Hallmark Hotel Flitwick Manor

Manor Park is a lovely place for a peaceful walk of about an hour, or less, and the pinetum is especially nice. In February, though, it was muddy and boggy, so bring wellies. The hotel has charm, but it needs updating, and we wouldn’t return after this stay. Our room, number 12, was called superior, but that didn’t feel justified. The double bed seemed small, and I’d expect a king in a superior room these days. We were up in the roof, reached by a very narrow, winding staircase, with an anteroom that might once have been a maid’s room. It had character, but the bathroom had torn wallpaper, grout that needed attention and a small window that needed replacing. The shower was cold but usable, while the hot water only trickled, making it take ages to rinse off the soap. It was okay for one night.

We had afternoon tea for our ‘Not a Wedding’ celebration and loved the decor, which made a fabulous backdrop for photos. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and the staff were attentive without hovering. There was a lovely spread of fresh sandwiches, cakes and scones, with tea and prosecco. Thank you!

I paid £250 for two rooms for one night, and I’d expect much better facilities for that. I can’t honestly recommend staying here. In our room, two, the fancy coffee machine was out of order, though thankfully there was a kettle. One bedside light didn’t work because its socket was dead. The toilet seat seemed to float completely, so using it was a balancing act, and the bath was so high that I had to help my wife get in and out. Our friends in room one had another problem: the ceiling sloped so low over the bath that they couldn’t stand to shower, and had to squat and splash instead. The next morning I mentioned these issues to the young woman at reception. She put down her personal phone and said she’d make a note of them.

What a lovely hotel! There was no A/C or fan in the room, which was a bit rough in the current heat. Still, I’d highly recommend it and would gladly come back.