Ponsbourne Park Hotel and Restaurant in Welwyn Hatfield

The drive was nice with view of the country roads. On arrival rooms are very basic not much to view apart from the Pods and fields. Unfortunately, there are no facilities at the hotel e.g. spa, gym, etc just a bar with small sitting area that closes at 12am. As your in the middle of no where you literally spend time in the room & go dinner then back to room😮‍💨 The hotel doesn't offer any other food e.g. Breakfast apart from the dinner which you pay for in the stay which is also overpriced. Personally, Food & drinks overated it needs to be reviewed as you can get a better variety of quality food in other places especially local vendors on your high street. The building itself is historically beautiful for private hire as you can utilize the grounds but waste of money for travel, dine & stay. You can better value & quality in Holiday Inn! Recommend to visit Pods in London instead more to do for a day & night trip.

We went for a romantic meal. The pods at night are great in terms of looking out of them and eating in them. The food was good but very expensive and too salty for us, some of the staff seemed stressed and service at times was a bit slow. We came here about 3 years ago and it was busy and the service was excellent. It was quite dead on the Friday night we went and the service was very different, after paying a lot for the meal we asked if they could please call for a cab for us to get home and they wouldn't telling that we would need to order an uber ourselves, which was quite poor given that the pods are in the middle of nowhere and most restaurants are quite happy to call a cab. Bit disappointed to be honest by the service especially with the high service charge, don't think we'll go back again.

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!

We stayed here at the weekend, it was one of the worst hotels I have ever been too. Please choose a premier inn or a travelodge. Do not waste your time or money. I really wish I took notice of the comments prior to booking. Do not be fooled with the nice surroundings, it does not look like this in real life. The food was disgusting, the “lamb” was definitely cheap mutton.

Went out with work colleagues for a well deserved treat and booked online plus confirmed an offer with staff via email. Once we had finished eating, they refused to honour the offer we had booked and charged us full price. Have tried to resolve the issue but they won’t respond to my emails as they know they are in the wrong. On the night, we paid the full bill, including a hefty service charge, as did not want to cause a scene. The service was non existent! The management staff assured me that we could sort out matters later but they won’t respond to me. Absolutely appalling customer service.

I booked this place as a birthday surprise for my wife, paid extra for the birthday package and she absolutely loved it. The food is delicious, a good selection for a Vegan like her, and the location is stunning. There are doors on the pods, heating, great service and we can't wait to go back! Definitely recommend for couples!

Unfortunately not sure where to start, paid £99 for decor upfront for my wife and I to have a lovely 1st anniversary dinner, in what was thought to be a very elegant location and experience, and what an absolute shambles, felt scammed at every corner, the 99£ decor consists of fake flowers, 10p tealights and a makeshift light up sign a 4 year old could have made. The pod itself was dirty, over bearingly hot due to heat lamp, wasn't the best of views from the pod we were placed in. The food was below average in taste at best!! and seriously outrageously over priced!! Beer tasted like the pumps had never been cleaned. Would recommend sticking to your local Indian restaurants! Toilets had cobwebs all over the ceiling, and just plain filthy. Staff where unhelpful and very rude when calling on the phone (when they do answer), probably the worst restaurant experience I've ever had! I had such high hopes and thought this was a great 1st anniversary for us, I was sadly mistaken, luckily there was a nice country pub not too far away where we could escape too. £220 out of pocket for a small tastless meal with fake decor. So utterly disheartened and disappointed. Steer clear of this absolute scam of an establishment. I feel a refund for the hole experience would be the absolute least they can do! I would love a member of food hygiene and safety to pay a visit, TripAdvisor and a member of a newspaper to bring to light this awful establishment to save others time and money. whoever put 4* on the big board at the entrance of the estate needs a head wobble.

Not the best Indian food, the pods are old and need a good clean, the area is beautiful though Plus their kids menu is very limited and not the best quality

Great spot for s casual night out, food is very tasty with friendly staff. Variety of beverages to choose from. Each pod has its own heating for winter or cold nights however downfall is that you can not control the temperature. When you turn the heating its very hot, there's no in between

We ate here for a birthday and would definitely come back again. The food was 10/10, portion sizes are huge absolutely worth the price. The cocktails were lovely and strong. Service was very good and all staff were polite and helpful. The pods are very private and comfortable. Best experience and best meal out I’ve had. i would recommend to everyone and will absolutely be back.

went a few years ago and had a fantastic time even it was pricey the staff were more welcoming,the atmosphere was great.went on the 28th December 2023 arrived at 5:30 to a empty car park and completely empty pods,no one in the bar to greet us when finally seated the waiter and managers were rude and had no time for us.food as overpriced the pods were draughty and shoddy very tired looking we definitely won’t be returning.also the service charge which came to £32 was absolute joke for a very poor service to which i asked to be removed,all staff needs replacing or retraining that definitely includes the managers never ever will we visit after having a 2 hour drive!!!

No greeting when we entered, service was horrible and food was well overpriced. The pod cushions were filthy and seats were dirty. I felt rushed and plates were thrown on the table. I do not recommend going this restaurant it’s a bad experience altogether. That’s why it was so empty!

