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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

PLEASE recommend me a REALLY nice country hotel for a dh & me weekend

24 replies

clumsymum · 11/03/2009 21:16

My sis is volunteering to have ds for the weekend of 4th 5th April, as we have had a hard couple of months work-wise, & dh just lost his father, and we deserve a break.

So can anyone point us to a nice quiet country hotel, with really good food & decent service.

Ideally within about an hour's drive of Ross-on-Wye, as that's where we'll be dropping DS off.

Thanks in anticipation.

OP posts:
Original poster
clumsymum · 11/03/2009 23:05

bump?

OP posts:
Molesworth · 11/03/2009 23:06

If it's money no object, how about Raymond Blanc's place (Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons or worrever it's called)?

That's somewhere around Oxford and I don't know how near/far that is from Ross-on-Wye

diedandgonetodevon · 11/03/2009 23:17

It's more than an hour from Ross but Combe House in Gittisham is lovely. Would definitely recommend the Linen Suite (has a HUGE round copper bath you can nearly swim in!)and the food is fantastic

See here

LadyG · 11/03/2009 23:54

Can't give personal rec and more like 2 hrs frm Ross on Wye but there was an Observer travel thing about a beautiful place called the Grove in Narberth Pembrokeshire- sounded wonderful and we have booked one of the self catering cottages in the grounds for a week in June- website is
www.thegrove-narberth.co.uk

Enjoy!!!!

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 09:22

Oh Molesworth I'd love the Manoir (been wanting to go for years), but it's a bit too pricey I'm afraid. As ds has an 'insect day' on Friday 3rd, we thought we'd go off on Friday and have 2 nights, which would be over £1000 at the Manoir (if you include drinking anything other than tap water). We're aiming to spoil ourselves, but that's a bit .

One Day ......

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Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 09:23

I'm checking out the other suggestions, Thanks.

Any more??

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stealthsquiggle · 12/03/2009 09:26

Ahh - I was about to say 'go to the Manoir' - but you're not wrong about the cost.

How about this place (should be within an hour of Ross on Wye)

Othersideofthechannel · 12/03/2009 09:29

We went to a lovely hotel in Tetbury, Glos, about 8 yrs ago.

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 09:35

combe house looks absolutely lovely, but it's a bit far. Problem is we have 2 hr drive just to get to my sister's, so didn't want to go too much further.

I sound picky & ungrateful now, don't I?

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stealthsquiggle · 12/03/2009 09:45

Google reckons 46 miles/ 58 minutes from Ross to the one I linked to

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 09:50

Yes Stealth, that looks nice, and I seem to remember looking at it a few weeks ago when I was considering a weekend for all 3 of us.

I might take a look at their other hotels too, the ones without kids clubs.

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Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 09:55

I fancy Lower Slaughter Manor.

Do you reckon there's any chance of negotiation on the room rate?

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stealthsquiggle · 12/03/2009 10:01

That looks lovely. In the current environment I would say that everything is negotiable to some extent

HolidaysQueen · 12/03/2009 10:07

TRY NEGOTIATING!!! DH has done just that and got us a great deal for a lot less than it should have cost (although still rather eye-watering!)

We are going to Cliveden for our anniversary (first night away from DS who will be almost 1, so we are spoiling ourselves!)

Basically he phoned and told them it was our anniversary. They recommended their posher room, breakfast and dinner at £700 and he said that was way too much and that his budget was more like £500 including spa. They then offered a less fabulous room at £390. He then pushed back, and we now have the wonderful room, dinner, B&B and massages thrown in for about £500!

He also tried Stoke Park and The Grove, and both were willing to negotiate. We're going end March and the hotels seem empty. Clearly these big hotels are suffering, and while they won't drop the prices, they will give you more for the money if you do negotiate. DH said all 3 were clearly desperate for his business.

HolidaysQueen · 12/03/2009 10:08

Actually I think it came in at less than £500

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 10:11

HolidaysQueen, that's interesting, Cliveden is part of the same group I think.

I'll get a coffee, and gird my loins.....

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HolidaysQueen · 12/03/2009 10:15

I'm always too scared to negotiate but I think DH was either a bank trader or a carpet salesman in a souk in a previous life as he has no qualms about negotiating very hard. It always seems to work

HolidaysQueen · 12/03/2009 10:18

Other option if they have a choice of rooms is to ask if there is a possibility of an upgrade, pay for the cheaper room and then ask again when you arrive - they are so unbusy that they would probably upgrade you for free.

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 10:21

I don't suppose your dh would like to make the call for me ?????

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stealthsquiggle · 12/03/2009 10:24

BTW, if you end up back looking at The Elms - the kids club is at the other end of the garden so I don't think it would be too over-run with other people's DC (although it will be in the holidays for a lot of private schools so maybe it will be...) and it is in a gorgeous place.

missblythe · 12/03/2009 10:30

This place looks like heaven.

www.barnsleyhouse.com/flash.html

haven't been to the hotel, but stayed at the fab foodie pub in the village owned by the same people, and had a walk round the hotel gardens.

Original poster
clumsymum · 12/03/2009 10:49

Missblythe, I'm sure it's super, but seems expensive and I think the website is DIRE.

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LaundryFairy · 12/03/2009 10:53

What about Whatley Manor near Malmsbury? It is meant to be fantastic (always gets great reviews) and it is a proper adult getaway place as there is a no children under 12 rule. The website says rooms start at £290 per night - don't know if that's ok for your budget or not.

diedandgonetodevon · 12/03/2009 15:35

Lower Slaughter is lovely! (used to live nearby and had a work christmas party there so I know the food is fab but not stayed overnight)

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