Ettington Chase, Stratford Upon Avon was the next stop for the two Hayleys on our Principal Hayley Challenge.
We stayed at the newly refurbished hotel 22nd July – 24 July. Our first 2 night stay! Out of the 130 rooms in the hotel we were in one of the deluxe rooms which consisted of a double bed and a single. The room was still spacious and the beds were so comfy, it was hard to get out of them in the morning! We were on the 2nd floor overlooking a row of trees and green fields, all part of the relaxing weekend that lie ahead for us.
On arrival at the hotel we both remarked about how all the Principal Hayley venues so far all have really impressive drive ways and this was no exception. The stay got off to a great start. The welcome we received from the reception was warm and friendly, and even better when we were told we had complimentary dinner the following night! Also waiting for us in the room was a chilled bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates and a signed card from the hotel manager. This is a hotel that really knows how to look after it’s guests (and Challengers!). Very impressed and the chocolates were exquisite!! Our room also had a flat screen TV with a good selection of channels, hairdyer, iron, safe – all items you would expect from a hotel of this quality. The bathroom was a good size, clean and white, with a shower so strong it was like having a massage! Amazing way to wake up in the morning, refreshing if a little vigorous!
After a long journey on the Friday after work we took the opportunity to chill out in the hotel bar, a modern space with comfy booths and high tables. Drinks were of average price for a hotel and the bar had a good ambience. It was a great spot to hang out in and after a well needed drink we headed back to the room, put on our bathrobes and watched a bit of Friday night tv in bed!
After a great night’s sleep we headed to the Tempus restaurant for the buffet breakfast. Notable customer service from a young waitress called Jade who was so helpful and welcoming on our 1st morning. The selection is not huge but enough to choose from, cooked foods, cereals, toast, yoghurt and juices. We both had the cooked breakfast and a cheeky croissant and jam! The 2nd morning we were slightly later so missed the pastries, so would suggest anyone with a craving for a croissant should set their alarm! The waiting staff serve you with hot drinks on request too. The restaurant itself looks great, dark modern décor with chic black surfaces and silverware. Classy but still inviting.
After filling up on breakfast on day 1 we headed into nearby Stratford-upon-Avon for a wander around the historic streets, stopping at Shakespeare’s house and then on to the Big Dig. Along the way we marveled in the amount of amazing tea shops on offer! First stop was a quaint and retro 1940s tea shop called FourTeas (genius right?!) for a hot chocolate, complete with white chocolate stars and marshmallows. Yum. Stratford maintains a real sense of Englishness with history still so evident in the buildings, and the constant reminders of Shakespeare on pub signs and even the street performer! You can feel a real sense of pride in the place and can imagine that a great deal of effort goes into maintaining this English gem of a place as beautiful as it is. We also played mini golf (Hayley C won....not that she would show off about that…!!), took a wander around the Royal Shakespeare Company, wandered along the river by the canal boats, and then jumped on the ferry to take us over the river for just 50p! Less than 2 minutes on the chain ferry a definite must!
In keeping with the Englishness of Stratford-upon-Avon we couldn’t not go for a bit of afternoon tea. Hobsons was our destination and they have so much to choose from it was not an easy task! Scones, lemon cake, orange cake, chocolate orange cake, berry slice, apple tart, crumble, cheesecake, it was every girl’s dream! Being absolutely rubbish at decisions I picked two things. Definite eyes bigger than belly moment but everyone needs a bit of indulgence!
Back to the hotel we went along for a quick swim in the pool, on site. A great pool with woggles on hand if you prefer just to float around! The pool was quiet as we got in there so a great way to unwind after a day of walking. We also had a look around the gym but after the amount of cake we had eaten was not quite ready to actually work out! Good gym though with range of equipment for guests.
