Great cozy place in the Norwich Inn with the friendliest staff members. food and drinks were all great. You'll have to try the donut sandwich.
Betty G
I was here on Tuesday for some early afternoon drinks after having a facial. The space is so warm and welcoming, the bartender (John I think was his name) was delightful, charming, and made a fantastic espresso martini! Looking forward to going back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
maryrC229XH
A few friends and I used to meet up here a few times a year, because it was a nice midway point between us all. Our last visit must've been between May and August, either around Mother's Day or one our birthdays. We were really disappointed with a lot of the changes that have taken place since COVID, like taking away fan favorite offerings like the tea and scones. The treatments are also really hard to book because they seem to be seriously understaffed, especially compared to previous years. We also got quite the impression that the staff in almost every department are seriously overworked and mistreated. During our dining service, we could hear the staff being screamed at in the kitchen. We then saw some of the staff were visibly emotional, running around like crazy with clearly too much on their plate. It really made me consider filing some kind of report somewhere. And this is supposed to be a fine dining establishment with a great reputation? We just felt so awful for the workers because they obviously try so hard, and pretty much all of them had wonderful personalities and were very helpful. We were just trying to relax and catch up like always, but instead we felt so uncomfortable. You can tell there's something not quite right here. We'll be taking our seasonal spa days elsewhere because not only has this place lost its luster, but we observed one too many instances of staff bullying/overworking. And we have all at some point worked in hospitality, and some of us work in management and corporate positions. There's just no excusing this energy in a SPA of all places. It ruined our experience to see how awful the workers were treated, even though a few of them tried to brush it off. There are much nicer spas around, with better food too that doesn't make their workers blatantly miserable in front of guests. I hoped to keep coming to the Spa for years to come, but I'd strongly reconsider giving them your business.
Vanessa L.
Went here for a few drinks towards the end of our spa day.. It was a weekday and we had the place to ourselves! Great service and bartender was friendly and quite funny. Quiet and relaxed setting -- was a weekday though so cannot speak for this spot on the weekends or evening.
Iva S.
Finding the actual pub as a First Timer, was an issue. There are no signs.... So me being me, I walked through the Spa front door. I was greeted immediately and was given the run down of where to go. The restaurant doesn't open until 5, so I decided to hit up the pub. Glad I did. It was quite relaxing. Background music is soft. I ordered the cold river Blueberry Elderflower Martini. It was on Point. Delicious! I also ordered The Cheese. Lived up to its name... Cheese lovers plate of cheese. Definitely need 2-4 people to eat all of it. It is a smaller quaint pub for about 20 guests. Staff was friendly and helpful. Overall not a bad place to visit and would visit again for the drinks for sure.
Michelewags
The spa really needs to do away with all the fees. Beware, if you are going to the spa you need to pay an additional $20 plus tax to use the facilities per person. Like the spa treatments don't cost enough??
Hayden Callender
Stopped for a quick snack and drink, both were fantastic.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
217cynd
It was sad that my trip was cut short due to a family emergency; however, the time I was there for my birthday - was so relaxing and a wonderful experience. It was my 2nd time here and I will be back in two weeks!! I highly recommend a facial with Sabine!!
Stephanie T.
Ascot's Pub is located off the lobby in The Spa at Norwich Inn. Since it was our last night staying at The Spa at Norwich Inn, we wanted to check out a restaurant there. There are a few tables and bar seating at Ascot's Pub. We walked in around 7pm on a Monday and were told to sit wherever we wanted. There were already a few tables occupied. They offer a variety of cocktails and a few apps, entrees, and desserts. I ordered the Watermelon Cucumber Martini, which is Crop Harvest Earth Organic Cucumber Vodka & Watermelon Liqueur finished with fresh watermelon and cucumber. My husband ordered the Mozart Turtle-tini, which is Mozart Dark Belgian Chocolate Liqueur, Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka & Fratello Hazelnut Liqueur with a caramel swirl & caramel pecan rim. We enjoyed our drinks. The Watermelon Cucumber Martini was very refreshing. At the end, I ate the watermelon that came with the drink and it was very fresh and cooling. We shared the cheese board and added the cured meat of the day which was prosciutto. The cheese board came with the chef's selection of four different artisanal cheeses served with Norwich Inn honey, smoked nuts, dried fruit, berries, breadsticks. It was very filling. The cheese was very good and a good portion. The nuts, berries, and dried fruit were very fresh. The breadsticks came in a packaged bag. Service was great. Gratuity and tax was already added to the bill. We even started talking to the couple that sat next to us. It was a very cozy pub.
