AVOID Coeliac contamination on first night 😡
This was supposed to be a very special break for us, our 30th wedding anniversary, so I researched thoroughly to make sure where we stayed would be safe. I was informed when I phoned that it wasn't a problem, I reiterated that I am coeliac, not just gluten intolerant and also dairy intolerant and was reassured.
On check-in, this information was on our details, but when we went to the restaurant in the evening this information had not been passed on. I informed the waitress of my dietary requirements, who then sent another waitress to our table, who then informed the kitchen and came back again to check. I am not a fussy eater and informed them that I didn't care what I was given as long as it's safe to eat (this I know makes the chef's life easier), but was not reassured by all the tooing and froing which happened for a third time 😕
I was given a luke warm soup and no bread, a dry rotisserie chicken, salad and chips, no dressings or coleslaw. Although I had informed them weeks ago, surely something more interesting could have been organised. I was initially told that I couldn't have the chips, but checked with the waiter that brought them and he said they were fine.
An hour after my meal I started to feel unwell and realised I had indeed been contaminated. The following morning I obviously couldn't have breakfast ( good job really as my husband said there were crumbs all over the table and lodged in the grooves. I went to reception to speak to the manager, they weren't available and I was given an email to write to guest liason. This I did immediately as we had already paid in advance for two breakfasts and two evening meals for two days. We didn't risk eating at the hotel again, although I wasn't hungry, so we went into town to an accredited restaurant, although I wasn't really up to eating.
Although we were given an upgrade for our room to a suite, which was wonderful, this doesn't make up for the upsetting time that we had. I didn't receive a reply to my email that I sent the morning of our second day, I wrote again a week later and also copied in the De Vere head office and I still have had no reply a month on and I was told I would hear within 24 hours.
The surroundings of the hotel are stunning and the Georgian building that we stayed in was gorgeous, but I will never stay there again and anyone who has a food allergy should stay clear. The staff obviously need training in allergies and for the chef to ask if a coeliac is OK with traces certainly doesn't understand.
Totally ruined what should have been a wonderful celebration.
October 12, 2021
Unprompted review