1876 Pods & Restaurant in Welwyn Hatfield

The hotel itself needs some tlc as a bit tired I'm parts ,stained carpet ,loose plugs,missing parts on bathroom taps . But as for the service and the food it was lovely . Excellent service at dinner in the pod and beautiful food . They are such nice people . Just a shame we had to change rooms because of the first ones condition.

My husband and I used to frequent the Pods, however we moved out of Hertfordshire to Buckinghamshire and just don’t get to visit as often. We decided that we needed cheering up having lost my mother recently and thought we would celebrate my husbands birthday by going. My husband booked the pod and during the call was asked whether it was a special event, to which he replied a birthday. The person said that will be £99. We did not remember paying a deposit previously but thought it may be a new thing. On arriving at Ponsford, there were a few issues, not in relation to the food but they were: 1. the lady at the bar was preparing a drink for a customer, collected the ice with the ice shovel and then proceeded to take the ice out of the shovel with her bare hands and into the customers glass. 2. The person taking our order who appeared to be management, was constantly sniffing. It was very off putting. 3. On asking for the bill which was £224, we were told there was no deposit taken and that the £99 was for decor for the birthday celebration. Now these issues may seem trivial, but each individual has their own expectations and it is extremely unhygienic for bare hands to be used in catering when dealing with peoples food, drink in particular when you are provided with the correct tools. As a paying customer this made me query what else was being ignored. The staff who was sniffing whilst taking our order did not even have the decency to apologise or explain maybe hay fever or whatever it was. This was extremely off putting for me and had he served me my meal I would have left. The food was as per usual delightful but to charge £99 for plastic/silk flowers is not my thing, I hate artificial flowers which was the first thing I commented on when we sat down. Surely a conversation should have been had as to whether this was something the customer wanted and then a discussion about what would be supplied. The next day I sent an email, I received no response. I have subsequently sent two further emails on principle through their website and todays there has been no response. It is a shame that the staff has let themselves down but I will not be going back there.

Ponsbourne Pods is an absolute gem nestled in Hertford! The moment you step in, you're greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance. The menu is a delightful fusion of traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine, bursting with flavors that truly tantalize the taste buds. From classic curries to innovative dishes, each plate is crafted with precision and passion, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of India. The presentation is exquisite, elevating the dining experience to another level. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring every visit is a memorable one. Whether you're a seasoned Indian food enthusiast or new to the cuisine, Ponsbourne Pods guarantees a culinary journey that you won't soon forget. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an authentic and flavorful dining experience in Hertford!

Two friends and I were invited to Ponsbourne Manor Hotel for dinner. We met in the hotel lounge bar where we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks. I had a very pleasant Argentinian Malbec served at the right temperature and more importantly in the correct wine glass. If you like red wine this one will not disappoint! During the drinks, the Manager introduced himself to check that all was well. A very good start to the evening. After drinks, we were escorted by our waiter to one of the Pods on the terrace which had a wonderful view across the gardens to the hillside beyond. The pod was well appointed with comfortable seating, a crisp linen tablecloth and quality cutlery, With the window and door of the pod open a pleasant breeze was enjoyed on what was a rather hot evening. We studied the menu which suited us fine as all three of us like Pan Asian/Indian food. It wasn't a huge menu which is a good sign as that suggests that what they serve they do well. That certainly was the case tonight! I had the Shahi Lamb Chops as a starter and they were cooked to perfection with the right amount of spice and perfectly charred. My pals also waxed lyrically about their starters of Chilli Garlic Mushrooms and again the chops. This was an excellent start to our meal. After a suitable time our waiter, a young man, delivered our main courses and another bottle of the excellent Malbec which was just right for our food. I chose the King Prawn Jalfrezi with just a naan bread and it was one of the best curries I've ever had. The king prawns were huge, cooked to perfection and the flavour was sensational. A dish to dream about! As The light faded, the hotel and grounds were lit up giving them a magical appearance for a wonderful night out which was confirmed by several other people enjoying the experience. In the blink of an eye, 2 to 3 hours passed us by! We had a final coffee before leaving. The ambiance of the hotel and restaurant was wonderful. The food was of exceptional quality and the service from our young male waiter was just right. There, when we needed him and not intrusive. This was certainly an evening to enjoy - pay a visit you will not be disappointed!

