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Summary of reviewsThe Mary Arden Inn, nestled in a serene, picturesque village opposite Mary Arden's Farm and a short distance from Stratford-upon-Avon, offers a tranquil escape rich in historical charm. Its prime location receives widespread praise for its peaceful surroundings and proximity to major tourist attractions. Conveniently located with ample parking, it stands out as an excellent base for exploring the area, appealing to history buffs and theatre enthusiasts alike.
Guests typically enjoy the comfortable and spacious rooms, which are celebrated for their charming and quirky decor, particularly the themed suites like Romeo and Juliet. Cleanliness overall receives favorable remarks with many rooms described as clean, tidy and well-equipped, ensuring a pleasant stay. The historic charm of the inn, complete with old wooden furniture, adds to its appeal.
However, the inn faces significant challenges with its food services. Breakfast offerings are notably inadequate with many guests expressing disappointment over the lack of options and basic items provided. Similarly, dinner options are scarce due to frequent closures of the restaurant and kitchen. Despite this, the staff's commendable efforts to assist guests—such as allowing food deliveries and recommending local dining options—are often highlighted as positive experiences.
The friendliness and dedication of the staff are major highlights. Guests consistently praise the exceptionally warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, including the owners Rob and Vikki, along with other notable members like Harry, Shaun, Ken and Gavyn. This exceptional service significantly enhances the overall guest experience, making visitors feel at home.
For visitors needing reliable internet access, the WiFi can be a significant drawback with many guests reporting inconsistent connectivity, particularly in the rooms. Though WiFi works better in communal areas, its lack of reliability can be a concern for some.
Regarding beds, feedback is mixed. While many guests find the beds comfortable, particularly the four-poster beds, others encounter issues with noise, firmness and cleanliness, indicating room for improvement in this area.
The Mary Arden Inn also stands out for being dog-friendly, providing a welcoming environment for canine companions and their owners. Despite an additional charge for pets, the overall experience for dog owners is positive, complemented by pleasant walk opportunities and ample parking.
In summary, The Mary Arden Inn is cherished for its idyllic location, historic charm and outstanding service. While the lack of food services and inconsistent WiFi are notable drawbacks, the welcoming staff and picturesque setting create a memorable stay for many visitors. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Inn
The Mary Arden Inn provides affordable lodging in a traditional inn setting. Guests can enjoy the ambiance of a historic inn while benefiting from budget-friendly rates.
Dog Friendly Inn
Small Inn
3-Star Inn
Room Types
Double RoomWith a Shakespearean theme, this individually decorated room comes with a work desk and facilities for making tea and coffee. Some rooms have a view of Mary Ardens Farm, the mother of William Shakespeare's childhood home.
Deluxe Double RoomWithin a Shakespearean theme, the Romeo and Juliet room features a seating area with a DVD player and a king-size, four poster bed.
Twin RoomComfortable room with a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
SuiteThis suite includes 1 bedroom, a seating area and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. The suite offers a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath and a hairdryer. The double room offers a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Twin RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as heating.
Deluxe Double RoomA seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a private bathroom are available in this spacious double room. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.4
Good
Location
Nestled in a serene and picturesque village, The Mary Arden Inn offers a tranquil escape just a short distance from the bustling town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The hotel's location has received widespread praise from guests who appreciate its peaceful surroundings and historical significance. Directly opposite Mary Arden's Farm and a stone’s throw from Stratford, it’s convenient for both history buffs and theatre enthusiasts alike.
The village itself is beautifully quiet and central, making major tourist attractions easily accessible. Visitors find it an ideal base, positioned in a delightful rural setting yet only a brief drive or train ride away from Stratford’s vibrant centre. Guests particularly enjoy how easy it is to reach the town either by a short car journey or a pleasant walk from the nearby train station.
Moreover, the location is heralded for its convenience with ample parking available and notable sites such as Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Ragley Hall within reach. The area also offers a tranquil environment conducive to relaxation, ensuring restful nights and pleasant stays.
Overall, The Mary Arden Inn stands out as a well-situated retreat that perfectly balances historical charm with modern accessibility, making it a favored choice for those looking to explore the wonders of Stratford-upon-Avon and its environs.
Breakfast
Guests at The Mary Arden Inn have expressed disappointment about the breakfast situation. Many reviews highlighted the complete lack of breakfast options or the inadequacy of the continental breakfast provided, which was described as poor with only basic items like toast, cereal and instant coffee available.
Previous guests noted that no cooked breakfast was on offer and in several instances, there were issues such as the absence of milk, butter or even personnel to serve breakfast despite having paid extra for it. The opening times of the on-site coffee shop were also inconvenient for those needing an earlier start.
Some reviews mentioned having to travel several miles to find breakfast, which added inconvenience to their stay. Although the Inn has communicated plans to soon provide meals on-site, the current lack of food services stands out as a significant downside, contrasting sharply with the otherwise praised aspects such as the comfortable bar and decent beds. Several guests also suggested simple improvements, like offering basic breakfast baps, as a step up from the current situation.
Dinner
The Mary Arden Inn, while charming and run by a friendly and welcoming staff, currently faces significant difficulties with providing meals on-site. Guests consistently reported the lack of dining options, as both the restaurant and the kitchen were often closed due to various reasons such as staffing shortages, refurbishments or lack of trade. This led many to seek meals elsewhere with some driving into Stratford or exploring local pubs, which notably served great food.
