Smugglers Haunt Beefeater

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.

Went to the Smugglers yesterday for my parent's 64th wedding anniversary where we were seated promptly by our waitress, who was very pleasant. A few of us made slight changes to our food orders, for example, I requested the triple cooked chips instead of the thin fries, but having said that, all our orders were served after no more than a 15-20 minute wait, which I think is perfectly acceptable - I think anyone who expects their food delivered quicker should try McDonald's next door! There were no complaints or problems with any of the food and we will definitely be returning.

Took my nan here today for the first time, we where greeted by a very polite friendly waiter. Then our waitress came and introduced herself she was so so lovely think her name was Laura, the food we ordered was exceptional and very reasonably priced! We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place! A very nice experience. Tommy

My husband and I came in for a lunch time meal for my birthday yesterday and have to say we had a lovely time. Food and staff we're both excellent and we will definitely be coming back.

Just back tonight from a three night stay at the Ferndown Premier Inn, of which the Smugglers Haunt is attached. We had 2 evening meals which were great. Reccommend the Ribs highly and we had breakfast this morning which was delicious, nothing too much trouble for the staff, very friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning �

I was very pleasantly surprised with both the delicious food and the excellent service offered here last night, all of a very high standard indeed. Thank you!

Food fantastic served in reasonable time considering that they were full of customers busy didn't cut it staff coped well price's fair quality good had a good night

Came here yesterday for a treat just mum and I as we had 40% off mains. We had booked I advance. Lovely friendly lady on the restaurant lecturn who checked us in and took us to a table.

She then took our drinks order whikstvwe looked at the menu.



We both ordered steaks which came quite quickly and were delicious. We both had salad not chips and there was mounds of it. Lovely.



We weren't going to have desserts but the experience was so nice we did. I ordered the pimms trifle which the young lady said was her favourite and the lemon curd sorbet. Both were amazing. Great time and good service. We've now booked to come again in a weeks time.

Arrived here Friday stayed till Sunday we had breakfast 2 days there and dinner one of the nights can't fault it at all good was fantastic service was great so much better than the one where we live would recommend will be back

We came to smugglers Haunt for dinner tonight. Although the food took a long time to come out it was delicious. We had Laura as our Server she was a very happy chatting Women, who interacted with us all including my 10 month old daughter! If food didn’t take so long to come out this would of been a 5* review!

No complaints at all. They did have about 4 things they said they couldn’t serve that night as soon as I arrived though. Other than that, food was fresh and service was prompt and pretty good. Don’t use the hotel though. It’s hot stuffy and has no ventilation. Got a maximum of 90 mins sleep all night.

Nice meal out with friends the 40% off mains voucher was the attraction and on the whole considering there was 10 of us everything went well on the whole. Had we paid full price im not sure I'd feel as positive about the experience, but yes it was nice and I think everyone enjoyed their dinner

Good food, was very quiet, service was quick but a long wait to pay our bill. Our waiter disappeared, apparently he had to help on desserts in the kitchen, a shame no one checked on his tables in his absence.

We went in and stood in the doorway for a good couple minutes with 2 staff members at the welcome post, not acknowledge at all. We were then shown to a table after what felt like ages. The food was really mediocre, my fish and chips had no real taste and was so greasy, my husbands chicken breast was TINY, children's meals were luke warm. We watched my fish and chips sit under the hot lamp for over 5 minutes.

2 member of your staff who were clearly off shift were sat down the end of the restaurant (about 2 tables from us) with their feet all over the seats and chairs, the area then became a meeting point for the rest of the staff to have a catch up, was really uncomfortable for us as customers!

The bill then came and my fish and chips was automatically charged as £12.95 (which is incredibly over priced...) instead of the £5 which it should have been on the lunch saver menu. Was quickly corrected by staff!

Not impressed, will not be returning! Such a shame because the restaurant is lovely!

We sat and waited 45 mins for 1 starter. I got my main meal after waiting for 90 minutes! Glossly under staffed for a saturday night. Just 4 waitesses for a full restaurant. One waitess just seemed to be showing people to tables. She didn't pick up empty plates or glasses she she passed tables. We didn't bother with dessert or coffee, although we were going to at the start of the evening. My steak was fatty, and my husbands which was meant to be medium, was rare but we didn't want to wait for it to be cooked. Glad it wasn't a special occasion.

