Thatched Cottage Hotel

We had lunch in the Esme tea room today. Delicious! My husband chose the Agister forest board and the scotch egg was out of this world! The best thing ever! We all tried it. I’d also recommend the carrot cake too. Yummy yum yum! Great for lunch after a 2 hour family bike ride!

Beautiful setting, well appointed room, great bathroom and superb service when I asked for the room to be swapped from a double to a twin, it was changed rapidly and with all courtesy while I enjoyed a pot of tea and two lovely fresh scones. Charming decor and comfy spotless beds and bathroom. I might ask to bring the dogs next time and get out and enjoy the forest fully!

This was an anniversary surprise by my partner and I seriously hope he didn’t pay the £149 that is on the website. The room looked nothing like those on the pictured on the website. We had a room in the eaves. There were no handles to get out of the bath, you would need to be flexible as there was very little head height. We looked at the mattress protector after breakfast. It had urine stains on it, a small blood stain and a small pink sticky mark. We had informed the hotel a week before arriving that I was gluten-free. The kitchen were only told yesterday. There was no gluten-free sausages. The bacon was very undercooked and fatty and the bread had obviously come straight out of the freezer. The undercooked bottom half was soft, the top half was toasted and solid. The mushrooms came straight out of a tin. The Decaf latte was so strong I had to add sugar to it. They people in the room underneath us had their television on so loud we had to turn our TV up to hear it. There was talking during the night and when we woke up this morning, their television was on. I understand that the Hotel could do nothing about this. I advise only short people should stay in this room as the doorways are so low and the stairs are very deep and only half a shoe width.

The hotel is perfectly situated in the centre of Brockenhurst, around the corner from the train station. Parking was simple and the whole team was excellent. Breakfast is taken in the cafe and garden to the side and was very good. The room of our stay was very quaint, if a little dated, but the property is very historic, so no one should expect 21st century gloss.

We visited for the gin flight tasting experience. I discovered 3 new gins, and the server was very informative. I had the unusual spicy gins, and my boyfriend had fruity gins. We received complimentary snacks with them. Would highly recommend.

Very comfortable, clean accommodation. Everything you would need here for a short stay. Attached Esmes'Tea rooms - very friendly and helpful staff - delicious afternoon tea and breakfasts! Would recommend a stay here. Location is excellent for walking and eating. Easy to get to harbour for the yachting experience that was part of the deal that we booked.