More Traveller Reviews of Chevin Country Park Hotel
Enjoyed Our Stay - One or Two Small Suggestions
from langlaf
This was our second visit (first since takeover) and we had an enjoyable stay. Plenty to do in surrounding area, whether you want town shopping (Harrogate/Skipton), stately home/garden visits or walking/cycling etc. Knew to expect renovation work which was fine. (Note - if it's your first visit, ensure you have good directions or satnav as many guests miss the hotel turn-off sign on the main road.) Pleasant welcome at reception and all staff were very helpful throughout stay. Chalet (in grounds) was in need of some refurbishment but clean - Hansel and Gretel experience! Dinner starters and mains were very good - breakfasts so-so. Hotel's Gen Mgr sometimes reads reviews here so can I respectfully list some annoyances re catering which blatantly smack of penny-pinching!... 1. First time I've encountered a hotel dinner menu with no coffee/tea (extra!). 2. When we asked for some water, waitress carefully measured out less than half a small wine glass each (is it rationed in Yorkshire or a polite nudge to buy a bottle of wine) - I frequently asked her for top-ups and she diligently poured out another measure each time!! 3. Same dessert choice every night 4. Breakfast food (limited choice, no fresh fruit)and drinks self service with tea/coffee in 2 flasks, faintly marked, so you end up with a cup of mixed! Leisure pool etc obviously due for refurb soon and there was a nasty drain smell in ladies' changing area but we still enjoyed a daily swim. We hope to make a return visit once renovations are complete, but some small subtle changes (like a jug of water on the table!) would make a difference.
Management response from chevingm
24 Jun 2008
Thank you for providing your feedback after your recent stay at the Chevin. It is always good to welcome back returning guests, your comments are very valuable in measuring the consistency of our service.
As you mentioned, certain areas of the hotel are due for investment and this is part of Crerar Hotels' ongoing commitment to it's refurbishment. The Restaurant development will be completed very soon and further work around the estate will follow afterwards.
We have recently appointed a new Head Chef and we are reviewing our menus to ensure that we are meeting our guests expectations not only on quality but also on value.
I do hope to welcome you back to the Chevin in the near future and I am sure that you will see further improvements, some of which will have been directly influenced by the positive and constructive criticisms that you have given.
Thanks again.
Very Pleased
from 22laura86
I have just arrived home after a 3 day stay at chevin lodge and found it a friendly and enjoyable place to stay. The cabins were very cosy and the food was outstanding. I took my 2 young children with me and they enjoyed this break as much as me, all the staff were friendly and went out of there way to make our stay a good one. On the second night whilst waiting for a table my eldest child fell asleep so we asked if the food could be delivered to our cabin not long after our food was brought to us and it was lovely. This was a sign that the staff at chevin cared a great deal about there customers. I enjoyed my stay at chevin very much and will be arriving back sometime this year.
Management response from chevingm
24 Jun 2008
Many thanks for your comments regarding your stay at the Chevin. I was really pleased to read your positive and encouraging feelings towards the team and am glad that we made your families stay a memorable one. I look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future.
Kind regards.
Perfect Wedding Venue with Exceptional Customer Service
from lucyrider
We booked our wedding in 2006, but had to postpone and during this time the venue changed ownership which meant there were a few hiccups with staff changes. Then urgent structural work was needed to be done, meaning our wedding on 03/05/08 would be affected by building work. We were nervous, but our minds were put at rest by Andrea the wedding coordinator and Kevin the general manager who showed us the beautiful marquee constructed to create a replacement function room compensating for the one that is temporarily closed. The day went without hitch and was as stress-free as it’s probably possible for weddings to be - largely due to Rob who co-ordinated the day for us right down to sorting out wedding flowers which arrived in the wrong colour! The Chevin were extremely flexible – arranging late check-out for me so that we could spend the morning getting ready in my room, helping with the table decorations, Rob even arranged for the photographer to get on the roof so that he could take a full group shot for us. The venue really is lovely, beautiful lake, geese strutting around, forest, log cabins and inside it’s all very well furnished so the amount of decorating you have to do yourself is minimal. The BBQ wedding breakfast was great, very relaxed and tasty – lots of compliments from the guests! It’s good for large numbers of guests – we had nearly 90 to the day and could have comfortably accommodated up to 200 in the evening which can be hard to find in other venues. Bridal suite – the Dales was great with a private outside hot tub! Spa and gym are great for people to get to know each other the day before as well. Altogether excellent when the plan came together – highly recommended!
Management response from chevingm
14 May 2008
Thank you for taking the time to post your kind comments regarding your wedding at the Chevin.
I am pleased to hear that the structural work on the Restaurant did not impact upon the proceedings of your day, and will ensure that my colleagues read your comments.
Somewhat disappointed
from murjim
We have just returned from a short break at the Chevin Country Park Hotel and really feel a bit disappointed in it. I specifically mentioned that my husband was disabled when I booked and asked for a suitable room. We were given one of the cabins with a bridge over a stream and then a rather big step up into the cabin. We should have asked for a change but my husband did not wish to. The place is very much in need of brightening up and some refurbishment. The breakfast on the first two mornings was all served to us except for the cereals, etc. after that we served ourselves with everything except the toast. The plates for the heated food were. The restaurant menu was not extensive and we had our final meal from the bar menu where there seemed to be more choice. The staff were all very pleasant but I have a suspicion that some of them are not aware of the positioning of the cabins - something they should be aware of surely.
Management response from chevingm
13 May 2008
Thank you for your honest feedback.
