Infotel Magazine Edition 2 | 2016

The Guest Book This month’s top picks

Dates for the Diary What to do, where to stay

2016 Edition 2

Be

A Postcard from...

We turn the spotlight on Pembrokeshire

King Queen or

of the castle

A selection of

Special Offers

from around the UK

Coastal or Countryside?

Where will you be this Easter?

758,880 DISCOUNTED RATES, AMAZING OFFERS, BUDGET TO LUXURIOUS HOTELS, SERVICED APARTMENTS & OVER

PROPERTIES WORLDWIDE

For your next work or leisure night away Contact

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CONTENTS

4

The Guest Book

5 Dates for the Diary

6&7 Infotel: working for you

8 Portcullis Inn Majors Retreat

9 Old Mill

10 & 11

Easter Escapes

12 & 13 Milsom Hotels & Restaurants

14 & 15 Infotel Specials

16 Esseborne Manor Hotel

18 & 19

A postcard from...

20 & 21 Chef’s Corner

22 Chef’s Specials

23 Fernie Castle Hotel

17

24

Findon Hall Hotel

Infotel Collections

3

This month’s collection of Infotel properties to tempt you away

Huntingtower Hotel Perthshire

The Fairway Barnsley South Yorkshire

Hampshire

Stay 2a

King Charles Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Harlow

Great Western Hotel

Kent

Kent

Devon

Essex

Glendevon House Hotel Kent

4

Hilton Southampton

Speedbird Inn Aberdeen Airport Aberdeenshire

The Beach Kent

Dates for the Diary

Follow our quick links for a range of accommodation at different prices and star ratings, providing plenty of choice for your next night away...

2nd - 6th March

WEDDINGS

Dynamo Liverpool

LIVERPOOL

5th March

World Pasty Championship at Eden

ST AUSTELL

4th - 6th March

The National Wedding Show

BIRMINGHAM 7th - 8th March

Adele

MANCHESTER 12th March

Ellie Goulding

SHEFFIELD 10th - 13th March

West Somerset Railway, Spring Steam Gala

MINEHEAD 17th March

St Patrick’s Day

DUBLIN 19th March

Chatsworth House Opens

DERBY

18th - 20th March

The Cornish Arms Beer & Mussel Festival

PADSTOW 25th - 28th March

Great Missenden Food Festival

GREAT MISSENDEN 5

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NEWCASTLE

GLASGOW

375 properties (Within 20 miles)

378 properties (Within 20 miles)

MANCHESTER 363 properties (Within 20 miles)

DUBLIN

439 properties (Within 20 miles)

BIRMINGHAM 315 properties (Within 15 miles)

CARDIFF 339 properties

LONDON

(Within 20 miles)

2108 properties

BRISTOL

(Within 20 miles)

461 properties (Within 20 miles)

“Very happy with the quick, efficient service from Infotel, will use again for future bookings.”

“That’s fantastic! Another great service from yourself.

I will definitely be using you again.”

“Just to thank you for helping me regarding the booking, your action was really appreciated.”

Mark Mcpyke

Dan Doughty

Pauline Love

VIEWPOINTS

7

FEATURED HOTEL

Portcullis Inn Major’s Retreat

£35

Badminton, Gloucestershire GL9 1HZ

From

“What an amazing find!

A warm and friendly welcome, fantastic, good quality food and a wide range of choice” A Trip Advisor reviewer

Mentioned in guide books for walkers and ramblers taking on the 102 miles of the Cotswold Way, this 18th century stone pub with rooms makes a great base, not just for walkers, but for visitors to the glorious Cotswold countryside wanting to discover picturesque villages, farmers’ markets and famous ancient sites.

There are three self contained en suite rooms available, including a family room. All have tea and coffee making facilities with free wifi available in public areas.

A wide selection of local ales, lagers and ciders are available. On cold days ask the landlord for a glass of mulled wine made from his secret recipe. Then cosy-up by the large log fire for a perfect thawing out!

A large oak panelled dining room leading from the spacious main bar provides a charming traditional country pub backdrop to meals at the Major’s Retreat. Enjoy Gloucester old spot sausage and

8

mash, pie of the day or tuck into something from the grill.

