Whilst travelling en route from Warwickshire to Norfolk, after much internet research we identify The Old Bridge as the perfect stop-off venue to take Saturday morning breakfast; we telephone ahead to clarify non-Residents were welcome & were informed yes, absolutely & that breakfast service ceased at 10.00.
We arrived circa 9.00am & were immediately impressed by the immaculately styled & manicured grounds & gardens which were stunning & really very contemporary in design.
Upon entering the restaurant we were also equally impressed by the beautiful interior-design & clever mix of classic, traditional with a modern, trendy twist.
However, despite introducing myself as the Lady whom had just literally, less than twenty minutes ahead, rang to make a breakfast reservation, I was met with a stony faced, nonchalant, vacant look & disinterested response from a young Lady with a long blonde pony tail; whose extended customer service failed to improve at any juncture throughout our experience!
In fact, the snooty, snotty, delusions of self-importance such Individual exuded, along with a constant strut & flick of the hair that would be better suited upon a Milan catwalk, was beyond ignorant & was entirely void of any civility or hospitality; which was thoroughly unnecessary & unacceptable & the establishment really should invest in some urgent customer service training or at least monitor the Calibre, or lack of in this instance, of the Staff to whom they let loose upon the front-of-house/customer-facing roles.
It is for that reason alone, why a full five marks has not been awarded upon this occasion; however, despite the grossly & audaciously rude conduct of said Individual, the saving grace was the polite, smiley, personable & helpful Waitress; another young Lady, but with dark hair, whom comparatively was charm personified & whom couldn’t do enough to assist, top up tea & generally provide the level of customer service that is a fundamental necessity.
Additionally, another saving grace, was that the breakfast offering was exceptional; a beautifully presented array of fresh fruits, juices, yoghurts, grains, pastries, jams & honey, along with the most delicious farmshop-esque cooked breakfast with quality ingredients sourced locally, which was priced at £17 per person which was really great value considering the high-end environment in which we dined.
The Hotel itself looks amazing & is definitely one upon the list to try for a future weekend away; although upon my return, I will not tolerate the ill mannered service I endured upon this occasion & I sincerely regret not challenging such Individual or establishing her name to complain about such to management..... Reason I didn’t was because my Husband discouraged me to do so upon the basis he wanted a calming quiet start to our weekend away!