Warner Hotels - Heythrop Park — Hotel in West Oxfordshire

My partner and I stayed at Heythrop Park Hotel for a getaway in the Cotswolds. We were drawn to the promise of evening entertainment, activities, and the charm of the hotel, despite it being pricier than other options on Booking.com.

Unfortunately, our experience didn't meet expectations. Booking activities and meals in advance was frustrating, with limited options. Activities like rifle shooting, archery, and axe throwing were unavailable, and we later learned this was due to booking through Booking.com, which wasn't communicated clearly. We wish we had known that booking directly with the hotel would have provided more options.

The meal booking process was similarly disappointing. Out of the three available restaurants, we could only choose very early or very late dining times. We ended up booking breakfast and dinner in the Market Kitchen, as it seemed like our only viable choice.

On arrival, we were directed to the wrong reception area, and parking was confusing. We initially went to the North Wing reception, only to be told to go to the South Wing, where our room was located. It would have been easier to park in the South Wing from the start.

When we checked in, we were informed that most activities were fully booked, and we couldn't book them because we had used Booking.com. This was disappointing, as we were unaware of this limitation. We also received a £50 voucher, which was a pleasant surprise, but the booking experience overall was frustrating.

The gin tasting was enjoyable, though we felt out of place among an older crowd. We hadn’t realized Heythrop, part of the Warner Group, primarily caters to an older demographic, which impacted the atmosphere for us.

The evening entertainment was mixed. The Billy Black Band lacked energy, and the theatre show felt disjointed, but we enjoyed the silent disco. Unfortunately, many guests were using headphones just to sit at tables, leading to a queue for those wanting to dance.

Dining was the biggest disappointment. Dinner quality was more like a budget chain than the upscale experience we expected. Despite assurances that meals were included, we found charges for dinner on our room statement. We also noticed that the £50 voucher had not been applied as promised. After multiple discussions with staff and a manager, the charges were eventually removed, but the entire process was time-consuming and frustrating. The inconsistent communication about what was included left us feeling let down.

Breakfast was similarly average, with buffet offerings that didn’t stand out and confusing service. The waiter seemed distracted, often wandering around on his mobile phone. When I asked for wholemeal toast, he questioned whether I wanted brown or white bread and even asked if I wanted it toasted, which was a bit baffling.

Breakfast was similarly average, with buffet offerings that didn’t stand out and confusing service. The waiter seemed distracted, and the options were basic.

On the positive side, the spa facilities were excellent, and the beautiful grounds were a highlight of our stay.

Overall, Heythrop Park has potential, but the experience felt unbalanced. It lacked the polish and cohesion we’d expect for the price, and we’d hesitate to return unless improvements are made to food quality and the...

We had a 3 night stay at Heythrop Park . On our arrival the first impressions were the house and grounds were stunning! The grounds were well kept. We walked into main reception for our 2pm check into our Manor room. The receptionist was both informative and friendly gave us our key card and we went up to our room, this was at 2.50 pm . We walked into our room and initially thought WOW its beautiful the room was nicely decorated. We had stunning views of the Gardens and Orangery, I always like to check the bed and sheets over, well im glad I did , the mattress was clean but the toppers had about 10 bodily fluid stains then inspection of the bottom sheet had the same including numerous very light yellow stains then i checked the white quilt cover and this again had numerous bodily fluid stains. On closer inspection I found a tissue between the bed side cabinet and bed , 2 dead flies by headboard which i put on bedside cabinet with tissue all around the bed on the lovely carpet were biscuit crumbs and then i pulled by the rug infront of TV and biscuit crumbs underneath. We were surprised at what we had found in the first 10 mins of our stay( our bags were still in our car) and totally gutted and disappointed. We went to reception to let them know our findings and disappointment spoke to Finlay and he apologised and said he would get Housekeeping to sort it out.(we left the bed unmade) we had a call 20 mins later to say room was now done. We went to room pulled back to inspect the clean sheets to find the original dirty bedding still on bed just REMADE !! Nothing had been vacuumed but tissue and flies were gone. We went down to Finlay again who said "I have been told the room has been done " we explained only remade the bed with same sheets !!by this time it was 3.45 pm we said this is very poor standard of Customer Care and Service and cleanliness stardards for Warners and for the cost of our stay. Finlay then contacted Joe Manager of Housekeeping , who was courteous and came up to our room for us to show him. He agreed this was not acceptable but was not their normal standard of clealiness. He apologised and offered us a credit to our room . He said he would get the bedding changed and vacuuming done . We left it until 5.10 pm we had not been told if cleaning etc had been done . We went to reception and spoke to Finlay again who said " oh yes its all done, I have inspected with them and agreed all done" . We went up to our room, feeling very numb inspected bedding that was indeed as it should have been in the first place , Clean! But no vaccuming had taken place . We just settled for the crumbs as we did not want to ruin the stay any further. The rest of our stay was lovely , the food was just perfect nd well cooked, and everything was hot! At the Buffet Breakfast in Market Place Restaurant , our waiter Will was so attentive, helpfull, cheerfull and just made our Breakfast that little bit more special. Warners clean bedding...

We have just returned from a 3 day break at Heythrop Manor in room 45 a patio room. The first impressions were the grounds were stunning and beautifully kept. Our room was in a central position and there were plenty of signs showing us where to go. The room was lovely, clean, comfy bed, good toiletries, lovely fluffy large bath towels, really good hot shower. There was an iron And ironing board in room, hairdryer, kettle with nice biscuits, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and lovely to find a fresh pint of milk in mini fridge along with complimentary water.

The first night we ate in The Travelling Duke, brilliant service by friendly staff they even let me have 2 starters. The food was delicious and piping hot, the portions were very generous.

We followed this by watching a show by Warners company, called Call me a great range of music from T. Rex to the Sex pistols, very refreshing.

Next day lovely breakfast in the Brasserie service was very good. Food brilliant , fresh and hot. We did a few quizzes during the day and walked around the lovely grounds. We bought lunch in the Brassy bar a ploughman's for 2 to share £16.95. We struggled to finish it and we are big eaters, lovely ham, pork pies, quiche, sour dough bread, cheese and home made piccalilli and onion. Delicious.

Evening meal was in the Manor house and we had a lovely young waiter who was so helpful but he dropped the prawn cocktail. He was so apologetic, it was quite amusing. The meal was great,my husband had pork cheeks and I had roast turkey.

The evening show I was really looking forward to it was the Bowie Experience. It was very enjoyable, the band were brilliant especially the lead guitarist. The Bowie impersonator was fine but looked a bit like Dolph Lundgren and he didnt get the hair right at all. Thats me being picky as a real Bowie fan but it was enjoyable, they played Ziggy Stardust, Moonage daydream, Starman, Heroes etc.

Next morning another lovely breakfast the pastries are delicious and the croissants so buttery, full English is huge. Another good day filled with quizzes etc. The evening meal we ate in the Orangery,the Market garden, this was a buffet style venue and the food again very good, but must admit I prefer the restaurants where you are served.

The evening was spent watching resident band Charlbury Street I think they were called. Then Jane Middleton as Annie Lennox, I hate to say but she was better than Bowie Experience who I had been dying to see. Very impressed.

We had a really enjoyable stay, everywhere was so accessible and the lifts were always there waiting for you.

To sum up, great hotel, amazing food, friendly staff who were so helpful and really enjoyable entertainment. We couldn't find fault with anything. We are now goung to book...