Worcester52.18936700,
-2.21865800,
The Cardinals Hat, 31 Friar Street, Worcester(Show on Map)
8.2
Very Good
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1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Cardinals Hat, nestled in the heart of Worcester, offers an ideal location for both city exploration and leisure activities. Its superb central positioning allows easy access to heritage sites, restaurants, shops and bars, while still maintaining a quiet ambiance at night. The historic inn's close proximity to the station, cricket ground and horse racing track further enhances its appeal. Guests frequently commend the hotel's location, which adds to the charm of staying at this historic pub setting.
The breakfast experience at The Cardinals Hat is generally well-received with many guests praising the convenience and uniqueness of the breakfast baskets delivered to their rooms. The Continental breakfast often meets expectations with its excellent quality and the additional cooked breakfast option is appreciated for its quality ingredients and freshly cooked dishes. Despite some minor criticisms concerning service speed and replenishment, the thoughtful presentation and friendly staff contribute positively to the breakfast experience.
Dining at The Cardinals Hat is highlighted by the exceptional quality of its pub fare, particularly the pies and mash and a variety of delicious, freshly made dishes. The presence of excellent beer complements the dining experience, making it one of the finest meals guests have had. Though the dinner menu may not be extensive, the quality of the available options generally satisfies diners.
The rooms at The Cardinals Hat blend historical charm with modern comfort. Guests praise the spacious and clean accommodations, comfortable beds and quirky decor that reflects the inn's historic nature. Some minor practical issues related to the building's age, such as room size and maintenance quirks, do not significantly detract from the overall positive experience. Well-appointed amenities, such as freestanding baths and four-poster beds, further enhance the appeal of staying in these character-filled rooms.
Cleanliness is generally commendable with many reviews highlighting the spotless conditions of rooms and bathrooms. Modern and charismatic bathrooms are particularly appreciated, although occasional remarks suggest that some areas could benefit from additional attention and refurbishment. Nevertheless, the overall high standard of cleanliness, combined with high-quality bedding and furnishings, ensures a pleasant stay.
The hotel's exceptional staff consistently earn high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness and welcoming nature. Specific staff members are frequently mentioned for going above and beyond to accommodate guests' needs. The team's warm and hospitable approach, coupled with their efficiency and eagerness to assist, significantly enhances the guest experience.
Comfortable beds are a recurring highlight with many guests noting their satisfaction with both the comfort and quality of sleep. Despite some minor comments on the softness or firmness of mattresses, the general consensus emphasizes a good night's sleep as a common experience at The Cardinals Hat.
Overall, The Cardinals Hat stands out as a highly recommended choice for a memorable stay in Worcester, offering a unique blend of historical charm, modern comfort, excellent location and exceptional service. Show more
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Categories
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
This inn provides complimentary Wi-Fi. This allows guests to stay connected during their visit.
Small Inn
This inn offers a unique experience with its historic building and central location. It provides a blend of traditional charm and modern convenience.
Inn near Nightlife Spots
Inn for Adults Only
Room Types
Standard Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a hairdryer. This double room has a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a hairdryer. This double room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Worcester, The Cardinals Hat boasts an ideal location that makes it perfect for a city break. Guests repeatedly commend its superb central positioning, which allows easy exploration of the city's heritage sites and landmarks. Close to the station, cricket ground and horse racing track, visitors find it convenient for various leisure activities.
The hotel's positioning is particularly praised for its proximity to numerous shops, restaurants and bars, making it a fantastic spot for a night on the town. It lies within a five-minute walk of most essential destinations, including the Cathedral, Royal Worcester Museum and an NCP car park located just opposite. Despite its centrality, the hotel maintains a quiet ambiance at night, offering guests a peaceful retreat.
Several reviewers appreciate the excellent breakfast offerings and friendly staff, enhancing their stay. The historic pub setting adds to the charm, providing a cosy and welcoming atmosphere that guests adore. Whether visiting for business or leisure, The Cardinals Hat's location and character make it a highly recommended choice for a memorable stay in Worcester.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Cardinals Hat has received a mix of reviews with a significant number highlighting positive aspects. Many guests appreciated the uniqueness and convenience of the breakfast baskets delivered to their rooms, often described as a lovely touch or even outstanding. The Continental breakfast was frequently mentioned as satisfactory and meeting expectations with some guests noting its excellent quality.
Several guests opted for the cooked breakfast, which, for an additional £5, was often praised for its quality ingredients and freshly cooked dishes. The full English breakfast, in particular, was noted for being delicious, hot and very filling. Additionally, the presentation of the breakfast in picnic baskets left outside the doors was seen as both cute and memorable.
