Red Lion Hotel

The garden room and breakfast were beautiful, and the hotel felt classy with a little bit of luxury. Me, Sam and my husband Wendell stayed to celebrate our 38th anniversary and catch up with family who live locally. Lou Lou made us feel so happy with our choice, from the moment we arrived, including the luxurious toilet, check-in, and having a drink and chat with her. She was exceptional. It’s a lovely find, and we can’t wait to return. Thank you, Lou Lou, your quaint hotel feels like an extension of you.

It’s a nice, quiet place with lovely views and a good room, and I liked having my own space. The room was mostly spotless, the linen smelled fresh, and the bed was comfy, though there was some dust and dirt built up on things like the soap dispensers and behind the toilet. Having a private entrance was nice, since I could come and go freely. I did feel a bit like I was in someone’s back garden, though that could be because I arrived when it was dark and didn’t spend much time there. You can hear the neighbours quite clearly. The person next door wasn’t especially loud, but it felt as if they were in the same room. Check-in has a short three-hour window. I was delayed, but managed to reach one of the numbers and someone let me in.

The food was delicious, and they kept offering us more sandwiches and refills on our drinks. I was impressed as soon as I walked in: we got such a fabulous, friendly greeting, like they’d known us for years, and the service stayed brilliant throughout. The space was beautifully decorated and had a fun, friendly atmosphere. We had a lovely afternoon tea, and I can’t recommend it enough. Thanks for a lovely time.

We had a lovely one-night stay at Willowford. The hotel is beautiful and sits in a stunning spot, away from the hustle and bustle but still only about a 15-minute drive from Milton Keynes’s main shopping and activity area. Our host was welcoming and kept in touch before, during, and after the stay. I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Milton Keynes.