Saturday, 17 September 2011
Guest Email of Thanks
----- Original Message -----
From: Bridget Herd
To: 'Bell Rock Hotel'
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 8:49 PM
Subject: RE: Bell Rock Hotel
We did enjoy our holiday very much and found the hotel comfortable and the staff very friendly and helpful. We would like to come back to the Scilly Isles and would definitely consider staying with you again.
Bridget Herd
From: Bridget Herd
To: 'Bell Rock Hotel'
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 8:49 PM
Subject: RE: Bell Rock Hotel
We did enjoy our holiday very much and found the hotel comfortable and the staff very friendly and helpful. We would like to come back to the Scilly Isles and would definitely consider staying with you again.
Bridget Herd
Friday 16th September 2011
It has been a week of settled weather, and tucked in out of the slight breeze the heat of the sun was very warm when I took this photo. Porthcressa now very quiet since the schools went back.
Friday, 16 September 2011
Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor
“First visit to the Bell Rock, favourably impressed”
Reviewed 11 September 2011
Over many years we have visited the Isles of Scilly, starting back in 1980. This is the first time we have stayed at the Bell Rock Hotel and we were impressed with the standard of the room, cleaned daily and drinks/biscuits topped up, and excellent breakfasts. Evening meals good, althouh if there is a criticism, it would be the main course choices were a little unadventurous. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Bell Rock.
Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
***Footnote From Daniel***
We are really pleased to see that you have been visiting Scilly for many years, and that you have obviously fallen in love with the place. We are also pleased that you have chosen to stay with us at the Bell Rock Hotel for the first time, and that you were impressed with our standards and quality of service. You mention the main courses as unadventurous. We offer the more traditional style of food, concentrating on flavour & quality without the fuss of nouvelle cuisine. We find this is what the majority of our guests enjoy about the Bell Rock Hotel, and why they keep coming back time after time. There are sample menus posted on the hotel blog website for anyone wishing to view these.
Hopefully we will be welcoming you back again in the future.
Reviewed 11 September 2011
Over many years we have visited the Isles of Scilly, starting back in 1980. This is the first time we have stayed at the Bell Rock Hotel and we were impressed with the standard of the room, cleaned daily and drinks/biscuits topped up, and excellent breakfasts. Evening meals good, althouh if there is a criticism, it would be the main course choices were a little unadventurous. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Bell Rock.
Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
***Footnote From Daniel***
We are really pleased to see that you have been visiting Scilly for many years, and that you have obviously fallen in love with the place. We are also pleased that you have chosen to stay with us at the Bell Rock Hotel for the first time, and that you were impressed with our standards and quality of service. You mention the main courses as unadventurous. We offer the more traditional style of food, concentrating on flavour & quality without the fuss of nouvelle cuisine. We find this is what the majority of our guests enjoy about the Bell Rock Hotel, and why they keep coming back time after time. There are sample menus posted on the hotel blog website for anyone wishing to view these.
Hopefully we will be welcoming you back again in the future.
Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor
“excellent hotel want to go back”
Reviewed 10 September 2011
We can't praise the hotel too highly courteous, helpful polite staff very good food excellent restaurant service and so on and so on one slight nit-pick the sleeping area of our room was rather small however rather than a pokey little en-suite the bathroom area was a proper room in its own right visit the other islands see the seals walk round St Mary's
Room Tip: if you get a choice of room get one that suits they are all very different
***Footnote From Daniel***
It looks like you have enjoyed your stay here with us at the Bell Rock Hotel, and I am pleased our staff have looked after you well whilst you were here.
I see that you have picked up on the fact that our rooms can be very different in both shape and size. The hotel is a very old building; at the front especially, and this does depict the rooms' characteristics somewhat. I have a full set of photos of all bedrooms on our blog website and encourage guests to view these before making a booking, as obviously everyone has different requirements. All bedrooms are furnished to the same standard throughout. I am sure your Room Tip in your review will help others.
Reviewed 10 September 2011
We can't praise the hotel too highly courteous, helpful polite staff very good food excellent restaurant service and so on and so on one slight nit-pick the sleeping area of our room was rather small however rather than a pokey little en-suite the bathroom area was a proper room in its own right visit the other islands see the seals walk round St Mary's
Room Tip: if you get a choice of room get one that suits they are all very different
***Footnote From Daniel***
It looks like you have enjoyed your stay here with us at the Bell Rock Hotel, and I am pleased our staff have looked after you well whilst you were here.
