Stayed one night for concert at Highclere Castle. Website telephone numbers are confusing and I was initially connected to a call centre in Paris. I finally got through to the hotel duty manager who was very nice. But no receptionist on arrival. When he finally arrived, he tried to pre charge £29 over the room rate for "incidentals". I refused. First room's bed was built into the wardrobe which was, dangerously, right beside the mattress and my face so I changed room.
Second room depressing, peeling ceiling, no bottled water, no frig, cheap kettle on a cable difficult to unplug and refill, no biscuits, tiny soap. Warning notice about very slippery bath was almost out of sight. There was a small fan but no aircon, and in 30° of heat, the window was blocked from opening fully! Why? Room baking hot and stuffy.
Breakfast food quality good but service TOTALLY chaotic and lacking in organisation. Chafing dishes not replenished so your food gets cold while waiting for resupply. Toaster burnt the bread, juice was warm, butter frozen, table left uncleared with food still on dirty plates. Used cutlery dropped on floor and left by waiter. But the flies loved it.
This place is way overpriced. I can stay in the Mercure in Ginza, Tokyo, some of the most expensive real estate in the world, much cheaper and with 100% efficient service, lovely rooms and spotless.
This place needs a manager who cares and who walks around and keeps an eye on things.
Clearly, no-one does.