Sunday roast but i had the burrate appitizer which was perfect for a light lunch. Very niceread more

When you're planning a trip from abroad to a place you've never been, it is basically a shot in the…read moredark. While reading reviews can be helpful, they are often very mixed and based on personal preference instead of objectivity. After tons of research, my friend and I decided on the Carnarvon Arms, an inn near Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey!!!). We arrived late morning after our flight to Heathrow. While it was too early to check in, we did sit down for lunch. For anyone who has said the Brit's aren't known for their food, they have never eaten here. I ordered a typical American breakfast of avocado toast and eggs. But let me say there was nothing typical about it. The eggs were locally sourced, pasture-raised with the most lovely colored yolks and they were PERFECTLY poached! The sourdough toast was soooo good. My friend ordered the homemade local sausage and mashed potatoes. OMG!!! I've never had food so good. And can I mention my cappuccino?!?! Perfect!!! And since this is England I also had tea which was delicious. After a visit to Stonehenge, we came back, checked in and decided to give dinner and go since we thoroughly enjoyed lunch. Let me say it didn't disappoint! I've never had fresh peas before and after eating these gems, I'm ruined - how could I possibly eat frozen again!!! My fish and chips were amazing. And my friend's lamb was pretty much perfect. The food here is truly an experience! The staff were amazing, attentive with the perfect balance of giving us time to relax. Hannah was a gem!! Our bed linens were crisp and sparkling white - which I love! Hands down, I would recommend staying here again.

The visit to the Vineyard for my birthday meal had a slightly strange timing, coming as it did on…read moreApril Fools' Day and not on my birthday! It did make me feel a bit like the queen, having 2 birthdays! The Vineyard had been on my foodie radar for awhile, from the days of chef John Campbell who held 2 Michelin stars here. So, when I started dating my girlfriend who lives in Newbury, she organised to take me here for a celebration dinner. The hotel and restaurant is definitely a dress up sort of venue and walking past the bowls of flames on the outdoor pond and through the automatic front doors made it feel like a special occasion. The whole place has light coloured decor with modern accents, which removes the air of over-bearing starchiness that can pervade some fine dining venues. We elected to have drinks while perusing the menu and 2 glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice were accompanied by some moreish canapes - large mild Ligurian olives, salted almonds and some savoury straws. Chef Daniel Galmiche has his hand on the tiller in the kitchen these days. He is described on the Vineyard's website as the king of contemporary French cooking, which are a big pair of shoes to fill. A lovely touch came at the end of the evening when he came round the dining room to meet the diners and have a short chat. He gave us a tip on how best to eat our dessert course. The menu has 4 choices in each of the starter, main course and dessert sections. It covers both meat and seafood and perhaps a couple more choices in each section would have been nice. After making our choice of food and wine, we were shown to our table. I have to say that the service from what seemed to be an exclusively French brigade was top-notch and very smooth and unobtrusive throughout the evening. We had an amuse-bouche of goat's cheese straw with beetroot tagliatelli and avocado mousse. A good idea with balance of flavours but the cheese straw proved hard to break down into small enough pieces to complement the beetroot. My starter of scallops in an oriental broth yielded top class sweet scallops cooked to perfection but the oriental accents were perhaps a little muted for my palate - however, with scallops this good, the accents were perhaps missed less. My girlfriend's starter of foie gras terrine was lovely and rich but the portion size was quite large - I helped to polish the dish off. For mains, I had Balmoral Estate venison fillet cooked to medium rare perfection accompanied by my favourite ingredient in the world - seared foie gras. Top notch ingredients cooked perfectly accompanied by salsifi, butternut squash and quince to help cut through the richness. The girlfriend had a plate of veal - slow cooked rack, braised shin and sweetbread. Again, well cooked but quite a large portion size. This meant that we had to share a pudding, both being unable to manage a whole one on our own. The girlfriend chose well - blackcurrant souffle with licorice ice cream.Chef Galmiche's tip was true - to get the full effect of the flavour combination, you had to eat the souffle and ice cream in the same mouthful. The souffle was really intensely flavoured with blackcurrant. I also have to make mention of the pianist who entertained us through the evening. He was very friendly, giving me the name of a piece he was playing that I particularly enjoyed and taking requests. We had a lovely evening here - great ambiance and venue for a celebration or date. The food is good and with a little tweaking of choice and portion size, it could be great.

