Reviews of Bankes Arms Hotel, Studland
Review by David Hurst on 7th July, 2010
Add your review Date visited: July 2010
We decided to book this for a week with friends staying in two separate rooms. On the outside it is picturesque and appealing. We decided to ditch bags and grab a drink in the bar. As camra members we were excited to try the beers. I was therefore astonished when all the Purbeck Brewery beer was cloudy and literally undrinkable. We went along the bar hoping it would improve. As it happened the guest beer was superb and the best bitter acceptable but a John Bull kit would have tasted better than the rest. 'Musty' is my description. Sure enought the guest beer ran out shortly afterwards. The room was in a sorry sorry state. Shabby green carpet and a bed that was so worm out I returned with backache. Even the grey/ green/ yellow random towels were worn out. Still, nothing on the bathroom. I had to double take on the 2.5mm mains cable running across the part of the floor. The basin cold tap was so floppy I'm not sure what stopped it popping off the pipe. I decided to try the jucuzzi bath. With the bath filled I hit the switch. Nothing. A minute later, my wife on return from the car, shut the main door with a bang and the bloody thing leapt into life. Recovering from near heart failure, I had to leap out as pink goo eminated from it inards and filled the bath. I thought I'd entered a horror film. Food was poor and obviously produced on the cheap although the breakfasts were better. Then again how hard is it to boil an egg. Even then it depended on which wench was in charge. Sometimes you got 3 slices of bacon sometimes 1. Glasses were covered in lipstick and it became a bit of a joke with the other guests as to who could find clean cutlery. The landlord who didnt come across as a pleasant chap, appeared more interested in his racehorses and XKR Jag. Clearly it would be an absolute gem if they ploughed some of this apparent money back into the pub, as it is currently substandard. From experience it is better and cheaper at the YMCA in Swanage or save your money up and stay at the Manor house up the road. Wont be returning until it changes hands. sorry!
Review by P Smith on 13th April, 2010
Add your review Date visited: December 09
Originally we had been to the pub in the summer after a walk, the beer and food were fine and the location fantastic. Because of this we booked to stay for a night between Xmas and the New Year.
The meal in the pub again were fine (not exactly Jamie Oliver standard) as were the ales, so I had no problem on that front.
The accomodation however looked like a throw back to when the place was built.
The room was small, and you just had a feeling of neglect, carpets looked old, curtains looked even older, there was more water on the inside of the windows than outside. I can't understand the limited mentality of the owners who have a 'gold mine' of a business here and spoil it by providing such over priced substandard accomodation.
One further point we found the staff and the breakfast good.
Review by Jane Smart on 22nd August, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 17 August 2009
Last room available (no 9) not en-suite but we were assured bathroom was immediately opposite and "pretty much yours" so decided to risk it {turned out it wasn't].
We arrived day after the beer festival so parking spaces occupied by marquee and staff looked worn out. Room very run down and in need of some repairs and a good clean, plastic hand-basin melted in places by cigarette burns. No towels until we asked. Bathroom OK but tap handle came off and no bathmat. Everything looked like it hadn't been hoovered for weeks. Sign said "ring for reception" but no bell, all a bit DIY. The accommodation part very obviously not managed with the same attention as the bar.
On the plus side the breakfast was fine and the staff were generally helpful and friendly when asked. We met a local couple who were enjoying their honeymoon in Room 1, so seems like some rooms better than others. But Room 9 wasn't worth £84 and we were relieved not to be staying a second night.
Great location - a real shame it was so disappointing.
Review by D Hollywood on 7th August, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 7 August 2009
We live in Poole and have just returned from the Bankes Arms where we had a meal. We have been here for a drink on many occasions but decided to try the food. Big mistake. I had crab salad. The crab was OK but the rst of the plate was piled high with an unappetising tastless salad consisting of little gem and lollo rosso leaves, very bland tomato quarters and loads of dry cucumber (possibly recycled), dollop of coleslaw and tinned sweetcorn. The tomato breas was it's only saving grace. The other meal of ham, eggs and chips was also very dull. £11.95 for the salad and £8.95 for the ham, egg and chips was a waste of money. We won't be eating here again. It's a shame because the location and views make it an ideal venue. It's not hard to do good, simple food.
