Review of Blazing Donkey Country Hotel 3*

Do not stay at this hotel! We had a terrible experience. My partner and I booked a night away in July for our five year anniversary as a celebration using a Living Social voucher. When we arrived at the Blazing Donkey hotel after a 100 mile drive we, and another couple, were greeted with the news that a room was not available for us. I was told that a voicemail had been left for me on my phone – and when I check it had, but it had been left on a couple of hours before when we were already on our journey (I didn’t hear them call because I was driving). There was a wedding party booked there that night so the manager offered to book us into a hotel in a nearby town (Deal) and to pay for a taxi to bring us back for our meal at the Blazing Donkey, which was included in the voucher I bought, and then another taxi to take us back to our new hotel in Deal. So we had to then travel an additional 15 minutes to our new hotel (with the fuel at our own expense) – and then pay for our parking on the seafront. Already this was far from the stress-free ‘holiday’ getaway we had wanted and expected from our anniversary celebration. When we arrived back at the Blazing Donkey for our meal and explained our frustrations to the manager, the only apology we were offered was a bottle of bubbly to go with our meal. When we asked if a refund was possible as we did not receive the service we paid for, we were refused. The manager was uncooperative and seemed more bothered about the wedding party which was clearly his priority. We’re very disappointed and upset with the service. And then to our meal at the Samphire restaurant, which is in the hotel and run by the same staff. I’m gluten intolerant so weeks in advance I emailed the restaurant to check whether there were gluten free options. They came back with a list of about seven dishes and substitutions they’d make to ingredients to make the dishes suitable for me to eat. Needless to say I was really pleased! On the night though, this list was dismissed by the chef who offered one meal per course – so I essentially had no choice in what I ate. My partner’s steak did not come as requested (he asked for medium-well done and it was still bloody). The waitress appeared to be getting drunk as the night went on. It couldn’t have been much worse! Do not stay at the Blazing Donkey or eat in the Samphire restaurant. I would give zero stars if I could.