We chose a stay and dine experience for our first anniversary. The food and location was amazing we could not fault that. However the service could be improved as it got busy we did have to wait for our main food, I actually think they forgot about it until we mentioned that we were waiting, kind of spoilt it a bit for us. but never the less great food and location. I would definitely not recommend the stay at the hotel. No staff was around, to welcome us and we had to wait around until some came much to check us in. Whilst we had a nice view from the room, The room-smelled dusty and there was a dead fly on the window silll and cobwebs. The bed was huge could easily sleep 3 people but not comfortable and very low to the ground. As it was a very warm day we decided to put the air con on which was situated on top of a wardrobe and therefore the air could not circulate needs to be moved. The bathroom was nice and clean but the door had to be slammed to close because needed to be trimmed from the top. Communication is via email which often does not get responded to and this was very frustrating. Definitely hotel hospitality was missing.

its a beautiful restaurant with a great view(pods) and delicious food. Excellent service by the staff…must go for celebrations 🥰🥰🥰

I recently dined at Ponsbourne Pods, and it was an exceptional experience. The private dining pods create a cozy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for a special night out. The menu is a celebration of authentic Indian cuisine, with dishes like butter chicken and lamb rogan josh standing out for their rich flavors and perfect balance. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing our experience with their impeccable service. Ponsbourne Pods is a must-visit for anyone who loves great food and a unique dining setting. Highly recommended!

The picture online makes this place look impressive when in fact the pods are pretty tatty and in need of tlc. We travelled over an 1.5 to come here but were a little underwhelmed. The cost of food is very expensive but it did taste good. Staff are a bit off, they just serve you and don't really say much. We wouldn't come back not for the price we paid . OK as a one off only.

Terrible service. Lack of cleanliness!!! Very small portions of overpriced food. Lovely setting, unfortunately place doesn’t deliver wha to supposed to 🫣

A very plush website with a picture of a very intriguing cocktail. When we arrived, we were put into a pod with a table that had a loose top that tilted every time someone leaned on it. An accident waiting to happen. Also, when the table top lifted, an awful smell came from the table. We asked to move and was moved to another pod. As the table in the new pod wasn't set, one of the staff dropped off some cutlery and some napkins at one end of the table and went away, leaving us to set the table. Impressive! We were asked if we wanted drinks, so a couple of us asked for the cocktail we saw on the website. They told us they don't do that one and they only do it in their "Dubai branch"!!!! Noi mention of Dubai anywhere on the website. We then asked if they could do an onion bhaji. The girl who was taking our order simply said 'No!, only what's on the menu". When the starters arrived, the staff were cold and never said anything bu the names of the dishes. The starters were fine, but very expensive for what they were. They'd be half the price at any other Indian restaurant. The mains were average at best. I've had tastier food almost everywhere else, including takeaways. When the bill came, we were blown away. £500 for 5 of us (including the 12.5% tip) Overall, cold, impersonal staff, very average, overpriced food. The staff didn't seem to care whether we were there or not. We will never go back - Avoid!

the most beautiful place for date night; beautiful surroundings and the food was absolutely delicious

Best meal i have had in a while. Friendly service, calm relaxing atmosphere and the food… lamb chops to start, prawn curry… we will return!!!

We had the misfortune of visiting this place last night. My kids treated me for my 58th birthday. Prices like the West End which is acceptable if it’s the West End and food good but food absolutely vile. Tinned potatoes with a generic curry sauce...

