Uncover the Secrets of the Bell & Crown: Bourton's Hidden Gem!
Uncover the Secrets of the Bell & Crown: Bourton's Hidden Gem! - A Frankly Honest Review (Good Bits, Bad Bits, and Everything In Between!)
Right, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Bell & Crown in Bourton-on-the-Water. Let me tell you, this "hidden gem" stuff… well, it's mostly true. It's definitely hidden, tucked away from the main drag, which is a massive plus if you crave a little peace (and let’s be honest, most of us do!). But is it a gem? That, my friends, is what we're here to find out.
First Impressions: Trying to Find the Place (And Succeeding!)
Okay, let’s start with Accessibility. Now, driving in Bourton is always a slight adventure, especially if you're bringing a particularly large car. Finding the Bell & Crown initially? A tiny bit of a quest! The signage is a bit… subtle. (Which, in fairness, is part of the "hidden gem" appeal). But once you're in, the Car park [free of charge] is a godsend. And crucially, they have Car park [on-site]. Whew. No battling for parking in that inevitably-busy town!
Inside, the Elevator is a lifesaver if you have mobility issues. That gets a big thumbs up for Facilities for disabled guests, though I'd advise calling ahead to double-check specifics on room suitability – sometimes "accessible" means different things to different hotels.
The Room: A Tale of Two Halves (And My Obsession with the Bathrobes)
Right, my room. Let's be honest, it's the make-or-break element, isn't it? This is where I went into what I'm calling a "Bathrobe Revelation". The Bathrobes? Magnificent. Thick, plush, almost… judgmental in their comfort. Like they're saying, "You deserve this, after a long day of trying to find this place". Available in all rooms is pretty much the only thing in the world that universally makes me happy. Seriously. I might have spent a little too much time lounging.
Now, about the room itself. The Air conditioning was a blessing (because summer gets hot!). My particular room, I’d say, was charming. Plenty of extra long bed. Blackout curtains were essential for a good night's sleep - I'm someone who needs darkness. Coffee/tea maker was a definite win, because I'm utterly incapable of functioning before a caffeine injection. Free bottled water - always appreciated!
But – and this is where things get… interesting – sometimes the "charming" translates to "slightly dated." I’m not talking horrendous, but the Mirror could have seen better days. And, you know, a fresh coat of paint wouldn't have gone amiss. My Toiletries looked a bit bland, but they were good.
The Internet Delicatessen: Wi-Fi, LAN, and My Endless Quest for Connectivity
Okay, the internet. This is important, right? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Hallelujah!). But, and it's a big but, the signal strength… fluctuated. Let's just say I had moments of furious, frustrated tapping. I had to do a little bit of work, and I lost my mind. Internet access – LAN could be a saviour here, but I didn’t have the cables! So let's say the experience was… uneven. On a positive note, they were prepared - with an extra Internet access – wireless just in case! (it seemed better than it appeared).
Food & Drink: More Than Meets the Eye (And Definitely Worth the Calories!)
Alright, the food. This is where the Bell & Crown really shines, potentially. They’ve got a lot of options, so let’s try to make sense of it all.
- Restaurants: Plural! Good start.
- Restaurants - A la carte in restaurant: Definitely present.
- Restaurants - Buffet in restaurant: I saw it, but didn't eat from it!
- Restaurants - Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. And a good cup of coffee. God bless, because the room's coffee was weak.
- Restaurants - Desserts in restaurant: Oh, the desserts. They were dangerous. I may have accidentally eaten two slices of cake.
- Restaurants - International cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
- Restaurants - Vegetarian restaurant: Not specifically, but they had options on the menu.
- Restaurants - Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
They do have a Bar (essential!), and a Poolside bar (if you’re into that sort of thing). Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service and Breakfast takeaway service are all available. (I am not a morning person: Room service [24-hour] and Coffee shop were very welcomed!) The Bottle of water was a nice touch, but no complaints from me.
The Happy hour… well, I missed it. But I could hear the merriment from my room. Next time!
Relaxation Stations: Spa Dreams and Fitness Fiascos
Okay, confession: I am not a spa person. But I will cover those elements for you, dear reader.
- Spa: Yes.
- Spa/sauna: Included.
- Sauna: Yes.
- Steamroom: Yup.
- Massage: Available.
- Body scrub & Wrap If that's your thing, then go for it!
