The Vineyard Stockcross, Newbury

My partner and I go a few times a year for 'date night' it's always been special and we go back because the service, food and hotel is amazing. The staff are knowledgeable about the food and wine and create a special experience for customers, the meal and wine experiences are defiantly worth trying. If you stay over nothing is too much trouble, you can book treatments in the spa or just relax in the pool, champagne in the room so you are completely relaxed prior to your evening dinning. If that is not enough breakfast is just as yummy as the dinner the evening before, definitely recommend.

The Vineyard Stockcross, Newbury, has Superb food, very attentive and helpful service, good wine list, comfortable and uncrowded surroundings. I thouroughly enjoyed my gastromomic experience at Stockcross which was memorable for the excellent food, "foam" in strong evidence. I tried the tasting menu which was painstakingly explained by the frinedly and helpful waiters. Booking by phone was professional and simple though I imagine that that second Michelin star has upped the demand now. For me this is not a place to woo a partner as it lacked intimacy, but definately a good dinner party venue. I'll be back. Modern large restaurant lacking atmosphere and intimacy, but then again it doesn't set out to be twee. Think glass, not beams.

An excellent meal well up to the standard of other 3 star Michelin restaurants experienced this year, followed by a very comfortable night and a substantial breakfast. Highly recommended.

Despite everything that we'd read and heard about The Vineyard, this was one of the most expensive disappointments of any hotel stay we'd ever had. I felt the venue itself was missing something, it seemed a bit like an expensively done-out, mid-range Hilton.

We arrived at about 3pm and headed for the spa, which was a very nice, relaxing and pleasant area. The trouble started when we headed to the bar/restaurant. Our booking was for 9pm, so we decide on cocktails at 7.30pm. Ordering a 2nd drink was not easy despite there apparently being a plethora of staff drifting around we waited a good 10 minutes to get the chance to order another. Also the waiter seemed less than happy that we wanted more drinks. This was heightened by another waiter arriving and asking if we wanted to eat earlier, when I said no, he huffed and walked away.

The someiller seemed unhelpful to us, he made a few half hearted suggestions and seemed more interested in selling the hotel's Californian range, which was available to order for home delivery.

The real fun was at dinner, with 2 michelin stars we were really looking forward to enjoying the taster menu. Sadly we had to keep asking for our wine, as the waiter apparently didn't notice that our glasses were running low. At one point we were asked if we wanted another bottle whilst still having 3/4 of one left at the waiting station.

We were served our courses in the wrong order and as a result there were some at least 20 minute gaps between courses. Then the beef course arrived and had I had what looked like a hair on the plate. After apologies they took the plates away, both of ours, and we waited 15 minutes for a replacement. Apart from 3 of the courses the food wasn't that good, the risotto was divine. Some were cold when they shouldn't have been. At one point the couple on the next table said that it looked like we were having a bad night. They had heard quite a few of the apologies being made to us.

We were the last couple in the restaurant at about 11pm and on a Friday night! The waiter arrived to ask if we wanted any more drinks or coffee. I asked if that was all of the courses, only to be told no, we had one last one left. Which we waited 15 minutes for whilst watching the clean up and setting for breakfast take place.

All in all we were very disappointed with the service and quality of the food. Mistakes can happen it just seemed that we had a catalogue of them.

We would definitely not return to this place.