Absolutely amazing…read more We stayed here for a weekend for a Valentines Day treat. The hotel was lovely, the spa very relaxing, but the best reason to come here would be the food. In fact, you could just skip the whole hotel thing so long as you can sucker someone in to driving home (or get a taxi). The friendly maitre d' greets you enthusiastically upon arrival and summons the discreet and charming sommelier. With a name like The Vineyard, you know to expect wine, but the reams of paper that contain the wine menu are just breathtaking. Every nuance of taste and knowledge are catered for, or you can merely leave your choices in the capable hands of the sommelier, who, with a discreet wink to how much you intend on spending, will guide you through the perfect accompaniments to your chosen dishes. Then comes the restaurant. You are led into a delicate tiered room bedecked with a baby grand and a talented pianist to add to the atmosphere. Outside, flames burn around the central courtyard fountain, echoing the soft glow of the intimate lighting inside. The menu is astonishing and should come laminated to prevent the odd Pavlovian accident. Even the most decisive of people can find themselves giddy at what to order. There is of course a tasting menu to reassure you, should the vital decision elude you. But whatever you pick, the rapturous praise you will bestow upon what you receive will be the same. This is gastronomy. This is the reason the French can no longer justifiably sniff at English cuisine. And I went there when it only had one Michelin star. Since my visit, another has been awarded, and the praise has more than doubled. As for cost, who the hell cares? When the food is this good, you just pay the bill and worry about your knees at a later date.

We stayed with my boyfriend's family in Newbury and on the last day of our trip, my boyfriend…read morewanted me to have an English breakfast experience. Apparently I needed to see why beans are a breakfast food! We went with his parents to the Hilton for the breakfast buffet. It's a very nice hotel with an upscale lounge/ breakfast area. The buffet mostly contained things that I would expect to find at a similar hotel buffet back in America. It had a hot and cold section with lots of fruit and pastries. Plenty of food for all types of eaters. I really liked the bacon, which is a thick cut that I've never seen in America. I'm not a bacon fan, but this could convert me! The service was friendly and professional. I didn't pay for it, but the price seemed quite high for what we got. Probably because it's located in a hotel and catering to tourist and business travelers. I liked it, but would not likely return.

A pleasant, but not exciting hotel. Great breakfast as is the norm in Hiltons, room are spacious…read morebut a little dowdy and in need of renovation. The first room we were given was not cleaned very well, the second was better. The location is a little industrial /retail park - but the hotel is set back enough for this not to matter.

Pleasantly surprised. A bit of a hidden gem. A beautiful setting on the river. The restaurant is…read moregood quality with pretty good service and tasty food. The set lunchtime menu was good value for money or the A la carte is a bit more pricey.

Premier Inn is a pretty basic hotel chain. Don't expect five star service here, but as far as three…read morestar hotels go, this place is ok. The location of the hotel is pretty convenient- in the Leisure Park area of town. Abundant free parking, and a shuttle bus to the railway station just behind the hotel (with a day pas only £2.30). Pretty close to the M3 and fairly easy to get to. As far as accommodations, the rooms are newly renovated with wall mount flat screen televisions, neutral colors, and several USB plugs per room. The bathroom was a bit on the tiny side, and the shower didn't drain properly even after we had alerted maintenance. Despite the fact that this hotel chain seems to pride themselves on comfortable beds, the twin bed in my room was anything but- I could almost feel the springs coming through the sheets, it was a fairly rough night. The full size bed in the room seemed to be better however- though neither had really good pillows. There is a Beefeater pub right next door that serves typical fare- as well as breakfast for hotel guests. Prepare for the hotel staff to try to sell you a meal package upon checkin- for me it wasn't worth it as I don't eat breakfast.

The little gem of Donnington…read more I have been staying here on business for a few weeks having stayed at some competitors' hotels in the local area and cannot recommend the Donnington enough. The service is always friendly yet efficient and the staff are more than happy to help with any queries or niggles I have during my stay. Rooms are split into two tiers; standard and executive (executive rooms being larger with a sofa, walk-in shower and separate bath, and robes/slippers included). Room service food is superb and always delivered promptly even during busy periods. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The bar area is great and the staff are friendly and attentive. The decor provides a warm, intimate and relaxing atmosphere and is great for winding down in the evening. Breakfast in the restaurant in the mornings is superb and well worth the money. The cooked breakfast is particularly tasty and features meat from local farms. The spa and gym facilities are where the hotel really shines. The pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are not to be missed (quiet times in the week are from around 7pm). The changing room/shower facilities are well thought out and provide ventilated lockers, trunk/swimming costume drying, shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, hair straighteners and driers.

