Testimonials

The Price Walker Family

We booked a 2 night Christmas special break at the hotel - this was the first time our family (two adults one 7 year old) had stayed away for the Christmas holiday as normally we do the 'family thing' but we are really glad that we did - and really glad we chose the Grange at Oborne for our first Christmas stay experience!

I will try and make this review as useful as possible:

Value for money - we thought that the hotel was excellent value for money in every respect. I regularly stay away with my job so have become quite 'seasoned' in hotel experiences - this rates as one of the highest experiences I have had. For example, our family recently stayed at the much vaunted Crown & Castle hotel, Suffolk owned and run by Ruth Watson (CH4's hotel inspector) and we thought this was very good - well we all agreed that the Oborne exceeded and has blown away our expectations of 'good' .

Food - by far some of the best hotel food we have had - fresh, local produce whever possible. Very much the highlight of the stay. Breakfasts superb. My wife and I enjoyed the fish courses (which I tend not to go for) but I was blown away. Generous portions - we did not go away hungry. Congratulations to the chef and team.

Ambience - this is where this hotel really scored for us as a small family - we do have a well behaved child who tends not to run amok and enjoys trying new foods with his parents at evening meals. There was no 'Victorian attitude' towards well behaved children (eg early high teas, exclusion from evening meals) and we felt really relaxed - staff hugely supportive of children and also fellow guests did not seem to mind. Evenings could be spent at the small bar or playing board games in front of the roaring open fire (as this was a Christmas stay we did this alot!) in the lounge - a relaxed formality which was delightful. The atmosphere is very much influenced by the owners (Jenny and Jon) and they have got it spot on. Little touches at Christmas really demonstrate the experience we had - box of chocolates outside our door on Christmas day, father christmas footprints in the lounge with an eaten mince pie etc etc......

Staff - brilliant all round. We were made to feel relaxed. Depending on your view on how staff should be, they are more than happy to engage conversationally if you want to or leave you to your own devices - take your pick.

Rooms - we had a very large standard double (room 17) - very big and accomodated the 'put up bed' for our 7 year old no problem! Great shower room and very clean bathroom. Hotel lounge, small and cosy with comfortable chairs to relax in. Dining areas - overlook floodlit garden at night and a start lit ceiling add a brilliant ambience in one of the rooms (ideal for weddings)

Location - nestled in a small hamlet (think ducks on road, small stream, farm houses) just outside Sherborne. Extremely quiet but ideal for day tripping and exploring Dorset. We did not do much over our Christmas stay (due to time limitations) but we will go back as use this as a base for walking and further exploration of the surrounding area.

So, move over Ruth Watson - take note of this excellent small hotel that is unpretentious, not patronising, child friendly and offers great value for money.

There are few hotels that get it this right.

Why is it not rated more highly?

Leona Drayton

We had the pleasure of dining at your establishment for the first time on Boxing Day for luncheon. I would like to say your staff were very professional and charming, a rare thing these days. It made the experience very enjoyable.

We hope to return in the very near future.

Graham & Georgina Adams

Thank you both and your staff for a wonderful two days with you over Christmas. Your care and attention to detail was faultless. You deserve every success in your business. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Michael and Mavis Longyear.

We would like to thank you for a very nice Christmas break. It was so nice to feel so welcome by yourselves and all of the staff which made everything so comfortable. We felt immediately at home as soon as we stepped in the door and this feeling prevailed the whole time we were at the Grange.