PN, that was the 'Buttery' and I certainly agree with you regarding the Ambling Nag.
I'm fine(-ish) with the rather small rooms for a night or two and breakfast is invariably superb, particularly now that the dress regs are more relaxed.
However, the new trial dress regs, whilst welcome, do seem a bit complex to me - 'smart trousers (including chinos) a collared shirt (with or without a tie) and appropriate footwear' is OK in the Cowdray Room until 1830 but then it's 'smart trousers (not jeans), a collared shirt with tie and appropriate footwear' (no jacket required at this time of year).
Does 'chinos' include 'jeans' - or does 'smart trousers' include 'chinos' after 1830....
So is the real difference a tie after 1830, or what?
People draw comparisons with the Premier Inn. However, one is a
club and the other a good value hotel. So you cannot really make a true comparison.
But how to encourage more entitled folk to join is indeed a difficult question.