Mercure Newbury Elcot Park Hotel

“The Best”

Recently took my mother to The Retreat for her 90TH Birthday Tea Party. We were given a table with faboulous views over the countryside. The sandwich’s were fresh along with the scones. Tea cakes were varied and delicious too. Most importantly we had our favourite server Corina tending to our eve... Más

Recently took my mother to The Retreat for her 90TH Birthday Tea Party. We were given a table with faboulous views over the countryside. The sandwich’s were fresh along with the scones. Tea cakes were varied and delicious too. Most importantly we had our favourite server Corina tending to our every need. She really is a cut above the rest. A unique Selling Point of the hotel. Thank you to all the staff also. A great bolt hole that we use regularly.

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“Country House Comfort”

The Retreat is an ideal place to meet friends for coffee or a meal in stylish and comfortable surroundings. In the lounge and restaurant the experience is greatly enhanced by the welcoming and attentive staff team. Carina in particular is an outstanding hostess.

“Great in so many ways, but needs improvement ”

I have very mixed feelings about this place. It’s a beautiful setting, very inviting feel and the welcome drink is a really nice touch. Decor is beautiful. Couldn’t fault the treatment received at the spa, excellent facial. The spa is nice and relaxing too, great view once in the outdoor pool. Ro... Más

I have very mixed feelings about this place. It’s a beautiful setting, very inviting feel and the welcome drink is a really nice touch. Decor is beautiful. Couldn’t fault the treatment received at the spa, excellent facial. The spa is nice and relaxing too, great view once in the outdoor pool. Rooms comfy room, the pantry is a great touch also. Sadly though there were some areas that needed improvement. My husband very thoughtfully arranged a few days in advance to have a bottle of Bollinger put in our room on ice for our arrival as we were staying for our wedding anniversary. This did not happen. He chased it up discreetly, but unfortunately it was being brought into our room just as we had walked out our room to go to the spa - so the element of surprise of this was gone. Our table at dinner was under two blowers and almost in the dark, had to use the torch on my phone to read the menu! Didn’t complain though as thought it was no big deal. Food was okay, but really nothing exceptional. Not for the location or the price. My husbands chips were so oily that he ordered with his steak he only ate half. He did advise the member of staff. The food wasn’t served on warmed plates so quickly cooled (especially under the blowers!) but thankfully dessert was sorbet so didn’t have to worry about that aspect by then! Breakfast, again, wasn’t served on warmed plates so the cooked brekkie soon went cold. But it was tasty. All staff were very pleasant and happy. I just think some tweaks could make it so much better, particularly when only a week or so ago I read articles on recent awards it had won. It has so much potential! I think if they work on the restaurant side of things it could be a winner!

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“Extremely disappointing meal. ”

We came for a meal here and were very disappointed especially given it's advertised as Britain's Best Hotel! I'm no gasto connoisseur. I'm easy to please and grateful for a night off from cooking dinner for my family. So I was really looking forward to a good meal here. I had the sea bass which ... Más

We came for a meal here and were very disappointed especially given it's advertised as Britain's Best Hotel! I'm no gasto connoisseur. I'm easy to please and grateful for a night off from cooking dinner for my family. So I was really looking forward to a good meal here. I had the sea bass which was delicious but was served with some rather hard slices of charred baby sweetcorn and baby leeks which were so overcooked and stringy I couldn't cut them and a handful of popcorn sprinkled on top (Why?) The meal did not come with any potatoes or vegetables which had to be ordered separately at an additional cost of £6 each item. Green beans were smothered in a thick layer of mayonnaise which I had to scrape off and a small pot of slightly overcooked fries. My partner had a chicken escalope which came with nothing except a handful of rocket on top, no sauce or anything which made for a very dry and bland meal. Again, veg and potatoes had to be ordered separately and choice was limited; green beans or courgettes. We all agreed it was an extremely disappointing meal and can only assume the apprentice chef was on the day we went. We've had far better meals, visually appealing, well cooked and full of flavour from our local pub and for a lot less money! None of us are inclined to return any time soon.

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