Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Ensuite | Terrace/patio
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Reviews of The Bell at Boxford

3 out of 5
The Bell at Boxford
Lambourn Road, Boxford, Newbury, England

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 112 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 51 out of 112 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 23 out of 112 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 112 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 112 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
Lovely location, friendly staff on arrival and a nice pub feel. Not the most immaculately clean bathroom but overall the room was comfortable and good value for money
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from PAUL on Sep 1, 2020
Thank you for your positive review Kind regards PAUL

8/10 Good

Peter

Business traveller
Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Closed
When I arrived the premises was closed. Luckily the owner answered the phone and opened up as he said he hadn’t had notification of booking. He opened up for me and gave me a room. But breakfast was supposed to be included but no facilities for breakfast, dinner or even drinks as basically the premises were closed
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from pal on Aug 11, 2020
Thank yu for taking the time and trouble to review the Bel. lOnce again I am really sorry for not having a note of your booking. Im afraid Covid has caused us many concerns esp re opening and closing times and facilities offered. The next time you require accommodations in Newbury, please contact me directly as Id like to share the facilities that the Bell has to offer Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from paul on Dec 24, 2019
OOOHHHH let me know how we can get the other two stars :) Thanks for taking the time ti review us Kind regards Paul

2/10 Terrible

Kirk

Disliked: Staff & service
Never again
Cheery checkin turned intk a disastrous evening with dinner - as the only diners that evening taking an hour to be served! Inedible seafood salad, no customrr service skills and no apologied
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice , country hotel with a sea food and champagne themed restaurant. Pleasant atmosphere and bar food .
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from paul on Jul 10, 2019
Thanks for takin gthe time to review us and Im oleased that you enjoyed your brief stay at the Bell Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Frank

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable, but nothing outstanding.
We didn't expect perfection from what is a room above a pub and clearly the owners are trying to do the best with what they have. The rooms (room 11) are small and the ensuite microscopic but they are clean and well cared for. Where the room falls short on are the things within control. For example, there is only one (ONE!) socket available for guest use in the room and that is at the furthest point from the bad. Had we required the supplemental electric heater there would have been no available sockets. Fortunately we had a power strip with us so we could plug in our cellphones to charge overnight. But, any room ought to have sufficient sockets for charging essential gadgets. A power-strip with a cord long enough to reach the side of the bed so that a cellphone could be used as an alarm is a basic requirement. Our meal was so-so and served sequentially so that even though we sat 6ft from the kitchen my wife's food was cold by the time mine was served. In Britain I expect concurrent serving, especially as we were the only two diners that rainy Monday night. The menu is basic pub-grub fare, which was all we needed, but since the advertising leads you to expect more, beware. There are two WiFi networks, the guest one and the private one. Ask for the password to the private one as the guest one is provided through a partner that requires too much private info. The staff, both during the evening and again in the morning, were friendly, approachable, and eager to please.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from paul on Jun 29, 2019
Thanks for your comments. WI FI is secure and you can opt out of any info being shared. It is quite secure. I really don't think you would expect Crabs and Lobsters on basic pub menus in U.K. along with dishes such as Chicken Forestiere and Lemon Sole but I hope you enjoyed your dinner with us. Thanks for your comments on power outlets. I will investigate this as the alarm clock has two charging points for phones etc. Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

LAURENCE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
HORSE RACING
NICE STOP OVER FOR HORSE RACING AT NEWBURY
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from noz on Mar 7, 2019
Hope to see you ont the next Race meet! Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
nice hotel out in the country. on our visit we had six inch deep snow
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Response from pnl on Feb 5, 2019
HOpe you enjoyed your brief stay depite the weather! Kind regards Paul

10/10 Excellent

Magnolia, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great country hotel. Very helpful and friendly staff. Thank you
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from pnl on Nov 14, 2018
Thank you for your review. I was really pleased to read this as H and I were on a vacation nand its good to know the team have looked after you well! KInd regards Paul

6/10 Okay

Dave

Liked: Staff & service
Everything there is ok but the rooms could do with updating
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018
Response from paul on Oct 10, 2018
What would you like to see? We are compl;ing our new budgets so let me know and Ill incorporate your suggestions Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Gareth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice stay
Nice stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from pnl on Sep 22, 2018
hope to se you again in the not too distant future Kind regards Paul & the Team .

