The Crown and Garter, nestled in the tranquil and picturesque village of Inkpen, stands out as an idyllic retreat offering a serene countryside experience complemented by all modern amenities. The hotel’s location provides convenient access to Highclere Castle and small towns like Hungerford, Newbury and Andover, making it an optimal choice for those seeking relaxation and accessibility in a charming village environment.
One of the Crown and Garter’s standout features is its breakfast, praised for its quality, presentation and variety. Guests particularly laud the freshly cooked meals using local ingredients. Despite minor service-related issues and the late starting time, the breakfast remains a highlight of many guests' stays. Similarly, the hotel's dinner offerings are highly commended for their superb taste, quality and creative presentation, although some guests find the menu slightly expensive.
The accommodations at Crown and Garter are celebrated for being spacious, clean and stylish. With modern furnishings, thoughtful amenities and meticulous cleanliness, the rooms provide a cozy, comfortable environment for a restful stay. Guests especially appreciate the comfortable, large beds and superb bathrooms with modern fixtures. The peaceful setting of the room blocks in a charming courtyard garden further enhances the tranquil experience.
The hotel’s commitment to cleanliness and upkeep is evident with guests consistently highlighting the spotless condition of both the rooms and public areas. Complementing this is the hotel’s friendly, helpful and accommodating staff, who are frequently praised for their warm, professional service.
The fast and reliable WiFi service ensures a seamless online experience, catering well to both leisure and business travelers. Parking is another convenience with ample space and options including an EV charger on-site. Although the car park sometimes gets muddy, the overall parking experience remains positive.
As a family-friendly destination, Crown and Garter shines by providing a comfortable environment and amenities for family gatherings and stays. The peaceful setting and excellent location add to the charm, making it a suitable choice for family holidays and events.
Overall, Crown and Garter meets and often exceeds guest expectations with its blend of luxury, comfort and a relaxing countryside vibe. Despite being a four-star hotel, many guests believe it offers a five-star experience, thanks to its quality services, excellent food and high-end accommodations. The hotel's accessibility features and accommodating staff further ensure a welcoming stay for all guests, making it a highly recommended retreat for anyone seeking a tranquil and luxurious countryside escape.
Nestled in the heart of the English countryside, Crown and Anchor offers a serene escape in a picturesque village, surrounded by thatched cottages and scenic landscapes. It presents an ideal base for walking and cycling enthusiasts with easy access to the nearby town of Marlborough and other local attractions. The property is beautifully appointed, blending seamlessly with its idyllic environment, offering a tranquil retreat for travelers.
Guests frequently commend the superb breakfasts, featuring delicious, freshly cooked items like the full English breakfast and smoked salmon. The variety and quality of the breakfast options, along with special touches like complimentary cappuccinos and dog-friendly offerings, leave a positive impression. The dining experience extends to dinner as well, where the food is described as superb, well-presented and memorable, albeit with a desire for more vegetarian and vegan options.
The rooms at Crown and Anchor receive high praise for their modern, stylish decor, cleanliness and comfort. Spacious en-suites, cozy beds and well-appointed bathrooms enhance the overall guest experience. Minor issues like radiator problems and missing towels are considered negligible in light of the general satisfaction with the accommodations.
Cleanliness is a standout feature with guests frequently describing the hotel as spotless and well-maintained. The staff further elevate the guest experience, known for their exceptional friendliness, professionalism and attentiveness. Special mentions of staff members highlight their dedication to creating a welcoming and hospitable environment.
The comfortable beds are consistently praised, ensuring guests enjoy restful nights. This attention to comfort, along with the high-quality mattresses and soft linens, contributes significantly to a delightful stay.
Dog owners will find Crown and Anchor particularly welcoming with dogs allowed throughout the hotel and treated with special touches like breakfast sausages and comfortable dog beds. The friendly staff and ample walking opportunities make it a top choice for travelers with pets.
In summary, Crown and Anchor offers a tranquil and charming countryside retreat, enhanced by excellent dining, spotless accommodations and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere for both guests and their pets.
The Furze Bush Inn consistently receives glowing reviews from guests, highlighting its outstanding qualities across various aspects of their stay. Nestled in a picturesque countryside location, the inn offers an ideal retreat for those seeking tranquility and is conveniently situated near notable attractions like Highclere Castle. The beautifully landscaped grounds provide a quintessentially English setting, appreciated by families, solo travelers, and golf enthusiasts alike.
The dining experiences at The Furze Bush Inn receive widespread acclaim, with the breakfast and dinner offerings frequently exceeding guest expectations. Breakfasts are noted for their superb quality, diverse selections, and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring a positive start to the day. The evening meals also earn high praise, with traditional fare served at appealing prices and a menu that offers a delightful range of choices. The inn’s cozy ambiance and friendly staff further enhance the dining experience, creating a welcoming environment for both food and service.
Guest accommodations are described as spacious, clean, and exceptionally comfortable, providing restful nights and rejuvenating mornings thanks to the comfortable beds and peaceful atmosphere. While there are occasional mentions of colder temperatures and some outdated aspects of room decor, the overall emphasis remains on cleanliness and comfort. The immaculate condition of both the rooms and communal areas underscores the inn’s commitment to maintaining a pristine environment.