Major’s Retreat in the pretty village of Tormarton in South Gloucestershire was formerly known as the Portcullis Inn and has changed its name to avoid confusion with The Portcullis in nearby Chipping Sodbury.

40 Onsite

Bar

WiFi

Restaurant

Check In Check Out 12.00pm 11.00am

FEATURED HOTEL

Old Mill

£75

Maryport, Cumbria CA15 7JP

From

“I stayed for a total of about 29 nights and ate there for nearly all of these. Absolutely fantastic value for money...staff are really helpful and couldn’t have been more friendly” A Trip Advisor reviewer

A warm Cumbrian welcome greets guests arriving at this family run inn in the picturesque village of Dearham, birth place to the world famous potter, Josiah Wedgewood, and ideally located for exploring the West Country and the nearby Lake District National Park.

There are nine rooms available, including a good sized family room which has a four poster bed and two singles. All have tea and coffee making facilities, free wifi and Freeview flat screen TVs. Guests have a choice of either luxury feather or modern polyester duvets plus an extra comforter for the coldest of winter nights. All rooms are comfortably furnished and the inn is a popular choice with both business and leisure travellers.

Start your day with Continental or English style breakfast along with a selection of different teas and coffees. Enjoy locally sourced fresh fish, lamb and venison in the restaurant, which uses the best of seasonal produce, or for summer nights, relax in the beer garden with a locally brewed pint or a bottle of wine.

18 Onsite

Free WiFi

Restaurant

Bar

Wedding Receptions

Live Music

Check In Check Out 5.00pm 11.00am

9

EASTER ESCAPES

Looking for an

Easter Escape?

Surround yourself with history, dramatic landscapes and spectacular sea views with a retreat to the comforts of a coastal or countryside stay this March

HARTLAND QUAY HOTEL Devon At this time of the year, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more spectacular scene when descending the hill taking you to the Hartland Quay Hotel; a vast panorama of rugged Devonshire landscape, the raging fury of the Atlantic Ocean’s crashing breakers and a dramatic horizon of charging clouds galloping over Lundy Island; it’s a backdrop of nature and the elements taking control and not surprisingly, the striking location has featured in several films, including Treasure Island.

The old harbour dates back to the time of Henry VIII and parts can still be seem at low tide. The old Customs House is now the Hartland Quay Hotel, and along with a choice of en suite rooms, guests can enjoy a traditional bar menu in the former stables, now known as The Wrecker’s Retreat Bar. The hotel is perfectly located to discover the charming chocolate box village of Clovelly and the medieval Tintagel Castle, a place inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur.

10

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EASTER ESCAPES

CEOL NA MARA GUEST HOUSE Isle of Harris

Recently announced amongst the happiest places to live in the UK, the Isle of Harris boasts meadows, moorlands, lochs and castles and is a playground for outdoor adventure and exploration. Making an ideal base to stay is the award-winning Coel na Mara, Scots Gaelic for ‘music of the sea’ and aptly named because of the haunting melodic tones of the water reverberating off the rocks in the tidal loch. As well as providing the soundtrack to a stay at Coel na Mara, the loch provides the centre piece to ever changing views from the tastefully decorated bedrooms.

Start the day with a five star locally sourced breakfast and for lunch and evening meals, venture to one of local restaurants for a delicious catch of the day. And don’t leave Harris without buying some of the famous tweed!

The distinctive 19th century Amberley Inn enjoys enviable views across the National Trust owned Minchinhampton Common and the gentle hills of the Cotswold countryside.

AMBERLEY INN Gloucestershire

Built in 1855, the historic inn retains all its charm and atmosphere, with original oak panelled rooms and parquet flooring, stone mullioned windows and roaring log fires - perfect for sampling local real ales and fine wines before retiring to either a premier or classic bedroom, neither disappoint with their Cotswold charm and attention to comfort.

Still stuck for somewhere to stay?

View our coastal collection or head over to our country selection

COASTAL

COUNRTY 11

FEATURED GROUP

Beautiful bedrooms, fabulous food and stunning settings.

VIEW GROUP

MILSOMS Colchester, Essex A boutique hotel, brasserie and informal dining in a stylish hotel with a vibrant bar and restaurant. A benchmark for accommodation and informal dining with inventive food.

