Weekend break in TV&S general locality - I need ideas...

[kiwifraser]

I'm struggling to find somewhere for myself and Mrs Kiwi to go for a weekend at the end of February without the kids . Previously we have gone to big expensive spa hotels to escape our (and others) wee monsters but this time we are on a budget and only want to spend up to £100 a night on accommodation.

We are looking for a Pub or Restaurant with good food, and nice rooms for a chilled weekend. I can picture us already sitting in front of a open fire with good view out the window and respective Guinness/ wine in hand!

Location ideally in a reasonable sized town so we can venture out for a wander during the day and find another pub to have a drink. Typical SAS requirements

Most locations I have found so far are either miles from anywhere, or great but overbudget ( http://www.russellsofbroadway.co.uk ), or look good but get rubbish reviews for service ( http://www.thecrownamersham.com/home.php ).

We don't want to spend the weekend driving, so want to be less than 90 minutes from home (Gloucester/ Hampshire/ Dorset/ Bucks/ Berks/ Surrey/ West Sussex/ Oxfordshire).

An ideal solution would be something like this where we stayed a couple of years ago down in Cornwall...
http://www.theoldquayhouse.com/


My shout at the next SAS 'pub invasion session' for he/she who finds the right location.



Edited to correct the weblinks

Edited by kiwifraser on Thursday 21st January 23:41

[Lakelord]

Not been here for a while but always found it to be very nice.

http://www.crown-cushion.co.uk/default.htm

Chipping Norton is a lovely little market town with lots of places near by and some great roads too.
A quick check on Expedia suggests they are charging c.£60pn.

HTH.

[kiwifraser]

Colin - Photos look good. Have you stayed there, or just eaten?

£60, whats the catch?

[Vixpy1]

Denby's wine place?

[Lakelord]

kiwifraser said:

Colin - Photos look good. Have you stayed there, or just eaten?

£60, whats the catch?

Stayed there many times as my company used to use it for conferences etc (which is why I probably wouldn't want to stay there during the week) but weekends should be fine.
I suspect the quick quote I got on Expedia was room only so once you add meals in, it'll probably push the price up.
Another place to look is on http://www.laterooms.com/
You can search by location, star rating etc and I've found many good deals there if you are prepared to leave it until the last minute and take a chance

[j3ffers]

Would never pay full tariff that's listed, but if you dare leave it late you can see some great prices get offered for late deals. Have stayed at this one, but it has some sister hotels that look OK too. This one though is good for a pootle in new forest, Lymington or Beaulieu visit, etc.

http://www.themasterbuilders.co.uk/special-offers/...

[Oh Behave]

Thought about staying in Marlow? Stay at Danesfield House or Compleat Angler (should be able to get a deal under £100 per night), head to Cliveden house for the afternoon, over to Henley, loads of good places to eat, let me know if you need any more info....

[kiwifraser]

j3ffers said:

Would never pay full tariff that's listed, but if you dare leave it late you can see some great prices get offered for late deals. Have stayed at this one, but it has some sister hotels that look OK too. This one though is good for a pootle in new forest, Lymington or Beaulieu visit, etc.

http://www.themasterbuilders.co.uk/special-offers/...

This looks great - and exactly what we are looking for thank you!!!! We have stayed in a sister hotel (The Bath Arms) a couple of times and it was brilliant. Off to hunt for offers for all of their hotels, but may just take a chance on a late deal if we can't find any.

[j3ffers]

Just watch out for half term dates- you may have to leave it until the last w/e of Feb to avoid them, i.e. Sat 27th

[kiwifraser]

j3ffers said:

Just watch out for half term dates- you may have to leave it until the last w/e of Feb to avoid them, i.e. Sat 27th

Cheers. We were thinking the nights of 26/27 anyway

[Sods Law]

http://www.malmaison-oxford.com/
http://gouk.about.com/od/hotelsandaccommodations/g...
http://www.malmaison.com/promotions/weekends-unwra...

lunch
http://ashmoleandiningroom.com/index
Great view over the city and good food

Afternoon drink's

Oxford Retreat
Head of the River

Pre dinner Drinks
Duke of Cambridge (almost next to dinner)
http://www.dukebar.com/

Dinner
http://www.tapasoxford.co.uk/
Good food great drinks, and the Flamenco dancer is hot and skilled

After dinner cocktail
http://www.raoulsbar.co.uk/splash.htm

then go to the visitors lounge at Malaison for Pre bedtime Drinks ;-

Other hotels food and drink locations
http://www.oldbank-hotel.co.uk/
http://www.gees-restaurant.co.uk/

Hope that helps

Dave

[Don]

An odd choice I'm going to do with the Mrs. You might fancy it.

http://www.jackrussellinn.co.uk/

Yes it's miles from anywhere. I haven't stayed but I've eaten there many times and it's good.

The reason to visit/stay is to go walking in the "Hampshire Highlands". The area is very hilly and scenic. Another reason would be if you were booked into a shoot on the Faccombe estate but that's something else entirely.

If you'd enjoy a relatively inexpensive weekend with boots on and good beer and food it could be a choice. If you're not into the walking/countryside there would be absolutely nothing to do, though.

[zhead]

Reliable site to find the hotel:

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/

then go find a deal on laterooms or similar

Locally, the Miller of Mansfield is quite good for a nights break on a reasonable budget.

I've used the Elephant in Pangbourne as well which has some great rooms.

Both of these it's always worth making a booking and then calling to ask about what room options there are - with this sort of boutique hotel, they can vary in what they offer, etc.

How far are you thinking of travelling? There's some great boutique places on the coast I've stayed at if that's a possibility. Alternatively, give me a call if you have my number and we'll talk about an option in the Crazy Bear at Stadhampton.

