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Summary of reviewsThe Crown and Garter, nestled in the tranquil and picturesque village of Inkpen, stands out as an idyllic retreat offering a serene countryside experience complemented by all modern amenities. The hotel’s location provides convenient access to Highclere Castle and small towns like Hungerford, Newbury and Andover, making it an optimal choice for those seeking relaxation and accessibility in a charming village environment.
One of the Crown and Garter’s standout features is its breakfast, praised for its quality, presentation and variety. Guests particularly laud the freshly cooked meals using local ingredients. Despite minor service-related issues and the late starting time, the breakfast remains a highlight of many guests' stays. Similarly, the hotel's dinner offerings are highly commended for their superb taste, quality and creative presentation, although some guests find the menu slightly expensive.
The accommodations at Crown and Garter are celebrated for being spacious, clean and stylish. With modern furnishings, thoughtful amenities and meticulous cleanliness, the rooms provide a cozy, comfortable environment for a restful stay. Guests especially appreciate the comfortable, large beds and superb bathrooms with modern fixtures. The peaceful setting of the room blocks in a charming courtyard garden further enhances the tranquil experience.
The hotel’s commitment to cleanliness and upkeep is evident with guests consistently highlighting the spotless condition of both the rooms and public areas. Complementing this is the hotel’s friendly, helpful and accommodating staff, who are frequently praised for their warm, professional service.
The fast and reliable WiFi service ensures a seamless online experience, catering well to both leisure and business travelers. Parking is another convenience with ample space and options including an EV charger on-site. Although the car park sometimes gets muddy, the overall parking experience remains positive.
As a family-friendly destination, Crown and Garter shines by providing a comfortable environment and amenities for family gatherings and stays. The peaceful setting and excellent location add to the charm, making it a suitable choice for family holidays and events.
Overall, Crown and Garter meets and often exceeds guest expectations with its blend of luxury, comfort and a relaxing countryside vibe. Despite being a four-star hotel, many guests believe it offers a five-star experience, thanks to its quality services, excellent food and high-end accommodations. The hotel's accessibility features and accommodating staff further ensure a welcoming stay for all guests, making it a highly recommended retreat for anyone seeking a tranquil and luxurious countryside escape. Show more
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Small Hotel
Located in Inkpen, Crown and Garter offers a cozy and intimate setting in a historic building. The hotel provides a charming escape with its well-appointed rooms and tranquil atmosphere.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Accessible Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Double or Twin RoomOffering garden views, rooms have a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. There is an en suite bathroom.
Guest Reviews
9.0
Excellent
Location
'Crown and Garter' is nestled in an idyllic, rural setting that guests consistently praise for its tranquility and picturesque scenery. The hotel's quiet location offers visitors a serene countryside experience, often described as peaceful and relaxing. Its position within the quaint village of Inkpen brings a unique charm, complemented by surrounding woodland walks and beautiful country views. This location is particularly convenient for those planning a visit to Highclere Castle, as it provides easy access to the attraction without sacrificing the seclusion and calm of the countryside.
Guests appreciate the property's proximity to small towns like Hungerford, Newbury and Andover, which are easily accessible by car. The lovely rural ambiance, combined with pleasant grounds and a beautiful garden, makes it a favored spot for tourists looking to unwind. The hotel also impresses with its picturesque setting, tucked away from the bustle of city life, yet offering all modern amenities and comfort.
The Crown and Garter's location is not only perfect for leisurely countryside walks and cycling in West Berkshire, but it's also praised for being a great choice for family gatherings or quiet breaks. Its remote charm doesn't outweigh the convenience, making it a prime spot for visitors looking for a blend of isolation and accessibility.
In summary, this hotel is a gem for those who appreciate beautiful rural English countryside settings. Its peaceful atmosphere, combined with practical access to major routes and local attractions, makes it an excellent choice for travelers seeking both relaxation and convenience in a charming village environment.
Breakfast
Crown and Garter's breakfast receives high praise for its quality and variety. Reviewers frequently describe it as delicious, excellent and freshly cooked, often highlighting the use of local ingredients. The breakfast menu offers a wide array of choices, including a well-regarded Full English breakfast with vegan and vegetarian options also available. Guests appreciate the exceptional and beautifully presented food, noting dishes like homemade baked beans, ketchup and granola.
Despite the high marks for taste and choice, some areas could use improvement. A few reviews mention that breakfast service can be chaotic and slow with occasional long waits for food. The serving times and lack of self-service options were points of inconvenience for some, as breakfast starts at 8:30 am, which can be late for early risers. There were also occasional remarks about the offering being a bit pricey and a desire for more continental options like fruit and yogurt.
