We all live very stressful lives, and we are our own worst enemies when it comes to slowing down and taking time for ourselves!
M and I have been so busy for the past few weeks – I’ve been working on the labour ward and doing a load of nights, and M has been working really hard and has also been away on a course; so we were definitely in need of some time just us, turning our brains off for a little bit!
The perfect opportunity came in the form of an invitation to Hotel Cromwell in Stevenage Old Town. Only a short drive from us, Hotel Cromwell, which used to be the home of John Thurloe, the secretary to Oliver Cromwell, is perfectly situated in the middle of Stevenage Old Town – and it’s just had a proper refurbishment, so it is looking particularly gorgeous!
We headed down on the Saturday afternoon, checked in and found our way to our room.
Our room was lovely and spacious with a double bed dressed in crisp fresh white linen (cue women everywhere to start drooling!), a desk, a nice big wardrobe, a couple of comfy armchairs nestled around a coffee table and a tea tray (which, if you know me well, you know will have gone down an absolute treat!)
All the rooms are en suite and our bathroom was really well done, with lovely white tiles throughout, and a feature wall in a dark turquoise – it all came together really well! I’m quite picky when it comes to bathrooms – showers in particular – and I’m always a little sceptical when there is a shower over the bath as to whether the shower will be powerful enough (blame poor rental properties in the past!) but this shower was fab, and definitely powerful enough. The bath also looked a really good shape and if we were staying longer I definitely would have indulged (never enough time in the day, is there?!)
The whole design of the rooms, and the hotel as a whole, is really bright and vibrant, with comfort at it’s heart. We went down to the bar to watch the Rugby (M was keen to watch it!) and I was delighted to find that rather than just the standard bar table and stiff wooden chairs, the chairs are soft and really comfy, and there are also several really squishy arm chairs to sit in too. Perfect for curling up in with a G&T while pretending to know what is going on in the rugby!
We had dinner in the restaurant attached to the hotel, Rump & Wade, which I will share in full in another post, but needless to say we headed back up to our room a few hours later, absolutely full to bursting with food and wine, and even a cheeky night-cap to boot! My post on our dinner at Rump & Wade will be up shortly so watch this space!
The night that we stayed at Hotel Cromwell was one of the coldest nights of the year so far, there was snow on the ground and there was a really heavy frost – but honestly, we were none the wiser! The bed was so comfy and warm, even I didn’t feel the cold (and this from a girl who regularly wakes up in the night, cold, because one arm has come out of the covers!) Even better, M, who is an absolute furnace, didn’t overheat – it was just right!
We both slept like babies and woke up feeling quite spritely given the red wine and cocktails that had been consumed the night before!
Breakfast is served in Rump & Wade, and can be included in your room booking. It consists of an absolutely huge serve-yourself spread including cereal, toast, fruit and yogurts, as well as all the components of a Full English Breakfast and then some! I went for the full works (because I clearly hadn’t eaten enough in the previous 24 hours!) and had sausage, bacon, black pudding, beans. hash browns and scrambled eggs and it was delicious! Just what you need on a staycation after possibly a little too much red wine!
The staff at Hotel Cromwell made us feel so welcome and were so very friendly, and we had such a wonderful stay. It really does feel like they have thought of everything – from little things like hairdryers in the rooms, right up to a huge crate of board games in the restaurant for those who fancy a game of scrabble!
Having not seen Hotel Cromwell before it’s refurbishment, I can only comment on what I’ve seen now, which is a welcoming and cosy, yet stylish hotel, with friendly staff and a wonderful atmosphere – Thank you for having us Hotel Cromwell – we will be back!
Hotel Cromwell can be found on the High Street of Stevenage Old Town – find them online at www.cromwellstevenage.co.uk.
Our full stay is also over on my instagram stories as a highlight if you fancy a look!
*Our stay at Hotel Cromwell was gifted, however as always, all views are my own*
No Comments