Buckland Manor has the most idyllic property and location in an amazing area within The Cotswolds. The guest rooms, common areas, outdoor spaces and gardens set the stage for what we hoped would be a five-star experience in the English countryside. The staff try hard and mostly deliver, but there are dramatic and noticeable shifts in the service level from one staff member to another. Overall, service is quite a mixed bag, inconsistent and definitely not at par with the five-star cost of a stay. We had a four-night stay at Buckland Manor, and I fear we may have stayed too long. While their prix fix dinner menu gives the suggestion of splendor, we found the food to be lacking in flavor and quantity across the board. It was apparent that they only order so much food per day, so you definitely do not want to be in their last seating. I was served a scrap of sea bass tail for my main course that was mostly skin could not even have weighed a full ounce. It should have not have been served. There are never changes or specials offered to the menu at breakfast, in the lounge or in the main restaurant. The so-called soup of the day and fish special were the same for us all four days. The main dining room where breakfast and dinner are served lacks warmth and gives the impression of a wedding reception venue. It’s impossible not to hear the private conversations at other tables. A bit of background music would dramatically improve the aesthetic. Given the redundancy of the menu options and the uninviting room, the dining experience was immediately unexciting and boring. We were fortunate to have great weather, so we opted to take several meals at their outdoor seating areas which definitely helped. Overall, the splendor of Buckland Manor’s situation redeemed the our overall memory of our trip, but they have a definite management issue in assuring consistent quality in their service and food experience. They did not earn what they charged us for our stay.
翻譯