Travelingirl2010
Years ago this was my favorite spa on the planet. Pre covid and covid changed that. They now cater to day trippers not overnight guests. Appointment times are absurd - 8 am or 5 pm. My recent visit spa services were sub par. And the entire property is just dated, old and musty. Kensington restaurant used to be top notch. Now past it’s prime. Recently I spent 48 hours at a NY spa and the difference was night and day. Amazing property, spa services and meals. Sadly Norwich will now be a distant memory. This me to move on though. I don’t want my new spa overrun. But anyone wants a recommendation feel free to DM me.
We obtained a special price for the room through TravelZoo. The room we had was nothing spectacular, it was very clean and the bed was comfortable. What is nice is that the tips are included. Everyone of the employees that we interacted with were very, very helpful. The grounds are nice well maintained. Also, it is a 5 minute drive to Mohegan Sun.
cmn1
Just lovely, having never been to Connecticut it was just as I’d imagined. We were invited to a wedding, we booked direct with the hotel, and we were exceptionally well looked after regarding an issue with our reservation. We dined at Kensington’s on our first evening, our waiter Ed was fabulous he really was ‘a cut above the rest’. The hotel itself wasn’t fully up and running for the summer season, they’d begun doing the gardens which we’re looking so pretty. It’s an old hotel by American standards and could use a little tlc in places, but to me in provided a quintessential New England charm. If we’re ever fortunate to be in the area again I wouldn’t hesitate to revisit.
Jackie Mazzarella
Cute tiny pub. The bartender was great! Made up a drink with my favorite whiskey! Nice place to stop in and have a drink.
Vicki Moran
My daughter and I were at the spa to make reservations for the future and we stopped at the pub for a drink. Maria, the bartender, was as amazingly friendly as she always is. We have been coming to the spa for many years and have had the pleasure of Maria's services many times. She provides great service and is more like an old friend than an employee there. The only downside was it cost $36 and change for two drinks. The gratuity and a "service charge" are added on to your check. They total 21%. I don't know if that's excessive, but it sure is a deterrent to multiple drinks. Despite that, we will continue to go to Ascots for our meals and drinks because of the friendly and inviting atmosphere.
cckk2016
I have visited the Norwich Inn and spa on several occasions over several years… It has remained consistently charming… The end went through a remodeling a few years ago, which brightened the lobby and dining room, making them both even more engaging… Services at the spa have been excellent, and administered in a timely and efficient fashion… if you were to go in the spring or early fall when the deck is open, that is another engage in place to have lunch or dinner… I recommend the Norwich Inn and spa with no reservations
Great cozy place in the Norwich Inn with the friendliest staff members. food and drinks were all great. You'll have to try the donut sandwich.
I was here on Tuesday for some early afternoon drinks after having a facial. The space is so warm and welcoming, the bartender (John I think was his name) was delightful, charming, and made a fantastic espresso martini! Looking forward to going back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A few friends and I used to meet up here a few times a year, because it was a nice midway point between us all. Our last visit must've been between May and August, either around Mother's Day or one our birthdays. We were really disappointed with a lot of the changes that have taken place since COVID, like taking away fan favorite offerings like the tea and scones. The treatments are also really hard to book because they seem to be seriously understaffed, especially compared to previous years. We also got quite the impression that the staff in almost every department are seriously overworked and mistreated. During our dining service, we could hear the staff being screamed at in the kitchen. We then saw some of the staff were visibly emotional, running around like crazy with clearly too much on their plate. It really made me consider filing some kind of report somewhere. And this is supposed to be a fine dining establishment with a great reputation? We just felt so awful for the workers because they obviously try so hard, and pretty much all of them had wonderful personalities and were very helpful. We were just trying to relax and catch up like always, but instead we felt so uncomfortable. You can tell there's something not quite right here. We'll be taking our seasonal spa days elsewhere because not only has this place lost its luster, but we observed one too many instances of staff bullying/overworking. And we have all at some point worked in hospitality, and some of us work in management and corporate positions. There's just no excusing this energy in a SPA of all places. It ruined our experience to see how awful the workers were treated, even though a few of them tried to brush it off. There are much nicer spas around, with better food too that doesn't make their workers blatantly miserable in front of guests. I hoped to keep coming to the Spa for years to come, but I'd strongly reconsider giving them your business.
Went here for a few drinks towards the end of our spa day.. It was a weekday and we had the place to ourselves! Great service and bartender was friendly and quite funny. Quiet and relaxed setting -- was a weekday though so cannot speak for this spot on the weekends or evening.