May I apologise that the room allocated to you was not ideally suited to your circumstances, had it been brought to our attention on arrival then I am sure that we would have been able to move you to a more comfortable room.
With regards to your feedback in reference to the Hotel needing refurbishment, the owners have, and continue to, invest substantial funds into the property since it's acquisition 18 months ago in order to improve the standard of accomodation and facilities. As I am sure you will appreciate this is an ongoing process.
We are currently reviewing our menu choices to ensure that our offering is varied and extensive enough to cater for all tastes.
Garden shed!
from BingoTodd
We won two nights dinner, bed and breakfast in a competition at this hotel so were expecting an experience which would make us want to return. Sadly this was not the case. We were given a lodge in the grounds which can only be described as one up from a garden shed. It was, damp, dirty, cramped and dated. The bathroom had a cracked basin and the loo roll holder fell off the wall. We were aware the place is being renovated and thought it odd that we were given such a poor room when the hotel was not fully booked and can only conclude that since we were't paying, they were not bothered! In the middle of the first night, we were woken by the radio in the chalet next door blaring out at full volume. The chalet was unoccupied so we guess it was on a timer for some reason. We had to ring reception to get them to switch it off. After a night in the hardest bed ever, we noticed there were large ants tramping along the bath from a crack in the wall. We then noticed ant traps on the floor of the room. After complaining we were given a room in the main building which was much better - though there was still evidence of dirt and it was in need or a refurb. We visited the leisure facilities on the first evening and they too really need a good clean as the water was a murky green. On a plus the evening dinner on both nights was superb with good service and choice and all staff were really nice. It sounds unreasonable to complain so much when this was a freebie but we would never have paid full rate for the accommodation. Our advice would be to check your room before accepting it and even possibly wait for the refurb to be completed as we would not wish for anyone to pay for this experience. We are writing to Crerar Hotels separately about our experience, not for compensation, but to let them know what kind of impression they are giving.
Management response from chevingm
14 May 2008
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your recent stay at the Chevin Country Park Hotel, and indeed for the positive comments regarding the service and food which you enjoyed.
As you mentioned, the hotel is undergoing renovation and we do value guest feedback as it highlights the areas that we must prioritise in our programme of refurbishment.
I do hope that you received my direct response to the letter you sent to the hotel and look forward to welcoming you back to the Chevin in the future.
Great location in the countryside
from skymike
We got married in this hotel on the 22/03/08 and after some initial teething problems had a first class experience. Every aspect of our stay was carefully and thoughtfully catered for. What an advert for good old Yorkshire hospitality! The rooms were fantastic and the food for our reception was amazing. I highly recommend this hotel for events, meetings or just a relaxing weekend in peaceful surroundings. The walking and countryside in the area is spectacular and the local country town of Otley offers a host of local shops and attractions.
Great Deal.. very pretty place!
from DARLINGTON765
Recently returned from a long weekend break at Chevin. The hotel is very pretty, a main hotel surrounded by little log cabins (3 connected together). We stayed in one of the log cabins, which was about the size of a standard hotel room. Nice and clean. Would be nice in Summer as there was a patio area for picnics / watch the children play. We got an unbelievable weekend deal, I'm guessing its because March is quiet and they are trying to get people in. Lovely little bar all in wood –board games and a beautiful roaring fire. Nice gym and swimming pool. The service in the restaurant needs some attention, I think all the staff were new and seemed very stressed by a very small number of customers! Although there was no formal entertainment, the waiters certainly kept us entertained, it made waited for our food interesting! We waited and waited...actually for over 2 hours!!!! My advice would be don't go to the restaurant whilst you are hungry. The food was very much worth the wait and the waiters were very friendly and I’m sure will improve! Overall a really nice weekend break and I'd recommend!
Management response from chevingm
14 May 2008
Thank you for adding your kind feedback regarding the Chevin. As always it is a pleasure to know that our guests have enjoyed their stay.
As you observed we have recently taken new team members on board in the Restaurant and I am pleased to say that they are all now settled in.
Hopefully I will be able to welcome you back to the Chevin in the near future.
Enjoyed the Log Cabin Lodges
from ScotsmanJock
The Hotel was very nice and the Leisure Centre small but adequet. The Lodge was warm and comfortable but could have done with being refreshed. Unfortunately the Lakeside Resturant was being redeveloped and the standard of food, service and location of the alternative eating places ie. the Bar/ Conservatory was not up to the Award Winning Standard claimed by the hotel. A great deal of work was being carried out in the the hotel complex area and I am sure that in the future the experience here will be much better.
Overated
from chalkpink
Booked a large family gathering to celebrate birthday.Reception staff very friendly and helpful. Accommodation was in log cabins which are in desparate need of an upgrade. Little things like a pile of leaves on the front door mat, curtains in the bedroom that are hanging off the track, low wattage lighting making it very dull, and of course the 80's style of soft furnishings and worn carpet. There was a strong smell of air freshner as we walked in to mask that musty smell. Food was surprisingly good, although they hadn't quite got the service right at breakfast.
Fantastic value
from sheffieldsteeler49
We recently stayed at this hotel on a winter dinner, bed and breakfast special offer. It was amazing value for money. Yes, the lodges are in need of refurbishment, but are warm and comfortable. The lounges are welcoming and have views across the lake. The three course evening meals were delicious and beautifully presented. The staff are wonderful. Well done.
More hotel photos
A real disappointment, as the hotel has great potential. We booked online and were late arriving, although we did telephone to advise. The only member of staff on arrival was friendly and helpful, but had no training in how to check us in. As a result, when we came to... more