More about Barcelo Billesley Manor Hotel
Overpriced and Disappointing
by TripAdvisor Member marystow6
We stayed a Billesley Manor as part of a wedding party. Although the service and food we received at the wedding was very good, we were extremely disappointed with the accommodation we were given. Our room was actually in outbuildings so not part of the old manor. The room was small, dark and the fixtures and fittings were very basic for a 'so called' four star hotel. Infact I have stayed in Holiday Inn and Travellodge rooms which were of better standard. In addition to this there was the most dreadful drain type smell inside and outside the building - which actually made us feel nauseous. A coach party also started to depart at 6.30am - the coach had the engine running which woke us up - not very relaxing! I did report these things to the hotel and I am still waiting for the hotel manager to contact me. Overall I would say that this hotel trades on its location and name - but the standards are very low. I would advise you to steer clear.
Not as good as expected
by TripAdvisor Member MissHermione
My boyfriend and I wanted a romantic getaway weekend to relax, and when we found Billesley Manor, it seemed to have everything we were looking for.
But when we arrived the hotel had suffered a power cut, I only found this out because another hotel guest was enquirying what was going on, I suspect if that lady wasn't there the staff would have let us check in and go up to our room and wait until we couldn't switch on a light before informing us. We decided to be optimistic and hope power would be back on shortly. Since none of the facilities were usable, we opted to take a walk and then go into Stratford for a meal.
On return to the hotel at 11pm the hotel was still in utter darkness. We went to reception to find out what was going on - the poor receptionist was desperately trying to help guests but with no sign of a manager she was struggling to give advice to guests. We were told that we could "Go home if you like". Obviously the power cut wasn't the hotels fault but their attitude towards dealing with the situation left a lot to be desired. We were taken up to our room by torch light with no offer of a torch or candle for the room - so we had to ask (should have been obvious to offer some form of lighting you'd think). So we had 1 tea light between the two of us, and had to take it in turns to go into the bathroom with the candle as the other one sat in the room in complete darkness.
In the morning power had been restored. We opted for room service - as we suspected breakfast in the main hall would have been filled with angry guests (and who could blame them).
All facilities were running, and we had a swim and enjoyed the sauna and steam room.
The rest of our stay was acceptable but not exceptional, and when your paying £200 a night you'd expect something a little better.
Our room was ok - we had a executive suite, but the decor was shabby and didn't match, not very well thought out in my opinion and I was a little disappointed when I saw our room. I just dread to think what a standard double is like.
We had room service a couple of times and both times this was very nice. Good professional service and very nice food. But when we rang to have our dishes collected for an evening meal, we waited an hour but no one came to collect the plates so that sat in our room all night.
Overall the hotel was very disappointing. It had it's good moments but they were very fleeting. As a couple in our 20's we didn't feel very comfortable in our hotel, we did not feel welcome. And had to avoid eating meals at lunch and dinner at the hotel because there is a dress code (no jeans) which is not explained on the website or on any other reading material until you get to the restaurant. Luckily Stratford-Upon-Avon offers our great eating places.
We did get a discount on our first nigts stay but we did have to speak to the manager to get it. The discount did seem like a rather empty gesture, and a complementary bottle of wine or discount on another visit would have been a nicer touch.
I'm sure power cuts at hotels are quite rare but perhaps the hotel will consider its disaster proceedures to help keep guests better informed and to have provisions for such times. We did feel we weren't very well kept informed, and having worked in the service industry in the past I recognized that the front line staff were very poorly supported by their managers. Training in stressful situations should be implemented.
I would not recommend this hotel. They seem to have a lot to learn about making a customer feel valued.
Needs Attention - Disappointing
by A TripAdvisor Member
The best thing about the hotel was the spa and swimming pool but that's where it ends unfortunately.
The service in the restaurant was incredibly slow and the food really not worth the wait. The staff and kitchen just didn't seem to be able to cope with the number of people. The dining-room itself was lovely and has such potential if service is speedier and orders taken correctly. The emphasis seemed to be on the larger parties/reunions and the wedding receptions also going on in the hotel.
Our room, again, had such potential but was shabby, noisey and the bathroom smelt musty.We were staying with our 13 month old baby yet the hotel put us in a room directly above the 24 hour bar so we spent until 5am listening to the singing and shouting from the wedding reception below despite numerous calls to reception pleading for them to close the bar and let us all have some sleep. Admittedly we had asked for a room where our baby monitor would work in the restaurant but putting us in this particular room was just thoughtless. I am surprised that they have rooms above a 24 hour bar when there is clearly no sound proofing.
Facilites for infants were limited. The cafe does not serve food before 6 and initially refused to heat up baby food for us (for legal reasons apparently!)
