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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aaaargh! Help me find a hotel for this week PLEASE!

59 replies

ShinyMe · 23/10/2021 16:45

I know this isn't AIBU, so I know i'm being naughty!

My mother is a full time carer for my disabled dad and he has now gone into respite care (FINALLY!!) for a few days. It's the first respite she's had in 2 years.

We need somewhere to stay from Tuesday to Friday (has to be those dates) that's somewhere reasonably located between Buckinghamshire (where we'll be on Monday night) allowing us to drive to this place on Tuesday without taking hours, and then for her to drive home to north Wales on Friday. So we're talking not Scotland or the Lakes etc, more likely south, Cotswolds/New Forest type thing, unless there is somewhere brilliant that I can't think of. We do not want a city, and we do want a swimming pool. It's proving impossible to find!

Ideally, we'd like a country house type place, with a pool, that isn't a 5 hour drive out of the way, that has availability those dates. So far, I've been looking on last minute.com, Booking.com and secret escapes, and have nothing. There was one possible in Portsmouth, but it has no parking. One possible in the Cotswolds, but the pool is only open if you book a spa treatment. One possible in Kettering (hm...) but it's in a retail park on a dual carriageway.

There must be SOMETHING! Money no object now, I do not care. Some of the sites are really hard as you have to specify a location, which isn't helping when I just don't know!

I know it's half term in a pandemic and last minute, but circumstances meant we didn't know until yesterday that we would definitely be able to get away, so we weren't able to book anything before.

OP posts:
JSL52 · 23/10/2021 18:17

Whittlebury Hall ? Northamptonshire.

Madcats · 23/10/2021 18:24

If you can cope with "modern" I'll throw in Hilton St George's and Crowne Plaza in Marlow.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 23/10/2021 18:26

Ah, annoying re: Beaulieu. It looks like they have availability on all except the Thursday!

laloue · 23/10/2021 18:26

Another vote for the Kettering one here too!

ShinyMe · 23/10/2021 18:28

The Whittlebury one looks nice, but my mum is saying she'd prefer no golfers... So. Yes, we're fussy!

OP posts:
TerryWoganFanGirl · 23/10/2021 18:30

The Oxford Belfry has a nice pool. Near Thame for a nice wander out and Bicester if you like shopping. www.theoxfordbelfry.co.uk/health-club-spa/health-club/

Or in the New Forest this is nice, beautiful hotel and grounds, pool is quite small though www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/rhinefieldhouse

DilemmaDelilah · 23/10/2021 18:31

Tortworth court just north of Bristol is really nice. The standard rooms are fine but the luxury rooms are really nice. Very country house atmosphere, there is a spa and a pool. Last time we went good was fabulous but that was pre-covid. I'm hoping my husband books us a room there for my birthday......

SingleHandSue · 23/10/2021 18:34

Albrighton Hall Hotel Shrewsbury?

Zeebeededodah · 23/10/2021 18:39

Have you tried the De Vere in the Cotswold Water Park? Not country house, but nice location and has a pool?

Spodge · 23/10/2021 18:53

Calcot & Spa in Tetbury
Careys Manor in the New Forest

emlouwat · 23/10/2021 18:55

The Belfry

emlouwat · 23/10/2021 18:56

www.thebelfry.com/

Florabella · 23/10/2021 19:00

Elmer a Court is really lovely and nice grounds and great restaurant . I went for a girls weekend and we all loved it.

ShinyMe · 23/10/2021 19:01

@Zeebeededodah

Have you tried the De Vere in the Cotswold Water Park? Not country house, but nice location and has a pool?
That was on my list, and has availability, but their website says that their pool is only accessible with a spa treatment booking. I tried calling them on every number they have listed, and every one just rings out and then hangs up after 4 minutes, so I don't want to book that!

It's a shame, it looked fab, and the part of me that loves This Country was very excited that it was near Cerney Wick!

OP posts:
BurningBenches · 23/10/2021 19:01

We've been here a couple of times and it was lovely. We've also been to Chewton Glen which is amazing.

www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/the-welcombe-hotel-bw-premier-collection-84318

ShinyMe · 23/10/2021 19:02

Ok we've booked the ELmers Court one! Thank you everyone. My god, that was stressful. I've never done a holiday booking like that before, and I don't think I want to again.

OP posts:
Zeebeededodah · 23/10/2021 19:47

Well done! Have a fabulous time, sounds like your Mum thoroughly deserves it

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 23/10/2021 20:25

Kettering is a total and utter shithole. That hotel is fine if you don't plan to venture out for the whole of your stay.

disconnecteddrifter · 23/10/2021 20:26

We're in mecure Bournemouth pool without restrictions - try that?

twilightcafe · 23/10/2021 23:50

Yay! Have a fabulous time! Xx

SinoohXaenaHide · 23/10/2021 23:55

Well done! Have a great time.

I came on the thread to say hold your nerve and look again really last minute on Monday, or even Tuesday morning. There will definitely be last-minute cancellations due to positive covid tests, somewhere.

Hatsuma · 23/10/2021 23:57

Does it need to be a hotel? I manage an amazing Airbnb that ticks all your boxes and has availability but it’s self catering.

Hatsuma · 23/10/2021 23:58

Oh just seen you’ve already booked, should have RTFT there Grin