We took over this hotel 4 months ago as leaseholders and have inherited a lot of the issues the reviewer refers to. As leaseholders, we are primarily the operators of the hotel and as such the reviewers acknowledges that the standards of service were very good. The freeholders are primarily responsible for the condition of the hotel. Obviously, good general condition is essential to successful long-term operation and thus we have commenced refurbishment work starting with the public rooms (bar/toilets), which the reviewer has experienced. What the reviewer has not seen is the new borehole water supply system, repaired sewage system and rebuilt heating system (ongoing during their stay, hence the need to turn of water on occasion). There is ongoing minor works on various parts of the hotel (new cafe/carvery) and on some rooms, but Rome was not built in a day and major works take planning and time to set-up/execute, especially where they require agreement being reached with the freeholders and any necessary permissions. Our priorty is currently external repairs to roofs and drainage prior to winter, but once the current wedding season is over, we will commence full room refurbs on two parts of the hotel.
That said, we believe that the rooms are a reasonable standard locally following complete internal refurbishment in 2005 and complaints or bad experiences are infrequent. If they do happen we offer suitable replacement rooms and make repairs asap. This hotel is a fantastic historic building in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but the superb views come at the cost of being on the top of a Fell, which leaves the hotel weather-beaten and in need of constant work. Therefore, unlike previous operators, we have a full-time maintenance man.
With regard to other hotels in the Bowland Area, there are only 2 comparable hotels, being The Gibbon Bridge and the Inn at Whitewell, but both these venues are circa 60% plus more expensive than The Moorcock Inn for rooms/food and drink and have been under continuous operation for decades, so simple comparisons are unreasonable. We have an award-winning chef and a great location and believe that we offer excellent service and great value for money.