We have been twice before a couple of years ago and it has always been great. We were shocked at how empty the usually packed carpark was when we arrived tonight and the lively, party atmosphere was gone and less than half the pods were full. No one was sitting in the bar and the place was like a ghost town. It was my birthday so we stayed and hoped for the best. Food was nice but the prices had gone up A LOT!! £20 for broccoli is ridiculous and £32 for lamb chops as a starter!!! This place has always been expensive but it’s gone to far now. Service was poor and we had to wait 5 mins after our mains came for dinner plates to be brought out. We won’t return and feel it’s a real shame that the vibrant evenings we used to enjoy have been replaced by overpriced, uninspired, dingy pods.

Food was great, service was good! Took my mum for her Christmas Pressie 🎄(Last years). Defo will recommend to friends as a great gift 🎁

This place is a joke how it’s still open is beyond me! I can only assume the good wedding reviews are due to decent outside caterers and event planners not down to Ponsbourne!! I booked Celebratory birthday package £275 totally not worth it. No one to greet you, no warm welcome whatsoever, pods are dirty, cobwebs, dead bugs, stained cushions, pod was supposed to be decorated a few paper lanterns, tea lights and fake flowers make for a fire hazard waiting to happen, food and drink awful, paid for 3-course meal but left after the main the worst Indian food I’ve ever tasted, definitely wouldn’t recommend. Either fix up or shut down

Me and my sister decided to treat our mother here for her birthday after hearing great reviews about this place. Unfortunately, our experience was very average. The pods could have done with a clean before we were seated. There were crumbs on the seat. The food and cocktails were lovely, however they were extremely over priced. I don't understand why the king prawns (starter) is £32. This is way too expensive for only 4 prawns! In addition to this, we were served poppadoms and as we were eating them, we realised that someone had stuck a used chewing gum on the basket that it was served in. I cannot even begin to fathom how some people can be so disgusting to do this. As much as the above events happened, the staff were very welcoming, accommodating and did apologise.

this spot is absolutely horrible the staff were incredibly rude they handed out food without cutlery they didnt show us how to work the pod disrespectful.Never coming back here.Dont go…

Location is good but service and food just mediocre for the price you pay does not reflect in what you get. On arrival we were led to our pod which was booked for 4 but table only set for 2 .Waiter service was really poor as not friendly at all.Food arrived with incorrect order .Had to return dishes not ordered. Atmosphere was great but was reduced to almost zero with poor service.No one came to check if everything was ok or if we needed anything had to wave over after a period of waiting . Good location but could have been great with right service

My recent visit to the Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods was nothing short of a nightmare. I was utterly disappointed with the exorbitant prices they charged for the food and drinks. The quality certainly didn't match the cost, making it a total rip-off. The portion sizes were meager, and the taste was far from satisfying. It felt like they were trying to squeeze every penny out of their customers without providing any value in return. What was even more appalling was the abysmal service. The staff was indifferent and unhelpful, showing no regard for customer satisfaction. They made us wait endlessly, and when they finally did attend to us, it was with a sense of disdain. It's safe to say that I won't be subjecting myself to such a dreadful experience at Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods ever again

An empty welcome from staff sitting down in the bar area. Gas lantern was listed in the package but not put on until asked. We were also told the time it was on was limited. Hanging lanterns were torn & in poor condition. Paid £99 for an exhausted plastic flower display, torn lanterns & a light up Happy Birthday was unjustified. Without a call buzzer, service wasn't there, yet charged for. Pod was dusty & unclean. The food was amazing! Service was polite but a let it down as infrequent. Very disappointed for a night costing over £300!

I Really Loved the location. The Food was Delicious at decent price, the service was really great. the place were very clean and very well maintained. wanna visit again soon. will recommend my friends and loved ones to visit and enjoy the overall experience.

Very disappointing evening. The pods are not covered on the sides so are not warm despite the roof heater. It didn’t help that the free standing heater was removed and given to another table without telling us. The food was poor and overly spiced, similar to a cheap supermarket curry. Very pricey as well. Unless you are desperate for a pod experience don’t waste your money. I can’t even say the service was good as it wasn’t.

Not happy with the way they treated us with the payment they took extra £100 out of my account for a misunderstanding booking absolutely thieves they look for the opportunity when the customers make mistakes they take advantage that is a disgraceful way of making free money I will never go to this cowboy resturant again and would not recommend to anyone please be careful they even agreed to refund but that has not happened it’s been three weeks every time I call I get disconnected just disgraceful

Had a surprise birthday celebrations with my fiancée. It was a very good surprise! We had an amazing host, Krishna. He was very helpful and always came with a huge smile on his face when we needed something, such as changing the temperature in the pod or the music and how it worked. We were a group of 6 and stayed there till the restaurant closed. Definitely recommend going there - the food was good, a bit pricey but you get an amazing service.

Booked a room here for a relatives wedding. We were firstly given a room inhabited by squatters that was filthy and full of other peoples belonging and mess. The owner didn't seem to be bothered by this or care at all or acknowledge the fact we paid a lot fo money for a clean, tidy room as advertised. Secondly we were moved to a room where the bathroom ceiling was crumbling, every time we shut the door we get debris all over our very nice wedding clothes. Still trying to chase a refund as we didn't even use the room the whole day because it was so filthy. Reported to trading standards, absolutely appalling.

Arrived to a beautiful setting and that’s where it ends!!

Second time in after the refurbishment. Now the main restaurant is open what can I say other then exceptional. From the beautiful decor to the warmest ambience.

Came across this place on Facebook, being local thought of visiting for few drinks. Was surprised to see such a beautiful hotel with the amazing 1876 bar and restaurant hidden in Hertford. Lovely outdoor seating with pods. Perfect for all occasions. Will definitely be visiting often and recommend to all.