I booked the Auberge du lac experience at Brocket Hall as a 60th birthday treat with an additional overnight stay. I had extremely high expectations, based on the Brocket Hall website and claims of the Melbourne Lodge rooms 'Appointed to the Highest standard', they're not, but more about the rooms later. Readers should note here that the website concentrates on Brocket Hall it self, which is not part of the Auberge experience. there are no tours of the house available, and the rooms in Melbourne Lodge do not match the photos on the website. Our party of 4 arrived on the day before the Auberge experience and despite some bad signage in the grounds (mentioned on TA as far back as 2013) found reception and announced ourself. I was a bit surprised by the casual nature of the 'check in' but we were given our keys and sent off towards Melbourne lodge. The rooms were OK ; stained bedspread in one room no bed spread in the other. disgustingly stained carpet in one room tatty net curtains sagging down on an unsupported wire. Spacious though with a nice outlook over the grounds towards Brocket Hall A massive plus point is the setting. It really is in a lovely part of the country with outstanding views. And we had a lovely first afternoon there with a bottle of Prosecco and sandwiches on the terrace overlooking the lake towards the Auberge Restaurant. The service was really good and apart from the shabby nature of the 'appointed to the highest standard' rooms we were impressed. We had booked into the Watershyppes Restaurant (clubhouse) for our evening meal and this also went really well. We were all more than happy with or food. The attending waiter was really good and as we were the only patrons suggested we might prefer to eat on the upper floor where it was cooler. This was a good suggestion and we were grateful for it. We were all naturally looking forward to the following day which was the 'Auberge experience' day. It didn't start well! I was woken by the gardner digging the flower bed outside the bedroom window at 6am. This might be normal for some people, but I was in one of the most tranquil parts of the country, supposedly celebrating my 60th with a well earned break. In fairness to the gardner he was unaware that there were any residents in the Lodge and apologised profusely, when i went and observed to him that he started work early and he happened to be working right outside my ground floor bedroom window. Great sized windows by the way, sash windows almost to the floor, great for letting in light. We walked down to the restaurant, the weather was perfect so the walk was delightful. I reported the 'gardner' incident to reception, who only made a note of it when I encouraged them to do so. Communication clearly isn't something they hold dear, which is surprising in this day and age. The management teams are obviously behind the times when it comes to team work and communications. We had a great breakfast at the clubhouse, a full english, when well done must be the highlight of any hotel stay when in Britain. As the setting and weather was so good we decided to go for a walk and take in some of the countryside alongside the lake and over the bridge and back past the Auberge restaurant. As we were finishing our walk 'security' came bombing up to us in an electric buggy asking us if we realised we were on private property! WTF it was like the gamekeeper confronting some peasants on his property. i advised him politely we were staying there, which surprised him for some reason, I thought it was common for hotels to have guests walking around. He went on his way, but his attitude and poor interpersonal skills put an unnecesary edge to the day. After going out for the day we returned to find that there was only one room which had a bottle of wine in it, which is part of the Auberge experience. I walked down to reception to report the latest oversight. Casual apology submitted, I pointed out that this was another significant problem, this was met with an attitude of indifference as if it was a massive inconvenience for all concerned. Our table for the Auberge Restaurant was booked for 19:30 and again the weather was perfect. Although those walking in high heals might appreciate the offer of lift in one of the many electric buggies. The manager of the restaurant offered a lift on the way back but having eaten well, a walk was welcome. Once at the Auberge and we had agreed the details of our 'package' i.e. 3 courses from the a la carte menu, our evening meal commenced. I'm pleased and a bit relieved to say that the quality of the food and the service was excellent and lived up to all expectations, I would definitely recommend the restaurant as a 'go to' place. IN CONCLUSION - Brockett Hall seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Is it a golf course;wedding venue; weekend getaway;or a specialist restaurant. Of course it can be all of these things but judging from the previous comments about recent weddings and other visits to the lodge or restaurant, the standards are low on all off them. maybe a good lads venue for a golfing stay! Whilst the website focuses almost exclusively on images of the hall itself, its only open for weddings, not even a tour for guests staying at Melbourne Lodge, I really feel the management team are not making the most of the main building by restricting access to this amazing building. I've also noticed that the 'Auberge experience' has increased in price to £495 this includes the Auberge taster menu with wine, which is £135 and B&B at Melbourne lodge, which I believe is £185. Also included is a bottle of wine (if it turns up see above) in the room and a food platter on arrival. My advice is, if you must stay, and I understand they are refurbing the Lodge, book the B&B and the restaurant separately and spend the rest on a couple of bottles of wine at the Auberge! Currently Brocket Hall is falling well short of its marketing hype (sympathies to the wedding party who posted before me) - must try harder Brocket Hall.…