March 2024 by Dillon Riese-Murphy
Turned up at 8:50AM to get breakfast which was advertised as 7AM - 10AM at the weekend. We turned up and were ignored at first and then told to wait and then by the time someone came back they said we shut at 9 which isn?t what was advertised. Very disappointing!!
March 2024 by Amanda
Having read the reviews I was not sure about coming in here. Staying at Holiday Inn so it was the easy option (long drive)I must say it's been really good evening.Couldn't fault it. Great, friendly welcome by the owner. Helpful and tries to please.Wine was really well priced and the food was genuinely good.Give the new owners a chance to prove themselves ??
March 2024 by Michelle
Visited last night for a meal with my husband and child, I was a bit skeptical due to the reviews but was pleasantly surprised due to new owners.From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome and comfortable by Brett, His customer skills are amazing and I'm certain he could change any negative reviews from previous customers due to the old owners if those customers returned. We were reminded to register our number plate for the parking and signs are now clearly in place to ensure no one gets fined. With the previous owners I believe this was a big issue and has been easily rectified.Portion sizes were generous and the fish was easily the best fish I've ever tried.The pub soon filled up so would recommend booking, Brett interacted with every table constantly making people laugh and engaging well, making the atmosphere really relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.Overall a much needed lovely evening.Thank you!Parking: Parking is free if you register your reg inside the pub. A reminder is on the bar so you don't forget.Kid-friendliness: We visited with out 7 year old son and Brett who was serving us was great with him. There were other children in with families too
December 2023 by Rob Thomas
Used to be a nice pub until the hotel development. Now it is bland and very overpriced.
September 2023 by Rohan Clapham
Not what we had hoped for.Food & drinks: We were recommended the restaurant by our hotel. The atmosphere and service was fine. Unfortunately we were disappointed with the meals. The mashed potato in one of our meals was tasteless and if I had not ordered chicken pieces with my Ceaser Salad, I would have received a bowl of warm lettuce strips with croutons and salad dressing. There was no bacon, no cheese and no egg included...just lettuce and croutons. Maybe that's how it's done locally. Not what I was expecting for the £19 price.
August 2023 by 43Rachel
We stayed at the Red Lion as we were visiting Audley End for a concert, When we arrived the car park was nearly full, and we had to pay an extra £7.50 to park overnight We got the key to our room by going over to the Holiday inn next door The room ( no 15) at first glance seemed ok, although the overly large TV restricted movement around the end of the bed and over hung the light switches to the bathroom The room was showing the signs of age, cobwebs and accumulated dirt in corners especially in the bathroom, sealant around bath and sink peeling away and grubby, there was no shower curtain and the shower itself was a hand held one near the taps and when you stood in the bath and used it, it was powerful like I fireman?s hose so water squirted EVERYWHERE, soaking the entire bathroom ( plus the extractor fan was broken and there was no window It felt more like a wet room Not good for a 16th century building to have that much moisture The Red lion seemed to lack staff, the dinning room was dark, and the young lad behind the bar didn?t even know how to turn the lights on We decided to eat elsewhere Breakfast was included in our stay, but was served in the Holiday Inn next door, Everyone in both hotels had to use this space and it was extremely busy People were queuing for ages to get a seat, we saw someone sitting at reception with a full English breakfast on their lap? On the plus side, I will say our bed was comfortable and the sheets were clean The location was great for what we needed. The staff were doing their best but some things really need to be addressed And we got the impression that if you wanted to discuss anything about your room the next morning, there was no one on reception deliberately, their reluctance to engage with you hi lighted ongoing problems.
August 2023 by Marty W
Red lion was closed as it is every weekend apparently. I paid for a deluxe room and got a twin room which is ok if you don?t want to sleep with your wife. We Had to go over the road to the holiday inn. Understaffed and not overly helpful. They ran out of beer by 5pm. Room was filthy, someone?s trousers hanging on the back of the door which the cleaners obviously missed. I?d stay elsewhere if I was you!
