Forest Inn — Restaurant in West Devon

Extremely disappointed with the service which we have just received since under new management from June 2021.

We have been coming to The Forest Inn since 2012 and each visit has been such an amazing experience and a very memorable stay. We got engaged here 4 years ago as the area is amazing and previous owners were such nice people. We booked again for our anniversary this year and also booked to bring my husbands brother and sister in law with us as it was also my sister in laws birthday.

On our way down there were 2 major accidents which resulted in us having to take major diverts. (5pm so, as you can imagine, it was a nightmare with traffic) I checked our confirmation to get the postcode as we were majorly diverted and realised that our balance was due 2 days prior to our stay…… This has NEVER been the case so was horrified to realise that we hadn’t paid. At this point we were approx 30 minutes away - after a 4hr journey - so I emailed the hotel explaining that we hadn’t paid etc. Some girl named Lisa then advised me that she had re booked our rooms out due to “non correspondence” from us (I had been in touch about breakfast via Facebook after they advertised that the kitchen was closed and did not offer food) We hadn’t had a reminder regarding our balance nor had we received a phone call asking for payment. We have never paid prior to arrival for any of our stays so did not think or expect to pay in advance this time.

After explains our predicament “Lisa” stated the following………… “So, you are telling me that you never read your email, never paid your bill and now YOU HAVE THE HUMP with me as we have let out your room” needless to say, I had to put the phone down on her as I was extremely upset and did not want to have an argument on the phone with this person.

“Lisa” needs a lot of customer service training as I can assure you that if I, or any of my staff, spoke to my customers the way she spoke to me we would have been out of business many years ago. 9 years of amazing memories and wonderful milestones have been diminished by this one person who clearly has no idea.

This is such a shame as we used to love this quirky hotel, the previous owners, along with the brilliant barman and chef - that has also acted as a taxi to friends in the past. We will not be staying here again and recommend that people also read and take note of...

The Forest Inn is not a 5* hotel, so do not expect it to be. However, It is a large Inn in a beautiful rural location on Dartmoor, that welcomes walkers straight off the moor with their pets in tow. If as my wife & I did you are fortunate to stay over for a couple of nights you will appreciate that your pets are not only allowed, but welcome in “all” areas of the Inn. I personally found it refreshing that my pet Golden Retriever was as welcome in the dining room as equally as parents with their, modern free expression children. The choice of breakfasts & evening meal were both varied & more than adequate. Breakfasts & evening meals were well cooked & presented & unless you are a Real Ale fanatic the bar has plenty of choice for an evening stay at a Moors Inn. The En-Suite rooms are very clean & more than adequate for the overnight stay without it being overly fussy. Considering the extremely laid back approach to the guests & their pets the Inn is very well presented. The entire staff are most welcoming, obliging & friendly. Having read some of the Inns reviews prior to my arrival I was a little concerned, however, since experiencing my stay at the Forest Inn I can only assume there are some travellers who want to traipse over the muddy moor all day in their designer shoes & fur coats & then return to the Inn, have their car parked by the porter & be escorted to the wine lounge, I suggest that they take a reality check & then realise that this is Dartmoor & not Central London. Will I return? Bet your...

I have never left a review, not once in my life. But as a chef with over 10 years working in and around hospitality I thought this was a good place to start.

We had been to the Forest inn many years ago, and enjoyed the food and the long walk available around Dartmoor prior to stopping in to have a hearty lunch, usually we frequented the pub on Boxing Day.

10 years on from those fond memories. The food and the service have declined drastically. I would say that this is a disgrace to the industry. You should be ashamed that this is the food that you serve. I have never been more disappointed. You may be if the elk that the food here is a satisfactory standard. But I can tell you now that the supplies ingredients are worse than that used at McDonald’s, and if cheaper quality. If I were you the best thing that you could do is reach out to Gordan Ramsey and hope to god that he is free to film a Hell’s Kitchen with you.

Good luck in the future. Hopefully see on TV...