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Summary of reviewsThe Carnarvon Arms is a highly regarded establishment, particularly praised for its prime location near Highclere Castle, making it an ideal choice for visitors eager to explore the iconic "Downton Abbey" filming site. The picturesque setting, complemented by an inviting ambiance, ensures a delightful retreat with convenient amenities such as ample parking and an attractive outdoor terrace. Guests are charmed by the warm and friendly reception, which sets the tone for their stay.
Dining at The Carnarvon Arms is a highlight, with breakfast often lauded for its quality and variety, despite occasional critiques regarding limited choices or replenishment issues. Dinner continues the positive culinary experience, offering fresh, delectable options with ample variety that cater to various dietary preferences, creating a satisfying dining experience that sees many guests returning multiple times. The experienced staff is consistently recognized for their professionalism and eagerness to enhance guests' experiences, contributing significantly to the venue's welcoming atmosphere.
Rooms at The Carnarvon Arms embody a quintessential English decor, praised for their comfort and distinctive Victorian style, although some guests find room sizes on the snug side. Generally, the spotless cleanliness of rooms and communal spaces is appreciated, contributing to the overall inviting and cozy atmosphere of the hotel.
Completing the experience are exceptionally comfortable beds, often noted as a standout feature, though some guests have found them overly firm or narrow. The boutique charm of The Carnarvon Arms is evident in its stylish decor, offering an enchanting setting that enhances both the pub and accommodations, despite the nearby busy roads.
Overall, The Carnarvon Arms presents a charming, clean, and comfortable stay with excellent amenities, an enviable location, and dedicated staff, which together ensure a memorable visit, particularly for those drawn to the historical allure of Highclere Castle. Show more
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Categories
Inn with Parking
Features parking available for guest use.
Boutique-style Inn
Accessible Inn
Small Inn
4-Star Inn
Room Types
Double RoomThe double room features a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. This double room offers heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Twin RoomThis room features 2 twin beds, flat-screen TV, disability-accessible bathroom, toiletries, shower, toilet, towels, linen, desk, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and clothes rack.
Small Double RoomThe double room provides a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Situated in an enviable position, The Carnarvon Arms is the perfect choice for travelers planning a visit to Highclere Castle, famously known as the filming location for "Downton Abbey." Guests consistently rave about the hotel's proximity, noting its ideal location just a mile away and within walking distance to the castle. This quiet setting allows for a peaceful retreat after a day of exploration. The charming atmosphere of the hotel complements its beautiful surroundings, offering a pleasant stay in a lovely area. Visitors also appreciate the good-sized car park and the pleasant outdoor terrace that the hotel offers. Enhancing the experience is the warm and friendly reception, paired with high-quality food and beverages. With such a superb location and inviting ambiance, The Carnarvon Arms stands out as a convenient and delightful option for those visiting Highclere Castle and the surrounding areas.
Breakfast
While breakfast at The Carnarvon Arms generally receives high praise, opinions vary, creating a multifaceted picture of the morning dining experience. Guests frequently commend the breakfast for its quality, often describing it as excellent, superb, and delicious. Many appreciate the variety, noting the availability of both hearty full English breakfasts and lighter continental options, which include fruits, muesli, toast, and jams. The freshly made to order options and the ample selections are seen as notable highlights.
On the other hand, some guests express disappointment, occasionally pointing out the breakfast as not meeting expectations, or mentioning aspects like limited choice, cold dishes, or untimely replenishment of the buffet. Despite these occasional criticisms, the breakfast experience is generally bolstered by the hotel's friendly and helpful staff and well-prepared meals, which many guests find to be of good value, particularly when included in their stay. Overall, breakfast at The Carnarvon Arms largely contributes positively to the guest experience, with many visitors enjoying a delightful start to their day.
Dinner
The Carnarvon Arms' dining experience has garnered a host of positive guest reviews, highlighting the excellent quality of food served. Diners frequently describe their evening meals as delicious and superb, often noting the delightful ambience of the setting. Breakfasts and dinners both receive high praise, with many guests impressed by the fresh and beautifully cooked dishes. The menu offers good choices, with vegan options being appreciated by those with dietary preferences, although some find it slightly limited. Most guests find the meals to be tasty and good value for money, fitting for various budgets. The combination of well-presented and delectable food ensures a satisfying dining experience at this establishment. However, a few reviews mention minor disappointments, such as unexpected ingredients or limited menu options. Despite these occasional critiques, many guests find their dining experience at The Carnarvon Arms to be exceptional, often dining multiple times during their stay, drawn by the enticing flavors and quality service.
