St Michael's Manor Hotel - St Albans

We visited St Michaels Manor yesterday and had booked for lunch. We arrived early so had coffee in the lovely bar/lounge area first then took a walk into St Albans. The staff were so welcoming and accommodating from booking to leaving. The grounds are beautiful, the setting peaceful and beautiful. The hotel itself has a lot of history and this is maintained in the current decor but updated to modern standards. The views from the restaurant to the lake and gardens are wonderful. The staff were very friendly and courteous. The food was excellent and served well. We were made to feel that our custom was valued and would definitely return here again when in the area.

Just stayed here and it really surpassed our expectations. The staff were so friendly, and could not do enough to help. What I really liked, was that they got all the important things right. Great service, super clean, big soft towels, luxury toiletries, proper tea and coffee making in the room, quality bedding, dressing gowns, decent lighting in the bathroom, and enough plugs. It’s amazing how many hotels get this wrong. The breakfast was absolutely excellent, perfectly cooked, outstanding coffee, and we really enjoyed it. The only slight improvement is that it needs a bit of TLC outside, with the jetties around the lake but the gardens are so pleasant it didn’t really matter. Thanks for a lovely stay, we will come back again!

We stayed in a garden view room which had a nice exit to the garden. However the room was very dark and the bathroom and bedroom had water stains on the ceiling. The sink was also cracked and when you turn on the taps it soaked everything. Staff very friendly and the breakfast was good. Nice bar and really beautiful lake / garden.

What a beautiful place! The manor feels like frozen in time with the old world charm coupled with modern amenities. It was a perfect getaway for us for the weekend! The lake was almost frozen in the morning but we still had a lovely walk. The breakfast was absolutely tasty and the view from the restaurant is some of the best you can get in the morning. We will definitely be back to this place.

First impressions looked good when arriving at StMichaels manor in St Albans. Nice grounds and plenty of parking. Sadly downhill there on in. No sign of a person on reception , once seen to, we were shown to large conservatory and seated. Told the server we were booked in for afternoon tea. teas chosen came prompt and were very good. Fair wait for the eats on offer to arrive, presentation did not inspire one. Cake selection very mediocre. While waiting for said aftrenoon tea, all other dinners were having lunch and the strong smell of fish dishes etc was not what i had expected when booked. I was hoping for a lovely presented table in a atmospheric room, sadly not the case. Was a special treat for a very good friend and we both left feeling very underwhelmed. £8 service charge on top !

Where do I start, this was a treat for my birthday…arrived, no one on reception, waited and told where room for afternoon tea was. On being seated in a room that looked soviet era, no niceties, no flowers, we waited a while for a waitress to take order for tea, then another 30 minutes for afternoon tea and on arrival had to ask for egg sandwiches as 3 times stressed am vegetarian NOT vegan, waitress seemed perplexed. All afternoon tea people seated with lunch diners which didn’t make it feel special. Cream for scones was hard and not a very good selection of cakes. All in all a lacklustre experience. I suggest manager goes to view the competition to get ideas on how to make this memorable and teach staff difference between vegan and vegetarian!

We had a wonderful stay at St Michael's Manor. The hotel staff are very well trained, very friendly, and we were made to feel very welcome. The hotel is set in lovely grounds, with a pond, gardens, and ample parking. Only 10 minutes walk to the Abbey or the Town Centre, and just round the corner from Verulamium Park. Our room (Lilac) was very spacious, with tasteful furnishings, a nice view, plenty of "high end" teas, coffees, etc, comfortable bed, and spacious bathroom. Downstairs, the bar is very comfortable, and the breakfast room has a wonderful view of the gardens. The breakfast (included with our booking) was REALLY good with a great selection of hot and cold offerings. The staff in the breakfast area was wonderfully attentive and friendly. All in all we felt very well looked after, and will come again.

Stayed one evening to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary. It was amazing from beginning to end - the room, the meal in the restaurant, the service and friendly staff. The facilities are first class. Finally I requested a few small surprises for my wife during dinner which were all delivered as requested - above & beyond. Thank you.

Terrible communication at this restaurant. Don’t assume what you book online is what you will actually get. Even now we’re not too sure that we did actually receive gluten free or vegetarian cakes. We both ended up with the same, despite the menus being totally different online. The vegetarian option seemed to just be vegan, which was odd as most places offer vegetarians things like cheese & eggs in their sandwiches… All 4 cakes were identical ‘fluffy mousse’ style cakes, none of which were enjoyable. No macarons, no brownies, no proper sponge cakes at all… Had to send sandwiches back, as they weren’t what I’d ordered & even then, only 2 of the 4 were edible. The 45 minute wait before receiving the afternoon tea was shocking, as well - never before have we sat & been ignored for so long, while waiters wafted back & forth picking up one item at a time from other tables… Not a pleasant experience & certainly shan’t be returning, or recommending this place for afternoon tea.