The Tontine Hotel

Lovely hotel in a central location - staff were just lovely and happy to help. We had our dog who was catered for very well. Rooms were spacious and the breakfast was lovely

Nothing

Breakfast was nice and well cooked although a little regimented. For instance if you wanted bacon, egg ,sausage it was restricted to one of each, however this was in keeping with the price we paid. Reception staff were great and very helpful. Hotel is in a great location in the town centre.

An extractor fan in the toilet would have been good. The bathroom was quite small and poorly ventilated. One of the bar staff could have been a bit more approachable, although the younger members of staff were very helpful.

Great location. Really lovely staff and very dog friendly

Reception on arrival was very good although I had to repeat information given a couple of days earlier by 'phone. The 'phone call had an excellent response too. There was a good selection of food and drink. It wasn't busy. Our room was good. Bathroom excellent. The hotel was perfectly situated for access to the high street and the park and riverside. Internal decor was satisfactory although externally a coat of paint to window surrounds would be useful.

There's a proviso here. My comments are made to help the hotel management improve their services. I have many years experience in customer facing management as an employer and user. Our first evening meal was good. We were attended by a very young lad who was clearly very nervous. I suggest that he would benefit by working alongside a skilled member of staff. The food was lovely and delivered in good time. Lighting in the dining room was a little subdued but adequate. Upon leaving the dining room afetr the meal I checked out with another young lad to sign for drinks additional to our paid for meal. He too seemed new to the job and required guidance by yet another young man dressed in a suit who perhaps had some more senior responsibilities. His guidance was peremptory and rather too casual as was his manner and dress. He was leaning against the desk and showed no positive input. I concluded that the staff have no "presence" which would be easily improved with some professional training. Our second evening meal produced a problem. I ordered pork fillet but what I received was more akin to a bacon chop. It was quite edible as such. I made no complaint as, in view of the age and observed capabilities of staff, I decided that there was little to be gained and much to be lost by doing so. Had I been asked if "everything was alright" at the end of the meal I may have broached the subject. I intended to make my thoughts known at checkout the following morning. However I was stymied at that point. Checkout was surrounded with two members of staff at the desk, one a young man seemingly observing desk processes. Two other members of staff were there chatting. I felt again that my comments would have been embarrassing to junior staff and would be better delivered quietly and measured in this manner. I sincerely hope that staff are given the opportunity to give a better service.