Pen & Parchment Reviews Summary

Staff Service

Pros:

• "Staff very helpful and friendly."
• "Staff were excellent and our room was spotless!!"
• "Staff very affable and genuine."
• "The service was brilliant, the staff were so attentive."
• "The staff were really friendly."
• "Staff are friendly, efficient and accommodating."
• "Friendly and helpful staff."

Cons:

• "The staff was very hostile."
• "We went to the bar to order our food to be greeted by an unsmiling barman who could not really be bothered to take the order."
• "The front of house lad with a beard was always willing to help, but the woman who took our payment was quite blunt in her manner."
• "But instead the man in the white shirt had a terrible attitude to go with his terrible haircut."
• "The staff seem disinterested and happy to turn business away."
• "Staff were rude and appeared put out by us daring to place a food order off the menu!"
• "The attitude of one particular member of staff! Appalling. We will never visit this pub again."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The pork pie was amazing!"
• "Our group had a mixture of Sunday roasts and typical pub dishes, all of which were lovely with no complaints."
• "Menu was filled with a good mix of cuisines and flavours - something for everyone for sure!"
• "The food was delicious and very reasonably priced."
• "The food was lovely."
• "Food is excellent."
• "The food especially breakfast is classic English fare of good taste and quality."

Cons:

• "The deserts were atrocious."
• "Very bad dirty knives and forks encrusted food on them, food was cold not at a safe temperature to eat safety."
• "The breaded mushroom starter was overcooked and the steak that I ordered (med /well done) came out like a slab of stone."
• "Very poor food... had to send fish back couldn't get knife through fish."
• "Frozen and rather tasteless chips with extremely salty scampi but nice tartare sauce."
• "The steak was like a rock and full of salt."
• "Food was overcooked and dry."

Accommodation

Pros:

• "A very nice stay for our anniversary, the room was very nice, Paul and Shaun did wonders to make it special for us."
• "Accommodation was spot on very clean and comfortable."
• "The rooms are spotless & decorated beautifully."
• "Stayed for one night and was perfect. The room was very clean and sophisticated."
• "Rooms are beautiful, beds very clean and comfortable and bathrooms immaculately clean."
• "Really lovely place, well kept rooms and the decor is lovely throughout!"
• "Rooms lovely, clean and very warm (when needed). Cleaned everyday."

Cons:

• "There are no ground floor rooms or lift so please bear that in mind."
• "For a very standard room it was overpriced and there was no air conditioning so it was incredibly hot and we slept badly as a result."
• "The tap was loose on the sink, and the plug hole was stuck down."
• "The door that you had to open to access the upstairs where the rooms were had somehow malfunctioned."
• "The water bowl on offer was rank."
• "The shower gel/shampoo dispenser had been broken off the wall by a previous guest."
• "Very nice bedroom with en- suite walk in shower. Lovely and clean."

Location

Pros:

• "This pub is based in William Shakespeare County so close to lots of interesting history."
• "The location is just so convenient, very close to the town, RSC theatres, the park, Butterfly farm, the garden, etc."
• "The location is perfect, situated right next to the river and town centre and within a 3 minute walk to the theatre."
• "The location is epic as well, being right near the water."
• "Great location too."
• "Nice spot just next to the open top bus stop and by the river - also just across from the river - ordered the fish and chips off the saver menu - efficient service."
• "Great place in the centre. Can be a little noisy if windows are open but walking distance for all town centre and sights."

Cons:

• "The only thing i would say is about parking. Needs some sort of sign. To say where to park."
• "No car park but suggested to use local multi storey car park."
• "Parking costs £12 overnight as no parking on site."
• "The hotel is in a great location don't be put off by the lack of parking the multistorey is just behind the hotel."
• "Only issue is a limited amount of parking, we managed to park here over the three days but I can imagine in peak season it may be a little difficult."
• "No free parking and must park in nearby city lot."
• "A very very rude gentleman said that you can't sit there without a dog no signs or Information to say this."

Atmosphere & Experience

Pros:

• "The pub felt safe yet not too full on with Covid restrictions and protocols."
• "A very nice plesent pub on the river at Stratford-upon-Avon only here for a drink good selection of real ales and prices acceptable."
• "Friendly bar staff and good selection of drinks and meals on offer."
• "The staff were warm and friendly and made a fuss of our dog too."
• "Great drinks and delicious food."
• "Very welcoming, dog friendly, nice atmosphere."
• "It was a great relaxed atmosphere."

Cons:

• "This Easter Bank Holiday... there was no food at the Pen, with staff blaming their supplier for not delivering."
• "Pub without food? Too sad story."
• "Tables are reserved for food,but nowhere to sit and just have a drink."
• "A small limited hard landscaping scheme and planting would improve the desirability to sit there no end, it is not inviting enough."
• "We were struggling to find a seat, but actually got one for the waiter to watch us sit down, then come over 5 minutes later and tell us we have to get up cause they need to prepare the table for 5pm, it was 3pm and we were only having one drink."
• "As we sat outside it was obvious we were on the old sloping car park where you find yourself facing either uphill or downhill with a sloping table."
• "Very poor entered a quiet pub on 6th June and ordered drinks and main meal just before 5 o’clock.Within 5 minutes the pub was invaded by a crowd of hooligans."