Cavendish Hotel

Booked afternoon tea in the conservatory bistro area of the hotel. Great reception on arrival and quickly shown to our table by the window with lovely views across open countryside toward Chatsworth House. Fantastic service from the restaurant staff throughout. Beautiful food and wine served in style a credit to the chef. This was followed by relaxing drink in the cosy adjacent lounge area. Three hours flashed by and we thoroughly enjoyed our time and meal at the hotel and would recommend afternoon tea and will definitely return when in the area.

We wanted to spend a couple of days exploring Chatsworth and so where better to stay than in an hotel on the estate? The hotel is in a lovely setting, with fabulous views. However, we had booked the Townhouse Suite at almost £500 per night b&b, thinking it would have great views and peace and quiet. The space inside is fine - two floors with a sitting area and a large bedroom. However, the suite overlooks a car park - so much for being in the heart of Chatsworth! What's more, it's next to the large bin area for the restaurant. And on the first morning of our stay we were woken by the bin lorries collecting the rubbish bang outside our windows. And then, when we wanted to leave the suite for breakfast, another bin lorry turned up and completely blocked the exit to the suite - meaning we were trapped inside. Thank goodness there was no fire or emergency. The Townhouse Suite is also facing the main road and we were awake from 4am each morning listening to lorries thunder down the hill. We did ask if we could move to a quieter room with a view, but the reception staff said the hotel was fully booked. We ate in the Gallery restaurant on the first evening. This started well - the amuse bouche, brioche and starters were excellent. However, the waiter opened the red wine we'd ordered and asked if I'd like to try it just as we were enjoying a glass of champagne. Erm, no thanks. Then when the mains arrived my main course (beef in a vanilla and peppercorn sauce) had so much vanilla in it that it tasked like a pudding, it was so sweet. I think there were seven tables in total occupied in the room, and I heard two other people complain to the waiter about this. He just remarked that 'that's the vanilla' rather than taking them seriously. When the starters and mains were delivered the waiter gave a detailed description of the food - exactly as we'd read on the menu - while the food went cold. However, when we ordered the cheese it was just placed on the table with no explanation as to what the cheeses were. The lady on the table behind us had the same issue and asked what they were only to be told in an offhand way 'Red Leicester, cheddar, traditional blue'. The breakfast was good, and on the second night we ate in the more relaxed Garden restaurant, which had much friendlier service. So, overall, the hotel is in a fabulous location, but be careful which room you book, and what you order in the restaurant.

On a not very busy Saturday I visited with another for an afternoon tea. At £42.50 each this was a special occasion. The initial server was friendly but after the delivery of the tea and food, we struggled with a small table and all of the items needed - no space and no server to remove glassware not needed. We then had to ask for additional hot water and no one checked at all with how we were doing. Eventually when a staff member walked past to serve another table we mentioned we had finished. Paying them also took time as they both had left the restaurant and no one was able to allow us to pay. Service at reception equally minimal and no thank you and enjoy your day. At £110 with 2 glasses of Prosecco this was overprices and I cannot see how they got their awards with this level of customer service. Whilst we could not fault the food - I felt frustrated at a special afternoon being ignored by staff.

We booked dinner with friends in the Gallery restaurant. Staff did not know what the dishes were and were unaware of allergies. The menu is limited so you would expect the staff to know. We also found the staff defensive when we suggested some of the sauces would be best served on the side. Overall it was disappointing and expensive.

We stayed for two nights. Loved our room which had a four poster bed and a view out onto the fields with sheep. It was magical. The room and bathroom was very well decorated and the hotel has a sort of “shabby chic” feel to it - but in immaculate condition. What really stands out is the art collection all through it - fantastic prints by English artists, ceramics and photographs of the family. It was almost like visiting a small provincial museum. The staff were lovely and helpful. We had a kitchen dinner the first night which is well worth doing. The next night was in the main restaurant. The food is good, perhaps a little heavy and saucy for our taste and could have been more refined. One thing that the hotel could have is some bikes to hire to cycle in the estate and ….better designed maps! They are amusing but topsy turvy.