I am really disappointed by the customer service I experienced with Luccombe Hall Hotel.
On 4th May I purchased an afternoon tea voucher as a gift for my step mum. As of 15th May, the voucher still had not arrived.
I contacted the hotel on 12th May and was advised the voucher had been sent 2nd class on 5th May and there were currently postal delays on the Isle of Wight. At no point during the purchase process was it made clear that vouchers were sent via 2nd class post. Had this been transparent on the website, I would have either selected an email voucher or paid extra for first class delivery.
By Friday 15th May, the voucher still had not arrived. I contacted the hotel again and was told the only options were to resend it by email or by first class post for delivery the following week, meaning a delay of well over two weeks from purchase.
As this was intended as a thoughtful physical gift, I asked whether there was anything the hotel could offer as a goodwill gesture for my step mum during her eventual visit. The answer was simply no.
I then spoke to the owner, Steven, hoping for a more customer focused resolution. Unfortunately the conversation became increasingly disappointing. Although he initially stated he would personally deliver vouchers if the address was local, this was quickly withdrawn when he realised the delivery address was in Cowes. He then explained he “did not have the time” due to owning three hotels and sitting on the Visit Isle of Wight board.
What frustrated me most was not the postal delay itself, as these things happen, but the complete lack of empathy, flexibility or accountability throughout the process. At one stage I was even told I was being “combative” simply for explaining why I was disappointed with the service received.
To be fair, once I requested a refund it was processed immediately, despite initially being advised refunds could take 3–5 days.
Overall, the whole experience felt unnecessarily difficult from start to finish and left me with little confidence in the hotel’s approach to customer care.