The Running Horse

Winchester 51.09105000, -1.35240200 , 88 Main Road (Show on Map)
8.5
Very Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Running Horse is praised for its picturesque location in the village of Littleton, offering a tranquil retreat with beautiful countryside views while being conveniently close to Winchester. The charming hotel grounds, themed paddock-style seating area and ample parking make it an ideal base for both relaxation and exploration of nearby cities like Southampton and Portsmouth.

Guests have high praise for the culinary delights at The Running Horse, particularly the breakfast and dinner offerings. The breakfast, often described as superb and substantial, caters well to varied dietary needs with options like the full English breakfast and gluten-free meals. Despite some critique about the continental breakfast and additional costs for hot items, the overall quality and friendly service leave a positive impression. Dinner continues the trend of excellence with a diverse menu of well-cooked pub grub. Dishes like the superb Sunday roast and delicious fish pie are frequently mentioned, enhancing the warm and cozy pub ambiance.

The rooms at The Running Horse receive accolades for their cleanliness, modern décor and comfort. Guests appreciate the quirky, colorful furniture and high comfort levels of the beds. However, a few guests noted issues like temperature control, noise levels and dim lighting that could use improvement. Overall, the rooms contribute to a delightful stay with well-equipped amenities such as coffee machines and toiletries.

Cleanliness standards generally impress guests with many describing the hotel as spotless and modern. Occasional lapses in cleaning were mentioned but are considered exceptions. The exceptional staff is a standout feature, known for their friendliness, professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond. Their welcoming nature extends to all guests, including those with pets.

The wifi experience is mixed with some praising its reliability while others faced intermittent issues. Nonetheless, the presence of modern room amenities enhances the guest experience.

Families find The Running Horse to be an ideal destination with spacious family rooms, excellent food and a welcoming atmosphere. Minor drawbacks are noted but do not overshadow the overall positive experience. The beds are particularly comfortable, providing restful sleep for guests.

The Running Horse successfully marries boutique charm with four-star amenities. Refurbished and stylishly decorated, it offers a cozy, family-friendly vibe and pet-friendly services, including thoughtful amenities for dogs. The warm ambiance and tastefully decorated bar and restaurant areas further elevate the boutique feel.

In summary, The Running Horse excels in offering a serene, comfortable and charming stay with high-quality food, friendly staff and an accommodating environment for both families and pets. It promises a delightful retreat with a perfect blend of relaxation and accessibility.
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Categories
Small Hotel
Listed as a boutique hotel, The Running Horse offers a unique stay. While specific details are limited, its boutique designation suggests a focus on style and personalized service.

Boutique-style Hotel

Hotel near Golf Courses

Family Friendly Hotel

Dog Friendly Hotel

4-Star Hotel

Room Types
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children) Rate is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing the room. Room can accommodate 4 adults but there is an extra charge for each additional adult. This room features a flat-screen TV with Freeview and an en suite bath or shower room.

Double Room Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.

Large Double or Twin Room Featuring free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This twin/double room has a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as chocolate for guests.

Twin Room Featuring free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This twin room has a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 2 beds.

Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the picturesque village of Littleton, The Running Horse offers a serene retreat just a few miles from Winchester. This idyllic countryside location features lovely views over fields and woodlands, creating a peaceful environment perfect for relaxation. Guests appreciate the close proximity to Winchester, just a short drive or taxi ride away, making it ideal for exploring the city’s cultural and historical attractions.

The strategic location also provides convenient access to the main routes to Southampton and Portsmouth, making it a great base for further travel. The hotel is well-positioned for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the rural surroundings while still being close enough to city amenities.

The hotel grounds are charming with rooms arranged around a themed paddock-style seating area, offering a unique and cozy atmosphere. There’s ample parking available, making it easy for guests to navigate the area by car. Whether visiting for leisure or using it as a stopover, The Running Horse's location is praised for its convenience and scenic beauty, offering the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility.

Breakfast
At The Running Horse, breakfast seems to be quite a memorable experience for most guests. The consistently mentioned positives highlight the excellent and delicious nature of the breakfast offerings with high praise for cooked-to-order meals such as the full English breakfast. Guests often describe the breakfasts as tasty, superb and substantial, setting a positive tone for the day. There is a good variety to choose from, including options that cater well to vegetarians and those who need gluten-free meals. The staff's friendly and attentive service adds to the overall enjoyment.

