GLEBE

The hotel closed 18 months ago despite the website Hotel.de accepting our reservation. The exterior of the hotel would confirm the closure to be correct and the doors were locked. There was also no evidence of any recent activity inside the hotel.

My partner booked a stay at the Glebe for my birthday. To add to the surprise he upgraded the room and booked treatments with the onsite Beauticians. On arrival my first impressions were this is a tired 80's wedding venue. We waited at reception for some time, a maintenance man eventually went and got us some help. Our room was ok but quite small. The bathroom then made it clear by the 'special access bath' that we had been booked into a disabled room, really romantic ! Looking around the room there was a real lack of expected things, no hooks for wet coats, no hooks in the bathroom or place for wet swimming costumes. No toiletries apart from a cheap squeezy bottle fixed to the wall, the kind you would find in a corporate budget hotel. The finish in the bathroom was terrible, it seemed if in doubt fill it with mastic! Sharp edges made some areas quite dangerous. If this was an upgraded room, I would be shocked to see a 'normal room' We cancelled our dinner reservation as the hotel appeared to be empty with skeleton staff. The next morning was my birthday and we wanted to make the most of things. Pool was nice but Sauna & Turkish bath had not been turned on. Breakfast was served in the conservatory which you accessed through a room that looked like a store room. The continental breakfast was the cheapest and worst I had ever seen. Tea was served in flask that you would normally see at a corporate function. The china and cutlery, like the rest of the 'dinning room' needed a good clean. We could stand it no more and decided to book out. The manager met us to hear our views and the result was that we were made to feel that our expectations were too high. At no point did she make any attempt to apologies for the faults we raised only an offer of another room. We might go to 5* hotels but we also go camping, and for us its about getting what you've paid for and wherever you stay the facilities available should be working and service provided be at the expected level. I have never booked out of a hotel early, and we were both very disappointment especially as my partner had spent so much time and effort into arranging this for my birthday. In the case of The Glebe Hotel you definitely do not get what it says on the tin! and my first impressions were right, a tired 80's wedding venue !

We have just returned from our 11th trip to The Glebe. It's perfectly placed for Stratford and all the other lovely towns and National Trust properties in the area. We combined it with a visit to the theatre in Stratford. It's always easy to park. The rooms are clean and the staff are unfailing pleasant. We had a delicious meal in the evening. The prices are reasonable. We've already booked our next trip!!