Saracens Head Towcester by Greene King Inns

We booked for 4:15 on Sunday afternoon, despite plenty of availability through the day. After arriving, we ordered drinks at the bar and sat at our table. About ten minutes later, when the server came to take our food order, we were told they had only one turkey left and no beef because they’d been very busy and sold out. That was really annoying, especially since all the tables still had Sunday menus out, which are mostly focused on roasts. We left and found somewhere local that could manage its restaurant properly.

The breakfast was excellent, freshly cooked to order and much better than the usual buffet. Staff were helpful throughout, and despite a few snags, the event went well. I organised a work event at the venue: a board meeting for seven, 14 overnight room bookings, and a private dinner for 19. Email communication, especially with Kerry, was excellent and made planning easier. Reaching the venue by phone was difficult because calls went through the Greene King switchboard, which couldn’t put me back through to the site. Email proved the most reliable way to get in touch. Check-in went smoothly, and staff offered to help with luggage, which I appreciated since there’s no lift. My room was clean and comfortable, though very warm when I arrived. Some colleagues found the cleaning product smell in their rooms a bit overpowering, and noise travelled between rooms, probably because the building is old. A plug socket by the bed would have been handy for charging my phone. We enjoyed the afternoon sandwiches and coffees. The meeting room worked well, and when we had trouble setting up the TV, reception staff came to help quickly. They didn’t rush us out when the meeting ran over. Dinner in the private dining room was lovely with plenty of options, though we had to chase a couple of dishes and one dessert never arrived. The biggest disappointment was that the bar closed by 11pm even though we were staying at the hotel. Our team rarely gets together, and we’d hoped to stay later, as we have at other hotels. It cut the evening short. Knowing the closing time when we booked might have given us the chance to arrange overtime for the bar staff.

For my 80th birthday, I booked the private dining room for friends and family. Denika liaised with the chef to put together a suitable formal menu, and we were allowed to adjust it to suit everyone. The food was excellent, and everyone said they’d enjoyed the evening. Our own waiters and waitresses did a great job, and everyone involved at the Saracens Head helped make it a very memorable occasion. Thank you.

The acoustic duo kicked off later, and the place had a really nice atmosphere. We only stopped in Towcester for the night, but had such a good evening at the Saracen's Head. Caitlin, Lisa and Dave were friendly and attentive, and made us feel welcome. The food was tasty and fairly priced. We’ll come back next time we’re nearby.