Saturday night saw us have our first 3 course Principal Hayley dinner! I selected the grilled mackerel on ciabatta (unusual choice but great!) and then onto the specials for mains – I had my second course of fish, selecting the fried cod crispy potatoes and red lentils. Hayley A took the beef bourginon. Both gorgeous meals though we did have to wait a good hour before we were served our main, we most definitely enjoyed the food once it was served. I think my plate was wiped clean! Onto dessert I tried to hot dessert from the Chef’s daily special menu - cinnamon baked apple and cranberry with ice cream. Good light refreshing dessert to finish off the meal.
We finished the evening by taking a cab into the centre for a few drinks. Again the staff at reception are happy to help here. The cabs are pretty expensive though the centre is only about 15 minutes away.
Sunday, bright and sunny we left the hotel after breakfast and headed off to Bourton-on-Water, another great place nearby. A picturesque village with pretty bridges over the river and on such a beautiful day the place was busy with visitors making the most of the cold water by dipping their feet in and enjoying the view. Bourton is only 30 minutes from Stratford and again really offers up the best of British, quaint gift shops, home made ice cream, teashops, motor museum, fish and chips, traditional pubs, we even stayed to watch a brass band play on the riverside.
We finished our trip by passing through Burford to visit the renowned Huffkins for a last piece of cake, billed as the best teashop in the Cotswolds. We certainly wouldn’t dispute that claim! It was a weekend of indulgence, relaxation and beautiful sights, it may seem like it all revolved around food, and well actually it probably did! But with so many great things on offer both in and around the hotel it is hard to not take advantage and enjoy it all!
Saturday 30 July 2011
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Stop 2 : Selsdon Park
Stop two on the Principal Hayley Challenge saw us stay for one night at the Selsdon Park Hotel & Golf Club.
Perfectly located for a one night-er being just thirteen miles from London. So great way to spend a weekend! What did surprise us was how green the area around was, it really felt peaceful and Selsdon Park itself has it’s own 18-hole golf course. On our arrival the grey skies and drops of rain hadn’t stopped play and we took a wander to see keen golfers doing the rounds.
Set in 205 acres of land we had a great walk around, saw a deer and investigated the outdoor pool (though a bit cold for a dip!). The building itself is what can only be described as grand, and interestingly we found pictures of how the building was originally and showed the parts that have been extended. But the whole building has a great feel to it and all in-keeping with the original designs.
Before checking in we went to nearby Hever Castle. Where heavens opened and we got drenched!! Ideally would have liked a nicer day but still was able to enjoy the exhibitions and the gardens. And best of all was the water maze, which has a few shocks for people trying to beat it! Be prepared and wear your rain mac! Really good fun and great for all ages.
When we came in check in we had a lovely welcome from Juliette on reception who actually knew who we were. So news of the Principal Hayley Challenge has spread, we are famous!!
We stayed in an executive twin room overlooking the green of the golf course, framed and emphasized beautifully by the huge window which made the room bright and inviting. We had robes and slippers waiting for us, which went on straight away – felt right at home! The room was a great size with two single beds comfortably fitting and still room for chairs, bed side cabinets and adequate sized wardrobe. The room was not modern in décor but was clean, well looked after, warm and inviting. The dining hall is also worth mentioning as the room itself is tunning with high ceilings and beautiful coving detail. Fitting then that the hotel seems popular for events and weddings. During our stay the hotel was heaving with guests for a college dance, a conference and a wedding. We were lucky enough to be sitting in reception to see the wedding party come out of the ceremony and trail past us to their drinks reception. It was like being part of the wedding, without having to buy a posh frock!!
As part of our relaxing weekend we went on down to the spa on the hotel grounds, in our robes and slippers! The pool is great and would be really inviting to kids too. There are steps leading to a platform almost like an island where you can chill out on a lounger. Or there are tables along the edge for guests to sit at. Armed with magazines we spent a good hour just chilling out and watching the families enjoying the pool. Deciding to enjoy the spa facilities we headed up to the steam room and sauna. We would say that the hotel could improve the standards of the spa facilities to bring them in line with the high standard of the rest of the hotel.
