A disappointing experience

Although the overall impression was pleasing closer inspection revealed faults and unrepaired damage. Curtains in dining room and bedroom were badly torn and window frames needed repainting. Chipped paintwork in the suite and water damage due to a badly designed bath/shower was a surprise. Poorly designed and cramped wardrobes with no immediate lighting, a complete lack of drawers and only one chair in the bedroom area were an annoyance. A pleasing feature was windows that could be opened.

Both the afternoon tea and the evening meal we felt were not value comparable with other establishments.

No review title

You can't fault the location and the room was lovely, we love Stratford and you can walk everywhere from the hotel - but when we ate we dined in an empty restaurant and the staff were adequate rather than excellent.
There was a mix up with the room rate and they didn't realise we were on the OPL pakage.

Rather disappointing

Although we were left chocolates in our room for my friends birthday this is where I feel the customer service ended. The staff didn t seem to know what package we were on - our welcome drink wasn t provided to us until we asked even though I had sent a specific email. The restaurant staff weren t very helpful or knowledgeable- we changed our reservation from 8 to 8.30 wouldn t have done this if we d known it closed at 9 - very rushed and spoilt our evening. Reception staff not very helpful when requesting to find our gin tasting - wasn t informed of code to get out of car park so had to park car and return to reception- basic things really. Would not choose to return - a very disappointing experience- such a pity as it was a special occasion.

Short break in late September 2019

We thought the Arden Hotel has lost its former glory, carpets threadbare, the food in the restaurant has gone downhill. Poor menu presentation, the menu stated daily specials, when asked what they were, the answer was "there are none"? They are all special? I don't think so.
However the staff were lovely and very helpful.

Just missed

We stayed on a special deal at The Arden as we wanted to go to The Tempest. The hotel was welcoming but at the first dinner the waiter was not on the ball, assuming, careless and forgetful. We brushed that aside and had a good night and day. When we returned to our room in the afternoon the toilet had not been cleaned and windowlene had been left in the bathroom. Again we left this and saw a fantastic play in the evening. At breakfast the next day a waitress walked, at speed, into the jaw of my partner with a plate (I was not there at this moment). It shook her up, the manager got her ice, but the hit caused bruising and pain. As we left we saw the duty manager who said that we would be offered a reduced stay at any hotel in their chain, because of the sad ending to our stay, but this has not been forthcoming.

Arden

The restaurant was a big let down. Very long delay between placing order for dinner and arrival of 1st course -they had clearly forgotten us. At 1st breakfast again very long delay in even bringing a cup of coffee. Very helpful and pleasant staff serving food but kitchen hopeless. Standard of food quite good once it arrived. On check out incorrect bill - they did not understand the conditions of the booking but they readily agreed to change to correct bill on querying it.

Nice Hotel - few admin issues

Superior Room Booked - toilet flush broke on first use. Staff reallocated room pretty quickly as no maintenance parts there to fix toilet. 2nd room I dont think was same standard as significantly smaller room (birch to hawthorn) still had the same facilities but alot smaller.

Every thing else about stay was really good but checkout process a bit of a mess and hassle to sort out. As i was checking out very early I asked for bill on night before checkout but night porter advised it wouldn't be ready until morning so my card would be charged even though check in letter says you will get bill under door night before you leave. When I saw my bill that was emailed next day I noticed I had been charged for the full dinner when 50 of it was inclusive of the package booked through countryhotel breaks. This was sorted after a few emails between myself and accounts in the end but an unnecessary hassle and took a little shine off it.

Good hotel let down badly by over pretentious restaurant

Could not fault the hotel in any way. Lovely clean rooms and heloful reception staff. The restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. Over priced and poor quality. I ordered fillet steak the first night and there was not even 3oz of meat,served on a luke warm plate with luke warm veg. To be fair they did offer a sweet foc. The breakfast.was appalling. I could g
o on but i think you get the message.