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.

www.sunbornhotels.com/london/

Sunborn London? A quick look on their website suggests that 2 nights is within your budget.

DH stayed on the one in Gibraltar and said it was fantastic.

Maybe I’m fussy (I am fussy) but IME a really good hotel, so that it’s a positive pleasure to be there, is more like £500/night in London and much of the SE.

Nice Cotswold hotel

calcot.co

Another Cotswold option very highly rated

www.whatleymanor.com

Yeah, but seriously - who pays that for a night in a glorified shed?

And don’t get me started on the local treehouses.

https://www.thepighotel.com/
ive heard good things about this chain. Haven’t stayed in one myself but think they look nice

@cocksstrideintheevening Taj hotels are pretty good consistently.

I've stayed in a couple of nice Hilton Double Tree hotels (not the bog standard Hilton though). I'd check the reviews. I'd also look for non-chain hotels. Another thing is, is there any chance you could stay on the Sunday night rather than Friday/Saturday as they are usually much cheaper so you could stay somewhere more upmarket for the same price.

Foxhills is very nice and not ridiculously expensive. Lovely grounds and a spa. They do lots of deals. Also, Sopwell house is lovely.

Oh and Luton Hoo. I haven't stayed there but the spa is lovely, so I'd imagine the hotel is nice too but check reviews.

https://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-bloomsbury-hotel?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=hotel-thebloomsbury

The Bloomsbury in London looks in your budget. I’ve stayed there before and it was lovely

I think you need to adjust your expectations op. £500 a weekend (£250 a night) won't buy nights in luxury hotels these days. It will get you a couple of nights in a perfectly decent midrange hotel. When you say you want luxury what are you're expectations?

You need to research on trip advisor

Hotel du vin in Bristol I would not recommend!
it’s dark posh and unfriendly! X

Fleming's in London is lovely... round the corner from the Dorchester but much nicer service, but I went off them after they added on a random service charge when it's expensive enough. The hotel du vin by the old charterhouse in London is also great though very industrial chic as many of this chain are. Out of London we liked the good wood hotel which lets you wander around the estate and has a good restaurant. I know you wanted South east ideally but Bath is a great getaway place and easy by train from London which is very relaxing. The Francis hotel there is fabulous and really luxury but not too pricey at all. It's a small chain though and they have another in Windsor (Sutton hotels) which if it's similar might fit the bill for you?

It's so disappointing when you book somewhere and then it's not what you expect, OP.

I love the Conrad chain (part of the Hilton group) but not sure you'd get two nights for £500 unless they had an offer on.

FS Hampshire

Alexander house and south lodge both in Sussex countryside are amazing

The George in Rye

Bedrooms | The George Hotel In Rye (thegeorgeinrye.com)

@wellstopdoingitthen

Try www.secretescapes.com

They are frequently doing “flash sales” in top quality hotels at your price point (UK and overseas)

If you fancy central London, the Hilton Bankside is really lovely, with large rooms and a classic turn-down service with slippers left next to the bed etc, which makes it feel a little bit more special. Fantastic staff, great breakfast. I couldn't fault the two nights we spent there.

We love the Inhabit hotel in Paddington, such wonderful staff and spotlessly clean

Highly recommend Handpicked Hotels chain. Had some lovely stays at various hotels in the chain.

The new forest one is gorgeous!

The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Not stayed there myself but PILs did for their 50th Wedding Anniversary and had an amazing time. They were made to feel very special by the staff when they realised it was a special anniversary.