- Foot bath A nice touch, that I've heard!
- Swimming pool: Indoor and Outdoor!
- Pool with view: As far as I know, it's true – I stayed indoors.
And let's talk about the Fitness center and Gym/fitness. (Remember, I'm not a spa person, I'm definitely not a gym person…) Okay, I peeked. It looked… functional. Probably a good place to burn off those desserts I had.
Cleanliness & Safety: A World Gone Mad (But They're Trying!)
This is the big one, right? Post-pandemic world and all that.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Present and correct.
- Cashless payment service: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Probably.
- Hygiene certification: Didn’t see it, but I felt safe.
- Individually-wrapped food options: The buffet was well prepared and protected from the public eye.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Let's hope so!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Absolutely.
- Safe dining setup: Yep.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I hope so!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed like it.
- CCTV in common areas: I did see a few!
They are definitely trying and succeeding: the First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call, and Check-in/out [private] added a layer of comfort.
Things to Do (Besides Bathrobe-ing):
Bourton-on-the-Water itself is the star attraction, obviously. The Bell & Crown is well-situated for exploring, with easy access to the main attractions. I took myself for a wander, and… well, I’m not going to lie, I got a bit lost. But the Concierge was incredibly helpful, and the Taxi service was a lifesaver getting me back on track!
They also offer, the Audio-visual equipment for special events, which I did not get to experience. The Indoor venue for special events and Outdoor venue for special events are available. The other points ( Meetings, Seminars, Shrine, Wi-Fi for special events) I did not come close to experiencing, but I am sure that they are good.
For the Kids:
I didn’t have kids when I went. But I feel it's worth mentioning Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, and the hotel's family-friendly atmosphere.
The Final Verdict: Gem or Not?
Okay, so is the Bell & Crown a "hidden gem"? Mmm, partly. It has its quirks and, honestly, a little bit of grit. But it also has genuine charm, excellent food, glorious bathrobes, and that all-important "get away from it all" vibe. It's not perfect, but it's real. And, frankly, sometimes real is better than perfect, isn't it?
My Emotional Rating:
- Bathrobes: 10/10 (Literally perfect)
- Food: 8/
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is gonna be a messy, glorious, occasionally-falling-apart-at-the-seams trip to The Bell & Crown in Bourton-on-the-Water. Let's dive in… or maybe just wade in, because I'm already feeling the jet lag kick in.
The Bell & Crown: A Bourton-on-the-Water Blunderfest (and Hopefully, a Bit of Bliss)
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of Avoiding Disaster (Mostly)
- Morning (Let's call it "Whenever-I-Actually-Wake-Up-O'Clock"): Arrive at Heathrow. Pray to the travel gods (whoever they are – Neptune? Hermes? The baggage handlers themselves?) that my luggage actually makes it. Last time? My suitcase ended up in Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar! I wouldn’t have even known where that was if I didn’t have a world map hanging on my wall . Just the thought of losing it, I want to scream out loud.
- Transportation from Heathrow to Bourton: Okay, so the plan is a train to Moreton-in-Marsh (apparently, "Marsh" isn't a typo, which is oddly comforting) and then a taxi. Sounds simple, right? Famous last words. I’m predicting a panicked scramble at Paddington Station. Let’s add odds with 50% for the train, 25% for the taxi and 25% for being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Honestly, I'm picturing myself wailing for help on my phone, as the sound of my kids giggling in the background.
- Afternoon (The Golden Hour… If the Sun Cooperates): Arrive at The Bell & Crown. Finally! Check-in. Hope the room is ready, hope it's clean, hope it doesn't smell like damp socks. I’m visualising a nice, cosy room with a huge bed. A nice, warm bath. And a great view. I can already smell the scent of the lavender toiletries.
- The Great Bourton Reconnaissance: A stroll around Bourton-on-the-Water. I’ve seen the photos. They're… picture-postcard perfect. I'm mentally preparing myself for the inevitable hordes of tourists (myself included, of course) and the intense pressure to take a decent photograph that doesn’t scream “tourist”. Think Instagram vs. reality. The reality is that it's a bit of an art, maybe, I'm thinking of buying a new camera.