The staff at The Furze Bush Inn are celebrated for their exceptional service, characterized by friendliness, attentiveness, and a genuine desire to make guests feel at home. Their professional and welcoming nature leaves a lasting positive impression on travelers, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Additional amenities, such as ample parking with free Wi-Fi, further contribute to the convenience and ease of staying at the inn. This warm and accommodating environment is particularly well-suited for families, with spacious rooms and a delightful playground that caters to children, ensuring a seamless vacation experience for guests of all ages.
In summary, The Furze Bush Inn is highly recommended for its scenic location, superior dining experiences, comfortable accommodations, and exceptional staff, making it a top choice for a serene and enjoyable countryside getaway.
The Retreat, Elcot Park is a beautifully restored hotel nestled in the stunning countryside, offering a relaxing retreat for its guests. The location and facilities are excellent with easy parking, making it a brilliant spot for guests looking to go on country walks or just relax in the lovely grounds. However, accessibility without a car may be an issue for some. The breakfast received mixed reviews, but the complimentary continental breakfast was well-received, while the dinner menu was criticized for being limited and overpriced. The rooms were beautifully decorated but some found them lacking in amenities. The cleanliness of the hotel is highly praised and the staff are professional and accommodating, although some guests noticed a few inexperienced or unprofessional staff members. The spa facilities were excellent, although some found the area small and uninspiring. Families with children and dogs are welcome with good-sized rooms and accommodating service, although some guests found dogs in the eating areas uncomfortable. Finally, guests consistently praise the comfortable and luxurious beds for a great night's sleep.
The Bear Hotel by Greene King Inns is celebrated for its exceptional location in Hungerford, making it an ideal base for exploring the charming town and nearby attractions such as the Kennet and Avon Canal. Guests appreciate its central proximity to the high street, shops, restaurants and pubs, along with its tranquil ambiance and scenic river views. The hotel's ample off-road parking and proximity to the train station further enhance its convenience for travelers.
Breakfast at The Bear Hotel is well-received with guests frequently praising the variety and quality of both hot and continental options. Many reviews highlight the delicious Full English breakfast and the efficient, friendly service. Although some guests noted a desire for more vegetarian options and fresher fruit, the overall breakfast experience is largely positive.
Dinner experiences at the hotel are also favorable with many guests enjoying the freshly prepared, flavorful dishes available on the varied menu. The pub dining atmosphere and reasonable pricing add to the positive impression, though some reviews mention slow service and occasional shortages of menu items. However, the general sentiment towards dinner is one of satisfaction.
The rooms are highlighted for their comfort, cleanliness and tasteful decor. Many guests appreciate the spacious and well-equipped accommodations with unique features like river views and original ceiling beams adding to the charm. While some guests noted minor issues such as temperature control and occasional noise, the majority found the rooms to be a delightful aspect of their stay.
Cleanliness at The Bear Hotel is generally praised with many guests describing their rooms as immaculate and well-maintained. Although there were some mentions of areas needing more attention, the overall consensus is that the hotel provides a clean and comfortable environment.
The staff at The Bear Hotel are frequently commended for their friendly, efficient and helpful demeanor. Guests consistently highlight the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the team, noting the exceptional service provided by individuals such as Arthur, Raluca and Caroline. Despite occasional instances of staff being hard to find, the overall experience with the hotel staff is highly positive.
WiFi at the hotel receives mixed feedback with some guests noting improvements while others find it inconsistent and unreliable. The hotel may benefit from upgrading its WiFi system to provide a more stable connection for all guests.
Parking facilities are praised for their convenience and ample availability with guests appreciating the large, free car park. The straightforward process of registering vehicles at reception adds to the hassle-free experience.
The Bear Hotel is also noted for its family-friendly atmosphere, offering spacious and comfortable family rooms and a variety of activities to cater to both adults and children. The hotel's dog-friendly policy further extends its appeal for family trips.
Regarding beds, most guests find them very comfortable and appreciate the large king-sized options. However, some guests noted that certain beds were too firm for their liking, indicating a potential area for the hotel to address by providing softer bedding options.
In summary, The Bear Hotel by Greene King Inns is highly regarded for its strategic location, quality breakfast and dinner offerings, comfortable and charming rooms, exemplary staff and family-friendly amenities. While there are areas for improvement such as WiFi reliability and catering to varied bedding preferences, the hotel consistently provides a pleasant and enjoyable experience for its guests.
Award wining 5 star wine themed property. This renowned hotel features a first class Spa center, exquisite wine cellar and a range of dining options at the luxury restaurant.
Summary of reviews
Summarized by AI
The Vineyard Hotel hotel is a beautiful and conveniently located establishment, situated between Highclere Castle and antique shops in Hungerford, offering guests lovely walks and excellent pubs nearby. Guests have mixed feelings towards the breakfast but rave about the exceptional dining experience with well-prepared dishes and a great selection of wine. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed with amazing interiors and the staff is described as brilliant, attentive and friendly. The spa facilities receive mixed reviews, but the swimming pool and excellent massages are recommended. The Vineyard Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel that offers exceptional facilities and services with comfortable beds and outstanding food. It is a perfect romantic getaway with a touch of class and comfort, though some areas could use a slight refurbishment to maintain their 5-star status.