The Runnymede on Thames

The Thames setting was lovely, though the week we visited brought heavy rain and a very high river. I’d book a river view and double check that’s the room type confirmed. Inside, our room was warm, roomy, clean, and had a comfortable bed, but parts of the hotel could use an update. The spa didn’t feel very restful with maintenance noise going on. The changing room door banged loudly and the sauna door wouldn’t close properly because its magnet was missing. The staff and buffet food were a real highlight. Hot dishes at the Brasserie arrived cool, though, and the evening entertainment wasn’t our thing. We were out during the day, and I imagine the hotel is lovely in summer.

We booked a deluxe room for two nights for our wedding anniversary. The room itself was lovely, but the window looked straight onto the pool roof, with noisy extraction fans outside, so we couldn’t open it. Finding a seat in the reception lounge or on the terrace was difficult too, as both felt too small for the number of guests. Meals were a bigger disappointment. Market Kitchen was cramped, with tables so close together that getting to and from the buffet was awkward. The food selection was limited and much of it repeated daily. On our last morning I found a long black hair between my bacon rashers. The supervisor took it to the kitchen, then came back to say it must have come from a resident. We also saw flies on the smoked salmon, so we left. We’ve had better meals at an M&S cafe. We’d enjoyed five star stays at Heythrop and Studley before, but this expensive stay was a mistake. If it had been our first Warners visit, it would have been our last. Never again.

The food was delicious and plentiful at both Market Garden and Bistro 32, and the other public spaces were nicely appointed, though most of the chairs sat very low. We chose a deluxe room overlooking the river, with a juliet balcony, and were glad we did. It was very spacious, with an extremely comfortable bed, and looked out over the Bell Weir Lock. The one thing I wasn’t keen on was the frosted glass covering half the bathroom wall.

The grounds felt peaceful, with plenty of greenery and birdsong, and there are walks nearby as well as boat rides on the River Thames. There’s outdoor seating at the front and back. The hotel has a pool, jacuzzi, gym and spa treatments, plus live entertainment. It doesn’t cater for children, and most guests we saw were mature couples. Rooms come with either two singles or a double, with no family or triple option. Breakfast was fresh and lovely, with fruit and a smoothie. Drinks at the cafe/bar were nice and reasonably priced.