A great conference venue but not ideal as a hotel

Advantages: Good rooms, well organised conference facilities
Disadvantages: If you aren't there for a conference, you could feel very 'left out'.

...I'm a member of an industry association that holds a two day meeting every year in spring and we move the venue around between different hotels, typically in the Midlands. Last year we were in Rugby at the Dunchurch Park which had excellent conference rooms but dreadful accommodation. This year, the organisers found a new place for us to use - Ettington Chase near Stratford upon Avon. I travelled down from the North West on the day of the conference and my sat nav had no problems finding the hotel. When I pulled off the road into the car park I found a very beautiful old building that looked like a Victorian vicarage but was completely swamped by the size of the new wing. As so often happens, the website shows lots of pictures of the old building and not so many of the rather characterless red-brick block that provides most...

koshkha 25.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ettington Chase Hotel and Conference Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford Manor A Tranquil Retreat

Advantages: Clean, friendly, child friendly, pets allowed, lovely environment
Disadvantages: Can get very busy with slow service and not all staff are very friendly

..., hair-dryer and working desk. The accommodation is to a very high standard with some rooms having the ability to interconnect this is great for families who can be near their children. If you want an interconnecting room then you have to request it in advance. As a guest at The Stratford Manor you have a wide range of dining options to choose from. There is also room service if you don't fancy venturing down to the restaurant. Each room features a bed with designer headboards and beautiful counterpanes. Colours such as chocolates and vibrancy light up the rooms. The outside of Stratford Manor has a modern décor with 4 murals that show the seasons. Despite its tranquil setting, the hotel is just 5 minutes away from the M40, connecting you to a number of interesting cultural attractions, including: Stratford-upon-Avon; Warwick...

Mickie26 16.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

To sleep... perchance to dream...

Advantages: Location, quality, food
Disadvantages: Price

...The first thing to say about the Shakespeare is that it's no longer a MacDonald - the hotel has been sold to the Mercure group, part of Accor. Although I couldn't give a toss about the brand on the letterhead, I overheard several guests commenting on the fact it was no longer a MacDonald hotel, so I guess it's important to some people. If you're one of them, be advised. Stratford-upon-Avon. One of my favourite places in the world. I've hung out with actors, been to the theatre more times than I can remember, messed about on the river and explored quite a few of the many bars and restaurants. One thing I haven't done often, though, is stay over. So when I booked tickets to both parts of Henry IV last month, I decided I'd do things properly. The Shakespeare Hotel is exactly what you'd expect of a hotel in Stratford. It's old...

Olly_Plimsoll 01.10.2007 (04.09.2007) · Read review
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Review of Macdonald Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

Welcombe: Spa,Gym,Golf or Wedding???

Advantages: Picturesque surroundings,large rooms,very clean,historical building
Disadvantages: Pricey for some

...Welcombe Hotel,Spa&Golf Course I have recently spent two weeks in the most beautiful hotel I've seen in UK! The Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Spa & Golf Course. The hotel is a part of a hotel chain called Menzies Hotels! It is a 4**** hotel set in the middle of 157 acres of land, surrounded by a 18 holes championship golf course and attached to a spa complex with swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, beauty shop & separate apartments. You only need to travel about a mile outside Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon and it is very well signposted by large blue signs from the main Warwick Road. It is trully large impressive manor house that will take your breath away as you enter! The reception and lounge are absolutely huge and filled with period furniture and massive oil paintings (all original)! The wooden staircase will take you up...

evina25 31.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Welcombe Hotel and Golf Course, Stratford-upon-Avon

Ettington Chase, Im not running away!

Advantages: Big room, wonderful surroundings, great breakfast
Disadvantages: none

...Last year, sometime, I don't remember when, we went to a wedding fayre at out local Hayley Conference Centre. We were given the usual tour of the function rooms, hotel bedrooms and shown the menu options for the wedding breakfast and evening buffet. After picking my fiance off the floor, we decided that we couldn't spare 'that sort of' cash on our wedding. My other half has strong views on paying £50 a head for someone to eat at his own wedding! So other arrangements were made and that was that. About a month later, I was sent a letter, from Hayley Conference Centres. It basically said the following the wedding fayre, we had 'won' a night in one of their hotels. Now, I get very sceptical about 'winning' items, especially when I don't recall any offer of any prizes. So, I called the number on the letter to see how we had won this...

monkeymitchell30 06.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ettington Chase Hotel and Conference Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon

A Room with a Loo

Advantages: Close to the town, good cooked breakfast, all ensuite, comforable beds and ample tea/coffee
Disadvantages: noise levels at times at the front of the hotel only.

