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What a disappointment of a Sunday lunch at the Bankes Arms. The building is stunning as is whole of Corfe Castle, but forget ordering any food. Shown to a table with a very uninterested young lady, who pointed to a box with clip board menus. Bar area looked a mess, piled up glasses with no room to move. Staff chatting rather than clearing up. It's the first view for anyone entering the place! We had to ask to order drinks, placed our order for 2 roast lamb and 2 beef....... then we sat and waited. Oh and we waited. And waited for over 40 mins before 'we' had to ask can we have a drink & how is food order going. Food was poorly presented piled high topped with a yorkshire pudding. Meat on top of red cabbage & some other unrecognisable shredded vegetable. A carrot ? or suede 'baby food' puree spread across the plate. The roast potatoes were dreadful, clearly re heated in a deep fat fryer. The carrot & the parsnip were the highlight of the plate. The Yorkshire pudding was rubbery, cold if not stale. Meat was poor. Had the look for pre packed sliced meat. The cauliflower was lovely & cheesy. It was not busy, just seemed a bit chaotic and unorganised. The staff need to be given a bit of direction! The only thing we didnt need to sit waiting for was the bill, which arrived promptly after asking for it. I would suggest a calculator for behind the bar. Maybe a quick look before at the food hygiene certificate rating would have helped us. Such a shame 😪 in a prime location within this historic village with a bit of TLC, organisation, and a good Chef this could be a Star Attraction in this beautiful area. Come on 'Bankes Arms Hotel' - step up and show the visiting world how we can do things in the UK 🇬🇧

Just had a short overnight stay, but long enough to judge this as one of the most comfortable and friendly places we have stayed in for for a long time. All the staff were a credit to the hotel. The room was superb, from a view of the castle, lovely decor, comfortable bed, excellent bathroom, you get the picture, it was memorable. The breakfast was well presented and well up to the standard of the rest of the place. All in all highly recommended. A rare gem.

Visited in December for 2 nights for nye the room size is ok with a sofa bed for my 8 years old son to sleep at night and option to fold it for space during the day. All the staff at the main reception were good specially the Indian guy at the main reception with great smile was very welcoming and the the Indian girl was also welcoming both served served till about 10 pm New Year’s Eve and New Years day. The best role played was the young boy from house keeping, he was very pleasant and caring. The hotel food was very disappointing! all the food we had looked like frozen/packed food. I will be back this summer but will eat outside.