The Elvetham - Hart

We held a reunion for 30 friends over two nights and three days at The Elvetham. The Events team was brilliant, particularly Gemma Paynter who made sure every detail we requested was accommodated including extended menus, special food requirements, correct room allocations and best of all always responding very quickly. Big thank you Gemma. Next I must thank the Chef, the special menus for our event were excellent, the arancini, crème brule, the salmon, the stone bass require special mention but every dish was excellent and our guests really enjoyed the food. The team that served our two dinners were exceptional, delaying the meals when we requested, and giving us plenty of time before and after dinner to mingle. The breakfast team also need mention for bringing out all those specially ordered omelettes. Thank you Freya for the history tour, it helped is understand what a special place we were visiting. And last but not least Geraldine from reception who handled all our room swaps with a smile. They all helped make this a very memorable reunion. A big Thank you!

Our Son Daughter-in-law invited us for Afternoon tea at The Elvetham, Now a Hotel but was the former home 1591 of Jane Seymour) we thoroughly enjoyed our visit the staff were very attentive, the selection of Sandwiches Crusts duly cutoff), two scones each with clotted cream and selection of jams in Breakfast pots, Two large pot of Tea, and fine selection of cakes was too much to eat, so the staff kindly put the cakes into a couple of plastic containers for us to take home. We were also offered On the House a glass of wine. We walked around the Hotel and Grounds and had a very enjoyable experience.

On our way to visit family we stayed here for one night. Impressive building, it’s as nice inside. Our room was comfortable, loads of space and traditional. The staff were polite and you were definitely not bothered by questions for service. We enjoyed a walk around the grounds before breakfast and enjoyed breakfast even more after our chilly walk. Would stay again.

The staff were thoughtful and helpful and answered a lot of questions that I had. I was travelling with a coworker who was unfamiliar with the country in general and staff took the time to make us feel welcome and ensured we had prompt service. Really enjoyed the whole experience while I was there. The food and the grounds were equally lovely for the time of year we were visiting.

One of the worst restaurant experiences of our lives! We were very surprised as always loved the Elvetham and aware that it had changed hands but didn’t expect this! We arrived to a very somber table with one mini candle on it (for a table of 6) and one of the tables was unstable. Basics details throughout were neglected. Ordering drinks was the most farcical experience. My partner ordered a very nice bottle of red wine which was brought to us unopened. The other drinks did not arrive. We then asked someone to open the wine which took another 10 minutes. A waiter appeared, took the wine to a different table, opened it with a very cheap bottle opener and then bright it back to the table with the cork in the bottle. The bottle was not served or tasted! I then complained to the general manager who made up some very weird story. He then came back with another bottle and did pretty much exactly the same thing but this time left the flakey cork on a plate next to me! No care taken at all with opening it and clearly the staff did not know how to open wine. Starters arrived with about 3 waiters none of whom knew what the food was and who had ordered it. I then asked the general manager what was on my plate and he ignored me. I asked again and he said he wasn’t sure he would find out! He never came back. Instead he sent a 16 year old very nice waitress to deal with us. Something very unfair as we were already pretty irate. We then ordered more drinks a glass of Pinot Grigio and a gin and tonic. We waited and waited. I then complained again and still nothing. After another long wait the bar lady appears at our table (from an entirely different room) to ask what type of gin we wanted!! Still no white wine. This went on and on all evening. The GM was in the background but not dealing with our table as he should have. We ordered a ‘cheese board’ which was bits of horrible cheese from a pick and mix. We had some cheddar which had the plastic rind in it and it was adorned by a manky bunch of grapes and 3 celery sticks that had gone the wrong way! The cheese came without cheese biscuits for which we had to ask twice for. They then arrived and were Jacob’s cheese biscuits. The cheese cost £12. This experience will not be repeated as we will not be returning. What a shame as it’s such a lovely place. I just hope the wedding guests won’t be disappointed today the wedding room was being prepared when we arrived. Shocking experience especially as it seems to pride itself on trying to be fine dining! What a joke and what a way to train and treat your staff.