Outstanding hotel, staff and food. We had 16 people (and 1 dog) stay at Ston Easton over Christmas - 8 adults and 8 children from 10 years old to 18 months - and we all (apart from the youngest!) rated it 5 stars.

A very lovely country hotel with a personal feel. We enjoyed relaxing by the log fires in beautiful surroundings - the library is particularly special. The staff were friendly and thoroughly professional. The food was very good and we enjoyed our meals informally in the lounge. Just the relaxing break we needed, and we look forward to returning.

We stayed in this lovely stately home for 2 nights in September.
We were rather apprehensive, on arrival , knowing that the von Essen Group had gone into receivership, and were not reassured by what appeared to be rather offhand reception staff and a large wedding party / wedding fair occupying most of the downstairs public rooms .
We were 'parked' in the rather wonderful library room, whilst waiting for our room, with a plate of sandwiches and crisps [!]...
Our allocated room was unsatisfactory [ rather dark and dreary] but we were then offered the Terrace Room, on the top [ 4th] floor, rather a trek up the stairs, but beautifully decorated with a wonderful view from its own small balcony over the countryside. The marble bathroom was superb, and having its own small but very comfortable sitting area made for a very pleasant stay. The one disturbing feature was the strong smell of damp/ mould within the room, which did fade slightly after leaving the balcony doors open for a few hours.The weather had been damp, and the wooden balcony decking had become quite mouldy and slippery.
The large gardens were lovely, including the impressive kitchen gardens, but seemed a little run down in parts. One very interesting part of the house was the original old kitchen in the basement, which apparently is used occasionally for cooking demonstrations, which would be fascinating.
The breakfast was unexceptional, but the dinner was superb. The restaurant manager for the evening meal was extremely friendly and helpful, and the kitchen staff at dinner were obviously highly skilled.
This could be a wonderful hotel , with increased staffing levels ,to maintain what is obviously a beautiful old house. Being able to have drinks/ tea in the glorious downstairs sitting rooms, surrounded by old portraits on the walls,comfortable sofas, and views over the gardens was indeed memorable.

We had a truly memorable stay here for four nights at the end of November 2011.
We can only echo earlier reviews about the accommodation, the peaceful location and the friendly (but very professional) staff, not least, the star of the place: Oscar the spaniel.
The food was also excellent both at breakfast and in the evening.
The highlight of our visit was our last night when we decided to eat at the hotel again.
When we came down for dinner we were advised that we were the only guests eating there that evening and rather than having us rattle around alone in the dining room, they had laid out a special table for two in the library, with candles and a log fire.
It made for an absolutely perfect end to our stay there and we cannot thank the staff too much for this kind gesture. It was an occasion we will always remember and treasure.
It is always a sign of a good break, that we were both sad to be leaving!
We do hope that we will be able to return in the future.