The Crown at Wells and Anton's Bistrot — Restaurant in Wells

Rooms were very clean and comfortable - the establishment had gone to great lengths to follow advice around COVID-19 which offered reassurance.

The staff were pleasant and friendly and the building itself was incredible.

No problems over price matching online rate.

The local market on the doorstep and the view over the marketplace were very nice touches.

Not so good we’re some factors beyond the venue’s control - the council drilling into the walls and fire alarms going off weren’t what you needed when trying to relax, a courtesy call prior to our stay would have been appreciated to offer us the option to seek alternative accommodation (we would have stayed anyway)

Service was slow and whether it was a case of being thrown by events or whether this is the norm, I’m not able to say - service seemed very slow and disorganised with one member of staff apologising that his peers were “borderline morons” - it doesn’t inspire confidence and certainly isn’t “team mentality”

There was some confusion over whether we were able to simply have a drink at the bar without food, although again I put this down to external factors (COVID)

The breakfasts were very good quality and always nice to be greeted with a smile... not so good were the evening meals - the menu lacked imagination with “everything served with ratatouille” and whilst the salmon and fish goujons were cooked well, the accompanying veg and potato was fried and oily which detracted from the main show so to speak. The wine list did not seem to take the food into consideration - a nice Oaked Chardonnay would have gone very well with the salmon and a little more than merlot or Shiraz, would have gone great with the steaks - there was one decent Chilean wine on offer.

Several members of staff went out of their way and I will give special mention to James and Miranda who went above and beyond; this offered some recompense to what otherwise would have seen us “voting with our feet” I’ve offered this review in the hopes that the critical feedback will be taken in the helpful sentiment it is offered; at the moment the crown is good and for accommodation in Wells, I would certainly book again.

This hotel however, could be great and it’s a little frustrating and disappointing to see it squandered (not for want of trying, it seems), especially when the council quite clearly state that this is the kind of business they are looking to support in Wells (it does not seem to be happening at all, with the council undermining the venue’s attempts)

I would suggest making more connection with the local market and reviewing the menu in line with what’s available to keep things from becoming stagnant . I would also offer that there is a great wine shop just up the road who I’m sure would be more than happy to offer pairing guidance.

Whilst the food was locally sourced (found out from conversation) - a little more info and links to where this was sourced on the menu would again offer more connection to the area and offer a “special little touch”

It wasn’t anything major that needed overhauling - and from the COVID response, it is plain to see that the details do matter to the staff at the Crown.

I’m torn, because elements did impact on our stay but I really did get a sense of the uphill struggle they were facing. I would like to see this hotel at its best, not...

Been at the Crown at Wells Hotel and Restaurant many times and I absolutely can truthfully say it is one of the most beautiful hotels in the uk🇬🇧 witch is seen in my favourite comedy thriller 2007 Movie 🔥(HOT FUZZ) 🎬 🎞 🎥 starring (Simon Pegg) and (Nick Frost) inside this pub they have lovely old fashioned cosy rooms and downstairs in the pubs restaurant they have Sergeant Nicholas Angels Simon Pegg's police in a frame with photographs on the walls of 🔥HOT FUZZ photographs 📸 behind the scene's premiere after they finished filming The room's are lovely and warm and cosy true to my word room's are not modern because you must remember the hotel has been there for year's and updating and Renovations are not needed because the way it looks gives it the amazing character and I say its perfect as it is each room will come with a lovely bathroom bed TV wardrobe and drawers but honestly you probably won't end up watching the TV as wells has so much to offer as it has many sets of the hilarious comedy thriller (Hot Fuzz).as you go behind the scene's looking for your favourite part of the movie scene's the food is lovely and delicious very tasty and satisfied with the menus options and the manager and the staff are lovely to help you choose if you want something on menu. The manager here at the Crown is lovely you cannot fault him he is a wonderful man with so much passion for his work and keeping the Crown going strong..The Crown is Dog 🐩🐕‍🦺🐾🐕🐶 friendly and you can also bring your dogs to stay here in the rooms and restaurant Your stay here at the Crown will include a both non cooked and cooked breakfast witch is always lovely when you wake up from a great comfortable sleep💤 after all the exploring. ?What? can you do in wells experience the historic cathedral and garden's with the bishop's eye 🔥(HOT FUZZ TOUR)🔥 shop's restaurants church's and much much more. The hospitality is lovely with such a great vibe where you can relax and unwind with your family friend loved one's 😍 and more so what are you waiting for Book your stay here at the Crown at Wells today and go behind the scene's of one of the greatest films 🔥Hot Fuzz🔥 I hope you enjoy your stay love from Ben X 😊

Ben's special notes 📝 on the Crown

Great old fashioned cosy Room's.

Great Food and Drink.

Lovely Breakfast.

Amazing Hospitality.

Manager lovely.

Dog Friendly.

Autistic Friendly.

It is hereby satisfied that the following The Crown at Wells is 100% Autistic friendly and Dog friendly

Graded by Ben 5...

The hotel is beautiful, although rather tired. The beds, however, were very comfortable, which is, arguably, the most important aspect and for this we were delighted with a great night's sleep.|The food, was a different story. The menu was easily the very worst I have ever encountered. I am gluten intolerant (not coeliac) and I do not eat red meat, it rarely presents a problem, I have always managed to find something, even if it isn't what I really want. It was unfortunate that it was raining that evening so none of the group, including me, wanted to go outside to search for an alternative restaurant. Another couple on an adjacent table did just that as neither were meat eaters.|Everything on the menu at the Crown was either red meat or encased in pastry or batter. I asked if I could be served the only chicken dish on the menu, unfortunately a pie, with just the contents not the pastry. The answer was no. I asked if the veggie burger was gluten free - no. I abandoned the dinner menu and looked amongst the starters and side dishes. I decided on garlic mushrooms and side salad - the mushrooms were not available. I therefore was left with just a side salad and chips. Whilst it tasted OK It could hardly be described as a dinner. It was extremely disappointing and absolutely disgraceful that a Hotel and restaurant can't be bothered to offer anything better than that.|Breakfast was almost as disappointing. I could only see oats in the granola jar but as I brought my own muesli with me I poured it into a bowl and topped up with the hotel's fruit and yoghourt. I was assured that they had gluten free bread so ordered poached egg on toast. The eggs were served hard poached on dry 'toast'. When I tried to cut a piece of the toast it shattered into bits causing a large piece to shoot across the room!|I fully appreciate that the hotel is old and very quirky making it difficult and expensive to keep updated. In many ways I like that, and given it's perfect location it's easy to forgive a lot. However the menu is unforgivable and is the easiest, cheapest, if not cost free thing to rectify. You simply need a chef who takes pride in his work, understands food and how to compile a balanced menu. It really isn't difficult, especially for a professional. The gluten free 'toast' would not poison the chef and it's completely tasteless, if he has any pride in his work I suggest he tries to cut a piece off and eat it! He needs to know what he's serving and his customers...