Acanthus Restaurant at Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa

Review summary

1. K

   Kathryn

   Cheshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 4, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I was rather dubious about booking a meal, after reading other reviews, but we had nothing to fear! Excellent service, we were asked if we wanted water, still or sparkling, we ordered drinks, arrived within 5 minutes. Ordered starters arrived within 8 minutes, they were really tasty, black pudding Bon Bon’s . The mains arrived slow cooked belly of pork and chicken tikka masala both cooked and presented beautifully, especially the naan ! The staff were attentive without being in your face, I personally do not like being ask if everything is alright why I have a mouthful of food, we did not feel rushed. If we are in the area again we will definitely stay and dine here. Breakfast was also excellent, great choice
   

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2. R

   Racheal

   London2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Wouldn’t go again. Service was not that good. Wasn’t offered any water. Didn’t explain the cakes just overall wasn’t very good. However the scones were very tasty.
   

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3. D

   Donna

   Berkshire1 review

   1.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   I was extremely disappointed with the afternoon tea and the service today. It was not busy and yet service was very slow and almost non-existent. The sandwiches were dry around the edges and cakes did not seem fresh at all. Staff were inattentive and we waited for long periods for drinks, then the food and then refill of drinks. During our time there not one staff member approached to ask if there was anything else we needed or would like. To the point that the restaurant area was empty and we had to find a staff member to pay the balance of our bill. I definitely would not be recommending the Berystede Hotel for afternoon tea. Very very poor
   

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4. L

   Lisa

   Surrey3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Good afternoon tea, some sandwiches lacked much filling and not very exciting, very good scones. Felt quite neglected for most of the time there until later when the Manager asked us if we wanted more drinks. Service needs to be improved and more consistent if they want people to return.
   

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5. S

   Sarah

   Berkshire2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Booked table for 815 already had ordered drink from bar Took 20mins to get menu then another 20mins to take order Starters arrived at 920pm then main course at 950pm Sitting in a draft Could not get staff attention no apologies very poor service for the price you pay Several couples arrived after and appeared to get their food first and left before we had even got out main course Food when arrived was lovely Very disappointed if they knew was going to busy should staff to address this Loads of staff about but some seemed to be doing nothing
   

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6. T

   Tony

   Berkshire1 review

   1.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   A valentines dinner that was tragically disappointing. The food was very poor with a 2 hour wait just for our main course from our booking time of 19.30hrs. Food was poor quality where I would suggest the Chefs are untrained. The main meals were presented over cooked and dry to the extent we sent them back without even trying them. It was obvious when they were replaced, the Fish pie was the same base with a fresh mash on top, as it was in the same dish with burnt edges and fresh mash - obvious mistake. The Beef Wellington shockingly huge amounts of Puff pastry so thick and undercooked. We did not pay for our meal and left the restaurant. The only excuse we were given was that they were busy with 110 covers. It was valentines night and they new this but were ill prepared. Many other diners waited and tried to make the best of it. The general manager on duty was of no use or avoided any form of customer service.
   

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7. A

   Alanna

   London2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Its sad i have to write this, but I have never experienced such poor service as I have this evening. Firstly Communication was non existent, we were informed certain items of food were out of stock, when in fact were still available as other tables were ordering these. We seated at our table for 7.30pm, by 7.50pm we had our starters prawn cocktail and black pudding bons bons and drinks. Black pudding bon bons were completely cold, unfortunately had to be sent back. This was the only interaction we had from the waiters/ service team. We sat at our table until 9.40pm, then we gave up and had to walk away. Its such a shame this happened, but the service team really didn’t care, the customer service was non existent. Unfortunately I would never recommend this restaurant, shockingly bad
   

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8. P

   Peter VIP

   London9 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Limited choice, but quality was very good Staff helpful but seemed under pressure
   

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9. T

   Tonia

   Berkshire1 review

   4.0

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   We had a lovely stay at the Berystede hotel, we had to upgrade our room as the original twin was small dark and damp! But the deluxe double was lovely and very comfortable! The spa was very nice and our treatments were excellent, although the outside area near the hydro pool could use some attention! The bar was nice but a bit of music would have made a better atmosphere! Unfortunately the food wasn’t great! We had pate to start and there was a layer of fat sitting on top which was horrid, the pate itself was freezing cold and very rich with overpowering orange taste, yuck! I had lasagna for mains and it was dry and burnt on top. Overall our stay was nice and I would go back but the food was Very disappointing!
   

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10. J

    Jane

    Bath1 review

    1.0

    Dined on January 28, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1

    Very disappointing Restaurant was empty - hotel did not appear to know about our booking Cream tea was nice but ambience non existent. Wouldn't bother to go again
    

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