It's ok. Seemed to be disorganized with staff nowhere to be found and no one to meet us at the door. With the menu, the staff didn't inform us that there was a bottomless drinks offer when we ordered drinks.

A little more staff training maybe required in my eyes.

I would say my eating experience was extremely average.

Some of the staff are lovely, but the food quality is somewhat lacking!!!

Food was good but incredibly slow service, from getting seated, ordering and paying the bill.

polite and helpful staff,,,but food bland and over priced for what you get, this was our second visit (6 of us) probably the last,,,disappointing family birthday meal :-(

Went there Sunday evening it was not busy but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table, we sat down and ordered 15 minutes later the starters came out and were very nice, then it really went down hill 1hour after we finished the starters we had to ask what had happened to the main course. Five minutes later it came out it looked very nice but it was stone cold.

We've used this restaurant several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed but will not be returning.

Went for dinner with my husband whilst on a weekend away and we were very disappointed. We were queuing for nearly 10 minutes to get seen to a table, then waited approx. an hour for our food to come out which we wernt satisfied with.

Salad was brown around edges as if it was yesterday’s, complained and it was replaced for a nice fresh one. Hence the fair rating. Why they let stuff out of the kitchen like that is a mystery. Toilets were dirty and smelly - needed a jet washer in there and a good clean. I went here last year and it was much better. The staff were friendly though and good real ales on draught.

Recent visit left us very disappointed. From sitting down to receiving our food was nearly an hour � Waitress was polite and apologetic but the service really needs to improve if we are ever to return. Food was average but nothing more and definitely not good enough to warrant an hour wait !!!

Ordered a drink no problems.

Also ordered surf and turf.

I think they were chasing the cow around the fields. (Took ages ).

Then I ordered the pimms trifle.

No pimms flavour.

Tin custard and spray cream.

£30.00 bloody joke. ......���

Food was good but it took 20 minutes to inform me that my choice of meal wasn't available therefore it took approximately 45 minutes to get our food.

Went there was because it was convenient ?, that was my mistake waited over half hour for a pie which was burnt and came with chips not the mash as advertised. Wanted to rate no starts but nit an option!!!!

Went for a big family meal 12 of us table was booked for 8 o'clock are starters arrived at 8.45 and one was missing are main meals arrived at 9-15, very slow service my four-year-old was totally fed up by the end of the meal

Well thank you so much for what can be described as the worst dining experience of my life. Firstly, I was sat down and offered a drink and this was forgotten (I had to ask another waitress for it) secondly, I was dining alone and made it clear to the premier inn manager to request a table next to a window and not around too many customers (simply because I was a bit self conscious of being alone as I was on a business trip) but this was ignored. Finally, I was sat next to a table of screaming kids (I have 3 myself and tolerance levels are high, but these were beyond a joke)...Would never go back and glad to get back to my room.

We walked into the bar and there was no staff to be seen anywhere. We could hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen! We stood for a good 15 minutes waiting for someone to come out, as did a family waiting to go in the restaurant. I shouted hello several times and even called them on the phone whilst stood in the bar and STILL no one answered I came behind the bar and knocked on the door to the kitchen where I could see 3 members of staff and still no one came. I finally lost my patience and opened the kitchen door and called to the staff to be served and went and stood back on the right side of the bar. Another few minutes passed until eventually what looked like the manager came through to serve us. When she came through I told her how long we had been waiting and she didn't even apologise or acknowledge me really she asked what I wanted to drink and then after popping the nozzles onto the pumps we finally got our drinks. We had to wait for the card machine to turn on in order to pay, it was a nightmare 12 in the afternoon and the bar was not even ready for customers. I suggest that this establishment looks at its staff and perhaps has a complete overhaul! ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING😡

Waited 30mins for them to say they didn't have what I wanted! Then 40mins for me drink to come & now I've waited an hour with still no food ���� are you seriously joking me and to think my company uses this place all the time !

Waited 10 minutes for pre booked table to be greeted by an extremely rude waitress/ manager.... ordered food 40 minutes later food came out.... chips were stone cold steak was asked for really well done.... it was still bleeding when served but it gets worse..... found HAIR in my childs meal and not just 1 hair.... overall horrendous meal which ruined the last night of what had been a great holiday... we actually left and went to McDonald's next door and had better service & hot food!