Review by Loreen on 12th June, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 05/06/69
Weekend away to celebrate 40th birthday.
"four poster bed" a 3/4 bed with bits of wood sarewed to ceiling and filthly lime green curtains stapled to wood (falling off)
"en suite" a filthy, worn out, mouldy, dirty shower cubicle with worn out loo,
"tea making facilities" A 1960 lime scaled kettle and no teabags (despite requesting them twice
I was handed a laminated menu covered in grease and filth.
I have been to cleaner, friendlier truck stops.
I want to complain but I know the management team couldnt give a monkeys
I am contacting enviromental health instead.
Review by Graham on 17th May, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 16 May 2009
Having just visited the Bankes Arms tonight, none of the problems mentioned by previous reviews have been addressed. It was rather quiet for a Saturday night, and I think we found out why.
The bar staff had no idea of what they were selling, being unable to give any details about the beers on offer, and showed even less interest. The best thing about the food was that it came quickly after ordering. The steak was OK, but the salads we had were soggy and limp. We ordered a salmon with prawns, but this came without any sauce, and on enquiring where this was the response "we ran out"- no attempt to tell us this beforehand or to offer an alternative
While we were there (and it was not for long) we heard two other customers complaining about getting the wrong orders or the quality of the food.
It feels like they have become complacent. It has to be one of the best locations in the country, but it was a bit grubby and uncared for. Clearly they are not that interested in repeat trade. We won't be going back there in a hurry.
Review by Mr and Mrs Silvester on 28th March, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 28/03/09
We have just returned from a one night stay in the Bankes Arms, Studland. With some apprehension after reading the previous reviews, we were very pleasantly suprised. Our room was clean with a comfortable bed and the bathroom was again clean and to a good standard. The staff were friendly and the service for the evening meal and breakfast, quick. Both meals were excellently cooked and very hot. We felt welcome and would recommend the hotel/pub to anyone wanting a good base for walking especially if they also have a dog.(The hotel accepted dogs too.)
Review by Elizabeth King on 20th November, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 15-17th Nov 2008
We have just returned from a weekend break at The Bankes Arms. On arrival it was a lovely looking old building, and we were looking forward to being shown to our room.
The first indication that all was not as we’d hoped was the un-communicative, verging on rude bar staff.
We then found that the room was very shabby looking, no care had been taken with soft-furnishings and decoration. The curtains were thin and dirty looking and didn’t fit the window properly. There was no shower fixture on the wall in our ‘en-suite’ bathroom, and the television had come off the wall and was on the landing.
Unfortunately the food was also disappointing - if you were lucky enough to find that what you wanted hadn't sold out, presentation was poor and the huge hunks of bread were stale.
On a more positive note, the full English breakfast each morning was pretty good and the view from the room was fantastic.
From the website, it looks like a great place, and we were looking forward to a weekend away at a lovely country retreat. We thought this place had so much potential, and it was sad to see it in such a sorry state. If you want basic, save your cash and go to the YHA, as this place wasn't much better.
Review by carla on 16th November, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 16/11/08
I feel very disappointed after our visit to this pub. We live quite near and decided to go there for lunch and a beach walk, but the beach and its location was the only good thing about the pub. Firstly the beer was musty...we ordered our meals only to have the waitress yell our number the bring over a the wrong meals...how hard is it to put through two scampi and chips!?! there was no appology for this! then when it did return I didn't feel much like eating it due to the rank stale excuse for a salad flopped on the side of the plate...SO not worth the money. There were also no high chairs or baby changing facilities! Again, no appology for this, just bitchy looks from the bar staff......WE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE BANKES ARMS....EVER!
Review by Alan on 29th August, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 26 August 2008
I wish I had read the other reviews before going to this awful place. What a fantastic website, what an utter disappointment. I don't need to repeat everything that has already been said but I can only endorse every comment. I hope anybody visiting our country manages to read this first as the place is an embarrassment to the UK travel industry. How could the present landlords lose a reputation gained in the good pub guide and other tourist awards so spectacularly in such a short space of time. I can only assume the place has changed hands since these awards were made.
