The only thing that surpasses the hotel itself is the amazing customer service. Without exception from reception, kitchen, housekeeping literally nothing is too much trouble. I have now stayed in two different rooms for business and both were idillic, making it much easier to go out to work. During both my stays there has been weddings. I remained undisturbed by both events. I could not hear any noise at all and was only aware of the weddings by seeing the bridal parties coming and going when I was in the car park. The hotel itself is immaculate. I used the restaurant a few times and the food was delicious. Thank you Howfield for making my sometimes tiring job at lot easier.

My bereavement group which is part of a national charity stayed at this hotel in 2019&2021. The staff were lovely and the food excellent so we decided to book for next year, I called Howfield in July, chose a date and asked for prices. Kevin the manager emailed with costs for a double room, I replied back to enquire what it would be for single occupancy. I waited weeks without a reply. I rang countless times and left messages but I had no response from anyone.

Out of frustration on Thursday 6th October 22 I went to Howfield & finally spoke with Kevin. I explained that our group was a bereavement charity and everyone paid the same no matter what room they were in. He made a nasty remark about groups and said that wasn’t possible. He then quoted a price which far exceeded the original one he had given me back in July.

Despite the high price and a great deal of thought we agreed on it. All 15 rooms for two nights stay in June costing £380 a room including breakfast.

However when I got home, I opened the email/invoice and I was shocked to find another £1,167.12 added for tax … I rang left a message saying if we had to find this extra cost then I would definitely cancel. The following day I received a call that the manager Kevin wanted the full £7,002.00 This was proof he didn't want us there.

Out of curiosity I looked on HM site for room charges just yesterday, for 11 -12 June 2023 and the cheapest room was £205, the dearest £296. Yet the so-called rip off manager was asking us for £380 each.

For Paul Sharma. Owner of Howfield Manor
In response to your reply.

Our group have all been bereaved by suicide, some have lost partners some siblings or friends but the majority of us have lost a child, including myself.

In the past we were made more than welcome at your hotel and treated well, so much so we wanted to return next year.

However, when I contacted Howfield Manor in July this year I was appalled at the response I got from your incompetent manager Kevin. I had not dealt with this man before and I have no wish to again. For weeks he ignored my emails & telephone calls. I did manage to catch him one day but he couldn’t answer my question and promised to call back, of course he didn’t. Surely this behaviour, especially from a manager is unacceptable?

In your latest comments regarding pricing, you say you couldn’t lower your prices to our budget because you’re going through a difficult time but that is no reason to rip us off. We are all going through hard times !

What your manager quoted was way above the top price for your dearest rooms and far above quotes on Trivago & Booking.com.

The price given to us was £380 each for all 15 rooms large or small including breakfast. It did NOT include dinners, use of conference facilities and refreshments, as you state in your reply.

On top of the £380 we were expected to pay a further £1.167.12 for tax, making the final bill £7.002.00 Why exploit us when tax is normally included in the price?

I cannot express how shocked, disgusted and disappointed I was with your manager. I found him to be arrogant, rude and cold. It was clear he didn’t want us there so he did what he could and priced us out!