Over the last few months I have stayed in many hotels and I've somewhat got accustomed to the hotel life, so much so that it takes a fair amount now to impress me. When I book a hotel, I want something that screams character and gives me more of an experience rather than a comfy bed. I know that when you go away, you only spend a small proportion of your time at the hotel, but if I'm paying a good price for the hotel, I want that 'wow' moment even if it is for a few minutes. I want a hotel that gives me those hotel 'fuzzy feelings' - like butterflies in your stomach when you meet someone you like, I want to fall in love with a hotel from the moment I see it. It doesn't take much to provide a comfy bed and a nice breakfast, I want a hotel that goes beyond that.
While recently visiting Guildford I stayed at the Guildford Harbour Spa Hotel and from the moment I walked in the door and saw the giant red stag, I was impressed. The Harbour Hotel group that predominantly has properties on the south coast such as Cornwall (hence the Harbour name) has recently acquired this Radisson Blu hotel and is currently undergoing a renovation project to change the branding. The bedrooms, spa and reception have all been newly furbished, but there's still work going on downstairs - which, I'm happy to say, did not disturb our trip at all.
The Guildford Harbour Hotel & Spa is a luxury 183 bedroom, four star hotel that features a stylish restaurant and bar, an alfresco dining terrace and an accompanying Harbour Spa available to guests.
When we entered the hotel, we were greeted with a beautifully decorated, arty and quite unique reception area. Upon entering the building there was a bright red stag on the left and a retro wooden bookcase on the right with books you can read at your leisure in the lobby. Above was a large, impressive glistening chandelier that lit up the room and provided a focal feature when you immediately entered the hotel.
While staying at the Guildford Harbour Hotel we were booked into one of the business class rooms on the first floor. The room was spacious with a living area, large bathroom, a very comfortable kingsize bed and plugs on both of the bed sides, which is a complete bonus as I often wake up in the middle of the night to check my phone. Despite the room being really comfortable, clean and tidy, I did feel like there was a few things that didn't bode too well with me. For a start, I feel like the colour scheme is just too dark for my personal liking and I was a bit 'miffed' when I noticed the tea tray lacked biscuits. However, I was impressed with Harpers Bazaar magazine placed on the table top next to the window, it was a nice little added touch.
The bathroom continued the dark colour scheme, but I felt like it really suited this particular room. The black and white colour scheme in the bathroom looked quite luxurious coupled with the stainless steel taps and the wonderfully scented toiletries that make you feel like you're at a spa. I had a bath on the first night and shower on the second and both times the temperature was just right, I really couldn't fault this part of the room.
On both mornings of our stay we had breakfast at the hotel and it consisted of the usual, continental style buffet with the option of a hot cooked full English breakfast. The breakfast was nice and warm and pleasant, but I did feel that the options were lacking for vegetarians like myself. Nevertheless, I had a full stomach when I left in the morning and couldn't grumble at what I did eat.
Finally, on the morning we checked out, we decided to check out the spa before leaving for our train. I was booked in for a facial, which was lovely - the therapist addressed all my skincare problems and made me feel ease and then we played around in the pool and steam rooms. The spa is incredibly small, but it was a lovely little luxury added on to this hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed laying on the pool side chairs looking at the morning sun through the glass in my swimming costume and the swim was nice and refreshing first thing in the morning.
Overall I had a wonderful stay at Guildford Harbour hotel & spa and I would definitely go back. The service was impeccable, the room was cosy and comfortable and it was a lovely, relaxing weekend.
Price: Approx £105pn
Location: Central Guildford
On both mornings of our stay we had breakfast at the hotel and it consisted of the usual, continental style buffet with the option of a hot cooked full English breakfast. The breakfast was nice and warm and pleasant, but I did feel that the options were lacking for vegetarians like myself. Nevertheless, I had a full stomach when I left in the morning and couldn't grumble at what I did eat.
Finally, on the morning we checked out, we decided to check out the spa before leaving for our train. I was booked in for a facial, which was lovely - the therapist addressed all my skincare problems and made me feel ease and then we played around in the pool and steam rooms. The spa is incredibly small, but it was a lovely little luxury added on to this hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed laying on the pool side chairs looking at the morning sun through the glass in my swimming costume and the swim was nice and refreshing first thing in the morning.
Overall I had a wonderful stay at Guildford Harbour hotel & spa and I would definitely go back. The service was impeccable, the room was cosy and comfortable and it was a lovely, relaxing weekend.
Price: Approx £105pn
Location: Central Guildford
Have you visited the Guildford Harbour hotel before?
*This stay was complimentary in exchange for this review. All views are honest and my own.