaining £11 something to find out on the detailed bill when we investigated that this was another service charge. For food that was not great and I wouldn't have eaten if I hadn't been for a work do. I am horrified that the kitchen doesn't do any taste testing before service as no chef would have served gravy that salty. Over all it dampened the evening and as living in Melksham I feel the community should be aware that its rather expensive for what it is, and not...

Edit: We gave the King's Arms another try via invitation to dinner. Honestly the difference is night and day, the food was absolutely wonderful, filling and made a fantastic evening overall, with very courteous staff. We enjoyed the dinner enough that we decided to have another breakfast at the establishment with exact same orders. Again the service was phenomenal and the food was delicious.

Old: Went for breakfast with my partner as she sung high praises from her prior experience. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. First problem we had was that we had ordered a pot of tea each and while mine was fine, my partner attempted to fill her cup but the tea only came half way. Was sorted out after bringing up the issue with staff. Next we ordered our breakfast, partner asked for 2 croissants and I asked for the loaded bacon butty, which was advertised on sourdough bread. After about 40 minutes, on a quiet morning, our food finally arrives. £7.25 for a couple of rashers in 2 slices of hovis bread seems very steep and optimistic considering its possible to make more than I received for about a third of the price, not to mention there was no offer of jam or butter with the croissant for my partner until asked. Overall I can't help but feel that I have been swindled and I honestly could not recommend it. I don't like to complain but words can not describe just how dissatisfied I am with the lackluster food and...