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Summary of reviewsIn summary, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receives high praise from guests, particularly for its strategic location, exceptional dining experience, spacious and comfortable rooms and friendly staff. Located just 10-15 minutes from Manchester Airport, the hotel's proximity to charming shops, restaurants and bars in Alderley Edge makes it an ideal choice for travelers planning a visit to the surrounding area. The beautifully maintained grounds and easy access to off-street parking further enhance its appeal.
Guests widely commend the quality and variety of the breakfast and dinner options with freshly cooked, well-presented meals that include a full English breakfast and home-made dinner choices. The food is often described as delicious and excellent value for money with an ambiance that adds to the dining pleasure.
The rooms at The Merlin are noted for their cleanliness, comfort and modern decor, often featuring spacious layouts that are especially appreciated by families. Despite minor issues, like temperature control and occasional noise, the general sentiment towards the accommodations is positive with many highlighting the pleasant and immaculate presentation.
The staff consistently receive exceptional reviews for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall guest experience. The well-maintained and spacious parking facilities offer further convenience and the family-oriented amenities ensure that guests of all ages feel at home.
While the free wifi has received mixed reviews with some guests finding it slow and cumbersome to connect, this is a minor issue relative to the overwhelmingly positive feedback in other areas.
The property with its four-star service and amenities, offers a cozy and romantic ambiance, making it an excellent choice for couples seeking a tranquil retreat. The combination of high-quality service, strategic location, delightful dining and comfortable accommodations positions The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection as a highly recommended choice for various travel purposes. Show more
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Categories
Historic Hotel
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Small Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Double RoomThis spacious and stylish room has a neutral décor and includes a TV and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also an en suite bathroom with a selection of toiletries.
Family RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The family room features a private entrance, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Twin RoomOffering free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin room offers a private entrance, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection boasts an excellent location that caters to various needs, making it a highly convenient choice for travelers. Situated a mere 10-15 minutes from Manchester Airport, it serves as an ideal pre-flight or post-flight hotel. Guests frequently appreciated the proximity to the airport, coupled with convenient off-street parking and ease of finding the property.
For those planning to explore the local area, the hotel’s placement on the edge of Alderley Edge is perfect. Visitors can easily access the charming high street filled with restaurants, bars and shops within a short walk. The central location also provides a strategic base for visiting surrounding areas such as Wilmslow, Prestbury and Cheshire, making it suitable for both leisure and business travelers.
The hotel grounds are beautifully maintained, offering pleasant communal areas and gardens. The hospitality was often remarked as positive with attentive staff and comfortable, spacious rooms contributing to a pleasant stay. Additionally, the on-site bar and restaurant add convenience and appeal to the overall experience.
In summary, the Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection stands out for its strategic location near Manchester Airport, accessible amenities within Alderley Edge and comfortable, well-kept accommodations, making it a solid choice for various travel purposes.
Breakfast
Guests at "The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection" overwhelmingly praised the breakfast experience, highlighting the quality and variety of food. Many reviews noted that breakfast was freshly cooked with great produce, offering options like a delicious full English breakfast, super eggs Benedict and vegetarian dishes like the beetroot hash. The generous portions and the fact that food is prepared to order and served promptly were recurrent themes.
Service also received commendations; staff were consistently described as lovely, friendly, helpful and delightful, contributing to the overall positive experience. Guests appreciated the excellent value for money with mentions of good quality food not just for breakfast, but for dinner as well. The breakfast menu had fantastic options and the inclusion of breakfast was often regarded as worth the money.
Although there were some minor criticisms, such as specific breakfast items not always being available, overcooked poached eggs or the absence of background music, these did not overshadow the generally positive feedback. Given the high frequency of terms like amazing, outstanding and superb, it’s clear that the breakfast at The Merlin leaves a lasting impression, contributing significantly to guests' satisfaction during their stay.
Dinner
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receives high praise for its dining experience, highlighted by guests consistently noting the quality and flavor of the food. Diners enjoy an array of tasty and delightful dishes with specific commendations for the evening meals and breakfast offerings. The Sunday roast and Sunday lunch are particularly appreciated for their taste and presentation.
The restaurant boasts an exceptional menu with a good variety of interesting choices, complemented by good home-made food options. The food is frequently described as lovely, delicious, excellent and amazing, underscoring the positive impressions left on visitors. Patrons also find the restaurant environment pleasant and the bar area inviting, enhancing the overall dining ambiance.
Both dinner and breakfast receive acclaim for their quality with some guests emphasizing the excellent value for money. The service is also highlighted as efficient and accommodating, contributing to a memorable dining experience. Despite a few remarks about food being average or occasional menu limitations during peak times, the overwhelming consensus is that dining at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Overall, the combination of superb food, a variety of meal options and a pleasant atmosphere makes The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection a desirable choice for both dinner and breakfast.
Rooms
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receives praise for its spacious and comfortable rooms, which are often described as clean and well-decorated. Many guests appreciate the modern and stylish decor with some rooms featuring lovely views and excellent amenities, like modern en suites and large bathrooms. Family rooms, in particular, are highlighted for their generous size and comfort.
However, reviews also mention some downsides. Several guests found their rooms to be either too cold or too hot, indicating potential issues with the heating system. Noise from other rooms or the hotel's corridors, slow-draining sinks and occasional unpleasant odors were noted by some visitors. A few guests were also disappointed with outdated decor, tired interiors and cleanliness issues in some areas of the hotel.