June 2023 by spanishmaraca
Food is great , not the cheapest but really tasty, there is a new landlord at the pub , and nothing is too much trouble, for him and his team, it is clear to see that he has been in the trade for a long time. As he knows how to run a traditional English pub. I have eaten here 3 consecutive nights during a business trip. would definitely return .
June 2023 by Y2448PQpeters
Nice tea but got had by the very unfair car parking charge system. We had travelled 200 miles and do not know the area so when we saw the Red Lion we pulled off the main road and parked next to its lawn at the rear - totally unknown to us the parking and the Red Lion are both owned by Holiday Inn Express. Paid for our tea and left after 1/2 hour - no mention by the member of staff about parking issues. A few weeks later received the parking penalty notice but it failed to identify the exact location - just stating Holiday Inn Cambridge. I emailed Holiday Inn Cambridge who agreed in writing to cancel the charge, but - without letting me know - failed to do it. A few weeks later an increased penalty and when I thought it had been cancelled. To cut a long story short, I have today paid the original £60 penalty but the Red lion and Holiday Inn have lost me as a customer. I feel totally ripped off and I am a person who tries always to comply with regulations.
June 2023 by michaellumb1964
Went for evening meal. Service was really poor and my Caesar salad was the worst I have ever had with the chicken so dry so burnt it was almost inedible. To top it all both beer and food was exceptionally expensive and I heard one bar person talk to someone who complained about the price of a glass of wine saying 'it's hotel prices'! I will never go again and advise you don't make my mistake.
May 2023 by Q3244HJadrianb
We only had a meal. Ordered steak. So tough, we simply could not eat it. They changed the meal for hunters chicken. The VERY worst meal I have ever eaten. Just simple facts. I would NEVER return to this run down place. Price was extortionate.
May 2023 by londonperson
I booked for a business trip and just needed somewhere to stay. I thought a little pub would be great but here are some interesting facts. 1. The pub is basically closed and it?s just the rooms that are available 2. The hotel is an extension of the holiday inn express and that?s where you check in 3. The room I had was a single and tiny 4. Very tired and you could hear everything from the next room unless you closed the bathroom door. The window was falling apart and filthy. 5. It was not very clean, lighting was grim and showed everything. 6. Plus points, shower although fixed head and small was good. Bed was comfortable and sheets were clean 7. Parking was good and very easy 8. Price was fair but no excuse to be dirty. Needs a deep clean - shower descaled, loo cleaned and carpet washed. I would have paid more for a clean and smart room with a better bathroom if I had known . The pictures on booking.com are not accurate !!!
April 2023 by Bethandstu
Went in for a meal while staying at the nearby Holiday Inn. Jalapeno starter reasonable at £5.95 but a bowl of chilli for £18.45 and a chicken burger for £19.45? Seriously? Food was OK but unremarkable, certainly not reflected by the price. Requested a pint of Stella, was told it was off that night so had a pint of Hells lager instead. Still got charged for the Stella and only noticed later, it probably would have been corrected had we realised and raised the matter, but how did that happen in the first place? Would not bother to visit again. Three stars, but only just.
April 2023 by Nicolaverheijen999
If I could leave no stars I would. Arrived after. 4 hour drive to find the place in darkness. Tried to contact them, no reply. Hotels.com tried multiple times no reply. I then found out that the check in is at the Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn then tried to charge me £20 more than the Hotels.com booking and then expected me to still stay in the closed down Red Lion Hotel in darkness as a solo female traveller. Huge health and safety risks! Holiday Inn were rude and passive aggressive. I ended up having to refuse to stay in the closed down/run down Red Lion and find myself somewhere else to stay. All in all it took over an hour and a half to sort all this out. To top it off, they have twice declined a refund! Avoid at all costs!
April 2023 by beasles
The pub seems to be linked to the Holiday Inn next door, we opted to eat supper here rather than drive to another village. Not a good experience, the beer was flat and the staff didn't seem to understand why. The food was average and very expensive, most of the main meals were c£20, Fish & Chips £19.95. The staff were not interested, they never offered us a desert but were quick to add a 10% service charge which we asked to be removed. I'd suggest choosing another venue.
