Caffeine & Machine: The Hill — Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

I was nearby the venue for the weekend (usually a 3 hour commute) and it was recommended by a few people, I’d only ever heard great things so I decided to book a ticket and pop along for the day. ||||Upon arrival there was a small queue (about 3 cars) and once I was at the front I saw that the entrance was steep. I drive a lowered car so I did my best to angle the car to avoid having to take off any body panels. However my rear bumper had caught on the ground and was stuck, inevitably it would snap the bands (quick release) and pop off. MY friend I was with was still at the first Marshall at the entrance so I believed I had the time to quickly detach the rear bumper and place it at the side of the entrance out the way. ||||However, as soon as I exited my car I had the first Marshall rightfully so telling me I needed to keep moving, by this point I had a small queue of stationary cars behind me that could all quite clearly see what I was doing and the Ferrari directly behind me could clearly see my bumper had grounded and wouldnt make it into the entrance, I had already started moving the bumper out of the way. I called to the Marshall whilst I was moving the bumper to explain that I needed to move the body panel out of the way to which he began shouting at me constantly, telling me No you can’t do that here, you need to move, Don’t do that there, get out the way we need to keep cars moving. He kept repeating this. Whilst I appreciate he has a job to do and the importance of getting people in and off of a busy road it had taken me less than a minute to move the bumper out of the road and I continued to apologise as I made my way into the venue. The cars behind seemed completely unbothered, I had apologised to the Ferrari behind me also. ||||Not once did your member of staff offer to help me, he continued to shout at me. ||I drove in and again explained that even if I moved my car at that point my bumper was blocking the road. So I still would have needed to get out and get the bumper to the side. The cars behind me would have still been blocked by my bumper. It’s also important to note that the car in front of me (my friend) was still only at the second Marshall by the first tent. So the queue of traffic would have still been there. Maybe 2 cars less, but still there. ||||Needless to say, I had payed for a ticket and expected to be respected as a paying customer and a fellow car enthusiast. ||||I was parked and retrieved my bumper from the main entrance, feeling rather embarrassed. I know not everyone desires to have a low car but as a car venue your staff should understand that there are multiple aspects of the car scene and each one should be treated equally. As I said not once was I offered help, just shouted at from the top of the entrance whilst being watched, struggling. ||||After an hour I felt it was time to leave, the food and the fellow car enthusiast’s were the highlight of the day. I chose to double check the exit, to prepare and warn the exit Marshall that I may need to stop to put the bumper on or leave without it on but pull over as I left to attach it, he seemed understanding and said he’s heard about the entrance. It had a small curb but I was confident I could leave with the bumper attached, which I had also told the Marshall, he seemed happy with this. ||||As I was on the grass I detached my rear bumper and walked it as close to the exit as I’d needed to (opposite the cheesecake stand as it was level ground). ||||I drove my car round and reattached the bumper, I then made my way over to the exit, my car did scrape but thankfully my bumper stayed on. ||||I assumed this would be the last of my experience on Saturday as it was much more successful and was thankful I didn’t have to cause anymore stress for any of the parties involved.||||However my friend who was in the car behind me made light conversation with the Marshall at the exit ‘you can she why she was worried bless her’ to which you Marshall (taller, olive skinned, older man) replied asking why the car was so low, why has she done that to it. My friend tried to keep this interaction light and said oh it’s because it’s the style and I (my friend) think it looks cool, the Marshall then proceeded to keep stepping further towards my friends car asking the same questions. This made my friend feel uncomfortable and again I felt as if I was not welcome due to the behaviour of two separate individuals who work at a venue designed specifically for car enthusiasts. ||||I am completely disheartened by this as I have previously said C&M has been spoken so highly of. ||||There were 4 Marshall’s on and the two who parked us were brilliant, they understood us and made us feel welcome however this is completely overshadowed by...

