Reviews of Old Tollgate Hotel, Steyning
Review by Saccville on 10th January, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 09/1/2010
We booked a special offer (thank goodness as full price for this place would be a real insult) with a view to attending a friends birthday party. While the party didn't go ahead because of the wintry weather we decided to keep our booking.
Check in was unfriendly with staff or friends of staff loitering in the area. More concerning was the powerful smell of burning meat and fat that lingers throughout the main building. To get to our room, we had to navigate through the kitchen service area to another building (converted house). The pathway had only been partially cleared of snow and ice making the short walk a precarious one. The room was modern and clean but the heating didn't work effectively with the hallway being considerably warmer than the room. Staff were made aware of this but nothing was done to correct the matter while we were out for the afternoon and evening.
Despite originally making a dinner reservation we chose to cancel it once we realised it was a carvery. (The food sits around in bain-marie and under hot plates an isn't the most appealing way of dining on a Saturday night).
On returning to the hotel after a good Chinese up the road, we found the room to be even colder than when we left it and on complaining were moved to an alternative (and equally cold) suite in another block across the way. Tired and fed up, we wrapped up waiting for two electric heaters on the wall to eventually 'kick-in'.
Breakfast the next morning was in the 'carvery' and was nothing memorable and service scarce. This is not a pleasant hotel, it's tired, in need of a complete make-over and is indicative of so many mediocre and poor mid-range hotels in our country. On check-out I waited for 5mins to pay my bill as the one solitary receptionist dealt with a telephone enquiry, and informed the caller that normal rack rates are from £120.00!!! Unfortunately my gasp of dismay when I heard that, might have let her know I was listening to the call.
Bramber is such a pretty little village, but you'd do far better visiting and staying in nearby Steyning (which looked nice) or in Brighton which is 10miles away. (with bus service to/from the area)
Review by ROGER on 28th January, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 2009-01-28
Good Points: Hotel of character on a spacious plot in lovely quiet village. Easy parking in landscaped grounds. Good access to Brighton and surrounding area. Friendly, helpful staff. Pleased to find vegetarian options available both for breakfast (vegetarian sausages were lovely!) and at the carvery for the evening meal. Our room was clean, spacious with four poster bed and huge well appointed bathroom. Comprehensive and informative welcome pack. Clearly marked and uncluttered fire exit routes.
Bad Points: No negative points apart from fairly expensive fixed price for carvery (but see my comment later)
General review: Glad that I selected this hotel from many others advertised for the Brighton area on the internet. The hotel seemed efficiently run and we had a very pleasant stay over two nights. Although I gave a slight negative comment regarding the carvery cost it was only because our diet is vegetarian. Others would probably find it good value because of the amazing variety and quantity of hot and cold meat dishes available. Good choice of desserts. The duty chef was really helpful. Speaking to friends in the Brighton area they were already very aware of the reputation that the hotel has for food of excellent quality. We particularly enjoyed the breakfast in an unhurried atmosphere and setting.
Review by Gillian on 6th September, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 2008-09-06
Good Points: Reception was fair on arrival but excellent during our stay and on departure
Bad Points: Although the room was spotless, we felt it had not been inspected before our arrival. We had to request towels, electric plugs had been left on the floor, the safe could not be used. This was reported but not repaired and there was no feedback as to why.
General review: Unfortunately, we did not enjoy our meal on Monday 1st September. We felt the staff were under some pressure and we were kept waiting at the servery for several minutes - one of the waitresses had to search for the chef, who did not apologise for the delay, by which time there was a queue of at least eight people. Being the first in the queue, we felt we were then rushed. The waiting staff at breakfast were excellent. All these irritations spoiled the day of our arrival for a two stay to celebrate a birthday and wedding anniversary and we therefore dined elsewhere on the second evening.
We booked with this hotel after a personal recommendation so we feel that we were perhaps unfortunate but we will not be returning.
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