The continental breakfast included with the room rate garners mixed opinions. While some found it sufficient and nicely presented, others felt it was limited in choice and sometimes unimaginative. Additional costs for hot breakfast items were a point of contention for some with some guests feeling it should have been included in the accommodation price.

Despite a few criticisms about price and variety, guests generally appreciate the quality of food and the cozy atmosphere during breakfast. The Running Horse's commitment to delivering a delightful breakfast experience is evident, making it a noteworthy part of staying at this charming hotel.

Dinner
The Running Horse offers an impressively diverse menu of well-cooked pub grub that stands out for its quality and presentation. Reviewers consistently highlight the excellent and plentiful food, often describing it as fantastic, delicious and amazing. Many guests noted the evening meals were very good with some specifically praising the superb Sunday roast and delicious fish pie. Both dinner and breakfast received high marks for taste and value with some meals described as absolutely fabulous and incredibly flavorful. The pub environment itself is warm, comfortable and tastefully decorated, enhancing the dining experience. Despite a few mentions of the food being slightly overpriced and occasional slow service, the overwhelming consensus is that the food is top-notch and varied, providing ample choices for all palates. Guests particularly enjoyed the ribeye steak and pear tart and a wide selection of beers adds to the delightful dining. Overall, The Running Horse's culinary offerings appear to be a major draw for visitors, leaving many eager to return for another meal.

Rooms
The Running Horse offers a delightful stay with rooms that cater to a variety of needs and preferences. The rooms are widely praised for being clean, modern and comfortable, often described as spacious and well-decorated. Guests find the theming and quirky, colorful furniture to be charming and fun with many noting the unique paddock-style layout which adds to the overall experience. The beds consistently receive high marks for their comfort and the rooms are well-equipped with amenities like coffee machines, fans and toiletries, ensuring convenience for short or longer stays.

Despite the generally positive feedback, some guests experienced issues such as rooms being too hot or inadequately cleaned in certain instances. Noise complaints were also noted with some rooms being close to the pub's outdoor seating area. Lighting issues seemed recurrent with several reviews mentioning dim lighting conditions and, in some cases, electrical failures.

The quiet, secluded setting provides a peaceful ambiance while still giving easy access to the pub and restaurant where the food is well-received. Overall, the Running Horse offers a comfortable and enjoyable stay with its modern, well-appointed rooms and attention to detail, making it an appealing choice for travelers seeking both relaxation and convenience.

Beds
The beds at The Running Horse have garnered significant praise for their comfort and spaciousness. Guests frequently emphasized how the large double beds provided a very comfortable and relaxing sleep experience. Many reviews highlighted extreme comfort with phrases like extremely comfortable, very comfortable and super comfortable recurring consistently. The beds are described as large and comfy, offering a great night's sleep. A few reviews noted the exceptional comfort, stating it was the comfiest bed they had ever slept in. There were minor comments about the pillows being a bit too dense and high, but these are being addressed with new mattresses and pillows in an upcoming renovation. Overall, the beds at The Running Horse seem to ensure a restful and cozy stay.

Cleanliness
The Running Horse generally impresses guests with its high standards of cleanliness and comfort. Many reviews commend the establishment for being clean and tidy, noting spacious and well-equipped rooms that cater well to families. Constant remarks about rooms being very clean, spotless and even sparkling clean contribute positively to its reputation. Additionally, the hotel's modern feel and clean common areas further enhance the guest experience.

However, not all reviews sing praises uniformly. Some guests pointed out occasional lapses in cleaning standards, mentioning specific issues such as dust, stains and overlooked corners in bathrooms. While these instances seem to be exceptions rather than the rule, they indicate room for improvement in maintaining consistent cleanliness.

Overall, The Running Horse is well-regarded for its comfortable, neat and clean accommodations with a few inconsistencies that the management could address for even better guest satisfaction.

Staff
The Running Horse stands out for its exceptional staff, who consistently receive glowing praise from guests. Descriptions highlight their professionalism, friendliness and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Many reviewers emphasize how accommodating and efficient the team is, dealing with requests swiftly and effectively. The staff’s welcoming nature extends to all guests, including pets, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Guests appreciate the relaxed ambiance fostered by the polite and attentive personnel, who are often mentioned for their huge smiles and engaging demeanor. From the bar to the restaurant, the service is noted as fantastic with staff being described as awesome, superb and amazing. They excel in making everyone feel at home, often going the extra mile to accommodate specific needs and preferences.

