The Speech House Hotel

Decided to stay two nights in a superior (dearer) room so we could relax. Room 10 looked terribly tired and needed a good lick of paint so it definitely didn't feel like its 'superior' title. It was very dusty in places (windowsills, radiators, heated towel rail). The carpet might or might not have been clean but so badly stained it was impossible to tell and made us feel unsettled. The bed throw had a large, sticky stain on it (felt nauseous at this point) and a chair was so badly stained we stayed clear. Decided not to unpack because we didn't want to touch anything in the room. We complained and was told we'd be moved the next morning. We certainly didn't have a relaxing night. In the morning we had to move all our stuff to room 36 by ourselves. In the past when we once moved rooms because of faults with the room, we got an apology and our bags etc were moved for us. Room looked OK initially but why is there a urinal taking pride of place in the bathroom? Generally, women don't like seeing urinals as they walk in and why position the bathroom bin directly underneath it? Hygienic?Not. We didn't unpack as by this time we were already tired of it. First find in this room was a stone under the bed (couldn't miss it as the bed is high in there). We didn't bring it in so presumably high beds aren't hoovered under (they should be). To the left of a bedside cabinet was a very large and very obvious black thing (looked like an extending cord for a bag maybe, or a weird extendable shoelace). Either way, it wasn't ours and we can only assume it was a gift from the previous occupants, missed because that area of the room wasn't hoovered either. Dust on bathroom floor and towel rail. Didn't want to keep complaining so decided to give up. Final straw was being charged more because we'd been moved to a dearer room. It wasn't our fault the first room wasn't clean. We never asked for or wanted a dearer room, just a clean one. Shame on you Speech house for making us pay more, especially since neither room was clean. To be fair and end on a positive, the service, ambience and food was all excellent in both The Orangery and the breakfast room.

An excellent hotel - quite quirky! Bedrooms are comfortable, staff were wonderful, food was excellent. If you have access problems speak to reception and book with them as some rooms are up a steep staircase. There is a special access room complete with electric scooter!

Just back from a visit to the Speech House with the family, the food and service were very good, they couldn’t do enough for us. Special mention for Chaz who was exceptionally helpful. Location is superb, we tend to stay here as we have family close I think it would be fair to say the rooms we stayed in, in and around the courtyard/cottage area could do with investment, quite tired and shabby. But I’m sure it’s in the plans.

Our room had a 7ft four poster bed and it was very comfortable with beautiful quality bed linen and cushions. The staff are friendly , helpful and genuinely happy in their roles always polite and courteous. The food was excellent , breakfast was plentiful with lots of choice. An evening meal in the orangery was good value and the portion sizes were spot on for us. We will be returning to stay again

Perfect location for forest walks. Location a fairly busy road junction. But right in the middle of the forest, so plenty of walking right outside the door. Good food, choice of a la carte or a more bistro Restaurant . Wine list and a coupe of local ales Nice to have a reading room as our bedroom was a little small. Comfy bed and very well appointed bathroom Friendly staff, particularly the young ladies in the Orangery Restaurant

The main building is incredible, reminiscent of a medieval film set. Sadly our room was like a phone box, up a narrow staircase in a converted cottage outside. Shuffled around the bed to get anywhere. The bathroom was a good size, almost bigger than the bedroom, but not very private, a curtain or blinds would have been nice. The food in the restaurant was sublime and what a place to eat! The breakfast was equally stunning. Nice and quiet overnight. Bed was well worn one of those where you fall into the middle! The staff were lovely people whom you could tell were invested in making it an experience. If it were not for the tiny room this would be among the best we have ever stayed in.

Booked for 1 night (Room 19 - not in the main hotel) as a family of 4, 2 adults 2 children. Unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience and not the most comfortable stay. The room felt like it needed a deep clean, with dust on walls, bedside lamps and marks on the chairs. The general decor of the room felt very old and tired with a lot of drapery that also gathered dust, particularly at the top. The toilet and shower are separate to a small sink unit set in an alcove opposite the bathroom door, again, this looked extremely tired with discoloured grout/sealant. The shower is actually set up off the floor and is therefore not a walk in shower which could be an issue if you had mobility difficulties. I managed to burn myself using the the plastic kettle as the lid didn’t quite close fully and it dripped out as I poured the hot water. Just little things, like a chip on one of the cups, dirty tv remote, radiator with the metal side loose etc also just made it feel like a disappointing and ultimately uncomfortable stay. We ordered sandwiches from room service as it was after 9 o’clock by the time we settled into the room. However, these were not the best and on thin white bread, and not quite the bloomers as described on the menu. Most importantly however, in terms of sleep, the small double mattress was awful! Lumpy, soft, and sat on top of a leatherette base that was far bigger than the mattress, you could feel the springs and it felt like you were going to fall out of it when you turned over. The bed sheets on all the beds, in my opinion, felt ‘damp’. Ultimately this lead to a lack of sleep. As it was only for 1 night and late when we arrived, we did not request to change rooms, but had we been staying more than one night, would certainly have requested to do so. One positive was at breakfast as staff member Sue was lovely, really welcoming and helpful. I don’t like to leave negative reviews, but I genuinely feel that this particular room is in full need of a refurb, clean and most importantly, a new mattress to allow a good nights sleep which unfortunately we didn’t get. Just to confirm, on check out we did raise the issues with a staff member who kindly gave us a discount on the room which covered the cost of the room service we ordered. They were very helpful and explained we could have been moved to the main hotel but as stated it was late when we arrived and we didn’t realise how bad the mattress was!

We had a late booking we made and took the last twin room in the courtyard. Nice room close to the main hotel but it had a massive disabled bathroom /wet room. The experience was not great as we felt as thought we were either in a residential care home or hospital when we stepped foot inside. No where to put toiletries just the window ledge which was very narrow. This room was no. 31 with a mobility for hire scooter outside. We would not have booked this room had we known as we are fit and ambulant and look forward to hotel stays. That said the meal in the Orangery was very good. and the breakfast in the main restaurant was amazing. Absolutely excellent. The service was friendly and agreeable. It was very busy and very full in the hotel with a film crew there so atmosphere was good but it did impact on the evening Orangery service as we waited over 20 minutes for drinks to be brought to our table after ordering them. We have stayed several times including our own wedding night here and our 25th anniversary. The place is timeless.

A lovely, quaint & relaxing place to eat, drink & stay. Staff are on the ball and very polite, great selection of drinks/wine/spirits etc, although the soft drinks are on the steep side. J2o in particular at £4 a bottle. The buffet food was exceptional, fresh and plentiful. Evening dinner was superb in their restaurant. The room was a great size (Room 7) Not the most modern shower but it does the job. Room was clean (I would never have known that dogs may have stayed in the room) It wouldn't have bothered me if I had known, I'm not a stuck up tw@ like some of the reviewers. As long as it's clean and comfortable, I'm happy. I'd like to know the brand of wine served, my wife and sister-in law says it was "The best they've had" I remember it being a sauvignon blanc. A great stay here under the circumstances for our visit and would highly recommend. I won't be back, I mean that in a nice way (we traveled down to be at a funeral)