Overall, the breakfast at Crown and Garter is highly commended for its quality, presentation and variety, making it a standout feature of the guest experience, albeit with minor service-related issues.
Dinner
The Crown and Garter has garnered numerous positive reviews for its dinner offerings. Guests frequently describe the food as delicious, excellent and of top quality. The restaurant is praised for its creative and well-presented dishes with many highlighting the superb taste and high standard of the meals. The service is also consistently noted as excellent and prompt, contributing to a delightful dining experience.
Despite some comments suggesting that the dinner menu could use minor improvements, such as the addition of gravy or a twist of lemon, the overall consensus is highly favorable. The dinner service is often described as fantastic and the quality of the food is considered exceptional with many guests recommending the dinner highly.
The food is not only well-cooked but also diverse with imaginative vegetarian choices available. The restaurant's atmosphere is appreciated with some guests mentioning the lovely setting and excellent presentation. Evening meals, including items like steak and Sunday lunch, receive specific praise for their delicious flavors and high quality.
However, a few guests did note that the restaurant can be on the expensive side. Despite this, the general sentiment remains positive with many guests describing the food as worth the price and an essential part of their stay at the Crown and Garter. The combination of excellent cuisine, great service and a lovely ambiance makes dining at this establishment a memorable experience.
Rooms
Crown and Garter offers an array of lovely accommodations that consistently draw praise for their comfort and stylish design. Guests often describe the rooms as spacious, clean and modern. The attention to detail is evident in the tastefully decorated interiors, featuring high-quality furnishings and thoughtful amenities.
Many visitors appreciated the spaciousness of the rooms, which are set in a charming courtyard garden and away from the main pub, ensuring a tranquil environment. The decor is frequently highlighted as both contemporary and cozy with a 'boutiquey' feel—perfect for those seeking both style and comfort.
Notably, the beds receive exceptional praise for their comfort with many guests enjoying large, king-size options along with luxurious linens. Bathrooms are another standout feature, often described as superb with modern fixtures and large walk-in showers. The rooms are also well equipped, featuring modern facilities like underfloor heating and quality tea/coffee setups.
Cleanliness is a common theme in the reviews with many guests noting that the rooms were spotlessly clean and appeared to be newly refurbished. The quality of service is also commendable with friendly and helpful staff contributing to a welcoming stay.
All in all, Crown and Garter provides beautifully decorated, comfortable and clean rooms that prioritize guest satisfaction through high standards of maintenance and thoughtful design. Whether for a peaceful getaway or a convenient stay near major towns, this hotel seems to consistently meet and exceed guest expectations.
Beds
Visitors to the Crown and Garter consistently commend its bedding for providing a restful night's sleep. With phrases such as comfortable, super comfy and extremely comfortable appearing frequently, it's clear that the hotel's beds are a significant highlight. The beds are often described as large, king-size and even massive, ensuring plenty of space for relaxation. The bedding itself is praised for being of great quality with reviews mentioning beautiful and quality linen.
While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few guests did note that some beds felt a bit hard or too hot and pillows occasionally lacked consistency in comfort. However, these issues seem to be promptly addressed by the management when raised.
Overall, the rooms at Crown and Garter are described as modern, clean and cozy, contributing to a fitting atmosphere for the top-quality beds they feature. The mix of comfort and quality ensures that guests experience a rejuvenating stay, making the Crown and Garter a popular destination for a good night's sleep.
Cleanliness
The Crown and Garter has received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding its cleanliness from guests. Visitors frequently describe the property as spotless, beautifully clean and impeccably maintained. The rooms, in particular, garner praise for being very clean and tastefully decorated with many guests appreciating their modern and comfortable ambiance. The hotel’s public areas, including the bar and garden, are also noted for their cleanliness and well-organized appearance.
While there are isolated mentions of minor issues such as crumbs and dust, these are overshadowed by the numerous accolades for the hotel's top-notch cleanliness. Housekeeping standards are generally lauded with many guests emphasizing the exceptional daily cleaning service. The facilities, including bathrooms and showers, are often highlighted as immaculately clean and well-equipped.
Overall, the cleanliness and upkeep of the Crown and Garter contribute significantly to its reputation as an idyllic and comfortable accommodation option. The consistent focus on cleanliness and meticulous attention to detail ensure that guests can enjoy a hygienic and pleasant stay.
