Winchester Royal Hotel

The rooms were clean and nice, and it’s a good place for a weekend or longer. There’s no air conditioning, just fans, and we stayed on a very hot day when our room was stifling. I asked if we could move, and the lovely woman at reception found us a cooler room that didn’t face the sun. Thank you.

A quaint room with a nice garden view, and a very good breakfast served on hot plates, which I particularly appreciated. We had two good TVs, synced between the lounge and bedroom, plus a handy phone charging pad. Very nice hotel. I’d definitely stay again.

We had a lovely stay a few minutes’ walk from town. The staff were always friendly and available, and the room was warm and had everything we needed. Afternoon tea was splendid and excellent value, especially with a Groupon voucher. Our feature room was large and airy, but it didn’t match the marketing photos. I’m not sure what makes a room a feature room; perhaps they’re in the original building and have more authentic decor. We had no garden view, the bathroom was small, and there were some dubious blue plastic chandeliers. The WiFi wasn’t great, and there are no lifts. Rooms seem to vary, so ask for what you want and remember there are no lifts to the upper floors.

I was working during my stay and found the hotel calm and comfortable, with fast internet for work and online meetings. I brought my dog and was delighted to find a dog bed, water bowl and even a small treat waiting in the room. The staff were welcoming, friendly and very helpful. The old building and its long history are lovely, and it’s well maintained. The rooms were refreshed, spotless and equipped with what I needed. Winchester’s centre is right on the doorstep, and the train station is about a 7-8 minute walk away. There’s an open buffet breakfast in the morning, and for an extra charge the restaurant serves British and pub-style dishes. The garden restaurant area is especially pleasant. I’d happily stay again and it would be my first choice if I return to Winchester.