The Manor - Ashford

Although we couldn’t fault our food for flavour presentation, the helpings were small for the price paid temp at best luke warm. The vegetables were served in dishes but with no serving spoons !! We also found it very strange that although this is a 3 course Sunday Roast, that not one of the tables was laid for 3 courses ?? When our orders were taken we both ordered the same meals, however when it came to the dessert only one arrived without a spoon to eat it with, we questioned where was the other one, only to be told there was a glitch in the ordering ? suffice to say I’d finished mine by the time my husbands came! The coffee’s that we ordered also arrived luke warm and with no sugar. On talking to a couple sitting next to us the lady had ordered the Roast pork which on the menu came with crackling however she told us mentioned to the waiter that it was missing, but didn’t get a satisfactory answer. We saw for ourselves that previous review’s mentioned the lack of service and this clearly is something that the management have failed to address, and clearly not enough staff to cope with the numbers booked. This is such a shame as an establishment such as this, visited by many people who have in some instances travelled a long way to celebrate special occasions, but who on leaving feel disappointed let down. Its probably pointless having written this review as it would appear that nobody is responding to them. One would expect better from an establishment such as Champneys.

Our first visit to this restaurant and overall was a good experience. It was a long trip to get there but that was our choice. We had Sunday lunch with two friends and we all thought the meal was of high quality and very enjoyable. Wine and drink prices quite high. We had a couple of small issues, one being the refusal of the staff to serve an extra portion of vegetables there was only two smallish dishes for four) and also no change could be given if you paid cash…” we don’t carry a float” was the explanation. We happened to bump into the Guest Service Manage and mentioned the two little niggles and she totally agreed with us that it should not have happened and would educate the staff involved. Her name was Shelby and she was a role model in how customer service should be carried out. Very pleasant and comfortable dining room created a very nice ambiance for our meal. Overall a nice day out.

Stunning location, beautiful building. The restaurant, sadly, is devoid of any character detritus on the floor from an earlier service is totally unacceptable. The waiters trays on which they carried drinks and cutlery were grubby to say the least. A fifteen minute wait for drinks order to be taken, that despite numerous staff robotically swanning around doing very little. Interesting, but small menu. Food well presented, reasonable portions but everything tepid (I note this has been mentioned already, but obviously not yet addressed), apart from a good selection of well cooked vegetables .... which were hot. Not once were we asked is everything was top our satisfaction !!!. Upon leaving we had the pleasure of speaking to the Food Beverage Director and were able to relay our disappointment personally. He took on board our constructive comments , already aware of some of the issues we raised .... stating that was working to address them, although I notice that this is a theme that has mentioned on this forum, but not yet yielding visible results to the paying customer. If some of these issues, particularly the co ordination of staff, showing some personality together with related duties and hot food, then this would make a huge difference. In saying that will return later in the year to hopefully see some improvements.

Boy oh boy. The staffing in this restaurant needs a major reshuffle. Indeed perhaps almost a 100% change. For with the exception of one young lady called Jessica the rest of the team would be better in a takeaway. I really am struggling to believe the experience that my wife and I received today in what used to be a regular haunt of ours for Sunday lunch in years gone by. I keep pinching myself thinking that’s it’s all a bad dream. Shockingly filthy menus, wine lists. Bottles of water with detritus on the outsides. Finger marks and dishwasher marks. Absolutely filthy. Tables being left uncleared for periods of upto 30 minutes with visible evidence of the last guests food left on the table. A member of staff simply turning a table laden with crockery on its side allowing the tables wares to crash to the floor. Having to approach the desk having waited 20 minutes for the water ordered when sitting down. The bottle sat in the bar opened for 15 minutes. Aaperitif requested well before starters ordered and nothing fancy. Just an Aperol spritz. Arrived after duly sitting on the bar for 20 minutes , just as we were tucking into our 1st course. My Pigs cheek delicious but luke warm so). My wife’s salon was lovely. No effort what so ever made by Morgan to put in place the very basics of table control. Words further to the above fail me at this late hour. But suffice to say I will be advising my dining associates to steer well clear of Champneys Eastwell Manor , which is a shane as clearly the chef has the right idea. But £35 for Sunday lunch with this lack of service is deplorable shocking. And what makes it even worse when writing to the hotel late evening to express my concerns not a dicky bird. Now that really does say something to me. Shocked saddened and simply lost for words. Ineffective management, inefficient processes , lack of awareness, lack of respect for guests. Lack of table hygiene And a total shambles. And no reply to my sincere email.

After booking this I then checked the reviews and was slightly worried but ingore the bad reviews as it was an amazing afternoon tea! Lovely setting in the Manor House and a special thanks to Akos who was great.