The Restaurant at The Vineyard

Our first impressions of The Vineyard Hotel were very positive. The exterior and initial welcome were impressive, though the hallway itself was particularly inviting and smelt fantastic. We were warmly greeted with a welcome drink, which set a friendly and relaxed tone for our stay. We were pleasantly surprised to receive a room upgrade, which was a lovely gesture after returning from a trip to New York. The room itself was of a high standard – spacious, overlooking the golf course, with a balcony and some thoughtful welcome treats. We took advantage of the spa facilities, which were a bit of a mixed experience. The main pool was cooler than comfortable, and the hot tub was more lukewarm than hot. That said, the sauna and steam room were both good, and it was a nice touch that staff could bring drinks from the hotel directly into the spa area. For dinner, we dined in the hotel restaurant, which caters clearly to fine dining and wine enthusiasts, complete with a sommelier on hand. The service was excellent, and while the quality of food was high, we were slightly disappointed with the portion sizes given the pricing(my wife had the Salt baked Carrots) That said, the steak and chips were exceptional. After dinner, we enjoyed a peaceful night, though we did find the bed a bit firm, so sleep wasn’t as comfortable as we’d hoped. Breakfast, however, was a real highlight. There was a great selection of continental and cooked options. I opted for the full English, which was excellent, while my wife had the crumpets, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay – friendly staff, excellent food quality, and a beautiful room. A few minor areas could be improved, particularly the spa temperature, portion sizes in the restaurant and a slightly softer mattress , we would certainly consider returning.