Despite these setbacks, the staff made commendable efforts to assist guests, such as allowing food deliveries and offering helpful suggestions for nearby dining options. Their dedication and hospitality were highlighted as positive aspects, contributing to the inn's potential as a delightful place to stay. However, the absence of food—whether breakfast, snacks or dinner—is a recurring challenge for guests, necessitating plans for dining off-site.
Rooms
The Mary Arden Inn offers a variety of rooms that generally receive favorable remarks from guests. Many highlight the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms with several guests appreciating the charming and quirky decor, particularly in themed suites like the Romeo and Juliet suite. Rooms are often described as clean, tidy and well-equipped, providing everything needed for a comfortable stay. The hotel's historic charm, featuring old wooden furniture and character in line with Stratford-upon-Avon's heritage, adds to its appeal.
Many guests mention comfortable beds and a relaxing atmosphere with some special touches such as bottles of prosecco left in rooms. The rooms are also commended for their beautiful decoration and cleanliness, often surprising visitors pleasantly upon arrival.
However, some guests note that while the rooms are generally pleasant, the hotel itself could benefit from some updates and more attentive maintenance. Issues such as hard mattresses, noisy extractor fans and occasional cleanliness lapses are mentioned, indicating room for improvement. Despite a few dated aspects, the overall consensus is that the rooms at The Mary Arden Inn provide a good, comfortable and enjoyable stay, complemented by friendly and helpful staff.
Beds
The beds at The Mary Arden Inn receive mixed feedback from guests, though there are numerous positive comments about their comfort. Many guests highlight the comfort of the four-poster beds and other large beds, noting that they are comfortable, very comfy and super comfy. Descriptions such as marvellous, big enough and comfortable are frequently mentioned across the reviews.
However, there are several concerns raised by other guests about the condition and cleanliness of the beds. Some beds were described as noisy, wobbly or even rock hard. Issues with mattresses, including prominent and uneven springs, lumpy texture and the need for updating were cited. A few guests even reported finding the beds uncomfortable to the point of preferring an alternative sleeping arrangement or noting hygiene issues like hairs and dust.
In summary, while a significant portion of visitors find the beds at The Mary Arden Inn to be comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep, there are notable exceptions where guests encountered discomfort and cleanliness concerns with their bedding.
Cleanliness
While reviews of The Mary Arden Inn showcase a significant focus on cleanliness, they present a mix of opinions. Positively, many guests reported their rooms as clean, tidy and comfortable, often highlighting well-maintained bed sheets and towels. Spaces described as spotlessly clean and well-kept created a pleasant stay for numerous visitors with some noting the reasonable value for money. The hotel’s charm was enhanced by the friendly, welcoming nature of the owners and the beautiful setting, adding to the overall experience.
Conversely, some discrepancies in cleanliness standards were noted with mentions of mould in bathrooms, noisy floorboards and occasional dust and cobwebs. Certain reviews pointed out that the building appeared run down and could use refurbishment. Despite a few negative remarks about the dated decor and specific cleanliness issues, the inn managed to leave a positive impression on many guests with its basic, yet clean and cosy charm.
Staff
The Mary Arden Inn has garnered praise for its exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. Many guests have commented on the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by both the staff and the owners. Harry and his dogs often greet guests with a warm welcome, while Shaun has been noted for making stays memorable. Rob and Vikki, the current owners, are frequently mentioned for their friendliness and exceptional hosting skills, going out of their way to accommodate guests and address any shortcomings. Other staff members, including Ken and Gavyn, have also been highlighted for their helpfulness and pleasant demeanor.
The consistent theme across the reviews is the staff's ability to create a comfortable and welcoming environment. Multiple guests have mentioned that nothing was too much trouble for the staff, who were always ready to assist. This undoubtedly contributes to the Inn's charming and quaint atmosphere, matching the expectations of many visitors. The positive reviews also mention friendly interactions with both bar staff and managers, reinforcing the overall friendly and accommodating experience at the Inn.
While there were occasional mentions of less enthusiastic encounters, these were minimal and did not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the staff's friendliness and dedication to making guests feel welcome. The Mary Arden Inn stands out for its excellent service, ensuring that guests feel at home and well-cared for throughout their stay.
Wi-Fi
Visitors to The Mary Arden Inn have given mixed reviews about the WiFi available at the property. While some guests found the WiFi to be good or decent, many others experienced difficulties, particularly in the bedrooms where the WiFi signal was often non-existent or extremely flaky. Some guests reported that the WiFi was intermittent or that it didn't reach their rooms at all, especially those positioned at the ends of the building. A few noted that internet access was only available in communal areas, though one guest managed to tether their laptop to their phone for connectivity. Overall, while there are some positive mentions, the lack of consistent and reliable WiFi in the rooms appears to be a significant drawback for guests requiring stable internet access during their stay.
Dog Friendly
The Mary Arden Inn stands out as a great destination for dog owners, offering a warm and welcoming environment for canine companions. Guests praise the inn for being dog-friendly with dogs allowed in the bar and garden areas. The pub garden, while accommodating, has received some comments about cleanliness.
Ample room and a scenic walk alongside the canal provide a delightful experience for both dogs and their owners. The hosts have been noted for their accommodating nature and their friendliness towards guests and pets alike.
However, it’s worth noting that there is an additional charge of £15 per dog per night. Despite this, the overall experience for dog owners at The Mary Arden Inn is positive with special mentions about the pleasant walks and good car parking facilities available.
No, The Mary Arden Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Mary Arden Inn.
Yes, The Mary Arden Inn welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Mary Arden Inn.