Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn

“Great Property”

Loved our 5 night stay at this perfectly located property in New Forest - step out the front door and you’re in the forest! Great room, wonderful outdoor space, better than average breakfast and helpful staff. We took advantage of a ‘Spring Special’ which included two course dinner, lodging and bre… more

Loved our 5 night stay at this perfectly located property in New Forest - step out the front door and you’re in the forest! Great room, wonderful outdoor space, better than average breakfast and helpful staff. We took advantage of a ‘Spring Special’ which included two course dinner, lodging and breakfast. Fun to sit out back after a day of hiking and people watch.

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“Great Hotel and Location”

The hotel is in a beautiful location with great walks on the door step. The hotel is beautifully presented with spotless bedrooms. The restaurant menu gave a great choice and the quality of the food was first class. The staff in were excellent - very attentive in all areas. Breakfast was also fant… more

The hotel is in a beautiful location with great walks on the door step. The hotel is beautifully presented with spotless bedrooms. The restaurant menu gave a great choice and the quality of the food was first class. The staff in were excellent - very attentive in all areas. Breakfast was also fantastic. I have stayed here a few times over the last years however this hotel just gets better and better.

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“Disappointing Visit”

Our second visit to this hotel. Last year we were very impressed and gave it 5 stars but this year something feels different. Tried to check in at 3pm and room wasn’t ready so asked to come back in 30 mins - ok no problem. After 30 mins room still wasn’t ready and a discussion between the reception… more

Our second visit to this hotel. Last year we were very impressed and gave it 5 stars but this year something feels different. Tried to check in at 3pm and room wasn’t ready so asked to come back in 30 mins - ok no problem. After 30 mins room still wasn’t ready and a discussion between the receptionist and the house keepers, the room hadn’t been started with the house keeper saying it wasn’t on the list. After another 45 minutes we were given the key. We stayed in the suite on the second floor which was very spacious with a huge, comfortable bed. Occasional furniture was less comfortable- 3 seater sofa was obviously quite old and lumpy. Bathroom was big with a shower and separate bath. The balcony overlooking the gardens was very pleasant in the evenings when the sun had moved over the hotel. During the day, it was too hot to sit on for any length of time but the gardens with large parasols was very pleasant. The biggest change for us was the restaurant which last year was excellent. We booked dinner for the Sunday evening at 6pm. When we arrived there were no staff at all and the receptionist came over after checking which tables were free. Despite being the only ones in the room we were seated in the centre of the restaurant because the other tables were locked? Other diners were offered a choice of table as they arrived. After sometime, we were offered drinks and the order taken. Quite a wait until the food arrived. Sunday roast was mediocre. Meat was so tough we couldn’t cut it, cold Yorkshire pudding and a few vegetables. Waitress got our desserts incorrect so an even longer wait. However, the most noticeable change was the lack of organisation with the waiting staff. No leadership whatsoever. Breakfast was good - plenty of choice on the buffet. Hot food is ordered and comes from the kitchen. This was fine on the first morning but today was a shambles. Staff all over the place, nobody directing staff to take orders, hot food took 30 minutes to be served from the kitchen- hoping for a better experience tomorrow. We ate in the bar on the second evening and ate out on the third day. We sat in the bar on the second evening and witnessed very unprofessional behaviour from the staff. An elderly couple who were staying in different rooms left the restaurant promoting the head waitress to follow them into the reception to ask to which room she should allocate the bill. After a discussion the couple left and the waitress and receptionist had a conversation about them in front of ourselves and other staff. Generally, a lot of young staff who are all very nice but without any organisation were struggling. Checking out in the morning so it will be interesting to see if we will be asked if enjoyed our stay.

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“Not what it was or as expected”

Disappointed overall. More dog tolerant than dog friendly as you can only eat in the somewhat grim bar if you have your dog with you. Although as it was a very nice evening we did have the choice to eat outside but that option was not obvious. Unfortunately, the menu was limited and in fact seemed … more

Disappointed overall. More dog tolerant than dog friendly as you can only eat in the somewhat grim bar if you have your dog with you. Although as it was a very nice evening we did have the choice to eat outside but that option was not obvious. Unfortunately, the menu was limited and in fact seemed identical to what we were offered last year. At the end of the evening we took our dog for a short walk intending to have coffee and a whisky afterwards. Unfortunately, it seemed that as they had cleaned the coffee machine (this was only 2130) it was not possible! So we went to bed! Hopefully, breakfast will be ok but as they wanted to know at precisely what time we were going to eat and frankly we had no idea I’m not sure what will happen!!

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