Review by daniel on 26th September, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 23/09/07
My girlfriend and I must admit that we were slightly apprehensive about the bankes arms following the recent reviews. However, we love the the area and and decided to stay there anyway as our room was nice enough and the food pleasant.(breakfast not great)
We had a lovely welcome by the proprieters of the establishment. However the manager [apparently their son]made us feel very unwelcome and we will not be returning there.. This is a shame as the Bankes arms always seemed so idyllic. It is only good for a quick pint in the garden to admire the view but nothing else!
Review by Ann ridley on 26th September, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 08 august 2007
I can only assume the good comments on this establishment somehow originate from staff etc as i cannot believe anyone would do a second visit to this pub. I can only agree with what most people have already said . If the disgrace of the public areas are anything to go by i would hate to see the kitchen etc.Food is very disappointing and service surly. Not reccommended at all.
Review by christina on 8th May, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 6 May 07
Dreadful place - looks fantastic on outside, but stunning location is the only good thing about this pub! The place is filthy - the beers are mostly off! Myself and my partner ordered 2 bottles of lager that were 2 weeks away from their expiry! The bar staff couldn't even tell us which of the beers they brewed out back!!!!! Just don't go there - you'll be soarly disspointed and will feel extremely ripped off!
Review by Lesley Fakley on 12th April, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 10th April 2007
We went with two friends for lunch at the Bankes Arms as recommended to us.
We arrived at 1150 am, ordered drinks and asked if we could place an order for lunch. We were told it was too early as they don't take orders until 12. We tried to order at 1210 but were told the kitchens were not ready and they would let us know when we could order. In the meantime several meals of ploughmans were taken to people on tables outside.
We ordered plaice and chips with a small salad and when it arrived it was not very appetising. The plaice was fine but the chips were pale and not crisp and the salad consisted of a few limp lettuce leaves, a quarter of a tomato and alot of onion. There were only four items on the sweet menu (everything else sold out)to order but even then when placing the order these had been sold and we had ice-cream.
We were certainly not made to feel very welcome and will not be returning again.
Review by Dan O on 25th September, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 23rd September 2006
Although the Bankes Arms sits in an ideal location overlooking Studland and the beautiful bay, it is apparent that this location is the only selling point for this hotel.
During our visit 2 out of 3 of the house ales (brewed out back!) were off, as was the Stella, Kronenburg and Guinness. The eating area was full of flies – my partner counted 30, and the whole place was grubby and shabby.
We booked a night over the phone without seeing it but going on a recommendation from a B&B book. For the price of £84 we got a very bog standard room and mediocre breakfast but the main disadvantage was the general grubbiness and lack of attention to detail – even the credit card machine was on the blink.
It seems as if the owners don’t need to invest anything in the place as people will always stay there because of the location – we’ll not be repeating our visit however as we felt a bit mugged. Not recommended unless everywhere else is full.
Review by mr derek wenham on 7th September, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 31 aug 2006
We went to your pub with the intention of booking a room later in the year.
first the food did not start till 12.30 (stated outside food from 12 midday), then there was no fosters or brandy, then the toilets had no soap in & had not been cleaned.
When I went to order food most of the listed food (not specials) were not avalibale.
when I looked in to how much the rooms cost the tarrif was a printed on a sheet at an angle & showing 2005 prices.
hence went to scotland for my wedding ann.
will go back next year to see if improved!!!!!
Review by Anon on 7th April, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 13/2/06 22/3/06
My partner and I often go for lunch here to getaway from all the modern pubs and places to eat and we both think the food is divine, the whole atmosphere of the pub itself is wonderfull and the food is mouth watering everytime.
Review by Mr M Godfrey on 15th February, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 14/2/06
We had lunch at the Bankes Arms and the food was awful. We had eaten here in the past but we will never eat there again, ever. I would have complanined but it was my wifes birthday and we had a grand child with us.Specifically the chips were barely warm the childrens sausages were full of gristle and I suspect that my venison caserole was left over from the weekend. You have a spectacular position what a pity the food is not to the same standard!
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |