The Dukeries Lodge Hotel — Restaurant in Newark and Sherwood

This is a fair, honest and fairly long review. This was our first visit for food since the refurbishment, we live very close to the Dukeries and used to go a couple of times a month for food. The price is more than it used to be so it is no longer a quick drop in for a cheap tea. So we were really looking forward to our visit and had booked a few weeks in advance and requested we sit in the restaurant and not near the bar. We arrived and the atmosphere was buzzing and really busy with eaters and drinkers alike, which was great, however we were sat in the bar area right next to the door and the table felt very open and just plonked in the middle of the floor. We did ask to be moved and was told there wasn't any other tables and this is the restaurant and not the bar. It clearly is the bar area and wont be known as anyother however much they try. The guy in charge was not going to budge and just came across as can't do anything so not bothered. However after a couple of minutes they had moved us to the restaurant so we were happy. Our drinks order was taken and we had ordered a bottle of prosecco, that came with no glasses, when asked they had run out and only had 2 flutes which was a shame. We waited a while and had to ask for our order to be taken and we then waited 35 minutes for our starters but they were very busy so we did take that into account. Our starter came and we were really pleased the food was gorgeous, could have been a bit warmer but we were all really pleased. We waited quite a while for our mains and when they came our starter plates had not been cleared, the lady, which I think was the one of the managers did apologise. The main course was really well cooked and we were all really pleased, could have done with the blade of beef being in more gravy it was cooked in and more sauce for the pork, which is just our opinion again could have been a bit warmer but we all enjoyed what we had. We all had dessert which came quickly after we ordered and they were also lovely. Both my husband and I have worked in hospitality in the past and we just thought it needed fine tuning a little, if you are trying to go up market and charging more you expect that little bit more, the male manager, whilst I think you were trying to sort our table out be more open, let us know what's happening and smile a bit. Everyone else was smiley and helpful yes it was busy but there didn't seem to be enough staff, perhaps think about putting certain staff in designated areas so everyone is catered for and looked after. We will definitely try again and see if this was just because they were busy. We wish them well. Keep going dukeries you are not quite matching up to your lovely ...

I stayed here for 1 night whilst on a training course.

This is a stunning pub! It is a really good size and the decor is really well done. They have a huge car park with free parking.

The room was really nice! The bed was comfy, so much storage space and the bathroom was fantastic! What a shower! All the staff were really nice, smiles on faces and so personable

I only have 2 minor issues. My room, room 11, was boiling! I mean boiling! I drank a whole 2 litre bottle if water in the night. The radiator in the bedroom was off but the one in the bathroom was on. This kicked out so much heat and I couldn't switch it off and the windows didnt open. I couldn't make anyone aware as it was late hours and you can't go downstairs after 11.30 as its alarmed. I just felt tired and a little unwell in the morning, I couldn't wait to just get out of the room, get outside for a few minutes in the morning to cool down and get some fresh air.

The cooked breakfast was nice but it just seemed really small. The continental was basic, just a few boxes of cereal. My only suggestion would be to offer more on the continental and make the potion sizes of the cooked menu a little bigger. Also, the breakfast room is deathly silent, it felt a little awkward sat in there with other guests, all sat in silence. Maybe just put a radio/music on light in the background

I would definitely recommend and i'd stay here again. I just had minor issues which are easy to resolve and I think the rooms are so...

On arrival we were put in Room 1, which we found out was down to be redecorated, if we’d have been given this information we would have asked for a different room, as there some not occupied (very strange decision to put customers in a substandard room if others were available). There was a toenail on the bathroom floor, we informed the manager on duty Sun pm, he did nothing about it, it was still there when we left Monday!. The room is advertised as having a TV and Wifi, the Wifi doesn’t work which made the TV unwatchable. After going out for the afternoon/evening we returned to the room to find multiple dark/damp patches on the wall. After breakfast the next morning we asked to sprak to the manager , we showed her the pictures and explained, she said she’d check the room after we left and contact us the same day. No contact whatsoever!, i then spent 2 days calling and chasing it up, couldn’t contact anyone. The manager finally answered the phone 2 days later where she told me the pictures had been sent to head office and she would be in contact with us the same day, yet again absolutely no contact!. It’s now been 2 days after that broken promise and still heard nothing. If you stay here please be aware Room 1 is substandard but you are expected to pay full price for the pleasure. Also if you have any issues/complaints management will ignore you and hope you go away. Absolutely disgusting way that management treat paying customers, their customer care skills are...