Abbots Oak Manor

I was only here briefly while attending a conference, so I can’t really review the stay as a whole. What stayed with me was the homely feel and the warm welcome from the staff, especially Anthony. He’s done a great job turning this 1900s manor into a boutique hotel while preserving as much of its heritage as possible. It’s a peaceful spot in a scenic setting, away from the city bustle, and a nice place for anyone looking for some quiet and nature.

We stayed in the Bramble Suite, which felt like a distinctive modern renovation that still kept the character of the old place. There wasn’t a TV, which seemed odd at first, but after about ten minutes I stopped caring. The setting was enough. The next morning Antony offered us a proper tour after we told him how much we liked the hotel. He knew every detail, including how the original part was a chapel dating back to the 13th century, and it was fascinating to hear. You could see how proud he was, and rightly so. Antony and Sarah have restored the property with so much care and heart. I’ve stayed in hotels around the world, and I can’t remember a more welcoming, personal experience from the owners. The hotel is stunning if you’re into history. I’d absolutely come back.

We asked to speak with the owners a little before 9pm. They were watching TV in the guest lounge and appeared to be drunk. They didn’t put on masks or try to keep their distance when we arrived. They said there were no other rooms, blamed the cleaning on an outside company, didn’t offer to replace the stained towels, and showed no interest in sorting anything out. Their manner was quite aggressive. We moved to the Marriott in Leicester, which cost less than half as much. Since the hotel wasn’t as advertised, we asked for a refund, but they haven’t even replied to our emails, let alone returned any of the money. The building is pretty, but that’s all we liked. I can’t understand the positive reviews. The service and quality don’t come close to the price, and there are much better places nearby. My girlfriend and I had booked this as a romantic break at around £150 a night, expecting a premium hotel. It was so disappointing that, for the first time in my life, I found somewhere else to stay. We were put in room 2, which was small and had almost no furniture, just a bed and one chair. There was no TV, nowhere for clothes, and no bedside tables. The bathroom faced the bed with no door, the mirror light didn’t work, and barely any water came from the shower. The room hadn’t been properly cleaned. The toilet hadn’t been flushed and the towels were stained, especially concerning during Covid when enhanced cleaning was required. The restaurant was closed on the Thursday night we checked in, and nobody explained why. Soundproofing was advertised, but there was none at all. We could hear every word from both adjoining rooms and the foyer. Our first impression was poor too. The hotel is run by a couple; the wife had just finished a nursing shift and wore full protective gear, while her husband wore none.

We had a family Sunday lunch here. The meal was excellent, and everyone enjoyed every course. Staff were welcoming, helpful and really efficient. The room they’d set up for us was beautiful, and the surroundings were lovely. I’d happily recommend it.