Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux

We've always enjoyed a Sunday lunch at Greywalls but on Sunday 23rd June we had such a new experience of the place. There was a significant change in the staff and experience of the staff. A real lack of the usual finesse and charm. There were servers dressed in suits instead of smart service attire, a real change in atmosphere and service. Although all polite and trying to do the right thing, the welcome, table service and plate service seemed clumsy and unpolished. We were asked by three different members of staff for our drinks order which had been taken by the first member of staff already. There was water spilt on the table by the server when issuing water, but we had to ask to have something to mop it up with so the water did not spill onto the guest each time they drank from the wet glass. There was the poor quality "food auction" by the server when the food arrived to the table of the four of us in the otherwise empty dining room. "Who's having this, who's having that." Not what we ever had before at Greywalls. We would have welcomed a pre-lunch drink but on arrival we were whisked into the dining room. There was no offer of bread or other things that would've added to our lunch and also added to the income for Greywalls. There were also language barriers and misunderstandings when placing the orders. In short, it was a team of servers who really need some training and help with how to interact, manage and create an experience for customers. A complete lack of any finesse. We had coffee outside in the garden afterwards, beautiful gardens, lovely setting as ever but again, things were missed by the polite girl who served us. There wasn't enough milk, no biscuit or shortbread and again, a lack of training, ability to notice things that need attention and finesse. I had a main portion of mussels for my lunch, very fresh and pleasant but nothing special at all, could've and would've been much tastier with a sauce of something you'd want to dip your bread in! Sunday Roast was pretty average too and really lacked in flavour or anything memorable. I wonder if there are staffing issues as we saw no management anywhere. We met friends who were attending for after-noon tea, they expressed the same experience and that they felt the service was simply not there and it all lacked the usual charm and elegance it once had. Hopefully just a bad day or have things changed so significantly? Maybe worth one more try and then sadly, not worth the drive.

A beautiful Lutyens house with lovely Gertrude Jekyll gardens. Very friendly staff. A delicious dinner. BUT this hotel is very tired and needs some real TLC. Perhaps it survives because of its immediate proximity to the world famous Muirfield golf course. What a pity! It could be amazing. Sadly we won’t be back until it’s had a makeover.

My second stay and just this one was just as good as the first. Wonderful (Lutyens) building and (Jekyll) garden with a great atmosphere and friendly staff - we even got to see the tortoises this time! Evening meal was lovely and breakfast fine. My companion did have a mutter to me about the 'supermarket white toasted bread' which she felt a bit disappointing at breakfast compared to that on offer at the previous evening's meal, but other than that, no complaints. Until next time...

My second stay and just this one was just as good as the first. Wonderful (Lutyens) building and (Jekyll) garden with a great atmosphere and friendly staff - we even got to see the tortoises this time! Evening meal was lovely and breakfast fine. My companion did have a mutter to me about the 'supermarket white toasted bread' which she fel a bit disappointing at breakfast compared to that on offer at the previous evening's meal, but other than that, no complaints. Until next time...

Have wanted to come here for a long time - what a disappointment- not family run now and you can tell it’s a business only.food was Nice , staff just doing their job , no friendly manner- perhaps the only native was the restaurant manager and he was flustered when we arrived. The potholes at the front were shocking- this was in January!…. This is my third attempt at writing this and no I cannot recommend. It’s needs a good clean and had its day!

Dined here again after a stay last year. Food and service were perfect. We both went for the Venison, couldn't have been cooked any better. We always love having a cocktail and canapes in the library. Cannot remember our server name but she looked after us so well. Look forward to coming back soon.