Name: La Fosse at Cranborne
Address: The Square, Cranborne, Cranborne, BH21 5PR, United Kingdom, Wimborne, Wimborne, Wimborne, BH21 5PR, United Kingdom
Rating: 9

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Heating

Garden

Terrace

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Rooms

Ironing

Laundry

Shoe shine

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Packed Lunches

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

German

English

French

Languages Spoken

Free bicycle rental

Hiking

Recreation

Free Parking on Premises

Parking

Fax and copy machine

Meeting and presentation facilities

Conference Hall

Business

Cycling

Sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Bournemouth Airport

Southampton Airport

La Fosse at Cranborne

Wimborne

We have stayed once before as a couple and this time we stayed as a group of 10 adults + 6 babies/kids (including 2 vegans) and Mark/Emmanuelle could not have been more accommodating. 

Beds are really comfy and they have made a lot of effort to think about what guests might need chargers in the bedroom, fresh milk and cold water on the landing.

Gorgeous cosy little B&B. Pub right opposite and location is accessible for some beautiful new forest walks. We also did one group dinner in the Scandinavian bbq hut which was so unique and super fun.

Gorgeous cosy little B&B

I took my family here to celebrate my daughters birthday. The venue and service were both good but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing. Every dish arrived with a wet stir fry and my trout was so overcooked I would have thrown it away had I cooked it at home.
over priced and very under whelmed.

Disappointing 

We spent a lovely couple of days here. Emmanuelle was a wonderful host. The rooms was large and the beds were comfortable. Breakfast was delicious - best mushrooms I’ve had!
We were too late trying to get a table for dinner and will make sure we book early next time we stay.

A lovely b&b

After reading rave reviews 4 years ago, post covid my parents decided to book a treat weekend for their family.

Overall whilst the standard of food can’t be faulted (dad said his scrambled egg at breakfast was the best he’d ever had), you are left with the feeling that the rooms are just a bolt on, rather than a cared for b&b which left us feeling disappointed because the village really has little else other than 2 pubs, one of which was closed so small things that if addressed would really help get the wow factor back.

Booking the b&b was greeted with a short “yes?” answering the phone. After booking no further contact was had, a reminder of the booking just guests know they’re expected.

No confirmation of how to book in on arrival was given, we arrived at the suggested 4.30pm to be greeted by a surprised looking gentleman who turned out to be the chef. Amazon packages were still all in the hallway which smelt musty and not ready for guests. 

Glimpsing through the door into the restaurant it looked lovely though. The lounge off of the restaurant is cluttered with random seating with not a great use of the space-you feel if you were in there no one else would have space to come in. Shame -because of that  it didn’t get any use. 

We were told to make our own way up the steep stairs-my parents would not have been able to do this had they been staying on their own. 

Because of the steep stairs handrail has had much use and is grey with dirt and needs a lick of paint. The hallways are cluttered with dvd’s, books and wonky pictures. 

A mini fridge is available at the top of the stairs is a nice touch for water and milk although the milk wasn’t always available when needed. The rooms are nice -beds and pillows extremely comfortable and clean but there is a lot of dust in the corners and door frames, handles are grubby/tarnished/in need of an update. 

The explanation said if you need anything ask, my parents wanted granule coffee rather than the machine and were asked “can’t you use the coffee in the room?” After explaining why, coffee granules were produced but then there was no milk in the fridge! 

We headed for dinner and we’re greeted in a very cold restaurant-there was a fire but it was producing no heat and a door was open to the toilet meaning all cold air was coming in. With the restaurant being made up of only the guests staying a hush would decend upon walking in so had little ambience-some background music would improve this.

Choosing a red wine proved tricky as things on the list were not available. A small bar would be more helpful.

The dinner menu was unfortunately made up of things that didn’t go together-for example chicken breast, noodles and champ potatoes. Noodles and potatoes aren’t usually a combination you see together and there was no sauce so all very dry-although cooked extremely well. 

Pudding limited with no icecream options. 

Breakfast was very nice but you select the night before and it’s all set out on your table so if you 
choose tea but fancy an orange juice there’s no where no help yourself-you need to ask. The same for water or sauces. Having these set out somewhere would enhance the experience.

The lady serving us was very good but she was serving everyone too. 

Overall having a lick of paint, adding a  welcoming experience & scents, reorganisation of seating, and some additions to the menu would make a world of difference. On the positive it is very well priced.

Hit & miss-could be amazing

From the moment that you walk through the front door of La Fosse you know that you are in a special place.  It is serenely quiet and oozes class.  It is so nice to have staff who are obviously proud of what they do and genuinely want to give their guests the best experience on their holiday.  This is where to stay if you are looking for peace and top class service.  The rooms, (we were in “Dorset Blue”), are beautifully decorated and the toiletries are all top quality.  It is like staying in a “Ritz” type establishment, but at a price that normal families can afford.  The breakfast was first class and you could have a full english or a continental breakfast.
We stayed two nights in order to attend a family anniversary party locally.   I can thoroughly recommend this establishment, you will definitely not be disappointed.

Absolutely brilliant.

We were delighted with the Fosse. Having avoided the littlest room we had an excellent room , like the rest of the proper decorated in a pleasant t querky style. Pre dinner drinks were had in their little garden at the back in the early evening sun. It did feel like we were on holiday. The dinner was a delight, all courses well presented with and tasted heavenly. Breakfast, preordered, was laid out when we went down, We did like the individual toaster on the table which avoided having to queue nor having toast delivered hot only to cool don when you wanted. We will be back.

Excellent Dinner and Stay

We and various members of our family circle have visited La Fosse several times over the last few months, including a post-COVID restrictions dinner with friends, a birthday celebration (over Valentine's weekend!) and a 6 course tasting menu for an anniversary meal. Every time the food has been outstanding - creative, absolutely delicious, and largely locally sourced. Mark goes from strength to strength, Emmanuelle makes sure any dietary considerations are accommodated - and we always come away relaxed, happy and with the most wonderful food memories. Our latest venture was to try one of the themed evenings, and with live jazz,  suitably themed food and convivial company, a great time was had by all. We can't recommend this gem of a restaurant highly enough!

Always excellent, always something different!

Although the vibe throughout the hotel and restaurant was lovely, it really had a grubby feel to it.  The bed felt clean but the bathroom could have done with a good bleaching and scrubbing, especially the grouting between the tiles.  All the silicone around the sink was starting to perish and trapping dirt in the gaps.  The carpets felt sticky underfoot and really, in all honesty, all the place needed was a jolly good deep clean.  We stayed for two nights and thought the room would have been cleaned after the first night but it wasn't and we had to make our own bed and wash the used cups etc.  At £125 a double room, I would have expected that service to be included.
Having said all that negative stuff about the hotel, the restaurant was excellent and both breakfasts and evening meals were delightful with attentive and polite service being given by all the friendly staff.

Lovely vibe but quite grubby

A chance to catch up with good friends. Exquisite food with beautiful menu using local produce. Following strict Covid rules meant we felt secure.  Extensive gin menu, cocktails, good wines, great food and superb location. What’s not to love !

10 pm curfew, hand gel & a fabulous evening !

Really pleasant, friendly and comfortable hotel in the beautiful Dorset countryside. They've put in some excellent Covid-19 measures which seem effective without being overly burdensome. The food in the restaurant is also great -- but make sure you book, even if you're staying at the hotel!. Recommended.

La Fosse at Cranborne

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