SIR,—The value and interest of the article " Selling Britain
Abroad " in your last edition of The Spectator is without question. I should like to stress the importance of the last paragraph, that country hotel-keepers should " show a greater cordiality in welcoming foreign visitors." Making full allowances for many difficulties, food rationing, (not quite so difficult in the country), shortage of domestic staff, and of accommodation for guests, etc., etc., my own experience of our country hotels is that they are thoroughly unsatisfactory. Even if one pays a guinea 'a day, one gets indifferent food—(no marmalade for breakfast, or any kind of preserve, a chop, potatoes and gravy, batter pudding and syrup for lunch, for which 4s. 6d. was tht charge made to non-residents). Very indifferent service, not always courteous, and questionable cleanliness. Compared, even before the war, with country inns in many countries, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, ours in England fell far below a standard of comfort and service for a good deal less money thah one paid in England.—Yours faithfully,
STELLA HORWELL.
Riverside Cottage, Thames Street, Wallingford, Berks.
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