This used to be our favourite place to eat over the last 7 years however no longer. We went for our sons birthday 4 adults and our 22 month granddaughter. We arrived at 6.30 met by the new manageress and shown our table had to wait for the pre-requested high chair. Told our waitress would be over in a minute. 20 minutes later a sullen girl came over and took our order we asked for a small childs portion so as not to waste food. Every member of the waiting staff bar 1 walked around showing their obvious unhappiness to being there, no conversation or banter that there used to be, made for a very depressing atmosphere. After asking our food finally arrived at 7.30 all appeared ok except for the childs meal which was probably ok for an 8 year old or more but not as we had requested. We seasoned our meals as usual only to find that the chips had already been well salted and therefore were inedible which put another dampener on the evening. We complained about the chips and manageress just said she didn't understand why they had been seasoned in the kitchen. We asked for the cake to be brought out which she duly obliged but dropped candle wax on my sons arm. Our bill was over £100 and she very generously discounted £6 for the ruined chips �. I myself was sick in the night from the chips that I tried and our future daughter-in-law was sent home from work ill today. It is such a shame to see this place has gone downhill so badly that we won't be returning.

Rubbish!! Waited 1 hr 15 for a pie that was full of gristle and no meat whatsoever. Italian House wine ¿Lovelly? was anything but. Will never return again. Struggling to give it 1 Star. Disgraceful �

Just booked and eaten here and completely shocked at the complete lack of service!

Firstly my husband had a pint of coke and half a bottle of magnets spilled all over him, his expensive boots were filled, his trousers, t-shirt and jacket were all soaked! Then ordered food which finally came, asked for salad dressing 3 times before coming out. Then my husband ordered extra chips which never came asked again and then he just finished the rest of his meal after waiting so long it had gone cold, then when we ordered deserts we were asked if we still wanted the chips as our desserts were coming out! Erm yes please chips but with raspberry sauce instead of ketchup please!!!! I ordered my toddler a milkshake and asked how big it was and was told we could have a smaller one which I said yes please it came out straight away but the two drinks we ordered 20 minutes before still hadn't arrived. Finally get the bill to see we have been charged twice for the bottomless Pepsi, remember, the one that was spilled all over My husband!!! When we told the waitress that we were being charged for the Privilege of two drink being spilled all over every item of clothing my husband was wearing, she laughed at us saying sarcastically oh yeah right my husband said no really I'm still soaking and covered in sticky Pepsi again she just laughed! (Extremely frustrating) I then used a voucher for two free deserts from my "loyalty" card (what a joke) and a 33% off the food bill discount voucher which cane through for my husbands birthday!!! We then get the "revised" bill to see that a drink was deducted. Nothing else! The manageress (I assume this was who she was) just seemed to flutter around never stepped in or tried to offer anything in way of compensation for my husbands soaking clothes or shoes! After complaining again to the manageress, the only competent waitress in the whole place finally stepped in and resolved the whole thing, came and apologised but the manageress never said a word, just delighted again. Just shocking! So thank you to the waitress who should In my opinion be paid a managers salary as she seemed to be helping everyone and running the place smoothly and professionally unlike the manageress!

I have stayed at the Premier Inn attached to the Smugglers Haunt several times over the last 5 years.



I stay for business and for convenience I book the meal deals.



I have always been happy with the quality of the food but staffing levels and an apparent lack of training have been consistently poor.



In the past I have witnessed the restaurant host speaking down to customers and actually going outside for a full blown argument with a customer that quite rightly wasn't going accept this kind of behaviour!

(While customers waited inside to be seated).



This said I will focus on my current visit.



Day 1-



Last night I requested a table for one in the restaurant, the female host who was clearly very busy didn't have to time to explain in a courteous manner that the restaurant was full and I could sit in the bar, instead I was told "we're full you'll have to sit in the bar"



I am used to this being the case but there are ways to speak to people!



I then went to the bar to order my meal where I stood for around 10 minutes being served by a lad who didn't know how to use the till and when he asked for help was ridiculed by a fellow member of staff for some time rather than helping complete my order in a timely manner.



Once I had placed my order, I took a seat at a table with a direct view of the bar so that I wouldn't be forgotten (this has happened in the past).



Several off duty staff were sat in the bar either before their shift or after.

Even though the bar was very busy the female host and some bar staff had time to stand and gossip with them about the management and other members of staff not pulling their weight, the irony!



Eventually my meal came and as stated earlier was good quality food.



Whilst eating, the off duty staff were using the fire exit next to my table to go outside to their car.

