Hilton Puckrup Hall, Tewkesbury

...it was billed as a Hilton hotel on the edge of the (Very beautiful) Cotswolds. Nothing wrong there, whatsoever! I was also sort-of aware that golf was its Raison d'etre; it has its own championship golf course, after all. We were staying in the Cotswolds, were heading to Wales (Which was conveniently close) and needed to earn some Hilton points. It made for a sound equation.

We arrived and drove down the drive. An impressive start; ...
...only one weapon. The Hilton Hhonors Gold VIP card.

Useless!

"I'll try to get you an upgrade" said the receptionist. As we were sent to our first-floor room, I smiled. I opened the door, and frowned. If this were an upgrade, I'm the Dutch golf champion. Incidentally, I'm English, and I don't play golf.

So we're sitting in a rather cramped, but comfortable, room which - despite the fact I'd requested ... more

It's ringing through my head - my mum always said that I should take up golf. Dress up in rather silly clothes, network with the bank manager, and spend a fortune in order to whack a defenceless ball around for 18 holes whilst walking a few miles at a sturdy pace. I used to enjoy the occasional game of "Pitch-and-Putt" with her and will never forget the call of "FORE!" as a ball came hurtling through the air and struck her firmly on the back of the head. OUCH! I wouln't have been too keen to have been on the receiving end of it but, twenty-five years on, she now seems fine, except from an insatiable desire to nag me about smoking. It's a mother's prerogative, I guess! The giggles have stopped. It did hurt, and as this is a hotel review, there should be no more sniggering.

So this is a Hilton, and it's very much a golfing hotel. It's a rather nice hotel, in fact. It's just brim-full of golfers. They come out of every single orifice. I don't have a problem whatsoever with golfers (some of my best friends are golfers, as it happens) but if, like me, it doesn't rule your life, you might just feel like a fish out of the water hazard.

We'd decided to stay here as it was billed as a Hilton hotel on the edge of the (Very beautiful) Cotswolds. Nothing wrong there, whatsoever! I was also sort-of aware that golf was its Raison d'etre; it has its own championship golf course, after all. We were staying in the Cotswolds, were heading to Wales (Which was conveniently close) and needed to earn some Hilton points. It made for a sound equation.

We arrived and drove down the drive. An impressive start; the location is peaceful and very impressive. We continued past a few practice greens and came to what I presume was Puckrup Hall itself. Very nice it was, too! That's were the best rooms are. Driving a little further brings one to a larger, less exclusive, car park, the first tee of an attractive golf course, the more modern part of the hotel and miriads of golfers unloading the equipment necessary to conduct their business from the boots of their cars.

We unloaded our luggage. No clubs. No golf trolleys. No golf buggy. Golf-lepers, we walked into reception armed with only one weapon. The Hilton Hhonors Gold VIP card.

Useless!

"I'll try to get you an upgrade" said the receptionist. As we were sent to our first-floor room, I smiled. I opened the door, and frowned. If this were an upgrade, I'm the Dutch golf champion. Incidentally, I'm English, and I don't play golf.

So we're sitting in a rather cramped, but comfortable, room which - despite the fact I'd requested a smoking one - had a non-smoking sign on the door. I 'phoned reception. They 'phoned back - "Yeah - you can smoke in there; no problem!"

Great! I'm feeling really, really comfortable.

And, going downstairs, I passed reception and noted that some old dear was being upgraded to a Deluxe room. Hang on - I'm not being a prima donna here (or am I?) - but whereas I have a Gold VIP Hhonors loyalty card, she's got what I haven't. Yes, you guessed it. We're talking motorised golf trolley and a Pringle sweater. So that's what counts!

By now, heartily sick of not being a golfer, we repaired to the bar. It had a great view of the golf course. Drinks were as you'd expect and bar snacks were fine. The restaurant looked to be well above par (sorry!) but not the sort of place to eat with 4-year-old Josh.

The bedroom was good, comfortable and typical Hilton, with all the usual commodities, although the view of the air conditioning unit left a bit to be desired.

This hotel has a lot to offer; a great location, an apparently good golf course (if that's your thing), a great, bar with a certain moody ambience. It's pretty standard Hilton stuff. If you aren't into golf, however, you might as well tee-off. Well that's how I felt, anyway!

Andrew 

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