I see that you have picked up on the fact that our rooms can be very different in both shape and size. The hotel is a very old building; at the front especially, and this does depict the rooms' characteristics somewhat. I have a full set of photos of all bedrooms on our blog website and encourage guests to view these before making a booking, as obviously everyone has different requirements. All bedrooms are furnished to the same standard throughout. I am sure your Room Tip in your review will help others.
10,000
I would just like to say "Thank You" to everyone who looks at my blog, be it regularly or just as a pre-visit research. The site has now had over 10,000 hits!
Friday, 9 September 2011
Photographs Of September So Far!
I've taken quite a few photographs over the last week or so, but not had a chance to upload them onto the blog. Here are a few tasters. I shall also put more onto the Bell Rock Hotel Facebook.
Friday 9th Sept. 2011 - FOG!
We are now into our 2nd day in a row of fog! Thick as a bag to say the least. There was no flying at all yesterday, and the forecast for today is not looking very good... Tomorrow, Saturday; well that's another day. Fingers crossed there will be reprieve by then?!
A walk around the Garrison - 7th Sept. 2011
The skies were grey, but the weather still warm. I took a coat, but carried it as I was too hot.
The greys looked moody and the silvery sea shimmering from the sun trying to break through were quite dramatic. The waves breaking on the rocks were bright green.
Peninnis Lighthouse - 2nd Sept. 2011
There are many Swallows nesting under the walkway below the light. The camera on my phone just about picks them up.
Sadly, Trinity House have covered over the original main circular sweeping light lense now and are utilising a flashing LED type light. The worrying thing about it is the range of the light, which has been reduced to nearly half the original range of 17 nautical miles to 9 (19.5 land miles reduced to 10.3). Allegedly the original lense has now been covered up as it is a fire risk. This in my opinion seems bizarre as it has been running a parrafin lamp for years which is highly flammable.
Friday 9th Sept. 2011 - FOG!
We are now into our 2nd day in a row of fog! Thick as a bag to say the least. There was no flying at all yesterday, and the forecast for today is not looking very good... Tomorrow, Saturday; well that's another day. Fingers crossed there will be reprieve by then?!
A walk around the Garrison - 7th Sept. 2011
The skies were grey, but the weather still warm. I took a coat, but carried it as I was too hot.
The greys looked moody and the silvery sea shimmering from the sun trying to break through were quite dramatic. The waves breaking on the rocks were bright green.
Peninnis Lighthouse - 2nd Sept. 2011
There are many Swallows nesting under the walkway below the light. The camera on my phone just about picks them up.
Sadly, Trinity House have covered over the original main circular sweeping light lense now and are utilising a flashing LED type light. The worrying thing about it is the range of the light, which has been reduced to nearly half the original range of 17 nautical miles to 9 (19.5 land miles reduced to 10.3). Allegedly the original lense has now been covered up as it is a fire risk. This in my opinion seems bizarre as it has been running a parrafin lamp for years which is highly flammable.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Our First German TripAdvisor Review!
“Kann das naechste Mal kaum erwarten....”
Was soll ich sagen....es war RUNDHERUM einfach super!
5 Tage durften wir in diesem "Kleinod" von Hotel verbringen. Vom ersten Tag an haben wir uns willkommen und sehr wohl gefuehlt. Das Personal zuvorkommend und herzlich. Das Essen abwechslungsreich und excellent zubereitet. Zimmer und Bad sehr sehr sauber. Die Lage des Hotels ist wirklich zentral und trotzdem sehr ruhig.
Bitte von den "2 Sternen" nicht irritieren lassen, das Hotel haette fuer mich locker "4" verdient.
Es herrscht insgesamt ein sehr familiaeres Klima, dies wird wohl noch unterstuetzt durch die netten Abende, die man, wenn gewuenscht, in dem Salon mit Bar geniessen kann und somit jederzeit mit anderen Gaesten, hauptsaechlich Englaendern, in Kontakt kommt.
Spielesammlungen und eine kleine Bibliothek runden das Ganze ab.
Fuer uns war's einfach traumhaft und wir koennen unseren naechsten Scilly Urlaub kaum erwarten.....