Finding the actual pub as a First Timer, was an issue. There are no signs.... So me being me, I walked through the Spa front door. I was greeted immediately and was given the run down of where to go. The restaurant doesn't open until 5, so I decided to hit up the pub. Glad I did. It was quite relaxing. Background music is soft. I ordered the cold river Blueberry Elderflower Martini. It was on Point. Delicious! I also ordered The Cheese. Lived up to its name... Cheese lovers plate of cheese. Definitely need 2-4 people to eat all of it. It is a smaller quaint pub for about 20 guests. Staff was friendly and helpful. Overall not a bad place to visit and would visit again for the drinks for sure.
The spa really needs to do away with all the fees. Beware, if you are going to the spa you need to pay an additional $20 plus tax to use the facilities per person. Like the spa treatments don't cost enough??
Stopped for a quick snack and drink, both were fantastic.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was sad that my trip was cut short due to a family emergency; however, the time I was there for my birthday - was so relaxing and a wonderful experience. It was my 2nd time here and I will be back in two weeks!! I highly recommend a facial with Sabine!!
Ascot's Pub is located off the lobby in The Spa at Norwich Inn. Since it was our last night staying at The Spa at Norwich Inn, we wanted to check out a restaurant there. There are a few tables and bar seating at Ascot's Pub. We walked in around 7pm on a Monday and were told to sit wherever we wanted. There were already a few tables occupied. They offer a variety of cocktails and a few apps, entrees, and desserts. I ordered the Watermelon Cucumber Martini, which is Crop Harvest Earth Organic Cucumber Vodka & Watermelon Liqueur finished with fresh watermelon and cucumber. My husband ordered the Mozart Turtle-tini, which is Mozart Dark Belgian Chocolate Liqueur, Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka & Fratello Hazelnut Liqueur with a caramel swirl & caramel pecan rim. We enjoyed our drinks. The Watermelon Cucumber Martini was very refreshing. At the end, I ate the watermelon that came with the drink and it was very fresh and cooling. We shared the cheese board and added the cured meat of the day which was prosciutto. The cheese board came with the chef's selection of four different artisanal cheeses served with Norwich Inn honey, smoked nuts, dried fruit, berries, breadsticks. It was very filling. The cheese was very good and a good portion. The nuts, berries, and dried fruit were very fresh. The breadsticks came in a packaged bag. Service was great. Gratuity and tax was already added to the bill. We even started talking to the couple that sat next to us. It was a very cozy pub.
Years ago this was my favorite spa on the planet. Pre covid and covid changed that. They now cater to day trippers not overnight guests. Appointment times are absurd - 8 am or 5 pm. My recent visit spa services were sub par. And the entire property is just dated, old and musty. Kensington restaurant used to be top notch. Now past it’s prime. Recently I spent 48 hours at a NY spa and the difference was night and day. Amazing property, spa services and meals. Sadly Norwich will now be a distant memory. This me to move on though. I don’t want my new spa overrun. But anyone wants a recommendation feel free to DM me.
Restaurantji Recommends
We obtained a special price for the room through TravelZoo. The room we had was nothing spectacular, it was very clean and the bed was comfortable. What is nice is that the tips are included. Everyone of the employees that we interacted with were very, very helpful. The grounds are nice well maintained. Also, it is a 5 minute drive to Mohegan Sun.
Just lovely, having never been to Connecticut it was just as I’d imagined. We were invited to a wedding, we booked direct with the hotel, and we were exceptionally well looked after regarding an issue with our reservation. We dined at Kensington’s on our first evening, our waiter Ed was fabulous he really was ‘a cut above the rest’. The hotel itself wasn’t fully up and running for the summer season, they’d begun doing the gardens which we’re looking so pretty. It’s an old hotel by American standards and could use a little tlc in places, but to me in provided a quintessential New England charm. If we’re ever fortunate to be in the area again I wouldn’t hesitate to revisit.
Cute tiny pub. The bartender was great! Made up a drink with my favorite whiskey! Nice place to stop in and have a drink.
My daughter and I were at the spa to make reservations for the future and we stopped at the pub for a drink. Maria, the bartender, was as amazingly friendly as she always is. We have been coming to the spa for many years and have had the pleasure of Maria's services many times. She provides great service and is more like an old friend than an employee there. The only downside was it cost $36 and change for two drinks. The gratuity and a "service charge" are added on to your check. They total 21%. I don't know if that's excessive, but it sure is a deterrent to multiple drinks. Despite that, we will continue to go to Ascots for our meals and drinks because of the friendly and inviting atmosphere.
I have visited the Norwich Inn and spa on several occasions over several years… It has remained consistently charming… The end went through a remodeling a few years ago, which brightened the lobby and dining room, making them both even more engaging… Services at the spa have been excellent, and administered in a timely and efficient fashion… if you were to go in the spring or early fall when the deck is open, that is another engage in place to have lunch or dinner… I recommend the Norwich Inn and spa with no reservations