Crowne Plaza Marlow

It was quite a pleasant drive through Marlow town centre and riverside, but very difficult to find the Crowne Plaza because of road works and one way system, we kept getting lost, let’s hope when works are finished that following a Sat NAV will be easier. On arriving we were very concerned as our first impression was that of a budget type hotel which did not impress us at all, but decided that having made the effort, we would check it out and offer you a review. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE ! Inside, it’s a delightful hotel, we were really in awe, and pleased we did persevere. DO NOT BE PUT OFF BY YOUR FIRST VIEW OF OUTSIDE AREAS. The Crowne Plaza Marlow hotel is ideally placed in the Thames valley and close to Chilton hills, with easy reach from M4, M40 and M25 motorways, and it’s set in 5 acres of countryside, with views over its lake setting. Free parking, with 3 disabled bays available, a 168 bedroom 4 star hotel, built in 2002, and renovated in 2020, (but for us, the exterior deco and overall look was disappointing, a little off putting, but what a pleasant surprise inside ) with 3 floors of bedrooms, and inside you will find an AA rosette Glaze restaurant, which serve a very good Indian food menu, the Aqua bar lounge area, a conservatory with terrace seating with lawn views over to lake. OUR REVIEW FOR PART ONE A pleasant roadside drive with well maintained grounds leading up to hotel (photo 1) with a woodland setting for its nice carpark (photo 2), then we saw the hotel, and oh what a disappointment (3) Our first thought was to drive straight out, it looked so drab. But having made the trip, we decided to review it anyway. 3 disabled bays stand by the main door (4) and there was a pull handled door for wheelchair access (5) the other is a revolving door, but it’s all on the level. Inside, oh what a contrast ! The reception area was breathtakingly highly polished tiled flooring, very appealing (6) and the seating area, which we called the meet and greet area, again very comfortable and very attractively decorated (7). The reception desk was in a huge open area, plenty of room to move around, and looked so nice (8). We found the toilets close by (9) but no disabled to be seen (10) but both mens and ladies were clean, shining, and very nice modern design, and ladies close to mens (11) that lead towards the bar. This was a beautiful area with its piano leading towards the bar, (12) of which the floor was unusually laid but looked delightfully shiny and added to the appeal of the area. The bar had an ambience about it (13) looking inviting, so we relaxed in the comfortable lounge and enjoyed our drinks (14). We glanced into the restaurant, which again looked inviting (15) with an Indian menu on display. The hotel is run by very friendly polite Asian people, so if you like Indian food you will enjoy it here.Our overall look at the delightful restaurant, with its beautiful tiled floor, which gave it so much character (16) and a doorway led us into the conservatory, again inviting you to come and sit in it, (17) and enjoy afternoon tea, with very comfortable furniture (18) and a push handled door to take you out onto the terrace (19). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS After the disappointing frontage to the hotel, inside was so elegant and tastefully decorated, the floors were highly polished and shiny, it was a delight to be inside the hotel. We would certainly recommend this hotel, just don’t be put off by the outside appearance. The staff were extra friendly and supportitive, it was so nice to talk with them all. ON OUR PART TWO REVIEW, we concentrate on the Health and Spa club, do read this.

The hotels Quad Wellness and Spa club with its fitness centre, which has a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room, while the fitness gym is quite good, along with treatment rooms. OUR REVIEW OF PART TWO OF HOTELS QUAD WELLNESS AND SPA Sitting in the warmth of the hotels restaurant (photo 1) overlooking the terrace (2) and across to the lake, (3) offered an opportunity to get outside for fresh air, and a light push around for your carer will take you across the large expanse of grassland with a path that is reasonably easy to push you along (4). Refreshed, you can now enter the reception area again (5) and enter the Spa (photo 6) and up to its own reception area (7) where they will introduce you to its equipment (8) and fitness centre (9) with a good overall selection of modern well maintained machinery (10). The swimming pool is very nice, a decent size and length (11) which offers views across to the lake (12). Back in the main hotel, the public toilets are close to reception desk, where the lift (13) is ready to take you up to first floor (14) and bedrooms if you have so booked to stay here, With wider doors for disabled use (15) and they also have a separate bar area (16) which allows a pleasant drink to be taken and enjoyed (17). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Very nice and pleasant surroundings first of all as you relaxed on the terrace area, with views across towards the lake and a bit of tame wildlife to see. The Quad spa and fitness centre was spotlessly clean, with modern facilities available, and an interesting extra bar area would prove handy at times no doubt. Our first impression on arriving at hotel was disappointing, but once inside it was great, very impressed and so pleased we had come here. We would certainly recommend this hotel to you, as very clean, well maintained with extra friendly staff, so give it a try when in the area.