This happened several times and after they had finished outside they returned to the bar but didn't bother closing the door.

In the end I got up and shut the door myself as it is still March and quite chilly out.



Day 2-



Again the restaurant is full and I sit in the bar, however the host tonight was much friendlier.



I went to the bar to order, only one lady was serving.

I couldn't understand why pouring a bottle of orange juice into a glass took almost 5 minutes?!



Friendly as the bar maid is, she is severely lacking in any sign of urgency.



Whilst waiting for my meal a member of kitchen staff came out to the bar asking for food to be served, she said she was too busy at the minute!

It was a good 5 minutes after this time before my food was brought out.



This said, the food was hot and tasty when it arrived.



It troubled me that the kitchen staff member had quite long hair and although he was wearing a hat, his hair wasn't kept under it and I would say hair of that length should have been in a hair net which he clearly wasn't wearing.



A recurring problem when ordering a starter and main is once the starter has been served you are forgotten about and end up waiting for a prolonged period before the main arrives.



Another customer sat near me had also been waiting an extended period for his food, I'm not sure if he had changed his text alert tone to the 'Hunger Games' after having to wait so long or if it was coincidence.

Either way it wasn't lost on me!



Unfortunately when I'm staying in the area next time, I will be trying an alternative restaurant.



I suspect that the main issue is the company squeezing labour costs which results in overworked staff which in turn lowers morale and productivity.



Hopefully Beefeater management will read the email I have also sent to them and think about how the cost cutting is effecting the customer experience.



Just not good enough!

I arrived. 2 staff members were immediately inside the door, one the welcome host. They gossiped amongst themselves for a couple of minutes ignoring their new customers.

The restaurant was full, I hadn't booked but was offered a bar table, which is fair enough but the first three tables I tried were unstable, I was told a menu would be on the bar table, it was not but a huge pile at the till where people have taken them up to order & staff haven't bothered taking them back to tables.

Ordered food which I paid for with leisure vouchers, completely valid at a Beefeater but the staff member looked bemused.

He entered into a conversation with a colleague during the middle of my order.

Everyone behind the bar looked like they were young teenagers, with no adult supervising them.

Food was OK to be fair the chef saved them a complete wash out.

We then waited for ages for a Pre ordered desert & had to remind the staff we were waiting for desert, the response 'remind me what you ordered'

Free wifi though so every cloud �

Had to wait for our table, which was booked. Had to ask if it was ready as nobody came to find us when it was ready. Quite a few dishes were not available. The two that I wanted included. The food was ok, but the prices were ridiculous. Save yourself the bother. Go to wetherspoons. The food is the same and much cheaper.

Complaint sent to head office!! Let’s see if I get a reply!

Came in yesterday while on holiday. Had to wait half an hour for a table, once we ordered the food took an hour to arrive - the fries were solid and cold, the steak was overcooked and very tough, there was bacon missing from the chicken. The waitress was very blunt to the point of being quite rude! We left feeling very disappointed with our evening!

As we run a large campsite 5 minutes walk from the smugglers haunt we decided to try the breakfast in view of making recommendations to our customers. We had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated although it didn't look busy. When we were seated we were asked if we had been before as we hadn't we said no the waitress replied someone will take your order ,my wife asked about the self service the waitress replied just help yourself and walked off. We went up to have a look there was about 2 bits of bread in the bread basket, 3 yogurts only peach flavour, no coffee in the dispenser, cereals and milk spilled all over the breakfast bar. I went to pour some orange juice for myself and my wife there wasn't enough in the dispenser for both of us so I asked for some more. When we sat down my wife noticed her glass had lipstick on the rim (photo to follow) she wasn't wearing lipstick. The manager said she would get her another orange juice no explanation or apology. Ok now for the cooked breakfast bit. We ordered at least 10 minutes before a party of 8 on the next tables and they had received there cooked breakfast and eaten it before ours finally arrived and what do you get for your £9 breakfast not sure we'll I'll tell you 1 rubber egg, half a sausage,1 piece of bacon cooked to death, half a teaspoon of bubble and squeak maybe a small desert spoon of beans. My wife had the crispy scrambled egg not sure if the 1 egg was meant to be crispy it certainly had a crust on it, she also had half a portion of beans and a very small teaspoon of bubble and squeak all for £9. Ok as we are a business that is close by to this pub we have used it for meals and we have recommended it to our customers but not anymore, we are disgusted with the quality and service and will pass this on to our customers.