Bar staff literally telling people to f*ck off. Charming Christmas eve attitude.
This review is regarding the bar only, not the hotel proper.Was served by the lovely Becky, who as manager is friendly, knowledgeable and full of ideas to expand the business...including the possibility of opening up a tapas section . Nice bright and airy bar area, plenty of photographs of the locals and the great and good of the music and sports world.Not the cheapest prices, but this is Alton, so too be expected really. Now, here's where I spit the dummy.This is an Enterprise Inn (who are probably the worst of the plethora of 'pub management companies' in the whole of the UK) and I speak from 23 years experience as a publican. Apparently this venue had a thriving restaurant business, successful, popular and well supported by locals on a Sunday...Enterprise Inns...shut the restaurant down?Becky has plans for working on reinstating the restaurant as a Sunday lunch venue, also plans for offering home made cakes and tea and coffee for mums and toddlers and of course the tapas bar option.Worth a visit, good central location, plenty of P&D parking, free WiFi. Offers live music and sports TV.
Staying as an overnight guest, the room was comfortable and tidy with the usual amenities and tea and coffee making facilities. There's no option of breakfast but packaged croissants, biscuits, butter, cheese and jam were provided in the room which was a nice touch. The decor outside the rooms and around the pub could do with some upkeep, especially the stairs and entranceway, which made it feel quite utilitarian. Obviously it is loud downstairs until closing time but that's to be expected when staying in a pub.
New (to me) owners have made a few homely changes. I went for Sunday lunch on recommendation of friends.Good choice of usual meats, beef, pork, lamb & vegetarian, all with the trimmings expected.Not overpriced. Best to book in advance, we has for table at 12:15 & by 1:00pm, the place was packed.Staff are professional, friendly & knowledgeable.Will try them on other days, lynch & evening meal to see if same standards are in evidence.
As other guests have mentioned, the stairs going up to the room are a bit of a state, but they are clean. The room we were in was called Jubilee and we really liked it. It was definitely quirky but it was clean and we both liked the design. Oh, there's no mirror above the sink. It was no problem for us but it might be if you wanted to shave.There's no option of breakfast but there are the usual tea making facilities in the room, with packaged croissants, biscuits, butter, cheese and jam. I guess that it's going to be loud downstairs until closing time, but this was Halloween and we were the last to leave the bar.Another Guest mentioned the lack of welcome. I could see that being a problem with no Reception. We, however, had a wonderful greeting from one of the bar staff called Harry. He also served us in the bar later and was very helpful and friendly. Thank you Harry.
The Market Hotel is a UK Lodging based in Alton, South East England. The Market Hotel is located at 3 The Market Square, Alton GU34 1HD, UK.
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