Makeney Hall - Milford

I booked afternoon tea for 4 for Saturday 22nd December at 2pm. When we arrived a member of staff said 'we don 't know how you managed to book it ' We were shown into a large room The Chartwell. A table was laid for us but the room was completely bare, not a single decoration and no other guests. The waitress tried very hard but there was no ambience and we were clearly an inconvenience. The food was spectacular and the thing that made it bearable. With wine I paid £174. I am disgusted at the welcome we received and thoroughly disappointed as it spoiled the Christmas treat i planned for my daughters. Their excuse was ' we have a party tonight in the conservatory. ' No apology was made nor an offer of any refund.

Makney Hall,was a beautiful place once, it is very tired now. We enjoyed our food. The staff were good but busy with a works Christmas party that was in.

Lovely stay, staff very friendly. Room was very comfortable and warm. Open complaint here was no bath mat when using shower and also hot water was scalding as soon as turned on. Meals were very good on both nights except on Saturday night kitchen staff were very, very slow, 2 hrs for 2 courses, waiting staff very good. Breakfast on the Sunday, because it was busy, food was very slow, kept running out. Waiting staff again very good, cleaning tables as soon as people moved and relaid for next people. Overall enjoyed our stay.

Makeney Hall is in a beautiful setting and maintains it's traditional feel although it feels like it is such a wasted gem and has so much more potential. The setting for afternoon tea was ideal, we were seated next to the window overlooking the garden which was really lovely. The staff were very polite and attentive although a couple of them looked a tad scruffy, we felt that perhaps some kind of smarter uniform would be better for such a place like this. The afternoon tea itself was nice although I didn't feel that you got an awful lot for the £17 per person price tag, the coffee was very strong and just luke warm so I swapped to tea. There were not as many sandwiches as you would expect but definitely more desserts/sweets I would say. In comparison to other places like Callow Hall Weston Hall where I have had afternoon tea for a similar price, I would not say this was the best one although the beautiful quiet setting does make up for it. Having said all that, I will definitely return, maybe not for afternoon tea next time but to try the other food menu on offer. Such a beautiful understated place, it definitely deserve more visitors, thank you.

Excellent service, wonderful location, the views are a delight and my lamb rump was divine.