Below average curry for above average prices. Pods were dirty, service was dissapointing. Would not recommend. Lots of wasps around the pod. Complained about the food and was not offered a refund had to ask for money off the bill. Chef disagreed with the fact...

We were very excited to go to this meal for my mums birthday. The menu looked amazing and we were so excited for the pods. We were extremely disappointed and will never be returning. The pods looked great online but in real life they are...

This was booked for a surprise birthday meal for my boyfriend and I would definitely not be going back here again. Firstly, when we entered the pod, it didn’t even looked like it was cleaned. I found hair on the sides of where we sat...

Not a good experience although concept would be a good idea with separate pods but the staff was very slow and kept missing and not bringinf drinks or orders. Very overpriced for a mediocre curry. Pods are not clean and neither was the toilet. Its...

Great concept, lovely country house venue but food very mediocre and embarrisingly overpriced. The pods were not clean, dirty windows and generally not clean. Some food was hot but others were only warm. We will not be repeating it. The staff were very friendly and...

Amazing atmosphere! The staff were so welcoming and the food was marvelous too. Ordered the chicken 65, samosa chaat and chicken biryani - no complaints they were cooked really well thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. Also ordered cocktails and some salted caramel tequila shots which added...

The atmosphere as well as the food are the best and most unique part of this restaurant. You get an intimate feel with the pods when sitting with your group as well as a feeling of sitting within nature as the restaurant has a vast...

I came here with my family to celebrate my grandads birthday. Honestly I have to say it was quite a poor experience. The service was very slow given that the restaurant was pretty much empty. We'd have to wait at least 20 minutes every time...

The food was delicious and the environment was really excellent we had a very great experience each and every food item was excellent in quality.

Really beautiful place, good food and good service. We enjoyed a lot and kids had fun too. Good quality meal and very good options for vegetarians also.

I had a great experience at this restaurant,If you want to eat authentic Indian food,you should go here without hasitation and aditya is good person he provide good hospitality.

Loved the place and the ambiance. The staff is absolutely amazing and friendly. Will highly recommend anyone who wants to make their special day extra special or just want to have a great Indian food, this place is perfect in every sense.

Don't really know where to start with this review as it does not start or end well! Took hubby and kids their for a surprise father's Day lunch. Venue was very tired, dead pot plants dotted around and outside pods, bathroom, dirty and not clean,...

All the food was really good Ambience were great They provide best service as well Staff was really helpful.. Must visit there.. Thank you

Nice location and setting is all this place has going for it. At best, the food was average, but poor overall. Service was poor. Took £120 as deposit for 3 course meal when booking. Charged £168 for the meal & didn't deduct the original £120...

Beautiful place, great service, we ate Asian and Indian food. Everything delicious. The cool thing is that you are alone in the pod, you can't hear other people's conversations and bustle. We had a great time.

The place is lovely the setting is nice but once your inside the pod there’s no music it’s silent, we we left to it after the food was severed nobody came up to us as a curtesy to ask if we needed anything and how...

I did my birthday party in this hotel and it was really good l, they took of every little thing ,the service on the pods was really good, I would really recommend this place!!

It was so amazing experience to be here with my fiancé, they took care of everything from decor to drinks to food and dessert..the service is 10/10. Thank you team ponsbourne for such an amazing experience and making our Day!!❣️

The food was amazing. The cocktails were really nice and well presented. The staff were so friendly and kept checking up on us. very good quality food. Great environment to go with your partner and family. I would recommend to visit and plan a good...

No words really!!!. The social media hype is real. Very classy and amazing food and service! I had book my pods two weeks before, it was worth visiting , they had very good menu selection , drinks were perfectly made and service was really good!!

Service was absolutely appellling, Manager (Asian man) has amazing customer service skills and know what customer satisfaction is. The curry delicious, I was amazed by the experience and the service I received. As a manager he have suggested another alternative to make the situation better...

