The Met Cafe At The Metropole

I have a lot of allergies and intolerances. When I arrived at the hotel, the chef asked to meet me and discussed all with me. In the evening I had a great dinner. The dishes were arrranged so that I could eat them and they were delicious. Breakfast was also great! Thank you!

We had a lovely meal. Food and service was excellent with staff suitably attentive. The cabaret from the couple at the next table was an interesting bonus! I 've never heard such an entitled load of tosh. The staff had gone above and beyond with special dietary requirements during the couple 's stay. They 'd even sent one of the waiting staff to M S in Truro to get the particular type of milk the lady had requested. She had ordered her lunch after breakfast but then didn 't want it; chose something else which she then sent back and asked for her original request. The staff were consummate professionals; not 'huffy ' as described by the gentleman. The lady even complained to her husband about the amount of traffic she could see from the dining room! Padstow! Bank Holiday! No doubt she was also expecting herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically …! We had a fabulous time and will return.

Visited Padstow many times but this was the first visit to the Metropole Hotel. We walked up the steps from Riverside and alongside the Seafood Restaurant. This took us through the rear car park and the back of the hotel which to be honest did not give a very good impression, it would be better perhaps to direct guest around the front of the hotel below the conservatory and into the main entrance that way. However, once inside we were pleasantly surprised, the hotel was well decorated with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We entered the conservatory area and were greeted by a member of staff who showed us to a table with terrific views over the estuary and beyond to Rock. We asked the staff member if the gherkins could be omitted from the sandwiches and after checking with the kitchen we were advised they could. So food ordered, two traditional Cornish cream tea and Roast Chicken Sandwiches without the gherkins and a coffee. Coffee arrived and within a few minutes a young staff member brought out one traditional cream tea, when we said we ordered two she apologised and took the scones away but left the pot of tea. A few minutes later the two cream tea arrived along with the Sandwiches, these contained gherkins even though we had requested the gherkins to be omitted, to be honest it was easier to pick them out rather than send the sandwiches back, not perfect but just easier. We asked for a pot of hot water for the tea and again an apology as this should have been provided initialy without the need for our request. The scones were excellent, light, fresh and very enjoyable with plenty of jam and cream. Sandwiches were good but would have been better if the gherkins had been left out as requested. When we came to pay we asked a young staff member if she could provide the bill, she then got another person to help and we had to pay at reception which was a bit strange. To summarise, the initial impression of the hotel was poor as we came via the rear car park, the food was good and cream tea excellent and all good value but there just appeared to be a lack of organisation. Perhaps it was a bad day, we may visit again and hope that it lives up to the Richardson experience we are used to.

Our new favourite spot for lunch in Padstow, great beer range too! We just love to relax and take in the views

My husband arranged for a surprise afternoon tea at The Metropole for my birthday. We were shown into the conservatory area of he hotel. This has fabulous views over the estuary to the sandy beach at Rock. Our tea arrived promptly together with a large pot of hot water which was needed. Then came the 3 tier cake stand which groaned under the weight of sandwiches, scones, cakes, cream and jam. I was so glad I had t had a lunch so was able to do the tea justice!! The sandwiches were extremely fresh and over filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon and ham, cheese and wonderful apricot chutney. Next I went for the cream horn, so crisp and filled with fresh cream and jam. Gosh I should have stopped there, but no, I continued on with a slice of Battenburg. Not much room left in my tum now, but it would be rude not to sample a scone, jam and cream, yes it was perfect, one of the lightest scones I have ever had. We spoke to the young lady who had served us and discovered that everything was made in the hotel's kitchen. Sadly, I just couldn't eat the second scone as I felt I would certainly burst if I did. This venue is a must for a fantastic afternoon tea sitting quietly looking out over the estuary and fields beyond. Thank you The Metrople for making my birthday afternoon so special.