Writing this & posting new review quickly on a ferry between North & South Island, New Zealand. Norm...
Writing this & posting new review quickly on a ferry between North & South Island, New Zealand. Normal service will be resumed upon my return! Stand by for lots of NZ info ...
Member since:23.05.2007
Reviews:112
Members who trust:163
INTRODUCTION
Back in the UK again, I had some training courses to attend and so several of us from work got together to go on one in Staffordshire. Having found this hotel on the net, we all booked into it with eager anticipation of a night out before the course the next day. It wasn't to disappoint; amid all the banter, eating and drinking, I managed to keep my head and so present to you my experience of the hotel.
LOCATION
This is slap bang in the middle of Stafford town centre and so very handily located. It's only a five or ten minute walk from the train station. I ponced a lift and it wasn't hard to find once we got into the town centre and followed the directions. There are small signs pointing to the hotel which you follow, all the way round a winding road and finally into the hotel car park.
THE ROOM
I was in a business class room on the top floor above the reception, which appeared to be bigger and more fancy than my colleagues.
There was a big LCD TV, complete with 2 remote controls which I found a bit confusing.
It took me a while to work out which one to use, and even then I was struggling a bit to get it to work, so room for improvement there.
The furnishings included a brown carpet, a light brown wooden table and chair. Two low bedside tables were provided, one to each side of the bed. Two single beds pushed together were passed off as a double. I was a bit surprised by this when compared to the comparatively ornate nature of the room, but it was still a good nights sleep for me, so no complaints there, seeing as I was on my own. There was also a teddy bear on the bed which you could buy, the money going to charity.
When opening the door to the room you are initially greeted with a small ante room with a fancy swivelling leather seat, foot rest, and a kettle with tea and coffee on top of a wooden chest of drawers. There was also a small round coffee table and a wardrobe
A nice thick writing pad with a pen was provided, which I found more generous than the usual small notepad. There was also a trouser press and hairdryer in the room.
The position of the room was pretty acceptable. I had a good view of the high street outside, and I wasn't disturbed by any noise through the night. There weren't that many pubs or clubs in the immediate vicinity, so that might explain it.
The bathroom had an enclosed shower unit, and sand coloured tiled floor. A modern heated towel rack was on the wall near to the wash basin and in the shower. Some fancy branded hand wash was in a dispenser fixed to the wall on a bracket. There was also some small hair and body wash containers, a shower cap and some hand soap.
The shower was pretty powerful, which was just what was required to wake me up.
THE RESTAURANT
The hotel restaurant food was pretty good. The restaurant was fairly large and certainly bustling for a Wednesday night. I was under the impression that many of the people there were actually local, judging by the various groups of families.
My colleagues had steak on a plank, which was a still cooking hunk of meat served on a red hot granite slab, with vegetables and potato croquettes on the side. The idea was to take it off the slab once it was cooked to your own satisfaction; a novel and impressive concept. I am informed the steak was of decent quality and tasty, the croquettes fluffy and vegetables well cooked.
I opted for the salmon with crushed potatoes which was excellent. The salmon was well cooked, the potatoes full of flavour, the smattering of pesto sauce adding to the taste.
We also had excellent service from the waitresses. I felt somewhat sorry for them as you can imagine what it's like to serve a group of boozed up engineers away on a course. It wasn't quiet, that's for sure, and full marks to then for not losing their manners on patience - I think I wouldn't have been so nice if I was them!
Breakfast the next day was a mix of self service cereals and pastries and a menu, some item of which cost extra. I opted for the vegetarian full English breakfast, which was inclusive. This was excellent; eggs as required (fried in my case), a big Portobello mushroom, baked beans (not included in my colleagues meat laden option, I noted), a big tomato, 1 piece of fried bread, some toast on the side and some sauce if requested. I was a bit surprised to see no vegetarian sausage but I wasn't complaining, the plate was pretty big!
THE RECEPTION AREA
There were 2 bars and even a little coffee shop in the hotel, which impressed me greatly, although no TV was in sight and we wanted to watch the footy, as it was the night of the first Champions League semi final. The bar was full of leather seats and sofas which lent a somewhat laid back and relaxing vibe.
CONCLUSION
This hotel had an excellent location in the heart of Stafford, with the added advantage of being in walking distance to bars and restaurants (but, crucially, not directly outside). The service and food was great and the general atmosphere convivial. The rooms and general look of the hotel was pretty plush. I would highly recommend this hotel for any business travellers. If it's coming out of your own pocket, if you can get a decent deal then go for it!
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Swan Hotel 46-46a Greengate Street Stafford Staffordshire ST16 2JA
Tel 01785 258142
Fax 01785 223372
Email : info@theswanstafford.co.uk
Website : http://www.theswanstafford.co.uk/
Pictures of Swan Classic Hotel, Stafford
View of bed and tv in bedroom. Note teddy on bed!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Located in the centre of Stafford The Swan has been lovingly restored to include 31 ... more
luxurious bedrooms two of which are 4 poster suites all are en suite with internet points most are air conditioned and non smoking Our four executive rooms have Pl...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
The Swan Hotel is a Quality Independent hotel located in the heart of Stafford Town Centre ... more
and has been lovingly restored. We have 31 quality bedrooms, including two four poster suites, which make full use of the history of the building. The hotel is f...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (97%):
