I have written several reviews for Trip Advisor and believe that I give a good honest opinion. I never expected to be writing a review like this.
We stayed at the Ethorpe at the beginning of January 2012 having stayed several times before.
It has never been brilliant but the rooms are fine and we have always slept well.
On this occasion the hotel was simply unacceptable.
Having driven up from Devon, the first thing we were told is that the kitchens will be closing at 7.30pm because they were quiet – food being advertised as available up to 10.00pm.
We visited my 91 year old step father, had a very nice meal at the nearby Cafe Rouge then returned to the hotel at 9.50pm to be greeted by a group of staff sitting in the hotel entrance smoking and were told that they had a quiet evening so the manageress decided to close the bar early. Once again the bar is advertised as open until 11.30pm
I asked to speak with the manageress stating my case to be told “what were they supposed to do, got accused of being rude when I suggested operating to their publicised opening hour. At this point a 2 guests against 4 staff argument was on the verge of starting so I asked for the Regional managers name and number. The Manageress attitude was horrific!
The Manageress promptly wrote the details out, agreed to serve us a drink with which we retired to bed at 10.10pm
The following morning I telephoned the person who I understood to be the Regional manager. He said that he hadn’t covered that area for some time but was sympathetic and agreed to contact the correct Regional manager, who would telephone me. – a week later I’m still waiting
I find it amazing that a Chef and Brewer hotel can be operated like this and even more gobsmacked that the manageress didn’t know her Regional manager – or did she?
After complaining to Head Office, I have now, a week later, received a discount voucher from said manageress. I think the points been missed somehow!
- Ethorpe Hotel Gerrards Cross
