UKTony
Jun 20, 06, 7:04 pm
Not sure if this is the first, a search for this elusive part of England failed to find anything about this ex Stakis Hotel (or more accurately Golf Resort).
Thanks to a 'Take That' concert in Cardiff and the current triple points promotion I found myself booking into the Puckrup Hall even though it is about an hours drive from where I'm working (usually frequenting the Newport or Cardiff hiltons).
Just off the M50 and a few miles from the M5 the hotel complex is close to Birmingham and offers an expansive complex of conference rooms, hotel and golf course. Initial impression was that parking was constrained and too far from the hotel (see later) but arriving monday evening I found a (free of charge) parking spot close enough for lugging my away for the week kit. Check in at reception was faultless - no delay, preprinted room card/key and very pleasant surroundings.
I'd booked a 'family' room on the web as this was the cheapest available and requested an upgrade. Turned out my room was about as far from reception as they could manage and entering the room was a twin, but large and with a good view of the golf course and country side. Diamond amentity was 2 x bottles (small) of good quality wine, water, chocolates and fruit (seems to be the standard Diamond offering in the UK). No bath robe or welcome letter but the room was clean, airy and well equiped with a sofa plus chair to relax in.
Walking around the hotel corridors and outside grounds it was clear that room 137 could be considered an 'upgrade' as many of the rooms lacked a view and would appear to be some what smaller. My reservation was for a king + sofabed room so whilst initially annoyed I've mellowed given the comfort of the room and bed which had a duvet rather than the more usual sheets/blanket. No wine/water on the second night but I'm used to the limited recognition Hilton Honors VIP's get even if staying over a 100 nights a year in Hilton hotels (dig!).
First night I decided to eat in the bar and ended up having a Pizza (11GBP) on the patio overlooking the golf course. When it arrived I was expecting the usual Hilton offering but was pleasantly surprised with the quality and speed of service. A litre of sparkling water was 3.10GBP, same as a pint of so called beer (from a pressure cask).
Internet connection in the room was irratic using iPass but eventually got a connection, speed was slower than usual but still broadband (~512kbps). Without iPass and no evidence of BTOpenzone in the reception/business area the offer of 15GBP a day or 75GBP a week for the Hilton Connections package is looking very expensive (mind you I don't pay for iPass roaming as it's a corporate service replacing 0800 dialup!).
Arriving back from work on the second day I decided to eat in the bar again, big mistake as England was playing Sweden, but the bar staff again were very responsive and a Hilton 'Club' sandwich arrived very promptly and clearly showed the chef/kitchen cared about food as in addition to the sandwich and fries it came with a very tasty pasta salad. Taking a walk after eating showed how large the golf course is plus the lane outside the hotel looks to lead down to the river Severn and also onto a footpath to the nearby market town of Tweksbury. No local pubs are evident but I get the feeling that a little bit more exploration would reveal some interesting place to eat and drink.
Walking a circle route back to the hotel also revealed there is a seperate car park (much larger) to the golf reception, which happens to be beneath the rooms furthest from the hotel reception. Also this reveals the '19th' hole which looks to be a very snug bar for relaxing in.
Overall Puckrup Hall can start to grow on you, a quite country location close to several major towns yet in the middle of some of the most delightful countryside. I'm not a golf fan but the course is clearly very good and the spa offerings from the menu in the room show the hotel understands the need to offer more. I'd be concerned about room allocation if staying on a family leisure visit, but the size of the hotel, range of common parts and access to countryside appeals.
I'd guess that a weekend stay could find the place very busy, during the week there are a few 'business' people, and seemingly few leisure quests (in June at least).
One more night to go. I might try the main restaurant if only to sample the ambiance of what looked to be a very fine dining room.
Thanks to a 'Take That' concert in Cardiff and the current triple points promotion I found myself booking into the Puckrup Hall even though it is about an hours drive from where I'm working (usually frequenting the Newport or Cardiff hiltons).
Just off the M50 and a few miles from the M5 the hotel complex is close to Birmingham and offers an expansive complex of conference rooms, hotel and golf course. Initial impression was that parking was constrained and too far from the hotel (see later) but arriving monday evening I found a (free of charge) parking spot close enough for lugging my away for the week kit. Check in at reception was faultless - no delay, preprinted room card/key and very pleasant surroundings.
I'd booked a 'family' room on the web as this was the cheapest available and requested an upgrade. Turned out my room was about as far from reception as they could manage and entering the room was a twin, but large and with a good view of the golf course and country side. Diamond amentity was 2 x bottles (small) of good quality wine, water, chocolates and fruit (seems to be the standard Diamond offering in the UK). No bath robe or welcome letter but the room was clean, airy and well equiped with a sofa plus chair to relax in.
Walking around the hotel corridors and outside grounds it was clear that room 137 could be considered an 'upgrade' as many of the rooms lacked a view and would appear to be some what smaller. My reservation was for a king + sofabed room so whilst initially annoyed I've mellowed given the comfort of the room and bed which had a duvet rather than the more usual sheets/blanket. No wine/water on the second night but I'm used to the limited recognition Hilton Honors VIP's get even if staying over a 100 nights a year in Hilton hotels (dig!).
First night I decided to eat in the bar and ended up having a Pizza (11GBP) on the patio overlooking the golf course. When it arrived I was expecting the usual Hilton offering but was pleasantly surprised with the quality and speed of service. A litre of sparkling water was 3.10GBP, same as a pint of so called beer (from a pressure cask).
Internet connection in the room was irratic using iPass but eventually got a connection, speed was slower than usual but still broadband (~512kbps). Without iPass and no evidence of BTOpenzone in the reception/business area the offer of 15GBP a day or 75GBP a week for the Hilton Connections package is looking very expensive (mind you I don't pay for iPass roaming as it's a corporate service replacing 0800 dialup!).
Arriving back from work on the second day I decided to eat in the bar again, big mistake as England was playing Sweden, but the bar staff again were very responsive and a Hilton 'Club' sandwich arrived very promptly and clearly showed the chef/kitchen cared about food as in addition to the sandwich and fries it came with a very tasty pasta salad. Taking a walk after eating showed how large the golf course is plus the lane outside the hotel looks to lead down to the river Severn and also onto a footpath to the nearby market town of Tweksbury. No local pubs are evident but I get the feeling that a little bit more exploration would reveal some interesting place to eat and drink.
Walking a circle route back to the hotel also revealed there is a seperate car park (much larger) to the golf reception, which happens to be beneath the rooms furthest from the hotel reception. Also this reveals the '19th' hole which looks to be a very snug bar for relaxing in.
Overall Puckrup Hall can start to grow on you, a quite country location close to several major towns yet in the middle of some of the most delightful countryside. I'm not a golf fan but the course is clearly very good and the spa offerings from the menu in the room show the hotel understands the need to offer more. I'd be concerned about room allocation if staying on a family leisure visit, but the size of the hotel, range of common parts and access to countryside appeals.
I'd guess that a weekend stay could find the place very busy, during the week there are a few 'business' people, and seemingly few leisure quests (in June at least).
One more night to go. I might try the main restaurant if only to sample the ambiance of what looked to be a very fine dining room.