More about Bailiffscourt Hotel
Fantastic - can't fault it!
by TripAdvisor Member Addis
After much deliberation over a suitable venue for a special birthday, opted for a mid-week overnight stay at Bailiffscourt and have no regrets at all.
Had booked a standard double directly with the hotel (deal included 3 course dinner, bed and breakfast). When we arrived, we had been upgraded to a suite complete with ready laid open fire and an enormous four poster bed.
The room was in the older thatched house and was truly stunning with numerous windows looking out over the grounds.
Walked along the pebbly beach which is a little flat but very unspoiled.
The meal was fantastic (can't fault it - service was excellent, bottle of wine recommended by waiter was wonderful, the food possibly the best I have eaten). The Tapestry restaurant was very nice but I preferred the stone floored restaurant room where we had cooked breakfast with the sun streaming through the window next to our table.
The spa is fine - it wasn't what we came for specifically so we tried out the outdoor hot tub and spotted a rabbit or two and then sat out on the roof terrace sipping complimetary coffee and admiring the view.
The staff were extremely welcoming and not at all stuffy (unlike some of the other guests!).
All in all, for a relaxing mid-week break, I can't recommend Bailiffscourt enough.
Pure Indulgence
by A TripAdvisor Member
This Hotel/Health Spa, took my breath away the moment I left my car and entered the warm and inviting reception.
The staff were warm friendly and polite yet did not badger or intrude in ones relaxation zone.
My friend and I were in need of some serious pampering and the staff at the 'Temple Spa' done just that! Walks on Climping's deserted pebble beach, catching up with all the 'girlie' gossip and taking in the sheer pleasure of the sea is a must.
I defy anybody to tell me any diffrent, when I say this place is a gem made in heaven.
I have already persuded my boyfriend to take me for my birthday in June, although I appreciate it will be peak season!!!
Excellent
by TripAdvisor Member LouiseMaidenhead
I went expecting to be dissapointed as they had lost our reservation, so I had a negative impression before I arrived (make sure you get email confirmation if booking at last minute). This all changed upon arrival, the staff were very friendly, professional and not at all stuffy for such a special hotel. We were given the choice of a medieval room or a contemporary one, we opted for the contemporary as it was much bigger and the shower and bath were superb. Lots of nice rooms to relax in, the pool and hot tub are lovely my husband braved the outdoor pool. Great hotel, would love to return in the summer.
Gorgeous!
by TripAdvisor Member stirlingmoss
If you are looking for a perfect off season few days away this is the place. It's gorgeous, we stayed in Wymcrofte in the main house - four poster bed, open fire, huge bathroom - lovely - the only downside is is looked over their working yard at the back but that wasn't too bad at all. We were a bit startled by a very loud peacock on the roof - but it was a lovely startled rather than a bad startled!
The Temple Spa is lovely and the outdoor hot tub is a must - we sat in it and looked at some lovely fat rabbits hopping about. The beach is 10 minutes walk and the grounds themselves are lovely.
We had dinner in the restaurant - the food was good but not exceptional, the service and wine were fantastic though.
This is a posh hotel without being stuffy, it's elegant but comfy. I am already planning my next trip!
Lovely setting, shame about the food
by A TripAdvisor Member
Chosen because it appeared in high quality press and positive reviews here, our expectations were high as we wanted somewhere speacial for our wedding anniversary break. We normally go to Rick Stein's Seafood hotel and restaurant but fancied a change this year. We were attracted to this hotel because of location, setting and the chance to have some lovely meals. It scored well on the first 2 criteria. Unfortunately failed miserably on the last. Dinner is charged at Michelin star rates, but without the quality of ingredients, inspiration or execution. Atmosphere in the restaurant is cold and missing an essential ingredient - the smell of food cooking. Admittedly, this is not the place for a restaurant review, but the stay was overshadowed by the fact that the food did not live up to the other parts of the hotel service or facilities. We did speak to the duty manager at the time who helped to resolve the situation so that was a positive point.
Overpriced and Complacent
by TripAdvisor Member drw0010
We booked a deluxe room on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis for £435 per night.
The room, in the main building, was fabulous, large and airy with a four poster bed and open fireplace. Bathroom very impressive with freestanding bath and separate shower cubicle ( quicker by post! )
Staff though, let the whole place down. From an uninterested receptionist, who struggled to deal with two couples arriving at the same time, to a Maitre d' who disappeared after we sat down to dinner, they were the weakness.
The hotel was also over run by screaming children which was not something we had expected . Even at breakfast, there were children running around the restaurant unchecked.
The Spa was lovely but quite busy as it is open to non residents.
The restaurant was the real disappointment. We gave our order in the bar but our starter did not arrive for almost an hour. The waiters were all young and inexperienced and there did not seem to be anyone in charge. The food was nothing special and if we were paying the £43.50 per head we would definitely have felt it was poor value. Service was poor and we constantly had to top up our own glasses due to a lack of attention.