...~~Emsley Guest House~~ After deciding not to go away with the caravan, we made up our minds to have at least two nights away somewhere. So we chose to visit Stratford upon Avon, I searched the internet and looked at some hotels, but they were a little more than we wished to spend for this outing, so we opted to for a more reasonably priced alternative and started looking at Guest Houses and B & B establishments. I tried late deals but nothing appealed and to me it didn?t seem that much cheaper; I then came across Emsley Guest House and thought it looked lovely on the photos; I also liked the fact it had its own website and a phone number supplied so I could ask questions as I do have some needs that will have to be considered when it comes to my mobility. I rang up the hotel to find that they were fully booked...

arnoldhenryrufus 02.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Emsley Guest House, Stratford-upon-Avon

Ettington - Just That Little Bit Different....

Advantages: Straight from the pages of Agatha Christie
Disadvantages: They don't replenish your biscuits!!

...We stayed in this hotel for our honeymoon a few years ago. At the time, I considered the cost to be reasonable for what would be a 'holiday' we'd never forget, and with hindsight, having stayed in many more hotels since, it was actually incredibly good value for staying in a 'classic' British hotel. I had booked a small suite, which was probably about as big as one floor of a normal house, with fantastic views over the manicured lawns and the old chapel which stands in the grounds (well worth a look if you have the time). The whole room reeked of opulence and splendour - and I loved it. Breakfast was served every morning in the panelled dining room, with guests sitting in wingbacked chairs. I honestly thought I was in an Agatha Christie story, expecting Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple to enter at any point! Lunch and dinner smelt...

abismith 11.09.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

A Touch of Olde World Charm

Advantages: A lovely quaint cottage
Disadvantages: You need to pick your times to visit,

...Alcester Road, where you would turn left to get to it, or you could go right off Evesham Place and the B439 Evesham Road. Address for you Sat Nav is Ann Hathaway?s Cottage Cottage Lane Shottery Stratford upon Avon CV37 9HH ~~Opening times for 2009~~ November to March ? it is open 1000hrs to 1600hrs daily. April to May and Sept to October it is open between 0930hrs and 1700hrs ? with Sunday being 1000hrs to 1700hrs June to August ? Monday to Saturday is 0900hrs to 1700hrs and Sunday is 0930hrs to 1700hrs Closed for a week in December between 23rd and 26th inclusive. ~~Prices for 2009~~ Adult - £6.50 Children (ages 5-16yrs) - £3.50 Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) - £16.00 Concession -£5.50 A multi ticket for all five houses is Adult - £17.00 Children - £10.00 Family - £44.50 Concession...

arnoldhenryrufus 16.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford Upon Avon

Butterfly Farm - They Flutter everywhere

Advantages: Cheap, Great Day Out, Educational for All
Disadvantages: Has Creepy Crawlies, Scorpions, Spiders etc

...Butterfly Farm Swan's Nest Lane Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 7LS England WEB ADDRESS: www.butterflyfarm.co.uk EMAIL: sales@butterflyfarm.co.uk TEL: 01789 299 288 FAX: 01789 415 878 Thank you for reading - Hope you enjoyed my review....

innercircle 24.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Stratford Upon Avon Butterfly Farm

Winding down in Warwickshire

Advantages: Homely and comfortable
Disadvantages: In need of a refurbishment

...For my mum's 60th birthday, my sister and I wanted to do something special for her (particularly because it's a miracle she's got this far having brought us two up). My sister, who recently visited Walton Hall Hotel and Spa for a friend's hen night, suggested we take her for a day of pampering, followed by a night in a hotel. Although we were travelling from Staffordshire, where my mum still lives, it was surprisingly quick to reach the hotel - just an hour down the M6. Getting there The hotel is situated in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, which is just a short distance from the M40. When coming from the north, junction 15 is the most straightforward exit, followed by a short drive through Wellesbourne, after which the hotel is clearly signposted. From the south, junction 13 is the exit to take, again followed by a trip through...

sunmeilan 02.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Walton Hall Hotel and Spa, Warwickshire