Crazy Bear Hotel or similar? South east, boutique-esque...

[anonymous-user]

Hi guys,

Wondering if anyone has any experience of the Crazy Bear hotels, or something similar? The Mrs keeps heavily hinting about going there for an anniversary, but it's a fair drive from us, and I wonder if it's a bit too kitsch, too much fashion over function. I love the thought of roll-top baths at the end of the bed, and some of the crazier décor, but I think the novelty would fade after 5 minutes and you'd end up feeling like you were sleeping in an old fairground ride.

Or has anyone got any recommendations for a hotel in the south-east, something a bit different, for a night away in January? So would appreciate cosy but plush posh rooms, a nice restaurant with a GOOD wine list, maybe somewhere to go for a nice long cold walk. Say up to £300/night?

Type "boutique hotel" in to Google and it seems anything with a third pillow on the bed is classed as "boutique"... Frustrating! So, over to you? What gems have you all found?

TIA

[prand]

Try one of the Pigs, a few around the South

https://www.thepighotel.com/

Hotel Terravina is highly recommended - comes with good wine (set up by the Hotel Du Vin guy)
www.hotelterravina.co.uk/

[anonymous-user]

Thank you! Will check them out.

[Pickled]

Not stayed in the Crazy Bear, but have eaten a couple times, it is mostly style over substance and it is very dark in the restaurant/bar area, service in the restaurant was poor, group of 7 with 3 having to wait 40 minutes to receive their mains, so the other 4 had cold food by the time it turned up.

Although sat in the bar having a giraffes brown eye staring at you is certainly different!

[FrankAbagnale]

A new hotel has just opened called the Hurley House Hotel which thye've spent a fortune on and is near to Henley. Definately a higher end sort of establishment.

http://hurleyhouse.co.uk/

Also, more central is hotel du vin in Henley.

https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/henley-on-tha...

You're covered around there for nice hotels, good restaurants, country walks with lovely pubs en route full of Labradors and log fires.

[Big Pants]

Crazy Bear is ok, but my two picks would be The Artists' Residence in Brighton, and The Green House in Bournemouth. In both cases it's worth stumping up a little more for a larger room, and in both cases comfort and service were exemplary. Have fun.

[fossilfuelled]

Hop on the Eurostar and go to mama shelter in paris. Thank me later.

[schmalex]

Have a look at Limewood (http://www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/home/). As has been said previously, I wouldn't waste my money on a Crazy Bear when there are much better options

[prand]

FrankAbagnale said:

A new hotel has just opened called the Hurley House Hotel which thye've spent a fortune on and is near to Henley. Definately a higher end sort of establishment.

http://hurleyhouse.co.uk/

Ahh, wondered what was happening with the old Red Lion. They were completely rebuilding it when I last went by. Please it has survived because it's usually a block of flats or houses that appears when a pub gets knocked down.

Not sure about it being on the main road into Henley, and just off the roundabout heading to the A404 whether it gets a secluded, country feel to it (even tho there is tonnes of great countryside around).

Agree about the Henley Hotel du Vin though, we were lucky to be upgraded to one of their rooms with a seperate lounge and a bathtub on the roof, that was pretty special.

I'd recommend any of the Hotels Du Vin I've stayed in really, Brighton, Oxford too, but I wouldn't say they fall properly into the "boutique" class even thought they are quite special places to stay. e.g. They are a biggish chain, and I don't think the food is anywhere near as good as one of the Pigs.

Just remembered - Manoir au Quat' Saisons near Oxford you could class as boutique, as is the Waterside Inn in Bray, but these are more properly restaurants with rooms. Both would be great experiences though.

A bit further afield is the Bull in Bridport. Great place in the middle of an interesting town on the Jurassic coast, rooms were refurbished earlier this year. Has a secret cocktail bar out the back for guests and a very good breakfast.

[FrankAbagnale]

prand said:

FrankAbagnale said:

A new hotel has just opened called the Hurley House Hotel which thye've spent a fortune on and is near to Henley. Definately a higher end sort of establishment.

http://hurleyhouse.co.uk/

Agree about the Henley Hotel du Vin though, we were lucky to be upgraded to one of their rooms with a seperate lounge and a bathtub on the roof, that was pretty special.

Bathtubs on the roof/balcony are great rooms! I stayed in one over winter and it was quite refreshing bathing outside in a hot bath.

I think Hurley House does lose a bit of the country feel being by that road, but I couldn't believe the amount of money they've thrown at it. I'd be very surprised if it ever makes much of a profit!

[C0ffin D0dger]

I was browsing Groupon or Travelzoo, I can't remember which, when I saw a deal for one of those Crazy Bear hotels. Thought they looked cool but then looked on TripAdvisor, the reviews said it all, avoid!

I'll stick to Le Manoir

[Steve Campbell]

Not boutique, but in that price range and has an interesting history and in a lot of films....

http://www.stokepark.com

Worth taking a look anyway....& you could walk in Burnham Beeches just up the road aswell as the grounds.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all, some very useful options! I appreciate your time in replying.