We arrived early evening having travelled by car for several hours and were pleasantly surprised by the exterior of the hotel that looked warm and inviting. It all kind of went downhill from here.....

We booked in and were given the keys to our single rooms....we made the trek up the stairs and followed the warren of corridors to our rooms. Our rooms were to the back of the hotel and the corridors smelled very musty. My colleague and I had rooms opposite each other. We were horrified to find that when we both entered our respective very, very small rooms...neither had been cleaned. Beds unmade, towels on the bathroom floor and dirty cups and saucers lying around. We thought we had entered rooms that were already occupied.

Obviously we complained and after some stamping of feet the manager offered to clean the rooms himself. We declined the offer and asked to be moved to other rooms. The Manager said there were no other rooms available and eventually made arrangements for us to stay at another hotel some 5 miles away. We were offered a complimentary dinner as compensation for our trouble but we were too tired and just wanted somewhere clean to stay!

We found Oriel House when we were looking for a weekend away having both been a liittle under the weather. The web site looked attractive and it seemed to have all the facilities we required. We phoned and got a very helpful receptionist who sorted out our booking. We arrived and found a perfect country hotel, wonderful friendly staff, definately not like the big chains!! The dinners were superb, a good wine list with sensible prices. Breakfast was cooked to order not from a heated up buffet counter.We booked a suite, Room 225, go for it if you can. It is very modern and perfectly quiet, at the back, ignore the view of the car park, because you will love the room. The hotel has a good clean gym and pool. A very recommendable hotel. We will definately return.

Overall disappointing stay. Initial impression spoiled by lack of welcome/hospitality from guy on reception. Room very average and not worth the rate. One of quietest hotels I've stayed at - staff not particularly friendly or helpful. Thought at one point that they might have actually taken a vow of silence! Wouldn't return here again - would use the Talardy further down the road where staff are much more friendly and welcoming.

Stayed here 3 times in the last month on business. Can't fault it. Excellent service, excellent food, helpful staff, spacious, clean comfortable rooms. My colleague had problems with the wireless internet in his room, but I didn't. The Hotel were addressing it, however. For a country house hotel in what some might call the middle of nowhere, this was a real find.