Flambo's Jambo — Restaurant in Staffordshire Moorlands

Me and my flaming stayed over in the Splash Landings hotel for 1 night. We were turned away at The Rollercoaster Restaurant- No space and were fully booked for 2 weeks in advance.

We went to check in at the hotel and decided to check out Flambo’s Jambo’s on what they could offer to feed a family of 4. After reading previous reviews, we weren’t holding our hopes this was going to be any good.

We dined here for dinner at 1700 and breakfast the following morning at 0800.

Price - The prices differ from dinner to lunch buffet. A large hike in price difference for an adult. Kids price you get an unlimited refill drink. Adults however, you have to purchase them separately. Still, for the price, you can’t go wrong when it’s unlimited refills. I must add, I dined here at 1700. Paying for 4 of us, just shy of £73!

Staff and customer service - You pay at the counter before you head to the entrance where a staff member shows you to your table. Staff at the pay counter, she was okay but I felt she lacked a little enthusiasm. The team in the restaurant, I can’t really fault them. The speed they work at to keep tables cleaned is excellent. We weren’t regularly checked on by the staff, kind of left to sit down and help yourself to it all. Same goes for the Buffett breakfast. In general, staff were happy, friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness - Areas are kept clean as often as they could. Not really slot of mess at the food or drinks stations. Excess plates were cleared from our table regularly to stop too many from piling up. General area of the restaurant I can complain about cleanliness, it was to be fair… just kept clean and maintained.

Tables - These were small. Sitting 4 of us on a small table, one at each end was a squeeze. Especially with drinks and plates on the table, there wasn’t much room. Unless you’re a family or party size of more than 4, be prepared to be sat a small table. This is really a negative review about tables, I just felt a larger table would of been a little less of a squeeze and better.

Now to the main part…

Food - I did read some of the previous reviews before dining here. In my opinion, my expectations were a lot better than read. I have attached a photo of the 2023 Menu, this of which is a wide range of food to offer. Staff asked before being seated if there were and allergens or intolerance so they could cater to our needs, which there was none for us. All the food was delicious. The kids ate a number of plate with lots of different varieties. Me, oh my. I ate so much I pretty much ended up into a food coma as I rolled back to my hotel room. Firstly I tired the Chilli Con Carne with rice, also along with the Chicken Tikka, and a naan on the side. This was lovely and tasty, a little spicy but still delicious. I also tried the roast carvery section, having a steak and vegetable pie (Not on the menu) The pie was lovely! I also had lots of other bits, but more of a mixture plate of things.

Desserts - Tons of cakes and gateau’s to select from. Freshly cut fruit salad. On the end is the icing on the cake (excuse the pun). There was a kitchen staff member stood at a freezer serving scoops of Carte Dor ice cream, in a cone or a tub. Not many flavours to select from, but who doesn’t love Carte Dor ice cream.

Overall, I would recommend Flambos Jambos. Food was delicious and extremely filling. Even though extortionate on price, (Where isn’t in Alton Tower?) you leave here with full stomach and satisfied. Reason for a 4 star and not 5, there was a few things I could pick up on for improvement, but that’s just me being really pedantic.

In my opinion, go try it for yourself. Don’t go by the other...

I highly recommend you DO NOT go here. Food was lukewarm, variety is minimal and quality of food in general was poor. At the time of writing this we are actually here. We were just charged just over £60 for 2 adults and a 3 year old. My son is a fussy eater and when we do eat out me and my partner tend to share bits from our meals with our son as he eats so little. No where upon booking did it say it was an all you can eat and a standard charge! I worry for families on a tight budget that have saved for a long time to come here and when turning up to be told the cost are highly likely having their planned budget effected drastically. When speaking with staff they told me you should of looked properly and i could of eaten elsewhere. However when getting emails the resort encourages you to pre book your evening meal as they can't guarantee you a place elsewhere. So.... I did what advised, thinking little of it and looking forward to our stay. I spoke with CHLOE who gave no resolve no sorries no nothing. She told me i should of declined going to eat there and sourced another restaurant at the resort. Chloe seemed to lack the understanding of my complaint but also the fact people travel from all over to come here, many arriving by tea time like we did and by that time will no doubt be very hungry and just want to eat. Not mess around sourcing some place else for food with a tired child in tow. Ive submitted a complaint about the restaurant and chloe. Im really disappointed. Id be interested to know how many complaints they get and what action they actually take to not only resolve them but also change what theyre doing. Since going ive had a dig at reviews and many many people are saying the same as myself. I also wonder if they even bother checking their reviews and feedback. Its not good. The hotel itself.... Lets just say i barely slept a wink from the noise and the drains from our bathroom had quite the...

Booked a table at the time of booking the hotel and water park at £250 with Merlin Premium passes, for 7.30pm. When we arrived at the hotel early at 1pm I did not expect to be able to check in, but to use the loo and look around. Was happy to be able to check in early. I had said at time of booking that it was my sons 14th birthday and he is a massive theme park fan. I reminded them at check in and the receptionist said as we had a dinner booking she would do something for us. Bit disappointed that our room was overlooking the back service area and not the water park, But we were in. When we got to dinner it was not clearly signposted that you had to pay first and so having queued to be shown to seats we were then jump queued by the people behind us who turned and payed and then were seated at the better tables by the water park view. We paid £20 per head per adult, £15 for the 14 Yr old and £10 for the 10 year old plus £22 for wine and then slushies only to then be given cups for complimentary soft drinks. Our table was close to the service exit and next to the kitchen door. I thought there might be a balloon or something so suggest it was his birthday but nothing. I told the maitre D and he had no idea what I meant but said he would find out and come back to me. He did not! The food was really cold and not much choice we had to use the baby food microwave to heat it up for several minutes and whereas they overfilled our daughters plate i had to keep saying a bitmore, a bitmore. The table is so small it barely fits the 4 plates and cups on it. The smaller piece of key lime pie I have ever seen! Really not worth the money for dinner sitting in a corner and ignoring that it was our sons birthday. He had been warned by friends that it wasn't worth it and I wish we had listened especially as most of the pubs surrounding are offering the eat out to dine...