We would not go back despite the hotel offering us a free weekend in compensation. Paramount(the new owners) have a bit of work to do if this is to be one of their "Prestige" hotels along with The Lygon Arms. We were left sleep deprived and disappointed.
Lovely setting, good room
by TripAdvisor Member Anon0
We stayed here for a friend's wedding in April '06 and were generally happy with the hotel. The hotel is set in lovely grounds and our room was spacious and comfortable (bigger than other 4-star hotels we have recently stayed in). At all times we found the staff to be very professional and accommodating (although on checking out a 'discretionary fee for the staff' of £6 was added to the bill so the excellent service obviously comes at a price!).
The food served at the wedding was well prepared and the breakfast buffet was also enjoyable with plenty of choice (fruits, cereals, cooked breakfast etc.) and efficient service.
On a less positive note we felt that the check in time was at least an hour or 2 too late (3pm) and the check out time too early (11am).
hospitality at its finest
by A TripAdvisor Member
from the moment we arrived the staff were cheerful and professional. The grounds were perfectly manicured and our adjoining family rooms were comfortable and well equipped.
Dinner was of a high standard worthy of 2 rosettes. Our children also gave it the thumbs up as nothing was to much trouble to keep them happy, including heating up the baby food.
A disgrace to my industry
by TripAdvisor Member Keith Makepeace
I recommend you to steer well clear.
Bedrooms are absurd - small stink of smoke, a mirror on one wall, a dressing table on another and guess what a plug on the other!
Food sounded great but was beyond the skill level of the kitchen seafood tortellini with a vanilla sauce sounded great but tasted like custard and a twice bake soufflé had the height of a pancake.
Waiting staff friendly but with no supporting management.
Management prefer to discount than actually address the solution.
Children unwelcome, when we went for a swim 10am, were told children our "restricted" - to 3 hours every day 2-5pm, a tad excessive particularly as the pool was empty.
A shame to invest in a beautiful building and then just assume because of its location there is no need to bother.
Basil would be proud of this one!
Lovely weekend retreat
by A TripAdvisor Member
I am amazed at the last review as it certainly doesn't match with the experience we had at this hotel last weekend nor with some of the previous reviews.
We stayed for two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast rate. We used the spa area and pool both of which were lovely and also had treatments which were superb. A note on the use of the pool by children - there are designated times but as a spa facility and a hotel predominantly adult clientelle I would limit use of the pool by children further, this is not a place for families if you want full access to a pool etc then perhaps a more family focused hotel would be better? This really isn't a family weekend away hotel.
The food was lovely - service on the Saturday night was a bit slow but not to the point of feeling we needed to complain. Breakfasts were excellent. We stayed in the main part of the hotel and the room was very spacious and clean. The grounds and buildings are beautiful and in the summer sitting out on ther terrace would be wonderful.
There was a wedding on but this didn't limit our access to any public parts of the Hotel and we heard no noise later on.
The location of the hotel is excellent for Stratford and is only 12 miles from Broadway in the Cotswolds. This is not a 5* hotel and does not offer the same standards as some of the other country boutique hotels now available but it's a lovely hotel for a romantic weekend away and I'd thoroughly recommend it - but leave the kids at home!
Great Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member hamhead
Although the weather was horrible, the hotel was excellent. The best asset was the staff always helpful and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. The pool was warm and clean. The bar was well stocked. The food in the bar and restaurant was excellent and we did not have to wait too long. We had two types of room, both were spacious and clean.
The only downside was on the Saturday night there was a wedding reception and the music went on until midnight and could be heard all over the hotel.
Lovely hotel
by TripAdvisor Member donnasmith100
After reading the reviews I was abit worried but I was very pleased with this hotel. The hotel was beautiful and set in Idyllic grounds. The staff couldn't do enough to help you and the food at the restaurant was of a very high standard. Definitely would go back, great place to go a chill out for the weekend.
very noisy and strange room
by TripAdvisor Member homeric
We arrived early, hoping to drop our bags and head into town. As soon as we arrived it was obvious that a large wedding was taking place. Reception then helpfully told us that our room would be next to the disco, so we asked to be moved. They obliged and put us in one of the converted barn outbuildings. This was in a room on the ground floor next to the front entrance of that building. The gravel drive outside and hardwood floors inside, as well as the very noisy door latch meant that we heard every coming and going during the night.
The room was very odd in that it had no wardrobe, just a hanging bar over the desk - not long enough to hang my wife's dress. There was no socket near a mirror for her to dry her hair, and although there were the usual little toiletry bottles on offer - no shelf in the shower to put them on.
Checkout was very early on the sunday, and since no one told us that breakfast finished at 10am (on a sunday!?) - we missed it, even though we had paid for it already. I won't be rushing back.
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