HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! It was my birthday on Thursday and my partner and I always try and doe something special. Just a little getaway. Nothing extravagant. Last year I stayed at a Marriott for my birthday in Central London but this year we thought we would go for a little drive out of London to Waltham Abbey. It just borders the Woodlands of Epping Forest, and is just off the M25, M11 and the M1. So it was only about an hour journey from south east London but it did feel like I was off to the country!! There is not much in the surrounding area. A 10 minute drive takes you into town but trust me there is nothing there other then a fish and chip shop, Tescos and a couple of dental surgeries!
I stayed on a Friday night and the room cost £99 (weekdays is £114 for the room only). I booked the hotel online via their website and had a special offer to include breakfast. So my tip is if you do stay at any Marriott hotel book via their website as they regularly have special offers. You have to book with a debit card or credit card to secure your stay and usually have to present this at checking in. This hotels check in time is 2pm. Not bad.
When we arrived there was a large area of free parking which I agree there should be and the entrance is obvious. We were greeted warmly however the receptionist seemed robot-esque. She probably says the same thing to every person. I was very surprised when she said to my partner.. "Oh Mr Smith (not his real name I must protect his identity!!) Nice to see you here again, I can see you stayed here in December". I was like EXCUSE ME!!!! When… why…. And who the flip with!!! But it's ok. We booked it for someone else I completely forgot. But i am not sure they should give out information like that. Can cause rifts if you know what I mean.
Well the bar is in the central foyer when you walk in to the building which is nice but slightly off putting as you have to walk past everyone to go to where the rooms are but it does give it a very relaxed atmosphere. The room was very welcoming, clean and tidy. Plenty of towels and the bed was so soft I couldn't get up. They had all the things you would expect. TV, hairdryer, iron etc. and it recently underwent a £5 Million refurbishment to the bedrooms, conference rooms and lobby.
You also have free access to the swimming pool which is open until 11pm and the sauna and steam room. As well as the gym. It also has a children's pool, so although in general it does not cater for children it does have this which is a great idea. They also have an in house restaurant called seasons. However we did not eat there as it was expensive….. Around £60 for the main and drinks if you don't splash out and the food was not something that grabbed my attention. Although the room itself looked lovely, candlelight etc. We ate at a nearby old Orleans… which was very very busy, we waited 45 mins for a table but probably because there is nothing else to do around there!! We ordered breakfast to come up to the room (you have to pay an extra £5 delivery charge per breakfast). You can choose a large range of breakfasts and you can pick the time you want it delivered. On our breakfast they forgot the cheese and salmon but it was to much hassle to complain so we just ate the croissants and toast.
We checked out at 12pm, which is check out time and was greeted very nicely. However when we saw the bill we were extremely surprised. Someone had used our room number in the restaurant and had a slap up meal that cost £149!!!! This made us feel a bit funny as they had to try and 'sort something out'. But they did find out it wasn't us and obviously did not charge us.
So all in all it was a nice escape break but nothing mind blowing and I will not be urging to go back there next time I have a break away. But it was worth the £99.
www.marriott.co.uk Reservations: 00800 19271927 (freephone) in UK and 1 800 409929 (freephone) in Ireland.
Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey Essex, EN93LX United Kingdom Phone: 44 1992 717170 Fax: 44 1992 711841
(Also published on Dooyoo under myself izzoh)
More details
Value for Money
Average
Cleanliness
Excellent
Family Friendly
Poor
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