Whether it’s being greeted warmly at reception or enjoying efficient and courteous service throughout the stay, the staff at The Running Horse leave a lasting impression. They are frequently recognized for their exceptional service, helpfulness and the cozy, inviting environment they help create. Overall, the attentive and friendly staff play a crucial role in making The Running Horse a standout choice for travelers.

Wi-Fi
The wifi experience at The Running Horse receives mixed feedback from its guests. Many reviews highlight the wifi as being good, reliable and free with several guests commenting on the overall quality of the connection. However, there are several mentions of the wifi being intermittent or poor with some guests experiencing issues where the wifi didn't work at all. The wifi speed is noted as limited to 5Mbps, which some guests found sufficient and reliable, although it does not support streaming services like Netflix. Despite these mixed reviews, the presence of room amenities such as a Nespresso coffee machine and advanced Dyson fan adds a modern touch to the guest experience.

Family
Nestled in a welcoming environment, The Running Horse proves to be a family-friendly destination for those traveling with young children. Many guests have highlighted the hotel as an ideal spot for a family of four with spacious and comfortable family rooms that provide ample space for everyone. The overall atmosphere radiates a family feel, making it a great place for families to stay.

Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as the positioning of the family room limiting natural light and occasional lapses in service like the double charge at checkout, the positive experiences seem to outweigh the negatives. Guests frequently praise the food quality and exceptional service, citing an overall pleasant dining experience. The inclusion of a full English breakfast with the family rate further complements the stay, enhancing the hotel’s appeal to families.

Moreover, the friendly and helpful staff contribute significantly to making the stay enjoyable, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed. Overall, The Running Horse earns commendations as a highly family-friendly venue that offers good facilities and comfort for its guests, making it a suitable choice for a family getaway.

4 Star
The Running Horse offers an up-to-date stay with clean and well-presented rooms ensuring a great night's sleep. Guests praise the luxurious towels and bedding and the standing desk facilities add a convenient touch for business travelers. The food and friendly staff are consistently noted as excellent, contributing to a great hotel experience. The service is described as very good and the pub/restaurant is highly recommended. Despite some minor hindrances and occasional pressure on staff, the overall value for money and solid four-star amenities make this hotel an excellent choice. Overall, The Running Horse is well worthy of its four-star rating, providing good facilities and service, making it a great place to stay.

Boutique-Style
The Running Horse exudes charm and character in every corner, making it an appealing destination for travelers seeking a unique boutique experience. The establishment has undergone a wonderful refurbishment, leaving it well-decorated and stylish both inside and out. The rooms are notably quirky, featuring themed furniture and unique decor that creates an inviting atmosphere. Comfortable beds and nice toiletries add to the attention to detail in both the rooms and the adjoining pub.

Guests appreciate the cozy, family-friendly vibe of the hotel, where even pets are welcome, enhancing its charm for dog owners. The friendly and helpful staff contribute to the welcoming atmosphere, making visitors feel at home. The bar and restaurant areas are equally charming with stylish interiors and delicious food that further elevate the boutique feel of the hotel.

The Running Horse offers a lively yet cozy ambiance that both families and individual travelers find enjoyable. Its unique style, comfortable bedding and family-style facilities create a memorable stay for all. Whether for a fun night out or a relaxing getaway, this pet-friendly boutique hotel leaves a lasting impression of comfort and quaint charm.

Dog Friendly
The Running Horse stands out as an exceptionally dog-friendly establishment, warmly welcoming furry friends with open arms. Guests frequently highlight the provision of thoughtful amenities such as dog beds, toys, treats and water bowls, ensuring that canine companions feel right at home. The hotel even offers a welcome box for dogs, adding an extra touch of hospitality.

Travelers appreciate the convenient dog-walking opportunities nearby, making it easy to explore the area with pets. The environment is consistently described as dog-friendly and there's a charming dog-friendly bar where both humans and their pets can relax.

Despite a few minor issues, such as the occasional absence of promised amenities or personal preferences regarding pillow firmness, the overall sentiment is positive. The comfortable, welcoming atmosphere coupled with lovely dog-friendly rooms and a pet-loving staff make The Running Horse a top choice for those traveling with their canine friends.


No, The Running Horse doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at The Running Horse.

Yes, The Running Horse welcomes dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at The Running Horse.

No, The Running Horse doesn't have a gym.

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