The Bell Inn Bistro, Thorpe-le-Soken — Restaurant in Tendring

We stayed here on a friday night so we could spend a day at nearby Frinton-On-Sea and beat the rush on saturday morning.||Free car park opposite Hotel is very handy, the staff were very welcoming and after checking in we were showed to our first floor room (number 1) which was very nice and clean. Nice bathroom with bath and shower which is a bit fiddly as it is one of those that is attached to the bath taps but once i got the temperature right it was fine.Flatscreen TV and coffee/Tea facilities plus a mini fridge to use if needed.||The only possible downside to the room was it is located right above the terrace where customers are seated having there food and refreshments so it could be a bit noisy if you were a light sleeper. But having said that we had the window open due to the hot weather PLUS we were amongst those customers enjoying refreshments ourselves, so it wasnt a problem for us.||Breakfast is served at 9 o'clock and we both chose the full english which has got to be the best hotel breakfast we have had in a long time. Everything was piping hot... well cooked local sausage, streaky crispy bacon(which we both love), hash brown. scrambled egg, mushrooms, piping hot baked beans Why do other hotels seem to think cold baked beans are fine?), and fresh tomatoes that were actually cooked! (again why do hotels seem to think cold uncooked toms on your plate are fine). With toast (local bread) and butter. Superb.||If you are passing through Thorpe-Le-Soken i would recommend this place - even if it's just to have...

Poor experience. Loud event in the main restaurant, so ultimately a bar meal with high-end restaurant price-tag alongside tight portions that wouldn’t even fill up a nine year old. Had to go inside and break up a conversation to see if someone would even come and take our order. When the lamb arrived, my wife and I just looked at each other with “is that it!!?” expressions. Barely four mouthfuls and overpriced.

I’ve no problem paying out for a decent meal, even a minimal a la carte dish when it’s special, but there’s no relation here between the experience and the cost.

Disappointing. Just feel ripped off.

• Absolutely APPALLING that the Bell’s response tries to insinuate I’m offended by the nature of the event - that’s disgustingly low and you should be ashamed. The event was wonderful to see actually. But if you’re offering a limited bar menu, elevating yourselves to a la carte levels and passing off bites of food at nearly thirty pounds a head and charging for side dishes because your food doesn’t come with any, then ambience, atmosphere and SERVICE is critical. We shouldn’t have to leave the table and trek back inside to work out how to place an order when the service wasn’t forthcoming. To my question at the time - as we didn’t see anyone, we wondered if we should be placing our order at the bar! That’s not high-end food price service.

As for you needing five members of staff to deal with a booking… wouldn’t you say that...

I need to write a review for this Restuarant. We were visiting a near by spa and I saw on line the The Bell were doing a Christmas Party package on Tuesday and Thursday evenings up till Christmas so my daughter and I decided to book. We were not able to park in the allocated carpark opposite NO PROBLEM street parking is easy outside. The inside is really pleasant if a little basic BUT the staff and service totally make up for this. It was a busy night with big tables of 14 and 20 but the staff (and obviously the chef) worked like troopers to make sure everyone was served quickly and us being just a table of two were never neglected. A young singer started shortly after we got there and wow wow he was incredible not just singing wise but how he engaged with everyone and put us all at ease. The most memorable moment for us apart from the huge awesome food was the people all dancing in the isles between the tables. None were drunk they were just having the absolute best time and it was wonderful to watch. Thank you Bell Hotel for really lifting our spirits and we both wish you all and the singer a very happy Xmas...