Rooms
Nestled in the picturesque countryside, The Carnarvon Arms offers a charming retreat with a quintessential English decor that resonates throughout its rooms, though the experience may vary. Guests consistently remark on the comfort and tasteful decoration of the rooms, which capture a unique Victorian style, lending an old-world charm that adds character to the stay. However, the comfort of these accommodations is often juxtaposed with their size. Many reviews highlight a snug or even cramped experience, with some rooms being smaller than expected, which occasionally affects convenience, such as limited wardrobe space.
The cleanliness of the rooms frequently receives commendation, as most guests find them spotless with modern ensuites. There are instances where rooms require a bit of attention, with some needing a refresh or better lighting arrangements. Despite these occasional shortcomings, most rooms are furnished with good facilities and maintain a cozy, inviting atmosphere, often described as warm and well-equipped.
For those visiting primarily for its proximity to Highclere Castle, the overall comfort and character of The Carnarvon Arms make it an appealing option. Nonetheless, potential guests should be prepared for the possibility of smaller spaces, with the assurance of clean, comfortable, and characterful accommodations.
Beds
Nestled in a charming setting, The Carnarvon Arms offers a varied experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional comfort of the beds, often describing them as very or extremely comfortable. Many found the beds to be among the comfiest they've ever slept on, complete with cozy duvets and pillows. The rooms often complement the comfort of the beds, providing a clean and pleasant environment for relaxation.
However, some guests have found certain beds to be on the hard side, with a few noting that the mattresses felt rock-hard, affecting their sleep quality. The bed sizes were another point of contention for some; while accommodating for most, a few guests felt the beds were a bit narrow for two well-built adults. Despite these occasional issues, the overall impression of the bedding at The Carnarvon Arms leans towards comfort, contributing positively to the overall guest experience.
Cleanliness
In exploring The Carnarvon Arms, guests often highlight the impeccably maintained spaces as a standout feature. Rooms and bathrooms are frequently described as exceptionally clean, offering a welcoming atmosphere with spotless bedding and fluffy towels. Many guests appreciate the cleanliness extending to other areas, including the dining room and reception, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable stay. The decor is charming, and the hotel is well-appointed, ensuring a visually appealing environment for visitors.
However, while the general consensus leans towards a positive experience, occasional mentions of minor maintenance issues and room sizes suggest areas for improvement. Some guests have noted dustiness or unpleasant odors in their rooms and inadequate bathroom space. There are also instances where certain spots require refurbishment to uphold the overall tidy appearance. Despite these nuances, the attentive staff's prompt responses in addressing issues, such as changing unclean towels, are appreciated.
Overall, The Carnarvon Arms offers a clean, inviting setting complemented by delightful dining experiences and friendly staff, though it may benefit from addressing some isolated concerns to enhance its guest experiences further.
Staff
The Carnarvon Arms boasts an impressive reputation for its exceptional staff, consistently highlighted by guests as a key standout feature of the establishment. Visitors frequently comment on the amiable and welcoming nature of the staff, with words like friendly and helpful recurring throughout reviews. The team at The Carnarvon Arms prioritizes the comfort and satisfaction of their guests, attending to needs with efficiency and a warm demeanor. Many guests note that the staff is eager to go above and beyond, ensuring a pleasant and accommodating stay. The attentive nature of the staff is matched by their professionalism, showing a keen interest in providing great service without being intrusive. Even amidst busier times, the staff remain cheerful and focused, making a genuine effort to enhance the overall experience. While there are rare mentions of issues, the predominant sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, painting a picture of a venue where superb service comes as standard.
Parking
The Carnarvon Arms boasts ample and convenient parking facilities that enhance the guest experience. Visitors appreciate the large parking lot on site, offering plenty of free spaces. With room for about 20 vehicles, guests find the gravel parking area easy to use for their vehicles. The addition of electric hook-up points further supports guests arriving with electric cars. While some suggest improvements like a movement sensor light for enhanced night-time visibility, the overall sentiment towards the parking facilities remains positive. Travelers can enjoy a seamless and hassle-free parking experience alongside their stay.
Boutique-Style
The Carnarvon Arms exudes charm and style, earning praise for its quaint and beautifully decorated ambiance. Guests appreciate the hotel's impeccable taste, noting the well-laid-out spaces and comfortable furniture that contribute to an inviting atmosphere. The property's charming essence is not only seen in the guest rooms but also extends to the pub area, where interesting decor adds to the overall appeal. The bar also stands out, enhancing the experience with good food and a pleasant setting. Although located between two busy roads, the allure of the decor and the inviting atmosphere make The Carnarvon Arms a noteworthy boutique hotel destination.
No, The Carnarvon Arms doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Carnarvon Arms.
No, The Carnarvon Arms doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Carnarvon Arms.