Mercure Banbury Whately Hall Hotel 3 stars

Superb service from everyone we met here. Smiling helpful and chatty. We were the only people in the restuarant for dinner, the waiter was superb and the food excellent. It was just a one night stay as we had a delivery to make the next morning but would seem to be an ideal location for a stay in the Cotswolds. Considering a longer stay once Covid restrictions are removed.

Although I am prepared to accept some changes during 2020, the service was downgraded too far. I paid for a proper breakfast and received only a paper bag with a soggy croissant, a carton of orange and a yoghurt. This is just cheap! The photos showed a panelled dining room but that was closed and just bar meals...at restaurant prices.

No hot water in shower only cold water coming out of hot water did report to front desk. was looked at was told to run hot tap for 15 minutes . But this was a wrest of water. had to have bath which l have trouble in getting and out of bath.

The issue that I have experienced was: My husband and I booked a night away as a treat. Travelling during Covid we knew that things would different but this was not acceptable. The hotel is a little tired and not cleaned very well. The cobwebs and dust are quite an issue. Our first room (59) the TV did not work so the (very nice and attentive) receptionist moved us next door The 2nd room (58) the heating did not work and the room was SO cold that my husband had to ask for a storage heater to take upstairs. The beams are covered with cobwebs and wallpaper is peeling off of the walls. Our dinner was nice but the restaurant bar area was also cold, there were very few guests but the staff were friendly. One of the great pleasures of a night away is a nice English breakfast in the morning. "Due to Covid" staff levels there are no staff to cook breakfast so we were provided with a paper bag containing a packet croissant, butter, jam, Nutra grain bar, yoghurt and carton of OJ. This was a huge disappointment so we got up early to go and find a cafe to have our breakfast. The receptionist was nice as was the waitress but if you do not have the staff to open fully then you should not open at all. It occurred on: 12/12/2020 This meant that My husband and I work very hard and this was a real treat for us but it was a real disappointment. The hotel needs a deep clean and a lick of paint which wasnt too much of an issue for us but the breakfast was a deal breaker! I called up the day before and confirmed our booking and should have been told about the cheap lunch box style breakfast. We would like an apology and voucher towards another stay. Your receptionist needs some credit for being so helpful. I look forward to your prompt response on this matter. As recommended by Trading Standards, I would like to keep a complete record of my case, so please reply to this email address. Yours faithfully, Sara S. Reservation or booking reference S. Hotel name or location Mercure Whately Hall Hotel Little Orchard Partridge Lane Rusper RH12 4RW

Only 1 milk in box so had to use one from room 72 which had 4

Our daughter had booked this as a gift for us both and we're so glad she did, stayed in one of their very spacious suites, the team were all very welcoming and couldn't do enough for us, nothing was too much trouble. The food was lovely and well presented, decided to stay an additional night. We'll definitely be going back. Thank you for a lovely stay and taking such good care of us R & C C.

After being really anxious about Covid, I decided to book a night away again here as it is close to my family. The check in was fast and friendly providing lots of information and the room was ready early which was a lovely surprise. What impressed us even more is the General Manager remembered us from last time and welcomed us back again - really nice personal service.

Staff friendly and helpful.

We are fairly frequent visitors to Whately Hall. We are always well looked after. The hotel has put in good procedures for covid and we felt safe during our stay. I hope we are able to return soon and would recommend this hotel.

I always love coming back to the hotel me and my partner always love staying at the hotel the staff are very friendly

Old windows that didn’t shut, old bathroom , no heating so provided oil heater , no smart tv , hair in the drawers from previous people that ha d stayed.... we had dinner and left . We didn’t even stay at the hotel

Check in swift and polite , parking free and staff helpful

Friendly staff especially Rev who looked after us superbly in the restaurant. Very quiet given the current times but that just made us feel safer & staff clearly grateful to be able to accommodate us.

The first night was not at all comfortable and got hardly any sleep. Constant banging/knocking from the radiator that wasn't even working! The toilet would flush for ages after use & took a long time to refill. The tv kept glitching & you could hear clearly word for word the tv that was on in the room below us. Fortunately we spoke to the receptionist the next morning who kindly moved us to a nicer room

The Hotel is beautiful, centrally located in Banbury and with good parking. The rooms though are a little tired now and could do with some redecoration. The services were all good though!