The Oxhotel - Poole

We booked a table for 6.00 pm, the meal was for my 70th birthday which I explained at the time of booking. This was not acknowledged by the main waitress (could have been a manager). There was also no reference to a gluten free menu option as confirmed during the telephone booking. My husband and I had to check everything and the serious implications of having gluten were not entirely understood by the nice young woman who served us and she kept having to clarify with the chef what was what…it should have been part of her training. The restaurant was cold unfortunately as we were the first to arrive, only 2 other couples were in the restaurant whilst we were there. The waitress who served us was very personable but the main waitress was very aloof, she didn’t ask us if are meal was ok but asked the older couple on another table next to us. She also didn’t acknowledge us as we left but that is an aside. The food was OK, I had Thai curry duck, not enough duck for the money but very tasty. My husband had rib eye steak, again OK but served on a wooden board which doesn’t appeal personally but also because of the cool ambient temperature, the meal got cold before the steak was half eaten. On the whole, the meal was only OK, we wouldn’t return because there was little or no atmosphere, we were cold and not made to feel welcome by the head if staff.

Lovely place to stay. Stayed here for a night as we were seeing the drifters at the theatre. Staff were friendly, Mary was lovely. Food was great, brilliant service

Spent £165 would like to have spent more. Service was not good, we ate at 8pm by 9.30pm we would have liked a dessert. We were not offered, the restaurant was not busy. I realise we could have made the waiter aware however it was obvious by now the kitchen was clearing up. We would have had more drinks if the waiter had asked too. No bitters, very poor. Will not visit again. Shame the food for our starter and main tasted very good just poor service or no service.

We had a last minute meet up with friends, just an early but brill dinner. Really impressed with the food we ordered my husband and I ordered the tiger steak and it was perfect. Had a side of stir fry veg which was well worth it and wine brill ! Service was professional and spot on ! We dined with friends who ordered a real mix and all really enjoyed. I would thoroughly recommend the tiger steak one of the best meals we have had in a long time, as a local to Ashley Cross great to find somewhere else to go !!

Great hotel for a short break near the beaches. Clean rooms and lively bar with friendly staff. Thai food was excellent. Good value and we will return