Sandbach, Chimney House Hotel

Lovely looking hotel externally, but the Chimney House Hotel in Sandbach was really let down by restaurant and service. Booked DBB (apr 06) - arrived at restaurant to find no table for us. Waited 20 minutes to be seated. 45 minutes after ordering, starter arrived. Mine inedible - husband more tolerant ate his but didn't enjoy. 20 minutes later well done steak arrived ripping blood, Returned to kitchen, but sauce and sides left by waiter to chill on table. Tolerant husband then tried his medium steak - also rare. At this point decided to give up and left restaurant. Found nice Italian on square in Sandbach, where interestingly owner is very happy with hotel - his mid week trade is made up primarily of business people who stay and eat one night and then come out for decent food! Exacerbated by no apologies being made for experince while waiting for table or food, and although food refunded - wouldn't have paid anyway! - still charged for bottle of water consumed while waiting for dinner! Petty!