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On reading a new hotel review

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2013-03-24 18:00:29 - Graham Ellis

Most of visitors are with us on business. They don't tip, they don't review us on the review sites, they arrive late and they want early breakfast. And we love them - they're what we're set up for, so they're naturally easy for us to look after and they're thoughtful in letting us know if they will be very late. Many of them enjoy having a chat (and we learn about all different parts of the world, with different practises, religions and views) and become good friends. They also come all through the year.

So we don't have a lot of online reviews and there's still an excitement and an eager anticipation twinged with a very slight wonder about what we'll find, when a new review's posted and we get an email to tell us.

Ostensibly advertised and promoted as a business hotel/B&B, this well run clean and spacious place is equally suitable for couples on holiday in the area.


Thank you, sir. Yes - it is very suitable for couples on holiday. It's simply that the holiday season is short and we've got to maximise room occupancy because we're so small - with such a few rooms, we can't afford to have them empty for weeks on end which we would if we concentrated on seasonal traffic. So many couples have children they would want to bring (sorry - we can't take children) or dogs (yes, we can take them!).

Very warm and informative welcome, well-trained and friendly staff and all the plug sockets and wifi you could want (Well House also runs I.T. courses).


I note, with pride, that staff come first. They are vital. We've had some external training, but mostly it's a question of us learning from and training each other - listening and observing and acting on what we learn and observe too! It's all too easy to consult and then ignore.

Our room was very clean, modern and comfortable. The mattress was super soft and there was ample and plush seating. A spacious bathroom with an amazing double shower and underfloor heating.

Our only gripe was that we could hear road noise due to the lack of double glazing, but we're from the country and not used to town living! There was no noise pollution from other guests. The town centre was a mere three minute walk away.

Breakfast was a very acceptable continental serve yourself affair.


Yes... our rooms are "Five Star Luxury", though we don't have enough rooms to be able to meet five star requirements for the hotel as a whole. A night porter who would do virtually nothing is not something that our customers have asked for, and the call button that gets us up less than once a month is a good economic substitute.

We are aware of one particular room (and it's many people's favourite!) that is a little noisier than others. We've planted a hedge to act as a noise buffer and we'll place guests who ask for a quiet room (or ask how noisy the hotel is) into other rooms.

The owner was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and was happy to spend time with us discussing the merits of Melksham.


I'm amazed at the number of hotels I stay in where the staff don't know their own area. But then so many people live in a town, but don't know what it has to offer to the visitor - the swimming pool, the tourist information centre, walks in the countryside, or the blue plaque / history trail, bus times, and which restaurant is good for vegetarian, Halal or gluten free eating. We make a point of learning - and listening to feedback too so that we can better inform future guests too.

I finish, as I started, with our team. They're so important. Thank you Sarah, Heather, Rachel and Poppy on front of house and thank you Phil and Lisa, who also represent us to our customers in their roles.