Stayed here on a business trip. Fairly standard hotel near Newbury in the South of England…read more Facilities for the meeting were very good. Staff were friendly and attentive. Rooms were clean and the price was reasonable.

I would give The Queens Hotel 10 out of 5 if it was possible a Hotel with none Hotel prices when it…read morecomes to dinning. Politeness in service, a fantastic menu with well cooked and prepared meals. It is very spared out and well furnished within with a very relaxing atmosphere and a well lit dinning area, it has a small patio around the back although this is adjacent to a very busy road it is well fenced off. The Hotel has a large bar serving a good selection of beers, wine's and spirits with two guest ales. I would highly recommended The Queens Hotel if you are ever in or around Newbury.

The Queens Hotel, in Newbury Marketplace is quite a traditional bar, restaurant and bed &…read morebreakfast. There is a very warm, welcoming atmosphere, and I find generally (excluding Friday and Saturday nights) that there is always room to sit and chat with your friends over their reasonably priced drinks. The food (available on several different menus) is presented nicely and tastes deliciousprice wise this is also excellent value. My own downside would be the toilets - for some reason they always seem to run out of paper in the ladies and you have to continually ask the bar staff to go and fill up!

Definitely 2 thumbs up (Mrs G and myself)!…read more My 4 star rating is based on the whole experience- and what an experience! A truly wonderful long weekend (3 night stay). The food (both dinner and breakfast) was definitely good, not Michelin star by any means (they are preparing meals for hundreds at the same times after all! - but good and plentiful with many choices and options. Breakfast from full English to Continental and more. Dinner involves 3 courses, good and friendly service with many choices including a different roast every day, a different themed cuisine every day (E.g. Asian etc) and specials (look just above the desserts on the daily menu). The rooms are clean and roomy enough, service is good, but it must be about time to bring in new mattresses please!). The building itself, inside and out, and the history is MAGNIFICENT. And then the entertainment every night - a LOT of fun and John-Philip was amazing. We have never (by choice) been on a cruise but this must be a somewhat similar experience for a quick getaway with things to do all day long (and evening til after midnight) The food, both dinners and breakfast was both plentiful, varied and pretty good. Service was very good. Our first visit to a Warner Hotel. Will we be back to another - YES!

As a building this place is fantastic. You really do feel as though you are staying in a place…read moresteeped in history. Hotel rooms, in the main, are typically Warners - a step up from a Travel Lodge but not much more. A couple of historic rooms are available (including a haunted one!) with a little more character. Breaks here are half-board and you'll find yourself sitting on an allocated table in a huge restaurant. Service here can be buffet or a la carte at your pleasure. Food is OK, a notch above school catering but a long way from fine dining. Leisure facilities are good. The majority of guests will be retired, and a long-time retired at that. Evening entertainment is provided and ranges from acceptable to quite good. It's easy listening in the main. Themed breaks happen throughout the year ranging from entertainment breaks through to sporting or arty breaks. A small additional charge will apply. This place used to be good to use as a base for travelling. Unfortunately, increases in prices have made other options more attractive. Warners are trying to lower their target market but this is not really yet evidenced. No children

I have stayed here several times after a night out in Newbury. Its a simple, no frills, standard…read moretravelodge. Good points are comfy bed, duvet not blanket, hot showers/clean towels/body wash, front door is open all night. Bad points, no hairdryers, no lift, 5 mins drive out of town. My top tip is to insist on a room at the back so you dont get the noise of the lorries on the motorway, you can park round the back too, if you can book early then you can get a good deal maybe £20 a night, otherwise its £50, make sure you have about £15 for a cab home from Newbury Town centre, oh and bring your own hairdryer.

Well i suppose you get what you pay for. But saying that, my husband and i checked in late one…read morenight, costing us £50. For that u get a basic room and thats it! Ive stayed in a lovely pub recently, just up the road and it cost us £49. The room was gorgeous and the price included a freshly cooked full english breakfast. So in all its pretty naff