1.5
Disabled traveller visiting Whateley Hall hotel, Banbury
As we approached the old 17th century coaching inn, from the road it looked quite nice, golden brown stonework with lots of character, and a archway entrance for car park, which did not seem to belong to the hotel, but to a complex of various outlets, but it is very, very narrow, and with a big car such as ours, we barely made it through. There were two disabled bays right against the building, very awkward to park in place, as wanting to leave room for other cars to pass without damaging our car. There is drop down barrier, which indicates it’s a paying car park, but the two bays belong to hotel, and we were not charged, and did not have to register our car, but it’s a very grotty place, and difficult to turn round, as you have to go out via that narrow bridge entrance, so we were not impressed at all.
Once inside hotel, we were very disappointed, it was dark throughout, ( I have tried to show this with the photographs ) badly in need of maintenance and re-decoration.
It is a very old building and furniture was designed to keep that effect, which did not work and gave the hotel no appeal at all.
The reception area was small and dark and dingy, very uninviting. We had coffee break in the lounge area by reception desk, and it looked dusty. The coffee itself was hot and strong, nicely presented, and we could sit and reflect that we were pleased we were not staying overnight here.
The bar lounge was uninspiring, again dark and poorly lit, and not comfortable looking. The restaurant didn’t look to bad though, you might be tempted to try a meal here, but it lacked character.
The ladies and gents toilet were along a corridor, but I did not find a disabled toilet. They were not easy to get into, with pull handles which had to be pulled down, making it very difficult to get in to use toilets. Clean and tidy with one cubicle, for men, but practical more than stylish.
The private function room was not appealing, and again dark.
You will by now have gathered that we cannot in anyway recommend this hotel for disabled, let alone able bodied person, and hope management can improve this hotel before too long.
As we approached the old 17th century coaching inn, from the road it looked quite nice, golden brown stonework with lots of character, and a archway entrance for car park, which did not seem to belong to the hotel, but to a complex of various outlets, but it is very, very narrow, and with a big car such as ours, we barely made it through. There were two disabled bays right against the building, very awkward to park in place, as wanting to leave room for other cars to pass without damaging our car. There is drop down barrier, which indicates it’s a paying car park, but the two bays belong to hotel, and we were not charged, and did not have to register our car, but it’s a very grotty place, and difficult to turn round, as you have to go out via that narrow bridge entrance, so we were not impressed at all.
Once inside hotel, we were very disappointed, it was dark throughout, ( I have tried to show this with the photographs ) badly in need of maintenance and re-decoration.
It is a very old building and furniture was designed to keep that effect, which did not work and gave the hotel no appeal at all.
The reception area was small and dark and dingy, very uninviting. We had coffee break in the lounge area by reception desk, and it looked dusty. The coffee itself was hot and strong, nicely presented, and we could sit and reflect that we were pleased we were not staying overnight here.
The bar lounge was uninspiring, again dark and poorly lit, and not comfortable looking. The restaurant didn’t look to bad though, you might be tempted to try a meal here, but it lacked character.
The ladies and gents toilet were along a corridor, but I did not find a disabled toilet. They were not easy to get into, with pull handles which had to be pulled down, making it very difficult to get in to use toilets. Clean and tidy with one cubicle, for men, but practical more than stylish.
The private function room was not appealing, and again dark.
You will by now have gathered that we cannot in anyway recommend this hotel for disabled, let alone able bodied person, and hope management can improve this hotel before too long.