4/10 Poor

peter, Cambridge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Comfortable room, poor breakfast
The room was clean and comfortable which is the main thing. It had a shabby, down-at-heel feel about it but then it wasn't very expensive. It is long overdue for refurbishment and the towels were very frayed. Service at breakfast was excellent but the cooked breakfast very poor: Old, wrinkled mushrooms that were practically raw, a fried egg that was solid and bacon that was very over-cooked. Not a pleasant experience!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from pnl on Sep 19, 2018
Your comments have been duely noted Im sorry you didnt enjoy you breakfastand but do I hope your hangerover improved as the day progressed. Paul Lavis

6/10 Okay

Lee

Liked: Staff & service
hotel was ok, very small bathroom.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018
Response from paul on Jun 19, 2018
Thanks for your comments Paul

10/10 Excellent

Tim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good stay
Stayed 1 night in May 2018
Response from Paul on May 29, 2018
Hope to be able to welcome you back to the Bell in the not too distant future .Kind regards Paul

4/10 Poor

Michael

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Response from pnl on Apr 11, 2018
We usually receive freat reviews on our relaxed check in proceedures Can you help me .. Where did we go wrong? Kind rgeards Paul

6/10 Okay

sarah, Herts

Liked: Staff & service
Lovely village in gorgeous part of the country
The staff were excellent. The hotel is quite tired really, but the food was good and as the staff so friendly and welcoming forgave the rest of it really!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018
Response from pnl on Mar 6, 2018
We are constantly decorating and modernizing where necessary but we are not all Brass and Chrome but an old traditional Inn. Glad you enjoyed you stay with us and hope to be able to welcome ypu back in the near future Kind regards Paul

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very poor quality needs some TLC
Did not get what we had booked. Rooms very tired decor and dirty. No lamp shades non matching bulbs. Pictures and lights falling off walls. Beds uncomfortable. Ceiling dirty marks. Curtains poor fit. Will not return!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2017
Response from pnl on Aug 22, 2017
You booked a TWIN room./ On arrival you requested a DOUBLE. The Inn was fully booked and we couldnt move your allocated room. Decorative candle lights do not have shades and pictures are security mounted on the walls so I do not understand your comments. Im sorry you didnt enjoy your stay at the Bell

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2017
We hope you were comfy and enjoyed your stay Regards Paul

8/10 Good

moorland martin, staffs

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
short stay
not bad......rooms dated but service was very. good
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
We're pleased you enjoyed your stay Regards Paul

4/10 Poor

Carol

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Convenient location, inadequate cleaning staff.
Had booked a twin room, was given a double bedded room - blow up bed was provided but on retiring discovered the double had been used previously. The pillow on one side was crumpled and dented ( head shape) the sheet on the same side was rumpled ( body Shape) while the other side was taught and unruffled as was the other pillow. After some discussion, that it was too late to do anything while insisting it was not necessary as it was clean and the room was unused the night before , staff reluctantly changed the bedding. It could easily have been used and left unchanged from several days earlier by the cleaning person, It was quite obviously used bedding!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2017

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

MR D R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
excellent
Excellent hotel Staff great Food fantastic
We're glad you enjoyed your stay at the Bell. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to review us Kind regards Paul

10/10 Excellent

C ROBERT

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very convenient for the length of time I was in the area. Very pleasant and efficient service. Nothing too much trouble. Could definitely recommend it and hope to visit again many thanks Robert needham
Response from General Manager on Sep 17, 2016
Thanks for taking bith the time and trouble to revierw us at the Bell. Its always nice to recieve such positive feed back and we look forward to welcoming you back soon Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Response from General Manager on Sep 17, 2016
Thanks for the scoring on your stay at the Bell Regards Paul

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
great location for Oxford and the surrounding area - a bit remote but very peaceful and relaxed (I stayed on a Thursday. loss as if it was much busier at weekends)
Response from General Manager on Sep 11, 2016
Weekends are popular for BBqs hogroast etc We're glad you enjoyed your stay with us Kind regards Paul