MILSOMS KESGRAVE HALL Ipswich, Suffolk Kesgrave Hall has twenty three en-suite bedrooms ranging from standard through to top rate, all have plenty of WOW factor, some of them even have bathtubs in their rooms and huge walk in showers!

12

MILSOM HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

PIER AT HARWICH Harwich, Essex A luxury boutique hotel and restaurants in Harwich, with 14 bedrooms and two celebrated seafood restaurants.

The Pier Hotel is located in two historic buildings that stand proudly on the quay side of old Harwich.

MAISON TALBOOTH Colchester, Essex This luxury boutique hotel and restaurant overlooks the famous Constable Dedham Vale and is a great escape for complete relaxation.

VIEW GROUP 13

Wycliffe Hotel

Barony Castle Peebles, Scotland

Stockport, Cheshire

Spring Weekends!

Enjoy overnight accommodation and a full English breakfast, availble on Fridays to Sundays until 28th March 2016

Starting from

£85

Two course dinner, bed & breakfast

Dinner, bed and breakfast with a bottle of wine on arrival and a 30% Spa discount (Sunday to Thursday limited availability)

Starting from

£99

Innkeepers Lodge Ambleside - White Lion Hotel

Skelwith Bridge Hotel

Advanced Saver

Three night special package with four course dinner, bed and breakfast Friday 25th to Sunday 28th March 2016

Ambleside, Cumbria

Book now to save on all rooms

Starting from

14

£59

£69

Ambleside, Cumbria

Easter Weekend 2016

Starting from

£160

Apollo Hotel

Basingstoke, Hampshire

A Little Bit Special

Enjoy a luxurious break with dinner, a bottle of house wine, full English breakfast available on Thursdays to Saturdays

Starting from

£125

Kilworth House Hotel North Kilworth, Leicestershire

The Perfect Escape

Receive a reduction when you book a night away at this stunning hotel

Starting from

£180 £190

Shankly Hotel Liverpool, Merseyside

Amazing Discount

You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy a luxurious night away in this hotel dedicated to the famous Bill Shankly

Starting from

£72

£400

Innkeepers Lodge Brighton, Patcham - The Black Lion Brighton, East Sussex

Super Saver

Book now and enjoy great savings on rooms

Starting from

£55 £89 15

FEATURED HOTEL

Esseborne Manor Hotel

50 Onsite

Free WiFi

Restaurant

Bar

Wedding /Civil

Tennis

Check In Check Out 2.00pm 11.00am

£92

Andover, Hampshire SP11 0ER

From

“The food is outstanding... a real delight.

The rooms are large, well equipped with large bathrooms to include spa baths and separate showers. Wonderful” A Trip Advisor reviewer

Located close to Highclere Castle, home to the television series Downton Abbey, this family run Victorian country hotel is small and unpretentious.

It is set amidst the splendour of the North Wessex Down, close to the lovely Bourne Valley and in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

Once referred to as being ‘invitingly snug’, the house still retains the feel of a private home with its luxuriously decorated rooms and an abundance of fresh flowers and fruit in the comfortable lounges. Fine linen and fluffy towels and robes provide the pampering finishing touches to beautifully decorated bedrooms which overlook the gardens.

The award-winning Courtyard Restaurant offers a choice of menus, including the Fine Dining Dinner Menu; imaginative, mouth-watering seafood, fish, meat and vegetarian options and a selection of fine wines can be savoured in the elegant candle lit dining room; or choose from the a la carte or menu du vin, which is a set menu of up to four

courses with a specially selected

glass of wine to accompany 16 each course.

Findon Manor Hotel

£84

Worthing, West Sussex BN14 0TA

From

25 Onsite Free WiFi Restaurant

Bar

FEATURED HOTEL

“Clean, welcoming and the staff very friendly. Food good and can recommend the Suffolk Breakfast.”

A Trip Advisor reviewer

Weddings Check In Check Out /Civil 2.00pm 11.00am

Deep in the Sussex countryside and on the slopes of the South Downs Way, set in over two acres of beautiful gardens and perfectly located for Worthing and Brighton, Findon Manor Hotel offers guests a tranquil and relaxing retreat away from the hustle of daily life.