***Rough Translation***
What can I say .... it was all around just great! 5 days we spent in this "jewel" of the hotel. From day one we felt very comfortable and welcome. The staff courteous and cordial. The food prepared varied and excellent. Room and bathroom very very clean. The hotel's location is really central but very quiet. Request of the "two stars" must irritate the hotel as would have earned for me "4". There is overall a very homely environment, this is probably supported by the nice evenings, which can, if desired, be enjoyed in the lounge with a bar and thus any time with other guests, mainly English, comes in contact. Games and small library collections round out the whole thing.
For us it was amazing and we can hardly wait for our next holiday ..... Scilly
Was soll ich sagen....es war RUNDHERUM einfach super!
5 Tage durften wir in diesem "Kleinod" von Hotel verbringen. Vom ersten Tag an haben wir uns willkommen und sehr wohl gefuehlt. Das Personal zuvorkommend und herzlich. Das Essen abwechslungsreich und excellent zubereitet. Zimmer und Bad sehr sehr sauber. Die Lage des Hotels ist wirklich zentral und trotzdem sehr ruhig.
Bitte von den "2 Sternen" nicht irritieren lassen, das Hotel haette fuer mich locker "4" verdient.
Es herrscht insgesamt ein sehr familiaeres Klima, dies wird wohl noch unterstuetzt durch die netten Abende, die man, wenn gewuenscht, in dem Salon mit Bar geniessen kann und somit jederzeit mit anderen Gaesten, hauptsaechlich Englaendern, in Kontakt kommt.
Spielesammlungen und eine kleine Bibliothek runden das Ganze ab.
Fuer uns war's einfach traumhaft und wir koennen unseren naechsten Scilly Urlaub kaum erwarten.....
***Rough Translation***
What can I say .... it was all around just great! 5 days we spent in this "jewel" of the hotel. From day one we felt very comfortable and welcome. The staff courteous and cordial. The food prepared varied and excellent. Room and bathroom very very clean. The hotel's location is really central but very quiet. Request of the "two stars" must irritate the hotel as would have earned for me "4". There is overall a very homely environment, this is probably supported by the nice evenings, which can, if desired, be enjoyed in the lounge with a bar and thus any time with other guests, mainly English, comes in contact. Games and small library collections round out the whole thing.
For us it was amazing and we can hardly wait for our next holiday ..... Scilly
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor
“Excellent and good value hotel”
Reviewed 2 September 2011
This was our first time on the Isles of Scilly and we were delighted to have chosen this hotel, based on the reviews we had read. We agree with all positive thoughts about Bell Rock, which is well-situated, well-run by friendly yet extremely polite staff and provides good food. Our comment about the food is that we thought the breakfasts extremely good as were the evening meals but whilst there was nothing at all wrong with the main courses we had, we both felt the standard of the starters and desserts was superior.
Having viewed the rooms on the hotel's blog, we opted for room 18, which was cosy rather than spacious and had a lovely view towards Tresco. It was spotlessly clean as was all the hotel. The only suggestion I would make is to change the dark coloured hand towel in the ladies downstairs toilet. I don't like dark coloured towels because you never know if they are dirty or not! Paper ones would be more hygenic.
We found Paul Hicks coming into breakfast to inform us of his boat trips very helpful and preferred this to having to go down to the harbour to book. We felt comfortable with his manner and did not feel at all awkward to decline on days when we had decided to do something else.
We hold happy memories of our stay here and do not hesitate to recommend this hotel, which considering prices at some of the other hotels, is extremely good value.
Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
***Footnote From Daniel***
Thank you for your kind words about the Bell Rock Hotel. We are really pleased you enjoyed your stay here, and that the reviews you read prompted your visit. I am sure your review here will also help others in the future.
I have taken on board your comments about the towels in the public toilets. It is a very good point, and we shall investigate the options to provide paper towelling facilities for the 2012 season. As you say, some people prefer to use paper; but at the same time others will prefer towels, so we will look to provide both.
Reviewed 2 September 2011
This was our first time on the Isles of Scilly and we were delighted to have chosen this hotel, based on the reviews we had read. We agree with all positive thoughts about Bell Rock, which is well-situated, well-run by friendly yet extremely polite staff and provides good food. Our comment about the food is that we thought the breakfasts extremely good as were the evening meals but whilst there was nothing at all wrong with the main courses we had, we both felt the standard of the starters and desserts was superior.
Having viewed the rooms on the hotel's blog, we opted for room 18, which was cosy rather than spacious and had a lovely view towards Tresco. It was spotlessly clean as was all the hotel. The only suggestion I would make is to change the dark coloured hand towel in the ladies downstairs toilet. I don't like dark coloured towels because you never know if they are dirty or not! Paper ones would be more hygenic.
