The Devonshire Arms Hotel at Bolton Abbey

Very disappointed!! The hotel has changed so much over the last 30 years that we have been visiting. Disappointed experience in the garden room. I'm decided to leave and go to the brasserie. Which we enjoyed. Better food better atmosphere. It is quite clear there are cutbacks and it shows enormously. We will have to find another place to the Devonshire arms. Never to return again. Would if passing call in the brasserie.

On arrival the receptionist was rather dismissive of us and was barley able to smile or make eye contact. The fire was rather similiar as it was virtually out and there was little warmth. We had upgraded our room to a deluxe but were very disappointed with the size of it, we have stayed in larger, nicer Premier Inn rooms! The outlook was fabulous and the room was clean and very warm but for the amount we were paying we expected something larger. The bath was virtually impossible to get into due to the shower screen arrangements and the basin had an awful smell coming from it. The fudge and the fresh milk were however a nice touch. Our evening meals were somewhat rushed and we felt we were being hurried into making food choices. Once sitting the very small meal portions were cleared quickly and we ushered out. We were told Pinot Grigio was no longer available one evening but when asked, another member of staff they said the wine was available. No bar snacks were offered at any time during our stay. Breakfast was a very slow process with rather too much time spent waiting for serice and our food. On one occasion were told there was no fruit salad left a 9am on a week day. We were never asked to sign for any drinks throuout our stay and had to rely upon our final bill to see our expenditure. It was presumed we would be sharing the costs with our friends but no one thought to ask if that was ok to do. There were too many noisy, untrained dogs in all areas of the hotel. We would never stay there again or indeed recommend it to anyone, there are plenty of nicer places around the area.

Wonderful hotel. I have stayed here many times with family & friends since 2012 & I just love the hotel. It majors in understated elegance, nothing flashy or gimmicky. Great location, good rooms, decor so classy, food has definitely improved this year - but the main asset of the Dev is its staff. They are well trained, efficient, alert & keen to help. So many one could single out but John in the Garden Room is one of many delightful workers. Veronica on reception brilliant. And the (largely) Polish contingent n housekeeping is magnificent.