A range of rooms, including feature four poster and superior rooms, provide a comfortable stay with all the standard in-room facilities guests expect plus a few extras, such as a docking station, hot water bottles, freshly ground coffee in cafetieres and a choice of pillows to add to the comfort of the individually decorated rooms.

A choice of dining is available with the Snooty Fox Bar providing a casual, cosy atmosphere to enjoy a fabulous selection of hot and cold dishes or indulge in a three course meal in the Terrace Restaurant.

17

A POSTCARD FROM...

Pembrokeshire

‘Gwlad Hud a Lledrith’, the ‘Land of Mystery and Enchantment’

Welcome to Pembrokeshire, home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only coastal national park of its kind in the UK and one of three national parks, the others being Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons national parks.

Award-winning beaches, stunning countryside, the Shrine of St. David and St. David’s Cathedral, a wonderland for walkers and beachcombers, wildlife lovers and fabulous for families and foodies...

Walk the Pembrokeshire coast path: pick up the path or plan for the whole 186 miles of ascending and descending coastal path which takes in sea cliffs, golden beaches, lush hills, low mountains and ancient chapels, where you’ll spot seabirds and seals, dolphins, puffins and penguins on the path which begins in the village of St Dogmael’s near Cardigan and finishes in Amroth.

18

Be spooked: named in the Sunday Times as one of the top five ghost walks in Britain, take the Tenby Ghost Walk full of fairies, ghosts, witches and strange Pembrokeshire customs, mysteries and murders in a guided walk around the historic town of Tenby.

Ride a wave: at the famous Newgale beach where large surf crashes onto two miles of gloriously golden award-winning beach.

A POSTCARD FROM...

Get symbolic: with a Lovespoon workshop in Kilgetty. This traditional craft dates back past the 17th Century. Spoons were originally created to show a girl’s father the carver’s woodwork skills and his ability to provide for the family. Certain symbols came to have specific meanings; a horseshoe for luck, a cross for faith, bells for marriage, hearts for love, a wheel to support a loved one and a lock for security.

Tuck into local produce: Haverfordwest Famers Market has been in operation for over ten years and prides itself on selling local Pembrokeshire produce including award winning organic beef and lamb, delicious homemade sausages, wild boar, smoked salmon and crab cakes.

Dare to jump: scramble around rocks and then jump off cliffs and explore caves with an experienced guide by your side. Coasteering is (apparently!) an utterly liberating experience and there’s a plentiful supply of Pembrokeshire cliffs and white water playgrounds to sample on this organised adventure for those with a head for heights!

Have a gold top time: holders of the Best Family Day out in Wales, Folly Farm offers four fabulous reasons to visit; a friendly farmyard, a zoo involved in many conservation projects, an enormous vintage funfair and a range of indoor and outdoor adventure play.

Folly Farm is a diversification success story.

The former dairy farm opened its doors in 1988 to demonstrate how cows were milked.

Nearly 25 years later, Folly Farm is one of the top paid-for visitor attractions in Wales.

BROWSE OUR

Get hooked: not even the captain of your boat can predict what you’ll catch but bream, mackerel and mullet could be on the end of your line as you take to the pristine sea with baited hook.

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLECTION OF HOTELS 19

CHEF’S CORNER

We caught up with Head Chef Simon Bradley of Eynsham Hall to talk about the hotel’s new brasserie and what’s inspired their creative new menu...

Simon explained:

“The launch of The Brasserie at Eynsham Hall has been an amazing adventure to say the least. It’s been incredible working to create a menu and an experience for diners that reflects and represents the rich history of the hall and the transformation of the space, which is now our brand new restaurant.

“My job has been to create a menu where each dish tells a story; a blend of old and new. And to offer unrushed, seasonal British food while putting a distinctly “Eynsham” twist on everything we do. We’re really lucky to live in Oxfordshire with so much incredible local produce on our doorstep.

20

“We work closely with local producers and have a good idea of what is either coming into season, is in season, or is going out of season so, to a certain degree, the menus write themselves.

We’ve built up a good network of local suppliers for lots of our produce, and it’s these strong relationships that allow us to have our produce at its freshest, and best.

CHEF’S CORNER “Large houses like Eynsham Hall would originally have had a smoker, and I’ve overseen the re-introduction of a new one which has been really cleverly created from a modified American fridge and is now affectionately known as Betty!