Breakfast was also spoiled by a lack of any supervision. There was an impressive buffet display of fruit, cereals and pastries, but our cooked breakfast was presented by a spotty youth while we were still in the middle of a bowl of fruit. He just stood waiting for us to put aside our bowls unfinished and put the food in front of us. There was also a child running screaming around the room as mentioned above. It seems that all too often, restaurants make the mistake of believing that staff are an un-neccessary expense.
Attractive building and grounds but over priced, food average and spoiled the stay. Restaurant has ensured that we will not return.
When we checked out, I commented on this and left a comment card requesting an acknowledgement. Why am I not surprised that I have heard nothing.
Dogs allowed, smoking allowed - Appalling !!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We decided to pay this hotel a visit to check it out for our daughters honeymoon destination in August, after looking at the website I couldn't wait to visit as it sounded perfect.
We arrived quite early on bank holiday Monday and headed straight for the spa, it seemed quite pleasant, but I was fearful that too many outside member visitors would soon swamp the place, already they were fully booked in the beauty salon.
Off to the main hotel to ask for a guided tour - only got to see the lounges and eating areas. Couldn't help noticing ashtrays on every table, when I asked the receptionist about smoking she said that smoking was allowed in all of the lounges and all of the bedrooms as well as dogs are allowed at £10 extra - what the hell is this all about in a very expensive so called posh hotel!!!! Where does the dog go when its owners are eating, does it go into the restaurant area, what if it starts barking and pining from the bedroom for its owner and what if it carries flees - blinking nora!! Why isn't smoking and dogs mentioned on the website, what if I booked and found this out later, would I get my money back?
I asked the receptionist what quality of coffee they use as we had a bad experience at another manor hotel the day before when we paid £3.50 each for coffee that tasted unlike anything I have ever tasted before. If the receptionist had used her initiative, then she should have happily offered us a complimentary cup. Anyway, upon leaving this not so georgeous place afterall, we could see the receptionist having a bit of laugh with an employee which we can only gather was about the coffee we asked about and the questions we asked about the quality of the rooms - not very happy about this and certainly won't be booking my daughter into this hotel.
Can only imagine that with 39 rooms that the dining area could get noisy especially for a young couple on their beautiful honeymoon.
Also, why don't the staff look very smart and why do they have such a small and cramp reception area.
Oh yes, and one more thing why have my emails not been answered when I first initially asked about prices?
In need of a shake-up
by A TripAdvisor Member
I first stayed at this hotel at the age of 0. I then stayed here every year for the first 14 years of my life. In those days it was an eccentric place; higglety-pigglety, poorly fitting furnishings and full of squeaks, bumps and rattles, and run by an old lady that I remember as being fearsome. Simply tremendous.
Nowadays, it's gone upmarket. I'm pleased to say that the furniture has remained unchanged and the place does retain much of its old charm. However, it is now very exepensive. In days gone by, having some of the lattice window panes replaced by cardboard in a room would be par-for-the-course. So would a temperamental shower which no one made the slightest effort to fix despite being asked. However, at these prices I would expect far better.
The spa is quite nice and the food was very good. The bar staff need a bit more training. Again, in a cheap and eccentric place I'm happy to teach Korean bar staff how to make certain cocktails. At these prices I'm just rather taken aback.
Fab if you can grab a bargain!
by TripAdvisor Member dsr
Stayed here a few weeks ago booking their sunday special - 130.00 per room per night for room, dinner and breafkast. That is 130.00 for two people not 130.00 each! As the 3 course dinner alone in the restaurant would have been around 90.00 I thought this was fantastic value for money (deal still available on their website).
Arrived on the Saturday afternoon and had a leisurely stroll around the grounds and to the stony beach. Back for coffee in the lounge before dinner. The food was great and we were not charged for a bottle of wine we ordered as there was a delay in bringing it to our table (they were very apologetic).
Breakfast was great, served in a lovely sunny room. Then to the spa for a massage and relax before heading off.
This hotel is very eclectic (which I loved) but understand the rooms vary greatly in quality and style. We stayed in the main house (Bailies Room) which had a four poster but to be honest was a bit dated and the shabby around the edges (however for one night only and the great rate we paid we couldnt complain). Not sure if I would feel that same if I were the couple on this site that paid around 460 for the same deal (I assume on a weekend).
Will definately return for another Sunday night if they keep the offer!
Stunning coastal retreat
by A TripAdvisor Member
We booked this on [-----------]as we were simply in need of a short break, good food and some tranquilty. We were thrilled from the moment we arrived and felt we had found a real gem - unique in the best way possible. The setting is superb- on the coast with a private path to a deserted beach. The Hotel is so cosy and welcoming with a friendly but informal atmosphere- not at all stuffy which we found to be the case on other occasions at similar establishments. The food was delightful as were the staff - the welcome and treatment throughout by the staff and strong management presence was faultless. We would love to return here in order to make better use of the spa and two pools inc the outdoor hot tub! Other guests seemed to be making the use of the wonderful treatments available so we will definitley be back. We loved the dog friendly approach which seems to add to the realaxing country house hotel experience, even the pink and green wellies provided for those intrepid explorers were a definite hit!
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