Edited by zhead on Friday 22 January 11:32

[Total loss]

If you like sea food , just a couple of miles from J13 M4
http://www.crabatchieveley.com/
Lovely theamed rooms & anything off the extencive menu make their packages very good value for money.

Edited by Total loss on Friday 22 January 12:22

[kiwifraser]

zhead said:

Reliable site to find the hotel:

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/

then go find a deal on laterooms or similar

Locally, the Miller of Mansfield is quite good for a nights break on a reasonable budget.

I've used the Elephant in Pangbourne as well which has some great rooms.

Both of these it's always worth making a booking and then calling to ask about what room options there are - with this sort of boutique hotel, they can vary in what they offer, etc.

How far are you thinking of travelling? There's some great boutique places on the coast I've stayed at if that's a possibility. Alternatively, give me a call if you have my number and we'll talk about an option in the Crazy Bear at Stadhampton.

And here arrives the SAS master of Nice Pubs and Alcohol Consumption

We have the Mr and Mrs Smith book on our coffee table, which is how we decided to take a weekend break locally instead of heading out to the likes or Marrakech, or booking a night at Babington, etc.

We have been to the Elephant and given that the Thumbs up. It is a sister hotel to the Master Builders mentioned earlier and Bath Arms. MB looks to be a winner if we can manage not to pay rack rate.

Millers goes on the short list too

Old/ rubbish interior decor is the biggest hurdle for Vicki - all of these pass with flying colours

Heading down the coast would be great if you have a few Neil approved romantic/ dirty weekend ideas

I have changed phones for the umpteenth time, and not got your number in this one. I'll check because I'm sure it's somewhere.

Have been to Crazy Bear, and question £250+ a night as value... unless you are a member



EDITED: Miller of Mansfield is fully booked for Saturday 27th

Edited by kiwifraser on Friday 22 January 15:17

[kiwifraser]

Total loss said:

If you like sea food , just a couple of miles from J13 M4
http://www.crabatchieveley.com/
Lovely theamed rooms & anything off the extencive menu make their packages very good value for money.

Edited by Total loss on Friday 22 January 12:22

It's very close to where we lived before Ascot, and everyone raved about it... but sadly seafood just isn't for me

[MrChips]

Doesn't quite match being walking distance to anywhere but i've stayed here before and can thoroughly recommend it for a nice relaxing evening with great food/service: www.royaloaklavant.co.uk

Plus its a great drive down there and you're near enough the coast to pop down for the day

edited to add: It's near Goodwood BTW!

Edited by MrChips on Friday 22 January 15:30

[Don]

MrChips said:

Doesn't quite match being walking distance to anywhere but i've stayed here before and can thoroughly recommend it for a nice relaxing evening with great food/service: www.royaloaklavant.co.uk

Plus its a great drive down there and you're near enough the coast to pop down for the day

edited to add: It's near Goodwood BTW!

We ate there after doing a Skid Pan morning at Goodwood. Kept the business card ever since - I really fancy staying! The food was great.

[zhead]

kiwifraser said:

zhead said:

Reliable site to find the hotel:

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/

then go find a deal on laterooms or similar

Locally, the Miller of Mansfield is quite good for a nights break on a reasonable budget.

I've used the Elephant in Pangbourne as well which has some great rooms.

Both of these it's always worth making a booking and then calling to ask about what room options there are - with this sort of boutique hotel, they can vary in what they offer, etc.

How far are you thinking of travelling? There's some great boutique places on the coast I've stayed at if that's a possibility. Alternatively, give me a call if you have my number and we'll talk about an option in the Crazy Bear at Stadhampton.

And here arrives the SAS master of Nice Pubs and Alcohol Consumption

We have the Mr and Mrs Smith book on our coffee table, which is how we decided to take a weekend break locally instead of heading out to the likes or Marrakech, or booking a night at Babington, etc.

We have been to the Elephant and given that the Thumbs up. It is a sister hotel to the Master Builders mentioned earlier and Bath Arms. MB looks to be a winner if we can manage not to pay rack rate.

Millers goes on the short list too

Old/ rubbish interior decor is the biggest hurdle for Vicki - all of these pass with flying colours

Heading down the coast would be great if you have a few Neil approved romantic/ dirty weekend ideas

I have changed phones for the umpteenth time, and not got your number in this one. I'll check because I'm sure it's somewhere.

Have been to Crazy Bear, and question £250+ a night as value... unless you are a member



EDITED: Miller of Mansfield is fully booked for Saturday 27th

Edited by kiwifraser on Friday 22 January 15:17

You're too kind my good sir

Seaside:
Drakes in Brighton is top notch.
Alexandra Hotel in Lyme Regis also good but quite secluded and a fair drive.
Hotel Terravina in the New Forest also a thumbs up. Stanwell House in the same area also really good VFM. I have family near the New Forest and love the area.

Local:
The Inn on the Green in Cookham Dean also good - get the four poster room, awesome shower. They're usually open to negotiate on price and the restaurant is fairly good.
Hotel du Vin in Henley also good (and near the tapas place we all enjoyed) but pricey unless you can find a deal - they have a duplex with a bath on the balcony overlooking the Thames. I can't remember the name but I think it was named after a champagne.
Have also heard good things about the Olde Bell in Hurley as well but not stayed there myself.

Indeed a member of Crazy Bear and some good deals at the moment - ill drop you a line. Rooms 10 and 3 in Beaconsfield is just silly fun but even with member discount, a little above budget.

[Mrs Topsparks]

Camping in my back garden FOC!,includes use of toys and you can even enjoy the new sport of pike shooting in the neighbours lake!