I am just amazed with the food mad by chef Rana, the Butter chicken and Loamb Rogan Josh was served and it was really delicious, the service and food presentation was lovely, we were taken care by team members really well Thank you ponsbourne

Its best place for special occasion, lovely aesthetic and people are really nice! They have delicious food menu and drinks are well presented.. Would love to visit again!

Food is delicious and ambiance is really beautiful, i was planning to visit this place since long time and it was really worth, the insta reels and hype is real, it was great time , would like to visit back soon

This hotel is great! The staff is amazing. The beds are comfortable and food delicious. Shout out to Bartenders rinkle and neel (don't know how to spell his name). They both are the best and took real good care of us! Rinkle is so much...

I love the experience of pods, i enjoyed my time and it was really good with my friends here, service is quite good, recommend it

I am really amazed with the place, cozy pods and beautiful weather, the heater in the pod makes it warm woth delicious food,loved the experience,would recommend it

Had a table booked this Saturday for my partners birthday,I received an email cancelling my booking with a day to go!! Came here once before and it was amazing,but this experience has put me off from returning.No explanation why my booking was cancelled,bad management.

Positives - Lovely setting. The food was delicious. Negatives - staff couldn’t understand very well and couldn’t answer questions when asked e.g. what brand of non alcoholic lager do you sell? The waiter couldn’t understand the question. Ordered 2 drinks and only one was served....

This was a good venue for a special 40th birthday celebration with a different setup and lovely ambience. The pod was perfect for the size of our party and the heating was good, though getting the balance right was difficult as it would get too...

I am absolutely appalled by this place. i booked it for my husbands birthday - i mentioned this when arrived and all i was told was ‘you can buy a cake’ i did not expect anything for free but there was no customer service. Staff...

Beautiful ambience and pods. The food was great, the way I had my pod decorated for £50 was excellent. Would highly recommend.

One of the worst experiences i have had in a very long time. Everything was poor if i could give this a 0 (zero) i would. Definitely will not be visiting again! Food was poor, service was extremely terrible. The staff have no clue and...

We were booked for an event and we had amazing food with a great view but there are quite a few problems The main issue is the staff as they either have a typical Indian male attitude to women or young totally ignorant of the...

We booked a Pod for dinner along with a overnight stay. (Do not stay at the hotel) The ambience in the pods was lovely with music playing in the background. The food was good came nice and hot. The one member of staff who seems...

We really enjoyed the whole experience at ponsbourne pods. The staff was really helpful and polite. They did take care of our dietary requirements and we were served by Bala, who was really good at his job and kind. I did ask for some decoration...

The food was amazing much better than expected. However, for the price point there were a few things that let it down, for example the way they presented the bill at the end of the meal could have been more polished. Issue a proper receipt...

A rip off for £10 a handful of side order rice, or a miniature side salad or two scoops of “sorbet”… ended up spending £80 on service charge- and £400 on food for 4 adults ( a beer each) and 3 kids ( they shared...

The experience was a 4 out of 5 food was great and the service was amazing. The food came quickly and the staff were really amazing and helpful. It is expensive but I guess that’s the price you pay for eating with good views and...

Lovely location just such a shame the restaurant take no care in food and is double the price of any normal Indian restaurant, also doesn’t even compare to most, given the price the food and drink is you’d at least expect fresh food.

Had a wonderful evening yesterday with my wife at the glamorous Ponsbourne Pods. Shoutouts to Kuldeep and Rinkal for a wonderful service too. A must attend! Food was amazing!

Followed the hype and went to celebrate a joint birthday. The venue is aesthetically attractive, but horrible experience. Worst Indian food I’ve ever eaten. Cheap ingredients at high prices. Basic flavours, that were hardly even there. If the food quality was good, the price would...

Really good food both Indian and Asian menu's. Plus some different dishes. I took 1* off as the bar area is a little basic but I will go again.

Me and my partner had a lovely meal during our visit but unfortunately have not had the best time since. We were going to be late due to train delays and traffic so called up and asked if we could change the time of our...