We found Paul Hicks coming into breakfast to inform us of his boat trips very helpful and preferred this to having to go down to the harbour to book. We felt comfortable with his manner and did not feel at all awkward to decline on days when we had decided to do something else.
We hold happy memories of our stay here and do not hesitate to recommend this hotel, which considering prices at some of the other hotels, is extremely good value.
Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
***Footnote From Daniel***
Thank you for your kind words about the Bell Rock Hotel. We are really pleased you enjoyed your stay here, and that the reviews you read prompted your visit. I am sure your review here will also help others in the future.
I have taken on board your comments about the towels in the public toilets. It is a very good point, and we shall investigate the options to provide paper towelling facilities for the 2012 season. As you say, some people prefer to use paper; but at the same time others will prefer towels, so we will look to provide both.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Guest Review Extracted From TripAdvisor
“We loved it and we will be again”
Reviewed 30 August 2011
We arrived after our daughter's wedding needing a peaceful rest. The hotel room provided all we needed. Breakfasts were as big as you wished for both in choice of cold and hot. Evening meals gave a good choice of starters, main meals and sweets. The staff were attentive and during our stay developed a raport with us which made us feel valued. The hotel is excellently positioned with short walks to the beaches, boats and shops. The added bonus is the visit each morning by a local boatman to talk you through the trips he is offering that day without the pressure to buy. This hotel rovides for all ages from my 85 year old mother downwards.
Airport and harbour transport is always on arrival.
Room Tip: All rooms are quiet having stayed here on three occasions and sampled rooms on all floors.
Stayed August 2011, travelled with family
***Footnote From Daniel***
We are really pleased you enjoyed your restful break on Scilly, staying here at the Bell Rock Hotel. We are even more delighted that this looks to be your 3rd visit! We hope to see you again soon.
I just also wanted to make a note about arrival & transfers for others' information as you have brought it up.
If arriving to Scilly on either the Helicopter or Fixed Wing Aircraft, there are dedicated transfer minibuses that automatically meet each flight to transfer people to their accommodation. It is always more economical to purchase a return ticket with them.
If arriving by sea, it is advisable to pre-book a local taxi if you require transport from the quay, as there are not always taxis available on the quay.
Your luggage will automatically be delivered from the ship, to your accommodation on St Mary's as long as you have labelled your luggage accordingly. The local haulage companies unload the ship's containers straight onto the lorries & vans, and charge a small fee for the service (2011 prices: £1.20 per item). If you wish to take your own luggage from the ship, just wait where they are unloading them & let the guys know when you see your luggage!
I hope this helps those that are new to the islands.
Reviewed 30 August 2011
We arrived after our daughter's wedding needing a peaceful rest. The hotel room provided all we needed. Breakfasts were as big as you wished for both in choice of cold and hot. Evening meals gave a good choice of starters, main meals and sweets. The staff were attentive and during our stay developed a raport with us which made us feel valued. The hotel is excellently positioned with short walks to the beaches, boats and shops. The added bonus is the visit each morning by a local boatman to talk you through the trips he is offering that day without the pressure to buy. This hotel rovides for all ages from my 85 year old mother downwards.
Airport and harbour transport is always on arrival.
Room Tip: All rooms are quiet having stayed here on three occasions and sampled rooms on all floors.
Stayed August 2011, travelled with family
***Footnote From Daniel***
We are really pleased you enjoyed your restful break on Scilly, staying here at the Bell Rock Hotel. We are even more delighted that this looks to be your 3rd visit! We hope to see you again soon.
I just also wanted to make a note about arrival & transfers for others' information as you have brought it up.
If arriving to Scilly on either the Helicopter or Fixed Wing Aircraft, there are dedicated transfer minibuses that automatically meet each flight to transfer people to their accommodation. It is always more economical to purchase a return ticket with them.
If arriving by sea, it is advisable to pre-book a local taxi if you require transport from the quay, as there are not always taxis available on the quay.
Your luggage will automatically be delivered from the ship, to your accommodation on St Mary's as long as you have labelled your luggage accordingly. The local haulage companies unload the ship's containers straight onto the lorries & vans, and charge a small fee for the service (2011 prices: £1.20 per item). If you wish to take your own luggage from the ship, just wait where they are unloading them & let the guys know when you see your luggage!
I hope this helps those that are new to the islands.
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