Hotel Endsleigh

Absolutely the best birthday experience ever. Nothing wanton much trouble for the stag and the food was simply sublime. We use this lovely place 3/4 times a year and it never ceases to be the magnificent place to eat. It is a Agatha Christie esquee atmosphere that never ceases tk amaze

Our third visit and once again an exceptional experience. Beautiful location, professional and friendly staff, lovely informal vibe, excellent food, tasteful design. Gardens are of such a high standard. We can't wait to return and can't recommend more highly, enjoy!

We had a wonderful spring weekend break for a major birthday at the Endsleigh and loved the whole experience. We were hoping for a traditional English Country House weekend and the Endsleigh delivered superbly. The staff were really nice, not too in your face or obsequious, just genuinely helpful. The rooms are comfortable if a bit quirky but the high point of the Endsleigh is the gardens and grounds. We spent three hours each day walking around. The formal gardens diffuse gradually into an extensive arboretum with magnificent acres and new world conifers. The rockery is magical and the rills and waterfalls throughout the Del make for a very lush feel. The arboretum then diffuses gradually into the native woodland resplendent with bluebells an April and down to the river. All rather lovely. The interior the house is more or less original, beautifully furnished and giving a real English Country House vibe. The bedrooms and facilities to have been fitted into the original house layout so expect some quirky passages and stairs. The suite we had was shabby chic and very comfortable -but a bit shabby of course. The one area we felt was a bit weak was the catering. It's definitely sub standard for a hotel of this quality.. If you want a historic English Country House this is for you. If you want bling stay away.

We attended a superb dinner along with a talk from Alex Polizzi which was highly informative and entertaining. The team at Endsleigh were excellent and highly attentive and Alex was a brilliant host. We will definitely attend other events that are held at Endsleigh

I would have sent this privately to Alex Polizzi if I’d been able to ascertain an address but the only ones published online are concerned with her motivational speaking. Her reputation as a hotel inspector would suggest she keeps an eye on her own turf so I write this in the knowledge that though other reviews may be more positive, the criticisms that follow will be taken in the spirit of helpful advice rather than of carping. We were slightly disappointed though to be fair were comparing it to other great country hotels in which we’ve stayed. Most of what follows are small details which would cost little to put right. There were lots of features we loved like the huge bed, ultra thick bath towels and robes (with hoods!), two armchairs in the room, current issue of Country Life. All ticks. I don’t mind (and even like) the antiquated bathroom about which another reviewer has complained. The water was plentiful and hot and there was a table on which to put things. On arrival only one room key was offered, though a second was supplied on request; also, a second suitcase stand (why do hotels invariably provide only one for two guests?). I had to ask for a sheet of writing paper and an envelope because none was provided in the room. The window frames rattled heavily when open, so we had to keep them shut and it was a bit hot in the night. No box of tissues by the bed though plenty of PG Wodehouse. The food…..! Oh !! SO rich, all so creamy and mousse-like, sauces and disguised veg, sculpted at every turn. Artistic creations on a plate reigned supreme. We had to ask about the multiple flavours dotted about every dish to know what we were eating, and over 4 days it was too much. An honest-to-goodness, no frills dish as an alternative would have been welcome. Then, there was such a long wait between courses. At the start of each dining experience a dish of oil is placed on the table and bread is set down. We prefer butter, and said so at our first dinner, but had to remind the kitchen of this on subsequent evenings. On our third evening, still awaiting our first course, the butter took 20 mins to arrive so after about ten, I asked jokily, “Are they milking the cow?!” “No” the waiter said ”chef is preparing it”, and when the butter came it was whipped and soft and shaped into a scoop so had obviously been “created” somehow. Was this necessary? Could they have made a note of our preference instead of presenting oil each time? On the plus side the public rooms were comfy and cosy, log fires blazed, (though not in the mornings unless the room was full). Other guests were delightful, and staff invariably friendly and eager to please. The countryside is stunning and there are wonderful walks.

Lovely warm atmosphere, staff second to none in accessibility, friendliness and service. Room comfy, huge bed, ample clothes storage and power points, two arm chairs, speaking of which: why only one suitcase rack? (So often found in double rooms. We asked for another. Ditto room keys). Also requested a sheet of writing paper not provided in room. No tissues beside bed (provided in bathroom only). Open windows rattled through the night to the extent of needing to be closed. Huge bath, filled quickly with copious amounts of hot water, Food: excellent… IF you like rich platters for every course with numerous flavours injected via seeds, berries, sorbets, and goodness knows what else. We had to ask what we were eating, being at a loss to identify! Could the haute cuisine envelop simpler, less mysterious dishes which are equally delicious? Puddings were so very rich and creamy every evening (though looked like works of art) that my husband had to opt for cheese every time. THAT ASIDE, we thoroughly enjoyed our 4 night stay and the pointers given here are only offered in the spirit of usefulness rather than as overt criticism. We have recommended it to friends.