Back to the room we got ready and then headed out to The Cock Inn at Headley for a great meal. Car would be needed in this area to get around the Surrey Hills but it seemed there were plenty of things around to see and do.
Then, unfortunately I woke up early Sunday morning with a fever and so we had to cut our trip short…but not before indulging in the complimentary breakfast. Buffet style served up in the large dining hall mentioned above, there is a great choice of fresh and cooked foods to choose from. The staff were attentive and gave us top ups of coffee as and when we needed it. We were sat at a table overlooking the golf green and luckily the sun was shining making the view even more appealing. Our plan had been to head to Thorpe Park – just a short drive away from the hotel. So, we didn’t quite manage that but definitely would stay here again and use it as a base from which to head out on day trips.
Perfectly located for a one night-er being just thirteen miles from London. So great way to spend a weekend! What did surprise us was how green the area around was, it really felt peaceful and Selsdon Park itself has it’s own 18-hole golf course. On our arrival the grey skies and drops of rain hadn’t stopped play and we took a wander to see keen golfers doing the rounds.
Set in 205 acres of land we had a great walk around, saw a deer and investigated the outdoor pool (though a bit cold for a dip!). The building itself is what can only be described as grand, and interestingly we found pictures of how the building was originally and showed the parts that have been extended. But the whole building has a great feel to it and all in-keeping with the original designs.
Before checking in we went to nearby Hever Castle. Where heavens opened and we got drenched!! Ideally would have liked a nicer day but still was able to enjoy the exhibitions and the gardens. And best of all was the water maze, which has a few shocks for people trying to beat it! Be prepared and wear your rain mac! Really good fun and great for all ages.
When we came in check in we had a lovely welcome from Juliette on reception who actually knew who we were. So news of the Principal Hayley Challenge has spread, we are famous!!
We stayed in an executive twin room overlooking the green of the golf course, framed and emphasized beautifully by the huge window which made the room bright and inviting. We had robes and slippers waiting for us, which went on straight away – felt right at home! The room was a great size with two single beds comfortably fitting and still room for chairs, bed side cabinets and adequate sized wardrobe. The room was not modern in décor but was clean, well looked after, warm and inviting. The dining hall is also worth mentioning as the room itself is tunning with high ceilings and beautiful coving detail. Fitting then that the hotel seems popular for events and weddings. During our stay the hotel was heaving with guests for a college dance, a conference and a wedding. We were lucky enough to be sitting in reception to see the wedding party come out of the ceremony and trail past us to their drinks reception. It was like being part of the wedding, without having to buy a posh frock!!
As part of our relaxing weekend we went on down to the spa on the hotel grounds, in our robes and slippers! The pool is great and would be really inviting to kids too. There are steps leading to a platform almost like an island where you can chill out on a lounger. Or there are tables along the edge for guests to sit at. Armed with magazines we spent a good hour just chilling out and watching the families enjoying the pool. Deciding to enjoy the spa facilities we headed up to the steam room and sauna. We would say that the hotel could improve the standards of the spa facilities to bring them in line with the high standard of the rest of the hotel.
Back to the room we got ready and then headed out to The Cock Inn at Headley for a great meal. Car would be needed in this area to get around the Surrey Hills but it seemed there were plenty of things around to see and do.
Then, unfortunately I woke up early Sunday morning with a fever and so we had to cut our trip short…but not before indulging in the complimentary breakfast. Buffet style served up in the large dining hall mentioned above, there is a great choice of fresh and cooked foods to choose from. The staff were attentive and gave us top ups of coffee as and when we needed it. We were sat at a table overlooking the golf green and luckily the sun was shining making the view even more appealing. Our plan had been to head to Thorpe Park – just a short drive away from the hotel. So, we didn’t quite manage that but definitely would stay here again and use it as a base from which to head out on day trips.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