We had a family dinner here on 07/01. You get 2 menus from 2 different kitchens. One's Indian and the other is Oriental with a large Sushi selection which we were all excited about. A couple of us ordered Sushi but were told that there...

Went with family. Lovely experience and the pods are set overlooking a lovely green area. Staff are attentive and very helpful. The pods have their own Bluetooth so you can listen to what you want. Have 2 menus - pan Asian and Indian and we...

Okay I knew the food and drink was going to be expensive and would be coupled with a 12.5% service charge, but I wasn't prepared for the appalling lack of service and warmth from the hosts. We were shown to the pod with no welcome...

I went yesterday for my birthday with rhe family. The food did not have any salt, despite giving the waiter feedback no body came to sort. It was generally a cold night with below freezing temperatures. The heaters went off in the pod so we...

I would recommend this place for its location and ambiance only. The food was incredibly overpriced and not up to the level of a restaurant asking customers to pay that amount. We paid near £600 for 8 adults and 5 children all under 9 with...

I took my partner to Ponsbourne for his birthday. We had a fantastic time. The pods look luxurious and in a beautifully, peaceful, countryside setting. The weather was on our side too. We arrived a bit early and our pod was already waiting for us....

Absolutely loved the experience, food and service by Adi. Went there for special birthday celebration 🍾 drove 2 hours absolutely worth it! Very personal party experience where we danced in the pod, played games with our kids and enjoyed our dinner.

Highly recommend coming here. The ambience and atmosphere is perfect for couples and families. We had a nice selection of different dishes and enjoyed the view. Aditya provides great service to ensure we had everything we needed. He also made sure we had a place...

Amazing views. A good concept. First class service from Rinkal. Food was amazing. They even provided a complimentary slice of cake with a candle for my mothers birthday. Was not impressed with the different waiter who came to our pod delivering the bill asking as...

One of the finest place, very tranquil, with great privacy and natural surroundings. Love the concept of Pods...Mouth-watering food, amazing service, very friendly staff. Vishal, the manager is brilliant and take care of guests with a personal touch.

Nirmit & Aditya provided excellent service and were very attentive. We will definitely be coming back again.

Me and the girlfriend stayed there for a late birthday celebration on Saturday. The meal was fantastic, highly rate the honey chicken starter. Service throughout was amazing, Chris did everything he could to make sure our experience was amazing and even got us free shots...

My partner and I have visited Ponsbourne 3 times now, every time we have done the dine & stay. The staff are polite and professional, the food is incredible, the atmosphere is gorgeous and the room is lovely! It's the perfect date night. I hope...

Came here for a special occasion. During booking process, we put in a requirement, something that was not fulfilled. Came into the hotel area and there wasn’t anyone to greet us. Made our way to the pod reception where we were held waiting because the...

Service was excellent, polite and friendly and the food was the best Indian I have ever eaten! Will certainly be coming back. The ambiance is welcoming and charming with beautiful scenery.

Lovely food great service, food was quick Rinkan brilliant waiter will be back for another visit soon.

This is the best restaurant we have been there many times. Fantastic Indian cuisine. All from our Staters …..to mains Achari paneer tikka ,Chilli panner ,Samosa Chaat ,Ponsbourne lamb chops to biryanis, daal was lip smacking .the spice levels were mellowed down …..probably to suit...

Amazing experience! If you thought gourmet kitchen will leave you hungry, think again. You should skip several meals before visiting this amazing restaurant. Everything is so tasty, you cannot restraint yourself from having all of the dishes.Phenomenal experience. Top notch food, atmosphere, and wait staff....

I have been to restaurants in all kinds of price brackets and locations. I don’t mind parting with money if the food and service reflect it. This establishment’s prices are extortionate and non of the service, restaurant or food justified the price and 12% service...

