A Bookend Trip, We started our marriage with a trip that started in London 60years ago.
From the moment we started communicating with Megan we knew we were working with someone who would listen to our desires, wants and needs. She put together an amazing trip for us for our 60th wedding anniversary. We are seasoned travelers and know just how much can go off kilter. For our entire two weeks everything and everyone was on time and more than ready to provide top notch service. The staff at...
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A Bookend Trip, We started our marriage with a trip that started in London 60years ago.
From the moment we started communicating with Megan we knew we were working with someone who would listen to our desires, wants and needs. She put together an amazing trip for us for our 60th wedding anniversary. We are seasoned travelers and know just how much can go off kilter. For our entire two weeks everything and everyone was on time and more than ready to provide top notch service. The staff at all four hotels - Lime Tree; Roseate in Bath; Lygon Arms in Broadway; Gilpin in Windermere; and finally Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh were very quick to recognize us and be very helpful.
Our Driver/Guides, Daniel (Bath walking tour), Alan Foster, Tony Gulliver and Nicky Godfrey-Evans all brought years of experience and knowledge to the task and adjusted quickly and easily to our limitations, my wife's walking ability had declined since we booked the trip. We particularly enjoyed pub lunches along the way at small out of the way pubs. We would happily tour again with any of them.
Hotel Reviews
The building ranges from ancient to old to I have no idea. We stayed in the merely old - about 200 years old- section so the lack of a lift was to be expected. Our suite was large with plenty of storage. All the other aspects were up to date. Merely find ones way around was fun as we never knew what room we might find ourselves in, there was always staff to direct to where we needed to go. Step out of the front door onto the green with shops, restaurants and activities during the day. Dine in comfort in the main dining room or other spaces and enjoy breakfast in the dining room as well. We first visited 60 years ago and it took us a while to find our way back.
Authenticity & Character
The original structure dates back 600 years and the later addition was 200 years ago. There are sections built in the 1960s
Location
It is right in the middle of Broadway and and Stratford-Upon-Avon is close enough to enjoy dinner and a play
Staff
Always available and Gary seems to be everywhere one turns to carry to guide or just to chat.
Situated on Henrietta Street not more than 5 minutes walk from the Pultney Bridge most of Bath seem easily reachable on foot from this delightful hotel. There is a fine park just across the street as well. Do be prepared to face hills in this part of England. Our room was spacious and everything worked as expected. We both slept well in the comfortable bed. If I were to return to Bath I would not hesitate to stay here. Do be aware that there are steps and no lift. There was always someone to help us with the luggage.
Authenticity & Character
A small attentive staff made us feel very comfortable and welcome
This tiny hotel tucked into a corner is almost invisible from the street. Our room was just past the door from the reception which concerned us at first, but we never heard anything from that area. Everything about the hotel is small and especially the storage in our room was very limited and we travel light. We got to know the staff during our four night stay and they were most helpful with any request we made and often had suggestions before we asked. We had breakfast at the Buttery, which is part of the hotel, but not included in the rate. We slept well and were very comfortable.
Location
If we were better at walking, the location was brilliant the Underground station at Sloan Square was 10 minutes walk and the Victoria Coaching station was around the corner. Even with our walking limitations we were able to wlak to lovely restaurants and to the Victoria Palace for a play.
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh
Edinburgh
This is another "hidden" hotel. The entrance is set back from the street in a courtyard and cars must stop on the street to off load luggage and passengers. The ground floor included reception, an open courtyard, an enclosed lounge and a lovely restaurant. The lift brought us to our room on 3 (one of two rooms on 3) and there was plenty of storage and space. Between the room and the bathroom there was a room that might have been a sitting room but contained a lovely old Claw foot tub. My wife is vertically challenged and was unable to access the tub. I'm not sure I could have myself. The shower was the most spacious shower I can remember. There were plenty of electrical connections including USB to let us charge all our devices - having two hearing aid chargers ups the challenge in finding connections.
Authenticity & Character
The interior was far more modern than than the other hotels we had stayed in this trip. The building itself seems to fit into the neighborhood.
Location
Walking distance to Edinburgh Castle - if we could have managed the steps and many places along the Royal Mile.
Staff
The hotel staff were superb. The restaurant staff a bit less helpful. There was a timing issue that was not properly communicated.Aalthough we were satisfied eventually, they gave us a discount for the trouble- this was unasked by us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We chose not to have the room made up for our second day since we were leaving the next day. Nonetheless fresh towels were provided.
Activity Reviews
Shard Viewing Platform
London
Its a fine overview of London, I would not say it is a must see.
Shakespeare Globe Theatre
London
The "tour" is mostly of the front of the house with an excellent presenter giving the History of the original theater and its any successors. We got to see back stage briefly since the house is not accessible and the only way to get to the upper balcony with a wheelchair was to use a property lift backstage.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was amazing.
Tour of the Royal Opera House
London
We were taken backstage, literally on the stage behind the performance stage and toured all the means for staging two different shows in a day. We saw props and costumes and wigs shops and so much more. We were taken to a dance studio where the dancers were taking their regular classes as well as warming up for their performances. Then we went out into the house and were able to see the stage and the building from the audience perspective from an upper balcony. This was a very exciting tour for us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable
Full Day Driver Guide
England
Murat was our driver with a stop in Stonehenge on the way to Bath. He is not a guide
Transport
Murat provided a comfortable car and was a competent driver
An evening watching a West End Show
London
Saw the last performance of Hamilton in the Victoria Palace after a 7 year run. Cannot repeat that!
Daniel met us at the hotel and provided more driving than walking since he appropriately judged that my wife would not do well with lots of walking on the hills. We learned a lot about Bath and the surrounding area and saw glorious views from highpoints and also got to see many places when we were walking in the town. We also learned of a connection between Bath and our hometown Rochester NY which has an adjacent suburb Henrietta which dates to 1808 and is named for Henrietta Pultney. Daniel noted that connection the moment I said we were from Rochester.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Daniel was great!
The Roman baths are ruins under the Victorian era baths. To us it seemed less exciting than some other aspects of Bath. It was surprising to learn that this is the only hot springs in England.
Local specialist: Megan Lloyd