“It’s by mixing these older, traditional methods of cooking with more modern techniques of cooking food for longer at much lower temperatures, which has enabled us to mix things up a bit and keep the menu exciting.

“For example, we buy in whole salmon, dry cure it and then oak smoke it. We also use a water bath for cooking a lot of our meat. It allows me to have complete control over the cooking and gives a perfect end result every time.

“We source our pork from Kelmscott Farm, about 15 miles away, in the Cotswolds. We use the bellies and soak them in a brine (which is another old way of preserving food), and them cook them at 60C for 30 hours. The pork is chilled and pressed ready for service. Portions are then caramelised on our plancha grill and served.

“The pork is amazing, tender, juicy and full of flavour, and a perfect example of how a mix of old and new methods can develop a unique and individual menu. It just needs the ground work to be put into place and time to build up a network of like-minded suppliers.

“We formally launched the Brasserie in the New Year and I’m delighted with the response. Feedback on the menu has been fantastic. The space was originally designed for entertaining and it feels humbling to be replicating traditions that the Mason family would have embraced. It’s a turning point for us in terms of offering more to the community, and being able to support local farmers and businesses.

We can’t wait to hear what our guests think.”

VIEW HOTEL

21

CHEF’S SPECIALS

Our four course serving of delicious delights to savour this month Sanderson invites you to tumble down the rabbit hole for the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland and enjoy all the splendour of the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea. Discover menus hidden inside vintage books, teapots adorned with kings and queens, sandwich plates decorated with birdcages and carousels and ticking clocks displaying savoury, speciality sandwiches, created to delight the senses.

The ending promises to be as divine as the start with red velvet Ladybird cake, scones and chocolate coated, coffee flavoured pocket watch macaroons. You can also enjoy five new tailor made teas inspired by the characters of the classic novel.

SANDERSON London

CRATHORNE HALL HOTEL North Yorkshire

Crathorne Hall Hotel are offering a three course Sunday Lunch for two for just £32.50 during March. They also make the perfect afternoon tea in the most perfect location overlooking the Leven Valley on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors.

NORTON HOUSE HOTEL & SPA Edinburgh

Enjoy a Mother’s Day traditional afternoon tea with a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and lashings of cream and homemade preserves, pastries and cakes accompanied by a selection of fine teas, or perhaps a glass of Champagne!

PRIEST HOUSE HOTEL Derbyshire

22

Celebrate Easter with lunch in the original dining room at The Priest House in Derbyshire. This four star country house perched on the banks of the River Trent has a fabulous three course menu to delight lovers of meat, fish and vegetarians.

Particular highlights are the crab and crayfish tians, pan fried fillet of salmon served with sweet mash, wilted greens and sauce vierge and then complete your Easter lunch with total satisfaction over a warm Bakewell tart, raspberry coulis and clotted cream.

FEATURED VENUE

Fernie Castle Hotel

£95

Cupar, Fife KY15 7RU

From

“The Library Suite was enormous and well furnished.We had a wonderful four course meal in lovely surroundings and enjoyed our private dining experience tremendously. Breakfast was equally delightful as was the cream tea on arrival.”

A Trip Advisor reviewer

This 14th century castle is a small luxury hotel specialising in the care of guests and offers all the character of the past with the comforts of today. Situated in 17 acres of woodlands with its own loch, there’s plenty of places to stroll, watch the wildlife go by or just sit and relax!

There are 20 individually designed bedrooms, all en suite and for an extra special experience enjoy a stay in the Treehouse. Perched up in six lofty sycamores, the first glimpse of the house is through the pines, rowans and elderberries with the sun dancing off the copper roof tiles. Enter via a flight of stairs to a fairy festooned balcony where double doors with striking stained glass lead into the bedroom and the bespoke elm bed and furniture.

Wallow in the striking slipper bath under a chandelier of leaves and flowers - you’ll feel like you’re starring in your very own luxurious Rodin Hood movie!

23

For dining enjoy The Keep Bar, which dates back to 1530, The Auld Alliance Dining Room with its centre piece Georgian chandelier adding to a more formal experience or chose The Turet Bistro for light lunches and dinners.

200 Onsite

WiFi

Restaurant

Bar

24hr Reception

Weddings

Check In 5.00pm

Check Out 11.00am

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