However, not all feedback was positive. A few guests found the breakfast to be simple or disappointing with some criticisms about items not being topped up, slow service or specific issues like watery poached eggs. Despite these occasional disappointments, the general consensus leans towards the breakfast being a well-regarded part of the stay, complemented by friendly staff and thoughtful presentation.
Dinner
Guests of The Cardinals Hat have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about their dining experiences at the hotel. The highlight of their reviews consistently points to the exceptional quality of the pub fare, particularly the pies and mash. Many guests described the pies, such as steak and ale, steak and Stilton and various other options, as excellent. Accompanying sides such as mustard mash and cheese-infused mashed potatoes also received high praise. Reviewers frequently emphasized the overall excellence of the food, noting it as one of the finest meals they've had. The presence of excellent beer further complemented their dining experiences. While the main dinner menu was considered limited by some, the quality of what was available seemingly compensated for this. Guests also appreciated having breakfast hampers delivered to their rooms. Despite a few minor criticisms, such as a musty smell in the foyer, the general consensus highlights the memorable and delicious dining options at The Cardinals Hat.
Rooms
The rooms at The Cardinals Hat demonstrate a delightful blend of historical charm and modern comfort. Guests consistently praise the spacious, clean accommodations, which are individually styled and characterful. Beds receive high marks for comfort with many highlighting the cozy atmosphere and well-appointed amenities. The historic nature of the building adds to the allure, offering quirky decor and authentic features that make each room unique.
However, the age of the inn occasionally affects its practicality with some rooms described as being small, warm or having minor maintenance issues. Despite these quirks, the overall experience remains positive, largely due to the welcoming staff and the prime location in Worcester.
Rooms vary in size but are frequently described as clean, warm and comfortable, though some guests noted that certain spaces could benefit from updates. A standout feature mentioned is the luxurious decor in several rooms with some offering standout amenities like freestanding baths and four-poster beds. The charming environment and attentive service contribute to the inn's historic yet comfortable appeal, making it a recommended stay for visitors seeking a unique and pleasant lodging experience.
Beds
At 'The Cardinals Hat,' guests frequently commend the beds for their comfort. Many reviews highlight that the beds are very comfy with some guests even finding them amazingly comfortable. There's a recurring theme of satisfaction regarding the beds, making it evident that a restful night's sleep is a common experience.
Some feedback notes that the beds were a bit tricky to get in and out of, which might be attributed to the inn's historical nature. A few reviews mentioned that the mattresses were on the softer side or a bit hard, but these did not generally prevent a good night's sleep. Overall, the positive remarks about the beds far outweigh the minor inconveniences.
Guests also appreciated the charming touches such as the wicker picnic boxes filled with breakfast essentials, which added to the delightful stay. The rooms, filled with character and featuring modern comforts like powerful showers, further enhanced the overall experience.
Cleanliness
The Cardinals Hat receives generally positive reviews regarding its cleanliness with numerous guests highlighting the spotless and clean conditions of both the rooms and bathrooms. Many guests mention that their accommodations were extremely clean with modern and charismatic bathrooms that contributed to a pleasant stay. The quality of the facilities also impresses with high-quality bedding and well-maintained furnishings complementing the clean atmosphere.
However, some areas could benefit from additional attention. A few guests noticed that the cleaning in certain parts of the room, like the bathroom shelves, could be improved. A couple of comments also pointed out that the rooms could use a little refurbishment to truly stand out.
Despite occasional mentions of room temperature issues and minor inconveniences like a non-functional fridge, most guests appreciate the overall cleanliness and comfort provided. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the staying experience, ensuring that any minor cleanliness concerns were not overly detrimental to guests' enjoyment. Overall, The Cardinals Hat maintains a commendable standard of cleanliness that satisfies the majority of its guests.
Staff
The Cardinals Hat hotel received numerous accolades for its exceptional staff. Guests frequently praised the team's friendliness, attentiveness and welcoming nature. The environment was marked by a welcoming atmosphere with specific mentions of staff members like Tom and Luke who went above and beyond to make guests feel at home. The staff's accommodating approach was highlighted, particularly in instances such as providing early breakfasts or flexible check-ins for wedding attendees. Many noted that nothing was too much trouble for the staff, who were described as polite, efficient and eager to assist with any requests. The warm and hospitable nature of the staff contributed to a charming and enjoyable experience, reinforcing the hotel's inviting ambiance. Although there was a minor mention of amateurishness, the overall sentiment reflected high levels of customer satisfaction. The team's dedication to service remains a standout feature of this well-situated and quirky establishment.
No, The Cardinals Hat doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Cardinals Hat.
No, The Cardinals Hat doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Cardinals Hat.