- Evening: Pub Grub and Possibly a Meltdown (Maybe): Dinner at The Bell & Crown's restaurant. I'm hoping for traditional pub fare – because let's face it, I'm starving after that journey – and a well-poured pint. I might even attempt a quiz night. Emphasis on "might." My knowledge of British history is… well, let's just say I'm more familiar with the history of reality TV. If I get one question wrong, then maybe I don't deserve to breath.
Day 2: The Cotswold Challenges- Trying to see it all. Failure.
- Morning: The Model Village Debacle: The Model Village. Apparently, a tiny replica of Bourton-on-the-Water. It's either going to be utterly charming or ridiculously kitsch. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm ready to embrace the absurdity. My kids will love it. I’m already imagining their little faces as they stand next to the tiny little copies of the world. This is going to be a magical moment!
- The Reality Check: Well, it WAS charming. And kitsch. And maybe slightly… unsettling. Looking at a miniature version of a place I just walked through felt like some weird meta-experience. My kids? They were bored after, maybe, 10 minutes. Kids. Always the critics.
- Afternoon: Into the Cotswolds… and Probably Getting Lost: A drive through the Cotswold hills. The plan is to visit a few charming villages. The reality? Probably getting hopelessly lost on tiny, winding roads, yelling at our GPS and arguing about the best route. I can already anticipate the "are we there yet?" chorus from the back seat.
- The Village of Bibury: Arrived at Bibury. Had to park miles away. Arlington Row is beautiful…but packed! Like, elbow-to-elbow packed. Spent 20 minutes just trying to get a decent photo without some dude's head photobombing it. Managed a good photo, then immediately lost my phone. Found it in the gutter a few minutes later.
- Evening: Dinner, Drinks, and Maybe Some Regret: Back to The Bell & Crown. Dinner, another pint, and then… I'm not sure. Probably crash. Or, if I'm feeling adventurous (and haven't completely embarrassed myself in front of the locals), maybe a late-night stroll. Or, more likely, I will pass the night. I bet I won't make it through, I'm already tired.
Day 3: Water, Water Everywhere (and Maybe Not Enough Time)
- Morning: The River and the Duck Race: Bourton-on-the-Water is supposedly known for the river running through it. I'm expecting swans, ducks, and a general feeling of bucolic bliss. Maybe I'll even try paddling in the shallow water. I swear If I see another cheesy picture of the river, I'm going to hurl.
- The Duck Race Debacle: Okay, the duck race was hilarious. Cheesy, yes, but in a good way. I put some money on a duck called “Quack Attack.” It lost. My kids, however, were hysterically laughing. Worth it.
- Afternoon: The Cotswold Motor Museum – A Bit of Bloke Stuff: This one is for the man in me, or whoever it is that likes old cars. I see a nice collection of vintage vehicles. Hopefully, there's something there that sparks my interest.
- Evening: Packing, Pub, and Poetic Ramblings Final dinner at The Bell & Crown. Feeling a little melancholic. Maybe I should be writing. I'm a writer. I don't like it but it's what I do. I should be writing about the trip. But I've been too distracted with the kids. Maybe I should write when I get back.
Day 4: Departure and the Aftermath
- Morning: Farewell to Bourton: One last breakfast at The Bell & Crown. Check out. Taxi to Moreton and then the train back to Heathrow. Pray to the travel gods, once again, that the journey is smooth. And that my luggage makes it this time.
- Afternoon: The Long Haul Home: Heathrow to home. Back to reality. The laundry, the responsibilities, the unending chores.
- Evening: And Back to Reality: All that's left is the pile of laundry and the memories of a great trip.
Postscript (Things I Learnt):
- Always pack a spare phone charger.
- Never trust Google Maps in the Cotswolds.
- Embrace the kitsch.
- The best moments are often unplanned.
- Sometimes, getting lost is the best part of the journey.
This itinerary is subject to change. Likely to be a disaster, but hopefully a fun one. Wish me luck! (You're going to need it).
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Pomorie Seaside Apartments Await!
Uncover the Secrets of the Bell & Crown: ...Or, My Love-Hate Affair with Bourton's Boozer
Okay, so, what *is* the Bell & Crown anyway? Like, seriously, besides a pub?
Is it actually *hidden*? Because I can find my way to the chip shop blindfolded.
The Food, what's it like? My stomach is rumbling.
What's the atmosphere like? Is it all boisterous blokes and darts?
Tell me about the beer! Because, priorities.
The Staff… good or not? Real talk.
Is it a good place for kids? I have some little monsters.
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