Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House

Whalley 53.82002700, -2.40983700 , Whalley Abbey The Sands (Show on Map)


Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsWhalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a serene and charming location that consistently delights visitors. Nestled in the middle of Whalley, it provides easy access to the village centre while being surrounded by beautifully maintained and tranquil grounds. Guests appreciate the stunning, atmospheric setting and the opportunity to stay within historical buildings. The location is ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat, yet it is conveniently close to restaurants, shops and the vibrant local life of Whalley. Additionally, the retreat house offers ample free parking and is a superb base for exploring the Ribble Valley countryside. While some guests have found the location a bit difficult to locate initially, the overwhelmingly positive feedback reflects its unique and delightful character.

The breakfast experience is frequently praised for its variety and quality with both cooked and continental options available. Guests enjoy the hearty, freshly made dishes and commend the warm and attentive service from the staff. Despite occasional remarks about the buffet breakfast not always staying warm, the overall feedback underscores a delightful start to the day. Though the establishment lacks an in-house restaurant or evening meal service, the numerous nearby dining options effectively compensate for this.

Guests find the rooms at Whalley Abbey clean, comfortable and spacious with beautiful views providing a serene backdrop. The simplicity and historical charm of the rooms are well-received, even though some older architectural features like sloping floors are noted. The cleanliness extends beyond the rooms to the well-maintained grounds, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Minor issues such as damp spots or non-functional amenities are occasionally mentioned, but these do not significantly detract from the overall positive experience.

The staff at Whalley Abbey receive glowing reviews for their friendliness, warmth and helpfulness. From the check-in process to ongoing assistance throughout the stay, the staff’s attentive and welcoming demeanor significantly enhances the guest experience, leaving a lasting positive impression.

WiFi reception is generally adequate, especially in common areas and certain suites, though some guests report connectivity issues in specific rooms and corridors. Nevertheless, these challenges are manageable and do not majorly impact the overall stay.

The retreat house offers ample free parking with easy and convenient access, adding to the overall positive experience. Families find the atmosphere relaxed and inviting with various amenities catering to all ages, making it a pleasant spot for family stays.

Comfortable beds are frequently highlighted with guests praising the high quality of sleep and clean, crisp linen. This emphasis on sleep quality stands out as a notable feature.

While Whalley Abbey may not feel like a typical 3-star hotel, it provides simple, honest accommodations suitable for budget-conscious visitors. The overall feedback for this Christian retreat house is highly positive, emphasizing its unique charm, historical ambiance and the warm hospitality it offers.
Show more
Categories
Family Friendly Hotel

Hotel with Parking

Accessible Hotel

Small Hotel

3-Star Hotel

Room Types
Single Room with Garden View This single room features a desk, outdoor furniture, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.

Twin Room with Garden View The twin room provides an electric kettle. The unit offers 2 beds.

Family Room with Garden View The family room offers an electric kettle. The unit has 2 beds.

Studio - Disability Access This suite features a private bathroom and an electric kettle. The unit offers 1 bed.

One-Bedroom House The unit offers 2 beds.

Guest Reviews
Location
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a serene and charming location that consistently delights visitors. Nestled right in the middle of Whalley, this retreat provides easy access to the village centre while being surrounded by beautiful and tranquil grounds. Guests have praised its stunning and atmospheric setting, highlighting the opportunity to stay in a working abbey with historical buildings both inside and among the ruins.

The location is noted for its peaceful ambiance, offering a restful experience amidst scenic beauty. The grounds are beautifully maintained, set within a picturesque and historical environment. Visitors find it an ideal spot for a quiet retreat yet conveniently close to restaurants, shops and the vibrant local life of Whalley.

With ample free parking and easy access to the Ribble Valley, the retreat house makes a superb base for exploring the countryside. Despite its historical charm and quiet monastery setting, the central location ensures guests can enjoy a short, pleasant stroll into the town, making it perfect for those looking to combine relaxation with accessibility.

