The Norfolk - Broadland

Went for afternoon tea to celebrate my husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. The food was ok, but not inspiring. Mediocre sandwiches, with lack of cress in egg sandwiches. Scones were pleasant but a lack of fruit in fruit scones. Panacotta was just cream with one blueberry on top. Other cakes were just plain and chocolate sponges, and very small. Coffee was good. Our main complaint was The lack of disabled facilities, although advertised as present. No disabled parking and 3 builders vans were taking up space. Even a member of the office staff was parked in the small car park. We had to park in the overflow to the overflow car park which was 4-500 metres from the entrance. If our tea had not already been paid for we would not have stayed. We are both disabled and find it difficult to walk. The ground was muddy and too uneven to use our wheelchairs On entering the building we had to go to the far side of the reception area, which was dark and negotiate two steps down on a dark floor with no safety markings. Then along a corridor and down 2 more steep steps into the dining area. No help was offered and in fact, staff laughed when we said it had been a struggle to get there.

We booked the Gala Dinner for New Years Eve, after going to many different hotels for New Years Eve Gala Dinners, for many years in the past, all of which have been brilliant Gala evenings, this was bitterly disappointing, and I would not recommend at all, if what you are expecting is what all other hotels that we 've been to offer as a Gala Dinner, firstly I must say we arrived at 7 as our taxi was late so missed a prosecco and meeting the other guests which started at 6.30, so we missed the first half an hour, when we arrived we we 're expecting a Gala Dinner as advertised, by definition a big room with lots of tables with mixed guests and a party atmosphere, with balloons, streamers general decoration and entertainment, just like every New Years eve gala we 've been too, we all dressed for a Gala as advertised, we were then led straight to our table, again we were a little late so that 's fine, we were in a small room of 4 other tables which I think had 4 people each, absolutely no decoration at all, no indication it was New Years Eve, there was some music playing, so quietly that we could hardly hear it, I have to say the food was excellent, no issue there, but we sat in that small room until just after 11 o 'clock, there was some music in another room that we then could have walked too, but the reason we booked a Gala was to be able to dance and then sit at our table if we wanted too, just like every other Gala, by this time my Mum who flew home from Spain especially for this evening, was so disappointed she asked me to bring her taxi forward to 11.45 as she was so looking forward to a Gala like we normally love, and we left at just before 12 for the same reason, seeing the New Year in the Taxi, and bitterly disappointed, If you are expecting a Gala evening do not book here, the evening for 4 of us cost me 640, I 've just spoken to the hotel Manager Josh, and again I 've been very disappointed with the call, when I told him it ruined our New Years Eve his response was well actually I didn 't have a very good New Years Eve and was in bed before 12 it was a very unprofessional call, so much so I asked if he was actually the manager !! The hotel will respond with, we arrived a little bit late so missed the first 30 minutes of the Gala experience and was welcome to join the other venue to dance at 11.20 and there was fireworks at 12.30, fair enough, but if the Hotel believes that sitting at a table in a small room with no atmosphere, decoration or entertainment, for over 4 hours, is a Gala evening, especially the biggest night of the year, I suggest they visit what other Hotel New Year Gala evenings are, or remove the work Gala from their advertising for this event, needless to say I would not recommend this Gala evening, and will certainly not return, especially after tonight supposedly follow up call with Josh, I hope the owners James and Ana see this honest review, an take on board 4 very disappointed customers experience in their Hotel.

Our NYE was ruined by what was called a ‘Gala’ dinner. Look up the word ‘gala’ as this was far from what we had! Sat in a room of 4 tables and ZERO atmosphere. Not a party popper, balloon or any decoration at all. It was just a quiet evening meal. So bad, that after we had finished our meal at 11am, we made the decision to leave. Very disappointing evening which cost a fortune. Complained next day via email. After one week, not even an acknowledgement let alone a reply! Dreadful customer service. Eventually, after sending a chaser email got a brief email just saying ‘been off sick and could we ring or he would ring us’. Not even a ‘so sorry to hear you had a bad experience’… and this was from the manager called Josh. Would not recommend at all if you want a ‘Gala’ evening. Look up the word ‘Gala’ Norfolk Mead and tell me where our night could be classed as this. What a waste of £140pp plus taxis, plus new party outfits!! Our NYE was absolutely ruined. We saw the new year in a taxi on the way home!!

Our Sunday lunch was delicious interesting and varied menu and delicious. The service was really slow a lot of the waiting staff seemed to be standing around a lot of the time. It took around 2 hours for a 2 course lunch. 30mins to be served coffee. This was a shame given the food!

Beautifully cooked food and great service as always. Nothing is too much! Food is plentiful and locally sourced, which I love. Food at the venue also delicious!