Staff
The reviews for the staff at the Crown and Garter are overwhelmingly positive and it is clear that their team is a significant strength of this establishment. Descriptions of the staff frequently include terms such as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Guests have highlighted the attentive and professional service, often noting that the staff go out of their way to cater to individual needs. From the warm morning staff to the knowledgeable and welcoming team in the pub, everyone is committed to ensuring a pleasant stay.
Notably, individuals like Alana, Nathaniel and assistant managers Christine and Fraser received mentions for their exceptional service. Staff are described as polite and engaging, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels personal and sincere. Guests were often made to feel at home, treated warmly and even like family during their visit.
While there were a few mentions of the need for more staff at certain times, the efforts of the young and cheerful team didn’t go unnoticed. Overall, the Crown and Garter’s staff receive high praise for their friendliness, efficiency and dedication, making them a standout feature of the guest experience.
Wi-Fi
Crown and Garter is highly praised for its exceptional WiFi service. Guests consistently mention the fast, strong and reliable WiFi, highlighting its excellent signal and consistent availability throughout their stay. Such robust internet access caters well to both leisure and business travelers, ensuring a seamless online experience without any reported issues.
Parking
The Crown and Garter offers a variety of convenient parking options, making it simple for guests to find a space upon arrival. With plenty of parking available, including some spaces right outside, guests can easily park their vehicles. The hotel provides easy and secure off-road parking, along with an EV charger on site for electric vehicle users. Some rooms even offer a view of the car park, ensuring quick access to vehicles. Although the car park was noted to be muddy and full of puddles in some instances, the overall parking experience remains positive with ample, spacious parking to the rear and good garage options. Free, accessible parking ensures that guests have one less thing to worry about during their stay.
Family
The Crown and Garter is a destination well-suited for family holidays and events, such as family weddings and reunions. The hotel stands out with its family-oriented environment and family-friendly setting, providing accommodations that can cater to families, including pre-arranged travel cots. Guests praise the peaceful setting and excellent location, which make it a great choice for a family stay. With varied family activities and amenities specially designed for families, the Crown and Garter creates a welcoming atmosphere for guests with children. Additionally, a fabulous breakfast enhances the overall experience, ensuring that both adults and kids have a pleasant stay.
4 Star
Nestled in a charming village, Crown and Garter offers quality boutique accommodation that many guests found deserving of five stars. The hotel is noted for its exceptional quality and high-end amenities, providing luxurious spaces that ensure a comfortable stay. Despite being billed and considered as a four-star hotel, several reviews suggest it stands out as top tier, offering great value for money. The country pub ambiance adds to its appeal with consistent quality services and very good accommodations and food. Many reviewers rate it as one of the best available in the UK and can't recommend it enough.
Accessible
Crown and Garter stands out for its commendable accessibility features, catering well to guests with disabilities. Visitors consistently appreciate the accessible rooms and bathrooms, ensuring greater convenience and comfort. The hotel's separate building behind the pub is directly accessible from the courtyard, contributing to the ease of movement for all guests. Additional highlights include easily accessible parking and a traveler-friendly grid system, which further enhances maneuverability around the rooms and gardens. The location is also noted for its convenience, though some mention that access roads are quite narrow. With accommodating staff and thoughtful accessibility features, the hotel is especially welcoming to guests with specific needs such as those with MS.
Luxury
Nestled in a serene setting, Crown and Garter offers a luxurious experience marked by beautifully furnished accommodations and exquisite decor. The hotel exudes a sense of style and sophistication with its top-quality, high-end decor that rivals 4 and 5-star establishments. Guests can expect luxurious, modern spaces complemented by plush settings and well-maintained facilities. The rooms and bathrooms are praised for their luxury and comfort with high-standard service and plush bedding fixtures enhancing the overall stay. Known for a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, the accommodations at Crown and Garter are both contemporary and superior, ensuring a wonderful, relaxing stay for all.
Dog Friendly
The Crown and Garter emerges as an exceptionally dog-friendly destination, earning consistent praise for its welcoming attitude towards pets. Nearly every aspect of the hotel is tailored to those traveling with dogs. Guests highlight the perfect setup and spacious amenities designed specifically for pets, making it an ideal spot for a vacation with a dog. The staff's accommodating nature and their warm reception of dogs, often making a big fuss over them, contribute to the inviting atmosphere. Rooms are considered ideal for pets, facilitating easy care and comfort during the stay. Plus, the surrounding area offers plenty of great country walks, ensuring furry companions stay happy and engaged. Overall, the Crown and Garter stands out as an excellent choice for dog owners seeking a hospitable and enjoyable getaway for both themselves and their pets.
No, Crown and Garter doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Crown and Garter.
Yes, Crown and Garter welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Crown and Garter.