The prime location, whether for a peaceful stay, as a base for nearby activities or simply to enjoy the lovely grounds, stands out as a significant highlight. While some guests found it a bit difficult to locate, the overwhelmingly positive feedback about its setting and convenience reflects its unique and delightful character.

Breakfast
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a breakfast experience that has garnered much praise from its guests. The breakfast is often described as excellent, delicious and very good with many noting the great variety available, including both cooked and continental options. Guests appreciated the hearty, freshly made dishes and the high standard of breakfast quality. The buffet-style breakfast, although occasionally noted for not staying warm, generally received positive remarks for its good choice of cereals, pastries, yoghurts and cooked items.

Some highlighted the first-class attention from the staff, who were described as friendly and accommodating, even serving breakfast early upon request. The options for breakfast range from simple and basic to elaborate, catering well to most guests' needs with freshly baked croissants, full English breakfast and a good selection of continental items. However, a few reviews mentioned that the breakfast room ambiance could feel like a youth hostel and some found the vegan options and the packaged items less appealing.

Overall, the breakfast offerings at Whalley Abbey are a delightful start to the day with many guests leaving satisfied by the variety and quality of the food, enhanced by the warm and attentive service.

Dinner
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a serene stay amidst a setting that many guests appreciate, but it lacks some dining amenities one might expect. Despite the absence of an in-house bar and restaurant or an evening meal service, visitors found numerous dining options nearby satisfying. The proximity to lovely restaurants and fantastic places to eat, including an impressive Italian restaurant, compensates for the limited dining services at the retreat. Additionally, guests found it convenient that local transport options are excellent, making it easy to access various restaurants and pubs in the vicinity. While some mentioned the toughness of the meat in provided evening meals, the overall dining experience in the nearby locations seems to cover the gap effectively.

Rooms
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a charming and restful experience for its guests with many praising the establishment for its clean, comfortable and spacious rooms. The rooms, which range from large and airy to cozy and straightforward, cater to various needs and preferences. Guests with disabilities noted that the suites met their requirements well.

The beautiful views from the rooms are frequently mentioned, providing a picturesque and serene backdrop for a getaway. While some rooms have a sloping floor or low head height, they don’t detract from the overall comfort.

The simplicity of the rooms, furnished with basic yet adequate furniture, is a recurring theme. Despite the lack of TVs, the ambiance remains peaceful and warm. Guests appreciate the modern plumbing and the cleanliness of the bathrooms.

Certain rooms near high-traffic areas might be noisier, but the general consensus highlights the peaceful and tranquil nature of the property. The building itself adds charm to the experience with many rooms featuring lovely views of the grounds.

Check-in times are set and the rooms are always ready upon arrival. The breakfast, especially the full English, is highly praised, adding to the excellent overall stay. For a serene and uncomplicated retreat, Whalley Abbey stands out with its spotless rooms and warm hospitality.

Beds
Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House has garnered praise for its exceptionally comfortable beds, providing guests with restful and enjoyable stays. Across various reviews, guests consistently highlight the comfort of the beds, noting descriptors such as "very comfortable," "extremely comfortable," and "slept like logs," which emphasize the high quality of sleep experienced. The cleanliness of both the beds and bedding is also a frequent point of commendation with several mentions of crisp linen adding to the overall positive feedback. The beds, available in different configurations, are equally well-regarded, whether guests opted for single, double or king-size options. The retreat clearly places great importance on ensuring a good night’s sleep, making it a standout feature for its visitors.

Cleanliness
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a quaint and comfortable spot for a peaceful stay, consistently praised for its cleanliness. Guests frequently highlight the spotless and straightforward nature of the rooms, often mentioning their comfort and ample space. Cleanliness extends beyond just the rooms, as the entire setting, including the lovely grounds, receives high marks for being well-kept and tidy. However, some reviews point out specific areas needing attention, such as damp spots, dirty surfaces and isolated instances of cobwebs. While overall cleanliness is commendable, certain amenities, like the extractor fan, have been noted as non-functional and the occasional boiler issue has been reported. Despite these minor drawbacks, the general consensus underscores a very clean and comfortable environment, making it a serene place for a retreat.