"Service was not good at all, there was no communication between the waiters as we found ourselves asking the waiters over and over again. We felt left alone unattended. Only thing good was the food. I would not be coming again and certainly will share...

This is my 5th visit and will be my last, the service is totally lacking,it has been about 8 months since my last visit and the service was terrible, along with the pods looking tatty, the table was wobbly. Thought it would collapse every time...

Visited recently with my family for my mums birthday. What an amazing place. Superb ambiance. New menu is absolutely delicious. Ponsbourne never disappoints us.

We visited this venue for the first time. We are glad we chose ponsbourne to celebrate my friends birthday. Staff is so friendly yet professional. Desi chicken on menu was soo delicious. Cant wait to go back. Thanks ponsbourne to make our evening so special.

Visited Ponsbourne on the 28th May.Dor an evening meal. Just like to say both my friend and I had a lovely experience. The food and service was great. The surroundings was nice. We also noticed everyone who came to eat there really made an effort...

Pods are dusty and dirty. Very awkward to get in and out of them Food is extremely overpriced. Mains curry is all the same base and just different veg added. Also extremely oily Service was shocking. Very rushed despite being the only pod for lunch....

Don’t waste your money. Lacklustre service. Mediocre food. Unhygienic unclean pods with stains, crumbs and dust everywhere. Massively overpriced. You can get better quality food and service from your local takeaway. This honestly was useless and the waiter seemed like he had just rolled out...

Had the one of the best evening ever and really enjoyed the vibes.The food was great and our server rinkal was simply amazing and spontaneous with the smile on his face, overall great experience.

This was the first time to visit the ponsbourne and it was fabulous . Food was delicious especially honey chicken , desi chicken and railway lamb . Topnotch service from waiter Asif . Shout out to Asif. 10/10 for the service . Enjoyed a lot...

Amazing food on time service to good concept must visit place for my friends and me next time 💯✔️😊

We’ve been to Ponsbourne about 5 times now and every time it’s been superb. The pods and domes make for a memorable night whilst the food, cocktails and service are consistently great. We love the place. Such a fun night with family and friends.

I love the environment and location off country side and specifically in summer time and very nice food 😋

I love everything thing their a atmosphere😘 of quit beautiful ❤️loved their food and every thing from my heart lots of love see you again 😍 service was amazing 💯

Great service and food. The waiter Ashish was very helpful and extremely accommodating. He met all our needs

The food was very nice and Ashish was very polite and helpful. The pod was warm and had a chance to play our own music. Highly recommend the place.

Ashish our pod waiter went above and beyond to cater for our requests on this special day of celebration. The food was brilliant and perfect portions for a big party. Highly recommend the pods for any celebration 🎉

Lovely food and service. We had a lovely time for my sister's birthday. The Pods were nice and warm.Thank you Ashish for amazing service..

I loved having your own dining experience. The food is really good and cooked to near perfection & the staff are really friendly and attentive.

Visited here for a birthday meal with friends. There were 8 of us and we were in a spacious pod to fit us all. The food was really tasty and we all really enjoyed it. The experience and service was great too, very attentive staff....

Lovely setting. Love the pods. Was here two years ago and the food and staff were fabulous. I’m not sure what’s happened since then. Very average food. Lamb chops and chicken tikka were far too salty, awful, v hard to believe u could go that...

Took my wife and 2 children for mothers day. Had heard and read mixed reviews but wanted to try first hand. Walked to the Pod, looked around lovely scenery, .looked on the floor which was completely covered in bird droppings, dirt and god knows what...

Went here for a family birthday dinner and was very unimpressed,distinctly average Indian food ,miserable untrained staff there was litter on the floor and disgusting gents toilet. There seemed to be a horrendous atmosphere in the whole place and not one smiling waiter or waitress...

We wanted to check the pods out but unfortunately it was a disaster for us and it ruined our Mothers Day dinner. Food was less than average. The staff was a bit all over the place, they sent the starters without any sauce and serving...