8/10 Good

Colin, Cheshire

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Country Inn Worth Visiting
A warm welcome from the staff. Excellent country Inn with great service, good food. Comfortable bed and room, fine English breakfast to send you on your way.
Response from General Manager on Sep 8, 2016
Thanks for taking the time to reviewe us and i HOPE TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE Bell in the near future Kind regards Paul

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Response from General Manager on Aug 30, 2016
Thanks for the review. We're please you enjoyed you stay with us Regards Paul& Helen

4/10 Poor

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

6/10 Okay

Phill

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Sophia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Richard, York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pleasant homely and friendly
Made really welcome would rebook again next time I'm in the area

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

4/10 Poor

Marc, Hereford

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not worth the money, never again!
Simply would not stay again. Nobody at reception when you arrive, waited 10 minutes. Booked a double room and got a single room. Placed order from menu for evening meal at 6.00pm to be ready for 7.00pm turned up at 7.35pm. In morning no hot water at all so had to have cold shower. When checking out nobody asked how my stay was and when I mentioned no hot water there was no apology just "thanks for letting me know, we will get it looked at".

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not worth the price. No internet from the bedroom
I booked this hotel as it said there was wifi available from the room. As it goes there was no reception, only way to get wifi was by sitting close the pub bar. Wasn't the best service overall. Wouldn't stay there again and for the price £80 it definitely wasn't worth it.

8/10 Good

Niklas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very English
Always a great genuine place to stay. As English as they come! Good food too.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
pleasant hotel, good food, clean presentable room, a good base for walking

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
very enjoyable, fantastic staff, good food and beer. room perhaps a little small but comfortable

10/10 Excellent

Freya, Sussex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We will definitely be back
Beautiful setting. So quiet and feels like you're really away from it all but a short drive got us whatever we needed. We ate dinner there and the food and wine was fab. Room was just what we were looking for for our short break and our dog was welcome too which was a big plus for us. Breakfast the next day gave a great choice and was tasty and filling. We even decided to stay for lunch after we checked out. I just wish we could've extended our stay another day but real life beckoned!

6/10 Okay

Christer

Liked: Staff & service

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good for a quiet night
Good enough for a couple of nights, food was quite good and the service was food, but the room needs a makeover, especially the bathroom. No hot water in the shower on one of the mornings, but all in all not bad.

8/10 Good

Andy Haines, Midlands

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Boxford!
Nice experience, food very good. Attentive host and good beer.

8/10 Good

Patricia, St Austell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
good stay
Had a very pleasant night at the hotel, slept well and the bed was very comfortable and the room was good. We decided to have an evening meal, which was very good apart from the lack of vegetarian dishes. There were none on the menu. I am able to eat fish so was fine but for those that are none meat and fish eaters they would have struggled. Very welcoming and friendly staff.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet room. Nice staff providing good services. Look forward to staying there again.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Comfortable, friendly pub b&b.
Friendly place with great atmosphere. It's a pub b&b rather than a hotel, however the place is nice and comfortable with good pub food. Would stay again.

8/10 Good

Monir, Dubai

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great Mom & Pop Hotel a little outside Newbury
I arrived late and the reception was closed, all the lights shut off and only the side door was open. But due to the thoughtful owners, they had a welcome note and a key card sitting on a table waiting for me to check myself in and get a good night's rest. Can't thank them enough for that. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the food is homemade and tastes great! The only issue was the location, it is between a few large country estates and farms and about 5 miles away from anything.

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Justin, Swindon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hidden gem
Brilliant little find for us when we needed a stay away that wasn't too far from home while we had some home repairs done. The Bell had to all - perfect country location a stone's throw from the motorway, great food, fantastic service and hospitality and best of all a dog friendly pub and hotel. We only went to get away for convenience for a night but will definitely be back if only for more of the delicious food.

6/10 Okay

Phyllis, from the USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
For a nice stay without luxury….it was a good place. The people were wonderfully gracious and the food in the restaurant good without pretension. The owners are thoughtful about the shelving in the bath room, great shower, and simple decor. We booked a twin room and got a double bed with another bed added….so we had little space to be in the room except to sleep. This was not okay for me.