Staff
The reviews paint a glowing picture of the staff at Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House. Guests frequently describe the staff as lovely, friendly and incredibly helpful. The hospitality starts from the check-in process, where guests have found the staff to be not just efficient but also warmly welcoming and accommodating. Many commend the staff for being informative and always ready to offer assistance, whether it's about the local area or specific needs like electric car charging.

More than a few reviews mention the staff's friendly demeanor and charm, helping to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The hosts at the Retreat House extend this warm hospitality, contributing to an overall sense of being genuinely cared for. This attentive and friendly approach has clearly left a lasting impression on many visitors, who appreciate the gentle and supportive presence of the staff.

Though there are minor critiques and exceptions, such as issues not handled well during check-in and opinions that it may not meet three-star expectations, the general consensus is highly positive. The combination of welcoming hosts and the historical ambiance of the Abbey harmoniously enhances the guest experience, making the stay memorable for most.

Wi-Fi
Whalley Abbey, a Christian retreat house offering bed and breakfast, has received varied feedback regarding its WiFi. While some guests found the WiFi to be excellent and working adequately in certain areas, others experienced issues with reception, particularly in private rooms and certain corridors. Some reviews mentioned that the WiFi was good and accessible, though occasional minor issues were noted. Boosters have been suggested for better connectivity in specific rooms. Despite these challenges, WiFi appears to work well in suites and common areas, making it a manageable aspect of staying at this serene retreat.

Parking
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers a generally positive parking experience for its guests. Visitors frequently note the ample, free parking available on-site with plenty of spaces to accommodate cars. Guests find the parking easy and convenient with good facilities and several areas to choose from, including a parking courtyard. While a few reviews mention minor issues unrelated to parking, the overall sentiment points towards guests being satisfied with the parking provisions.

Family
Whalley Abbey offers an enriching experience for families, providing a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The booking process is straightforward, making visit planning hassle-free. Guests often appreciate the scenic views from their rooms and the calming quiet of the garden area, ideal for unwinding with kids. Though primarily a retreat center, the Abbey features a variety of family-friendly amenities including a cozy lounge and a library, perfect for some peaceful reading time together.

The historic site itself adds a touch of intrigue for young and old alike and the Family room ensures comfort for all members. Its well-located tranquility makes it a good spot for a family night out. Additionally, the Abbey's setting offers an ample selection of activities, generally making stays here a pleasant one. Despite minor issues such as occasional road noise and maintenance needs, guests often express a strong desire to return for another enjoyable experience.

3 Star
Whalley Abbey - Christian Retreat House offers simple and honest accommodations suitable for those looking for a budget-friendly stay. While it may not feel like a typical 3-star hotel, it meets expectations for those with budget considerations, making it the best option for a budget-conscious retreat. Guests have had a lovely time enjoying their leisure activities in an open, welcoming environment. However, it should be noted that the check-in process could use improvement, as it has been described as clumsy and not well-handled by the staff. Despite this, the overall experience fits well with what one might expect from a budget stay.


No, Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House.

No, Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House.

No, Whalley Abbey - B&B and Retreat House doesn't have a gym.

Location Show Map
More Options
  • Vacation Home in Whalley

  • 9.6 Excellent

  • Vacation Home in Whalley

  • 10 Excellent

  • Vacation Home in Whalley

  • 8.5 Very Good

  • Hotel in Preston

  • 8.5 Very Good

  • From $103



6,973,805

Hotels

60

Categories

49,804

Regions

208,995

Cities


×
×
Checkin
× Home About Press Categories Blog Hotel Awards Travelmyth GPT Contact Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookies Policy FAQ