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The Howard Arms: Traveller Reviews

Lower Green, Ilmington CV36 4LT, England
Hotel amenities
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75 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this B&B/inn
  • “Very good” (5)
  • “Excellent food” (3)
  • “Evening meals” (3)
  • “Comfortable bed” (3)
Traveller rating
    45
    15
    10
    4
    1
Only show reviews for Family (6) | Couples (45) | Business (5)
Date Rating
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Poor Room, poor service, poor food”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 December 2011

We have often admired the building from the outside and decided to stay the night and dine for an night.
The room seemed newly decorated was ok, but the cleanliness was awful, it really needed a deep clean.
The food was poor, the fishcakes were basically potato and tasteless as we're the duck spring rolls.
Mains courses were also very forgettable. We expected more and were generally disappointed.
We felt it was extremely poor value.

  • Stayed November 2011
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask felixlighter about The Howard Arms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
steven wilkins, Manager at The Howard Arms, responded to this review
12 December 2011
Dear Mr Felix Lighter
Thanks for the constructive comments, I would very much like to investigate your comments in more detail so that I can take the necessary steps to avoid a repeat. As you will see from the majority of comments on TA, we take the business we are in very seriously. However, we do not always get things right 100% of the time. Furthermore, I understand how disappointing it is for you when you do not receive the very best food and service. Your comments have been discussed with the team and I would like to invite you to contact me personally so that I can deal with the issues raised on a more personal level. Quentin
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Stow-on-the-Wold, United Kingdom
1 review
“poor service and welcome(avoid the fish dishes)”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 November 2011

The apathetic attitude to service of 12months ago seems to have returned.My wife and I visited for an early meal.The place was deserted! It was 3/4 mins before any one appeared,and then no apology,another couple walked out and said they would go else where.We ordered fish, For me with chips,for my husband fish cakes( he should have taken your correspondent's advice (----) they were foul tasting and uneatable! My fish was not cooked properly and was raw in the middle,the small spoon of peas was cold.We complained,and were offered replacements but really were so disappointed that we paid and left.Two things added insult to injury.No offer of a refund was made,and during all our discussions,there was a man who we believe was the manager engrossed in his lap top,conveniently missing the problem altogether!!

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask pixie b about The Howard Arms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
steven wilkins, Manager at The Howard Arms, responded to this review
12 December 2011
Dear Pixie B
Thank you for your comments. Let me say how sorry I am that you appear to have experienced us at our worst. I can only speak about the service from the time I joined The Howard in January and you will see from the majority of comments on TA that we do take customer service very seriously indeed. Your comments with regards to your meal have been discussed with the kitchen team to avoid a repeat. As for the welcome, it is far from what I would expect. I am proud of our young team and I am sorry that we left you feeling unwelcome. Finally I shall try to avoid working on my laptop in the bar, clearly I was trying to multi-task. Something, I will need to work on. I hope you will visit us again so that you can see the improvements we have made. Quentin
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Newbury
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
“Great tasty food and exceptional value”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 November 2011

My husband and I just went here for lunch and were very impressed with the quality of food and the standard of service. It was inexpensive, had a great menu and good selection of wine and beers. Would go back tomorrow if it wasn't just over an hour away. Really friendly atmosphere and we were made very welcome by all the staff.

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Ruby77Newbury about The Howard Arms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Midlands
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Lovely food and very pleasant service too!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 October 2011

We visit the Howard Arms several times a year as we don't live too far away. Over time we have taken a number of family members and friends with us who all agree that this is a great pub that serves great food in a welcoming and friendly environment. Sunday lunches in particular are fabulous!

Room Tip: Didn't stay overnight so can't comment!
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  • Stayed September 2011, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask rmca1311 about The Howard Arms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Buckinghamshire
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
“Good hotel, good restaurant, good stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 October 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Ilmington is a surprise and delight. This is the very northern end of the Cotswolds with all the honey coloured stone charm you would expect, with no crowds. There is a wonderful walk over the hill to Hidcote gardens about 3 miles away.

The Howard Arms has about 8 bedrooms - we were in the older part of the building in a well furnished and appointed room. We slept well. We took lunch in the garden and dinner in the restaurant. It has plenty of rustic charm too and both the food and service were good. The breakfast was also first rate but a little slow - my only complaint.

This is an ideal weekend break in a very pleasant hotel in a very attractive village.

Room Tip: Rooms in the older part of the hotel probably have more character
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  • Stayed October 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask LaSerriere about The Howard Arms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about The Howard Arms

Lower Green, Ilmington CV36 4LT, England
Price range (per night):* 193 AUD - 226 AUD

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The Howard Arms
Lower Green
Ilmington CV36 4LT
England
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“The Howard Arms, Ilmington, Warwickshire” timesonline.co.uk
The Howard Arms
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