Despite these drawbacks, many guests enjoyed their stay, noting the overall comfort and cleanliness of the rooms. The presence of nice large rooms, beautiful decorations and good room service often left a positive impression.
Beds
The beds at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receive a wide range of feedback from guests with many highlighting the comfort and size as standout features. Numerous reviews laud the beds for being very comfortable with numerous mentions of "comfy" and "super comfy" beds. The size is also frequently noted with adjectives like "large," "huge," and "big" often used to describe them.
While positive comments dominate, some guests found the beds to be on the firmer side with phrases like "rock hard" and "too firm" appearing. Conversely, there are mixed feelings about the pillows with some guests requesting different bedding or finding the pillows not firm enough.
Overall, guests often cite the comfortable beds as a significant positive aspect of their stay with several pointing out that the comfort of the bed contributed to a great night's sleep. Despite some discrepancies regarding firmness, the general consensus is that the beds are a notable selling point for the hotel.
Cleanliness
Nestled within a charming setting, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection is often praised for its cleanliness, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for its guests. Many reviews highlight that both the rooms and bathrooms are generally spotless, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable stay. The rooms themselves are described as clean, tidy and well-maintained with modern touches enhancing their appeal.
However, some areas of the hotel could benefit from more thorough cleaning. Guests have noted issues such as blocked drains in sinks and showers and dust accumulation, particularly behind furniture and on wardrobe shelves. Bathrooms, while often clean, sometimes need extra attention to remove fibres left from cleaning cloths and occasional mould.
Despite these few concerns, the overall sentiment remains positive. The hotel's bright and inviting decor, combined with the clean and comfortable rooms, leaves a generally favorable impression. The courteous and polite staff further enhance the experience, ensuring that guests feel well taken care of during their stay.
Staff
The reviews for The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection overwhelmingly praise the hotel staff for their exceptional service. Guests repeatedly mention the staff as friendly, helpful and welcoming. The descriptions highlight the professionalism, attentiveness and kindness exhibited by the team, who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. Specific mentions of the management and individual team members reflect a personalized and warm environment. Words like "amazing," "fantastic," and "super" frequently recur, emphasizing the consistently high standards of service.
The staff are noted for being not only courteous and polite but also proactive in addressing guest needs. Their ability to handle complaints efficiently and create a friendly atmosphere adds to the overall positive guest experience. Whether described as delightful, accommodating or exceptionally thoughtful, the staff's engagement ensures that guests feel valued and well-taken care of during their stay.
Overall, the personalized and friendly service at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection stands out as a significant factor contributing to the hotel's excellent reputation among visitors.
Wi-Fi
The wifi experience at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection seems to be a common point of concern among guests. Many reviewers found the wifi to be weak, slow and intermittent, making it difficult to connect and maintain a stable connection. Some mentioned that the login process, which involves using a mobile phone number, was cumbersome and annoying. Poor internet connectivity, nonexistent wifi and mobile service were also frequently noted. However, there were a few who appreciated the fact that the wifi was free and, in rare cases, described it as fast and stable despite the log-in issues. Overall, the wifi service needs significant improvement to meet guest expectations.
Parking
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receives high praise for its parking facilities from guests. Visitors appreciate the ample on-site parking with many highlighting the abundance of free parking spaces available at the rear of the property. The large car park ensures easy and convenient parking, making it stress-free for guests. The availability of free, safe parking is frequently mentioned as a significant advantage. Despite a few concerns about the size of some parking spaces, the overall consensus is positive with many guests finding the parking to be excellent and ample. This charming property, noted for its character and features like fireplaces, provides a hospitable environment with great parking options.
Family
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection is highly appreciated by guests for its family-friendly atmosphere and spacious accommodations. Many reviews highlight the large, clean and comfortable family rooms that can easily accommodate a family of four. This makes it a particularly convenient choice for those traveling with children, including infants. Guests often mention the property's good value, noting that it is cost-effective for families.
The staff's attentiveness and willingness to cater to the needs of guests with additional requirements have been praised, suggesting a supportive environment for families with special needs. The family rooms are not only spacious but also come with extra beds when needed, making it easier for families to settle in comfortably.
However, some reviews do point out areas for improvement, such as the need for more amenities in the rooms and mention minor inconveniences like the family room being a bit hard to reach. Despite these small drawbacks, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection remains a favored choice for family stays, offering a pleasant and accommodating experience that encourages return visits.
4 Star
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection receives commendations for being a beautiful property that many guests affirm truly exhibits four-star service and amenities. Frequent positive remarks highlight the cozy and luxurious rooms, consistent with four-star comfort. Guests appreciate the clean, modern rooms and the hotel's great location, noting the convenience of having everything needed for a pleasant stay. The services provided and overall experience align well with what one would expect from a four-star hotel, making it a favorable choice for various occasions, including weddings.
Romantic
The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection offers an exceptional experience for couples seeking a romantic retreat. The hotel's atmosphere is consistently highlighted as romantic and cozy, making it a perfect setting for a peaceful, intimate getaway. The staff receives high praise for their courteous and accommodating nature, often going above and beyond to make special occasions memorable, such as anniversaries. Guests frequently mention the nice bar and rooms and romantic dinners add to the overall charm and appeal. This hotel clearly excels in providing a welcoming and romantic environment for guests.
No, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection.
No, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection.
No, The Merlin by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't have a gym.