Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Gutted. Mini break spoiled.

126 replies

JoborPlay · 22/07/2021 18:46

I'm gutted. 3 months ago we booked a 2 night stay at a Michelin star restaurant and hotel for my birthday later in the year. It was a dinner, bed and breakfast rate and dinner at the Michelin star restaurant included in the price plus a reservation made at their other restaurant for the other nights stay.

I emailed today to ask what time the reservations were as we wanted to plan some activities in the day time and they've responded saying they are really sorry but someone made a mistake and didn't make the reservation for either restaurant when the booking was made and now they are full.

We can switch to a bed and breakfast rate, but there aren't really any restaurants within walking distance (it's a small village in Cumbria so taxis are very hit and miss) so it would spoil the break a little as one of us would have to drive. We can't move the date as we have 2 young children and only get child care very infrequently.

I'm just a bit gutted. Was really looking forward to it. I've had a look and there's very little availability elsewhere for our dates. Certainly nothing of the same caliber and all much more expensive now.

Just having a rant really!

OP posts:
memberofthewedding · 22/07/2021 21:54

I would ask what their plans are to resolve the situation bearing in mind how bad reviews placed on multiple platforms could seriously harm their business.

birdglasspen · 22/07/2021 22:00

It sounds like the kind of place where you stay there TOO eat there, so if you have a reservation for a room I would expect them to accommodate you for dinner, you are resident. They need to cancel a booking made later, they could also look at cancelling a more local booking who could potentially be rebooked easier for another night. They need to fix this for you.

AustinPowerful · 22/07/2021 22:01

Another one recommending Hipping Hall- was lucky enough to go to a wedding there, it was absolutely amazing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
JoborPlay · 22/07/2021 22:14

@DingDongThongs

Why not try The Old Stamp House restaurant in Ambleside? Michelin starred and in a beautiful place. I live in the Lakes and there's plenty of excellent places to eat x hth
It's full! Already looked at it. It's definitely on the list for the future.
OP posts:
Original poster
JoborPlay · 22/07/2021 22:17

@DrFoxtrot

It's not Holbeck Ghyll is it, OP? They lost their Michelin rating and the hotel has gone downhill recently. If it is, you've had a lucky escape.
No. We've recently (ish) stayed there and we're really quite disappointed. Food was ok. Staffing levels were awful (covid related I think though) room was lovely but only 1 single coat/ towel/ robe hook in the entire suite and the decor was was not tasteful. We enjoyed it, but expected more and won't be returning.
OP posts:
Original poster
JoborPlay · 22/07/2021 22:17

@AustinPowerful

Another one recommending Hipping Hall- was lucky enough to go to a wedding there, it was absolutely amazing.
Yes, I've been to a wedding there- I'm actually from the area, though haven't lived there for near on 20years.
OP posts:
emeraldcity2000 · 22/07/2021 22:26

No recommendations sadly but a similar thing happened to me once. The restaurant contacted the other guests and offered a 50pc discount if a dinner only reservation could change their dates.... someone did which was lucky for us xx

Xmumof2x · 22/07/2021 22:35

Have you tried The Punchbowl in Crosthwaite? Amazing food and really good service?

www.the-punchbowl.co.uk/

Hyacinth88 · 22/07/2021 22:39

Due to their attitude I wouldn't be wanting them to have a penny.

Dontwatchfootball · 22/07/2021 22:46

It is just not good enough for them to announce they messed up and leave it at that. I hope you can get them to take responsibility for coming up with a decent plan.

PaddleBlue · 22/07/2021 22:50

I would be bloody insisting they sort it out! And keep checking reservations for the other places regularly, with covid there are bound to be lots of cancellations (unfortunately for them!)

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 22/07/2021 22:50

How far up the food chain have you escalated this ? I'd bypass any reservations staff and go direct the General Manager to resolve.

robotcollision · 22/07/2021 23:10

The Old Stamp House in Ambleside is very good. It's just been voted best restaurant in the world on Trip Advisor. And their sister restaurant which is much more casual Kysty, also in Ambleside, is great too. I preferred it but OSH is very much more Michelin perfect in its style and presentation.

robotcollision · 22/07/2021 23:12

@PaddleBlue

I would be bloody insisting they sort it out! And keep checking reservations for the other places regularly, with covid there are bound to be lots of cancellations (unfortunately for them!)
I agree. You are only two people. They can stick a table in the kitchen like they do for the most famous food critics and slebs who want to eat in private. They can fit you in if they choose to.
m00rfarm · 23/07/2021 00:06

THeir mistake and therefore they need to move another booking to accommodate you at the agreed time and date. Whoever booked last should be bumped. Not you.

Original poster
JoborPlay · 23/07/2021 15:30

UPDATE:

A further fuck up has actually led to a sort of satisfactory conclusion.

They cancelled the hotel booking and refunded the deposit. They then rang apologising - they meant to cancel a different booking but got the wrong one. They have re-booked us, changed us to a B&B rate and cancelled the deposit - i.e. given us a 35% discount. They've also slotted us in to restaurant 2 (not the Michelin star one) on the Saturday night and I've booked in to 1863 for the Friday and booked a taxi each way in advance. The 35% discount will pay for the taxi and Fridays meal.

I'd still prefer the original deal but when I spoke with them on the phone they explained that there is a private function on the Friday night and the Saturday night was booked up before our reservation was even made - she thinks the error was allowing a DB&B rate to be booked in the first place. She also said they had over booked hoping to be able to be able to reduce social distancing in the room and the kitchen, but that hasn't worked out.

OP posts:
Skiptheheartsandflowers · 23/07/2021 15:52

Well, I'm glad you've got bookings sorted now and hope you have a lovely weekend. Just think, if you hadn't emailed about the reservation, presumably you'd have shown up only to be told that there was no room at the inn!

Happymedium31 · 23/07/2021 17:33

Cumbrian here! Sharrow Bay, Armathwaite Hall, 1863 Restaurant

Jengnr · 23/07/2021 17:41

The Forest Side is nice and has a star

Original poster
JoborPlay · 23/07/2021 18:01

@Jengnr

The Forest Side is nice and has a star
Yeah, it's full for our dates, that was one of our original list
OP posts:
janice511 · 23/07/2021 18:02

Not in the lakes but we have Walworth castle near us (Darlington) and Raby Hunt Michelin starred restaurant 10 mins from there.
It's a proper castle, Best Western hotel with it's own bird of prey centre

Inertia · 23/07/2021 18:08

Glad you have a resolution, but I would insist on everything being confirmed in writing after all that. They sound disorganised, and I wouldn’t rely on anything they said in a phone call.

NeedNewKnees · 23/07/2021 18:08

So glad it's been resolved, OP!

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 23/07/2021 18:09

I hope the stick a bottle of bubbly in the room fir the inconvenience op !

BountyIsUnderrated · 23/07/2021 18:10

It's not ideal but at least you can still have your break now. Wine

Swipe left for the next trending thread