Disappointed after special hotel stay didn't live up to expectations-where should I have booked?

[wellstopdoingitthen]

Just looking for recommendations on good reliable hotel chains. I want to book something for my husband's big birthday later this year and after our latest disaster I don't trust the websites. Obviously I can't visit each hotel but hopefully some chains are more consistent than others. South East/London area. Just hoping for other people's experiences.

What’s the budget?

Yes budget would be useful to know.

also what sort of hotel stay are you wanting? Some chains are great for comfortable bases with a nice bed and shower whilst you explore a city, but they wouldn’t be places I’d want to spend a lot of time in the room and there aren’t many facilities elsewhere in the hotel

My DH has stayed at Great Fosters near Windsor for work and raves about it. Not a chain hotel though, and not cheap.

Well, first of all, don't book a chain! They are perfectly functional, fine for work etc but really not at all special, even the so-called high end ones. Decide on an area where you would like to go, and then do some research on independent hotels in that location.

Mr&MrsSmith website has lots of fancy hotels for couples

Budget?

don't book a chain!

My favourite UK hotel Devon's Unique Island Hotel By The Sea | Burgh Island

Have a look at the Crazy Bear hotels. The one in Stadhampton used to be great but I haven't been there in a while. I think there are a couple of others too now.

We’ve had good experiences of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotels.

Sorry I should have said, about £500 for weekend b&b.

In what way didn’t it live up to expectation? That might help pinpoint a new place!

look at The Grove in Hertfordshire but it might be over your budget

I've been looking for somewhere for my mums birthday! This is right up her street - thank you for the out of the box recommendation x

Sorry I should have said, about £500 for weekend b&b.

I wouldn't stay there! Tiny rooms and very odd service, food isn't amazing either.

Where did you stay and what exactly didn't you like about it?

Good 5 star hotels are £££.

Could you get to Buxton? Highly recommend the crescent spa - we had the second cheapest category room and it was amazing. Don't book dinner though, go to the French restaurant around the corner, brilliant little bistro, there's several other great restaurants within 5 mins walk too.

We paid £440 for 2 nights b&b

Where do you want to go? I would generally recommend an independent hotel or perhaps a small chain.

Of the national chains, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison are generally nice. Some of the De Vere Hotels are nice, usually the country ones are nicer than their ‘exec’ ones. I’ve liked the Melia hotels I’ve stayed in. MotelOne are really good value for money, but not particularly special. Hilton and Sofitel are usually fine and I’ve found the standards are usually similar across their hotels. Some of the Radisson hotels are much nicer than others. I’ve found Mercure, Macdonald, and Doubletree to be disappointing for their price points.

The Park Plaza in Waterloo is nice, not sure about the one at Westminster. Although don't do what I did and arrive so pissed that you can't work out how to use the ipad to draw the blinds/curtains!! 🤣 Also the H2O in Waterloo.

Agree with Malmaison and Hotel du Vin being good solid chains. Malmaison Oxford in the old prison is a wow IMO.

Love the Cotswolds ~ Lower Slaughter Manor, Lords of the Manor, or how about a Hilly Hut on the Fish estate. Also recommend Luton Hoo, but my biggest wow was Clivedon. Not sure you’d get two nights for £500 though in some of these places.

In the end it surely depends on how far you’re prepared to travel and whether you want city, country or spa? Maybe start with a location and work out from there?

The area will have a big impact on price. In tourist/weekend break hots spots, £500 for a weekend's B&B should get nice, but it won't get special IME.

I find Trip Advisor reviews pretty reliable and always check that before booking.

Not sure why people are posting hotels miles from London. The OP clearly states in her post that she is looking for South East London.

She says South East/London - I take that as two separate places.

What was wrong with the recent stay?

The Marriott is consistently good worldwide. I've stayed in them in three continents, you just can't go wrong with a Marriott.

I always thought that... Until I stayed in the hell hole that is the Marriott in Bristol. Filthy place.

Marriott Hanbury Manor in Herts is awful too

Sea Containers and Corinthia are excellent in central London

I don't think £500 will go far in London, so I wouldn't go there unless there's a specific reason.