I was nearby the venue for the weekend (usually a 3 hour commute) and it was recommended by a few people, I’d only ever heard great things so I decided to book a ticket and pop along for the day. ||||Upon arrival there was a small queue (about 3 cars) and once I was at the front I saw that the entrance was steep. I drive a lowered car so I did my best to angle the car to avoid having to take off any body panels. However my rear bumper had caught on the ground and was stuck, inevitably it would snap the bands (quick release) and pop off. MY friend I was with was still at the first Marshall at the entrance so I believed I had the time to quickly detach the rear bumper and place it at the side of the entrance out the way. ||||However, as soon as I exited my car I had the first Marshall rightfully so telling me I needed to keep moving, by this point I had a small queue of stationary cars behind me that could all quite clearly see what I was doing and the Ferrari directly behind me could clearly see my bumper had grounded and wouldnt make it into the entrance, I had already started moving the bumper out of the way. I called to the Marshall whilst I was moving the bumper to explain that I needed to move the body panel out of the way to which he began shouting at me constantly, telling me No you can’t do that here, you need to move, Don’t do that there, get out the way we need to keep cars moving. He kept repeating this. Whilst I appreciate he has a job to do and the importance of getting people in and off of a busy road it had taken me less than a minute to move the bumper out of the road and I continued to apologise as I made my way into the venue. The cars behind seemed completely unbothered, I had apologised to the Ferrari behind me also. ||||Not once did your member of staff offer to help me, he continued to shout at me. ||I drove in and again explained that even if I moved my car at that point my bumper was blocking the road. So I still would have needed to get out and get the bumper to the side. The cars behind me would have still been blocked by my bumper. It’s also important to note that the car in front of me (my friend) was still only at the second Marshall by the first tent. So the queue of traffic would have still been there. Maybe 2 cars less, but still there. ||||Needless to say, I had payed for a ticket and expected to be respected as a paying customer and a fellow car enthusiast. ||||I was parked and retrieved my bumper from the main entrance, feeling rather embarrassed. I know not everyone desires to have a low car but as a car venue your staff should understand that there are multiple aspects of the car scene and each one should be treated equally. As I said not once was I offered help, just shouted at from the top of the entrance whilst being watched, struggling. ||||After an hour I felt it was time to leave, the food and the fellow car enthusiast’s were the highlight of the day. I chose to double check the exit, to prepare and warn the exit Marshall that I may need to stop to put the bumper on or leave without it on but pull over as I left to attach it, he seemed understanding and said he’s heard about the entrance. It had a small curb but I was confident I could leave with the bumper attached, which I had also told the Marshall, he seemed happy with this. ||||As I was on the grass I detached my rear bumper and walked it as close to the exit as I’d needed to (opposite the cheesecake stand as it was level ground). ||||I drove my car round and reattached the bumper, I then made my way over to the exit, my car did scrape but thankfully my bumper stayed on. ||||I assumed this would be the last of my experience on Saturday as it was much more successful and was thankful I didn’t have to cause anymore stress for any of the parties involved.||||However my friend who was in the car behind me made light conversation with the Marshall at the exit ‘you can she why she was worried bless her’ to which you Marshall (taller, olive skinned, older man) replied asking why the car was so low, why has she done that to it. My friend tried to keep this interaction light and said oh it’s because it’s the style and I (my friend) think it looks cool, the Marshall then proceeded to keep stepping further towards my friends car asking the same questions. This made my friend feel uncomfortable and again I felt as if I was not welcome due to the behaviour of two separate individuals who work at a venue designed specifically for car enthusiasts. ||||I am completely disheartened by this as I have previously said C&M has been spoken so highly of. ||||There were 4 Marshall’s on and the two who parked us were brilliant, they understood us and made us feel welcome however this is completely overshadowed by...

Unfortunately I cannot recommend for staying. Our car mad daughter wanted to stay here for her 16th last March, which two of us did. We were a party of five for an evening meal, birthday celebration and subsequent drinks. The staff made a bit of a mess of bringing our daughters cake out, didn't bother with candles that we had asked them for on arrival, it just didn't feel special (despite having planned with with staff via email months before when booking). My wife and other two daughters left us to wander around the cool cars that were turning up before we retired to the twin room overlooking the carpark. We had a pretty comfortable nights sleep, but the facilities in the room were seriously lacking, considering the price and status the place has. There was an excess of staff on the night, as I think there was a training session for new staff. It just felt too overcrowded with staff members everywhere, and floor managers just sat drinking while others were doing all of the work. It felt unprofessional and a bit of a mess. The room was really tired looking, tea and coffee were lacking, no milk was provided......it wasn't a room you could retire to and lock yourself away in without stocking up on supplies first. There were issues with the door hinges, maintenance stickers over broken fixtures etc. It just needs some love. Breakfast the next day was amazing, as there was a different crew on the floor. Food was gorgeous and the place was buzzing with a huge impromptu car meet as we were finishing our food. Once we had arrived home, I contacted the team at the Hill, and subsequently the owner, Phil. I was promised some investigation into the issues that we'd had, and that we would have "meaningful feedback" regarding our lacklustre stay. It never came, despite me chasing. This used to be one of my favourite places to go, with my cars and family. Food, beer and a general great experience was always to be had before we stayed. Now, due to the lack of contact and apparent ignorance of the customer raising concerns, we will not be back. That's five people who regularly came in two cars for food and drink that won't return. Not a massive dent in the profit margin, I know, but surely worth correcting the issues to prevent the loss of more custom? Disappointed is our overall feeling, and now we've moved the the Piston Club which just happens to be...