The Big Sleep Hotel, Cheltenham
A night away without the kids - we were really looking forward to it.Huh! Turns out that just because you're a couple about to enjoy a child-free night in an absolutely spanking new, bright, funky hotel , it does not make you immune to all the winter bugs that those flippin' kids bring home from school!
We went to TheBigSleep in Cheltenham and from a value for money point of view (rooms from £50 for a standard double with breakfast thrown in) , I really couldn't praise it highly enough.
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Parking at the hotel was simple and secure, though if you're thinking of going, make sure you get there early as the car park is a tight squeeze. The reception area of TheBigSleep was bright, trendy, colourful and rather like an Ikea set we decided! Check-in was probably the fastest and most efficient we've ever encountered and as Mr. C has spent the best part of his adult life, staying in various hotels in many different countries, that is no mean feat.
Our first thought when we went up to our room, was how immaculately clean and bright it was. A lovely big, king-size bed with crisp white cotton duvet covers - yes, duvets, not those really annoying bedcovers and blankets than some of the stuffier, older, posher hotels still insist on. The telly was a flat-screen wall-mounted job - perfect for watching United 93 whilst sniffing, coughing and sneezing!
The bathroom was clean and bright to the point of dazzling, but this was slightly marred by the fact that we weren't able to get a really hot bath to help sweat-out our woes and lurgies. However, once tucked up warm in the bed, listening to the late-night Saturday revellers out on the street below, singing their football / mating / territorial chants (the Big Sleep is about as close to the centre of town, with its pubs and clubs as you could hope to be!) we were soon on our way to an intensive under-duvet heat-therapy.
Morning brought a somewhat more refreshed and healthy feel to things and the buffet breakfast was in keeping with the whole Big Sleep ethos... simple, clean, wholesome, and no-frills. After some tasty croissants, toast, cereal, fruit and a lovely hot coffee, while reading the Sunday papers we were fit to take on the world again! Checking out was a breeze, the friendly reception staff eager to help and make the process as simple as possible. We didn't even need to go outside to get to the car. There's a stairway that takes you straight into the car park, so no dodging of showers required on the way.
Whilst we were there, by the way, we checked out the family rooms! They are absolutely enormous, which is great for kids with lots of steam to let off. The rooms have bunk beds, a kitchen area and plenty of room for a travel cot too.
All-in-all a very pleasant and relaxing stay in a funky, clean, modern hotel that couldn't be more conveniently placed for the centre of Cheltenham if it tried. Friendly and efficient staff made the experience even more of a pleasure for us bearing in mind our unhealthy misfortune. We would recommend it to anyone... especially those old people who may appreciate a change from the chintzy, dusty, tweedy traditionalism of middle England. A bright and refreshing break from the norm!
Kathryn Crawford,
February 2007 |
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