Review of Chesford Grange Hotel 4*

I stayed recently for a conference and then at extra night when my husband joined me. I stayed in one of the standard rooms and then had the last night in a superior room. My stay was overall ok, rooms were clean and beds comfortable. The superior rooms do give you more space and better tea/coffee/water/toiletries than the standard rooms. They are also a lot more airy and light. There were some things that the hotel could improve on. Customer service was lacking by some of the staff there. Some of the reception staff (not all) were rather surly when we initially arrived and provided us with hardly any information about where the rooms were, lifts, facilities and where to get our booked dinners and breakfast for the conference. A few smiles would have helped to welcome us too. Food at the hotel was also overpriced and lacking in quantity and quality. We had the bar food and it was extortionate for the amount of food you receive. £7.00 for two rather small baskets of chips is just crazy! We overhead another guest complain about the quantity of cheese on his cheese platter which was £8.50, which he sent back and refused to pay. We also had other people's drinks added to our room bill as the bar staff put the wrong orders into the till, as they were trying to use it at the same time. The labelling and selection of vegetarian/special dietary food at the conference buffet was dismal. Spring rolls, egg sandwiches and tiny quiches were the only vegetarian options and they were of poor quality. A few of the delegates complained about this. Breakfast was ok, but staff struggled on one of the morning to keep up with coffee and tea orders and a section I was in, were left waiting for long time. It was only after three different people asking over and over again, they were served. The gentleman who appeared to be in charge did not seem to listen to customers raising concerns. I appreciate it was a busy time but more staff should be available at key serving times. On one cooked breakfast we had, we also had an 'off egg' which was extremely off putting. We did raise concerns about this with serving staff and at checkout. The hotel could be a great place with its facilities and garden but little things such as the food prices, quality of food and customer service really do dampen your impressions of the place, hence the rather long review and 3 stars.