I decided to book a 3 night short break and used (for the first time) Booking.com. I knew I wanted to stay near or in Symonds Yat but had no knowledge of the area at all apart from people saying the Forest Of Dean was lovely.
I found this guest house through Booking.com and then checked Trip Advisor for reviews, I always look at the best and worst to try and see where I believe the place will be in my expectations.
One thing to say up front is that if you use maps or a sat nav system you may think it is taking you the wrong way but it probably isn't. The side of the river this place is on is reached by a fairly narrow (and extremely dark at night) country no through road. I used my Iphone google map system and it was 100% accurate on directions to here, I however thought it was taking me the wrong way!
Arrived in the dark at 20:00 and couldn't see anything, was met in the entrance by Stefan who was extremely friendly and welcoming explaining about the breakfast procedure immediately. There have been a few people who criticize the request of the house for all cooked breakfasts to be ordered the night before and that there are two specific seating times only, however I found this is no problem at all and respect that they wish to save food waste etc. It is very simple you can basically have EXACTLY what you want for your cooked breakfast, 1 egg, sausage, bacon, mushroom, hash brown etc etc or 2, 3, 4 + of each item!! You simply can not get better than that being able to tailor your cooked breakfast to your own dietry requirements.
Anyhow after doing this was taken to the room (number 11 at the back of the house / top right in the photo from the front view) whilst Stefan explained about facilities of the guest house. On entering the room it was obviously immaculately clean and tidy and Stefan showed us around it all before being he left us to unpack / settle in.
The next morning we opened the curtains and WOW the view was just beautiful, the location perfect. It transpired there are rooms with even better views at the front but I was not complaining at all with what we had. We went down for breakfast at the 09:00 sitting and had a seating fantastic position, then the business partner Jose introduced herself and offered a variety of hot drinks, toast whilst explaining we could help ourselves to as much fruit (berries, citrus etc), fruit juices, cereals as we wanted and when we were finished she would bring out our cooked breakfasts. Everything was absolutely perfectly cooked and exactly what we had ordered.
To be honest I could go on and on about this place so will cut it short by saying the following -
1. Value - I got this at a ridiculously low price of only £65 per night including breakfast for two people in a large bedroom with great views. I would happily pay £95 per night in the future when I go back there again. The breakfast itself was just incredible and to be included at this price simply awesome.
2. Location - just fantastic especially if you are mad about walking, scenery, wildlife as we are.
3. The owners - very friendly, informative on area, helpful but not too intrusive
4. Room - immaculate, large, stunning views, comfortable temperature and totally silent at night
5. Outside - loads of parking space, great seating areas
If I am to be honest there is only one thing (and I mean just one) that was disappointing and that is you can not eat a single thing in your room. Whilst on vacation I usually like to eat the odd bit if fruit, nuts or similar whilst watching tv in the evening but this is an absolute no no here and in fact a charge / fine is imposed of £20 per time if evidence of this has occurred. I am sure they have good reason for this (maybe stupid people behaving like pigs in the past or mice or similar?). It is a shame though when through the fault of some that all others get affected. However this is the only one small negative I can make and only saying this to give a totally honest / straight review. In no way would this affect me highly recommending the place (which I have done already to friends) and we will DEFINATELY be staying here again.