The Linden Stansted

Room are very nice. Location is great if you’re travelling from Stansted airport. But the service is complete rubbish. We had a one night stay with breakfast. The tv did not work, and as for the breakfast, could not tell you as no one was there to cook it when I mean no one was there the whole place was closed when we left at 10:30 and still no one. There was nobody to give the keys to so we had to leave them in the cleaners cupboard. Got charged twice for the same room so will see if we get the money back. Whoever owns this place needs to get a grip of what’s going on here. STAY AWAY… Safety Shocking, as we were the only couple there after they closed up at 19:30, happened to see the manager whilst he was leaving and he said if you need anything I only live across the road give me a call. We tried phoning the number that are in the rooms but nobody picked up. Down stairs fire door was left open (which we closed) so definitely not safe, as anyone could have got in.

We have used the Linden for previous work meetings and were mostly happy with the food and service so we thought we knew what to expect and we booked our work Christmas meal there. Unfortunately we didn’t read the recent reviews before booking. The venue is a nice building with one large dining room and a bar. The bedrooms are stunning and nice and clean. In the days before the event we were sent a slightly unusual menu and asked to send in our food choices. There were no starters or side dishes on this menu, just mains with a ‘bubble and squeak’ or mashed potato option and a choice of three desserts. After a telephone conversation with the venue we got some starters added and a ‘carrot and swede mash’ option was also added. The vegetarian options were poor. There were no ‘extras’ i.e. plates of vegetables put out on the tables either which would have been nice. I created a spreadsheet with full guest names and choices of food on and this was sent to the venue a few days before the event. There were 26 of us and we were seated on a long table and were the only ones dining I believe. There were two or three waitresses serving us who were really lovely and obviously doing their best but I would say that the place just wasn’t able to deal with such a large booking. It was clear that all was not going well from the beginning, the starters were brought out and given to the wrong people, they then had to be swapped around and given to the right people by which time some of them had started to go cold, the same thing happened with the mains and also the desserts, even though another menu list of everyones names and choices were given out to the staff again during this time to help them out. One of our guests was gluten free and as there were no gluten free options on the menu we were sent I requested one of the dessert choices on the menu to be gluten free. This was highlighted in red and quite clear, however I thought I’d better check during the meal if it was in fact going to be gluten free, only to be told that no it wasn’t so it seems that the guest would have been given the gluten choice without knowing but because I had checked they were offered something else as a replacement, it was a bit last minute though and I feel just lucky that the only choice they offered was acceptable. We weren’t offered drinks, we had to catch the servers attention separately and ask for ourselves throughout the meal. The food, if you were lucky enough to get it when it was hot, was quite nice though but if you didn’t like mashed potato you would have been hungry. One of our guests stayed in one of the lovely rooms and had paid for breakfast, they were told it was from 8 – 10am however when they came down in the morning at 9.30 there was no-one to be seen, the place was in darkness all doors were locked leading to the dining area, a cleaner tried calling someone but got no response so our guest and his girlfriend had to leave without having any food. I think

I'm sitting here reading some of the recent negative reviews and trying to work out if we're talking about the same place (we are). We were going to visit some family for Christmas and my wife and I arrived around 3pm on the 23rd Dec 2024. The staff at reception were lovely and couldn't be any more helpful. We went to our room where we were greeted with a huge comfortable super king size bed and an amazing bath that had like a rainfall shower. The room was spotlessly clean, had a big TV, and we were able to make our own tea & coffee, plus a few bottles of water added in for good measure. We had breakfast the following morning in the dining room where I had a full English breakfast which was beautiful, my wife went for the more healthy option of cereal and fruit. We then headed out to meet my sister and brother-in-law for a day shopping round the town. Instead of having my sister cook for us on Christmas day I'd booked "The Linden" for Christmas dinner for us all. If I'm honest there did seem to be a bit of a staffing issue that day but the staff that were there were excellent and dealt brilliantly with what appeared to be quite a stressful for day for them! Dinner was to die for, and we all enjoyed it immensely. The service was excellent and the food was delivered in a timely manner. I appears some people seem to had an issue here over Christmas but I genuinely couldn't fault the place. We left again on the 27th Dec and will be returning here at Easter when we come back again to visit my sister and her family.

Stayed at Linden for a long weekend whilst visiting family. From the moment i checked in to the moment i checked out nothing was a problem for the staff. Breakfast was amazing with lots of choices, both hot and cold. I did not eat lunch in the restaurant, but i had one of the best Sunday roasts I’ve have ever eaten! The service was excellent and the staff very friendly and knowledgeable. My room (9) the suite was just fantastic. So quirky and individual. It has a large bathroom with a rain fall power shower, roll top bath, his and hers twin sink. The bed and linen so soft and comfortable. Also it had a separate seating area with tea and coffee making facilities. Just a great room ! I had drinks in the bar on both Friday and Saturday evening and even the locals are super friendly. I will definitely be back on my next trip without doubt. Thank you Linden staff for a great stay, all the best for the future. Last but certainly not least, a big shout out to Adam for going the extra mile, a real credit to the team!!! Adam 💪🏻 the best!!!!

I had the misfortune of what I would describe as the WORST meal and table service I have experienced in ANY restaurant I have visited. When being charged £130 per person,I would expect 5star treatment. (Xmas Day) Instead I got “service” that was embarrassing. Friends on my table were brought their main, beef wellington, (no veg) and 20 MINUTES later the rest of the party were brought their turkey (no veg) The veg arrived another 15 MINUTES later!!!!!! By this time we had eaten our main meal so the vegetables accompanied the gravy!!!!! The sweet followed the same delivery method as the main. To add insult to injury, the bill was brought with a service charge added!!!! (which we obviously did not pay) This hotel is being run by people who are totally inexperienced. Give this venue a wide berth.

We visiting the Linden on Christmas Day as a family of nine. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. Firstly, the service was appalling. All nine members of the party had pre ordered however the staff did not know what the guests were eating and just called out dishes in the restaurant and hoped someone had ordered it. The food all came out at different times. Half of the party had eaten their food before others had even been served. When the Christmas dinner arrived we then had to wait a further 20 mins for the vegetables to arrive by which the Christmas dinner had already been eaten otherwise it would have gone cold. Every table experience the same (even tables of two), it wasn’t just because we were a large party. When complaining at the end to the lady owner (who was walking around in sliders) we were told “we are short staffed and I have done you all a favour as I could have cancelled on you that morning”. The staff were rude and they couldn’t even get the basics of hospitably right. It was embarrassing. If you cannot accommodate guests you shouldn’t be in that business. All tables were complaining and as locals who live in the village we defiantly will never be returning. Absolutely terrible.