The National Hotel

Hi there,

I would like to please share my experience about my Birthday dinner booking last Saturday the 10th July 2021 so
that it might not happen to anyone else and that management are made aware of how their staff handle
the reservation process.

I made a reservation for my Birthday dinner 6 weeks ago for 15 people in the upstairs dining room.
I specifically requested the upstairs dining room and made sure I made my booking early so not to miss out on the upstairs dining room.
I was assured by the lady taking the reservation that upstairs was free and that they would confirm final numbers
on the day – 10th July.

I had a missed call on the day with a voice mail ONLY asking we confirm numbers.
I arrived with my guests on the night on July 10th, we then grabbed a drink at the bar. One of the bar staff ladies asked that we take to our table, I said no worries we have a table
booked upstairs and that we will head upstairs now.

The lady advised No, you are now booked in the table in the corner downstairs. I said no there must be an error as I have upstairs booked.
She said no there is now a function in the upstairs space and we had to put you downstairs.

I said if I wanted to book a pub table in the corner, that is what I would have booked. Instead I wanted to book an elegant, intimate
Dining space in a more refined area. Myself, my guests were all very dressed up as this is where we thought we going. Other people around
us, had more casual clothes on which is fair enough as they were in the more casual downstairs dining space.
This was my special Birthday night, no phone call prior to the night was made to specifically to me to let me know that The National Hotel wanted to
use the upstairs space for more people in a function.

Every Birthday is special no matter if it is a 18,21,40,50th or any year. I make my birthday dinner special every year no matter what the age.
My night was somewhat spoilt, there wasn’t any communication, or discussion prior to my night to me, if I had been advised I would have booked another venue elsewhere.
But the National wanted to keep my booking and the 15 paying guests so they didn’t miss out on the funds on the night.
In the end I didn’t make a scene, I didn’t ask to speak to management, I did not want to embarrass my guests, or embarrass the girl at the bar as it wasn’t her
fault she was just advising us n the night our table was in another space.

We ended up staying, ate a lot, drank a lot and would have spent over $1000 dollars on the night.
The food on the night was great and everyone enjoyed their meal, but clearly the reservation service is lacking, also the way staff handle such as my issue is clearly lacking.
No one came to our table from management on the night to see if we were happy or ok. This isn’t customer service, it is a poor example of what not to and what should be done.

I have been coming to the National Hotel for the past 25 years, right from when it was a grungy band venue, to dim sim night, to trivia on a Wednesday night and now that we are older to a nice dining venue.
Unfortunately I will not be back to the National Hotel and neither will any of my guests, we will celebrate my birthday, or another special occasion at another Geelong Local business that will look after their customers a lot better with more professionalism, transparency and care.
Thank you.

Great meal and service. Express lunch menu was good with nothing over $20. Will definitely return.

My brother and his girlfriend had a last minute change of venue for their baby shower. The National totally went above and beyond to help them make it happen! Their “nibbles food” was absolutely amazing and the staff were all so very friendly and helpful. The venue itself looked absolutely amazing.

First time at the National Hotel and loved it. The bar staff are amazing the finger food to die for!

Terrible service and rude staff behind the bar. Miserable workers who can't seem to handle making drinks and smile to customers when taking orders. Food is very average also.

Great service great food love it great pub friendly clean come back again one of the best pubs in Geelong cheers

Walked here from our hotel for lunch with a friend. Great service but the food was a big surprise it was delicious, I had the steak sandwich which was fantastic lovely tender meat well seasoned bacon and salad. Thoroughly enjoyed a meal here recently. A variety of price and cuisine options and lots of wine by the glass to enjoy, particularly from local wineries. Central and easy enough to get a park nearby. Bar downstairs and restaurant upstairs that was popular with families. Would gladly return.

Food and service was amazing. Great staff, so friendly. Very welcoming. The pork sliders were the best.
Real chicken for the amazing Parmi, it was amazing too.
I highly recommend this venue.

We had lunch here. I loved food here, my calamari were crunchy and salad was really good. Staff was friendly. We were served very fast.

Interesting place, lots of levels and nicely renovated. Meals were great but not cheap. Waiting for the nightly specials to restart

It's that time of year and our social club chose the Top Deck of The Nash for A Friday afternoon Christmas function on 4th December. It was brilliant.the 2 young staffers (male & female) sadly I've forgotten their names, who took care of us were superb.prompt with the food and remembering what each of the 40 of us wanted to drink.couldn't recommend the venue too highly nor praise the service too enthusiastically.and NO I'm not related to the staff members so the praise is completely bias free.

Biggest problem here is choosing what to eat. The menu is amazing and there are 5-6 dishes I can never decide between. For a special winter night, see of you can book a table by the fire.

Grand final day at nats all booked out for tonight ya but can beer and relax as for the deck what a joke of a pub as l went for drink as l older they made waited yes happy they open but respect anyone alone or in group go the nats looks after everyone not hard one person one seat on drink

Fantastic meal at The National last night. Great service and so warm and cosy next to the fire. We will be back!

I had the steak which was bloody delicious! Great portion size and value for money. Nice to nestle in by the fire on level 2, and wait staff were attentive and friendly. Would highly recommend for a night out with friends. Will be back.

Amazing food, exceptional service and three great drinking and dining spaces. I will definitely be back!

Music selection bang on perfection. Pulled pork chicken parmigiana is out of this world, and amazing Pimms cocktail.

Visited with some friends whilst we were in geelong for a wedding. Staff were friendly and down to earth, service was good and I would happily visit again.

A group of us booked for Saturday night and we were advised to get in before 7pm. Good advice, as the place filled and was busy. Service was great and our meals came promptly. I liked how the staff checked on how we were going, and nothing was too much trouble. The meals were very good, my eye fillet was well cooked (as I ordered) the jus was taken too far and the veg undercooked, but still a good meal. The atmosphere was good, in a clean and well maintained fresh look.

I had my 21st on the rooftop at the National Hotel in Geelong and it was a really good night. The venue was amazing, friendly staff which were very helpful and the manager was really easy to talk too and organise everything through email. I would recommend the National Hotel in Geelong for any functions you have.