The Olde Bell Inn
Berkshire, United Kingdom[view map]
Comments from members who've stayed at The Olde Bell Inn
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Loved every minute. On summer weekends, the hotel has a BBQ in their lovely garden. Picnic hampers are pricey at £15 a head, however, the food in hotel is great. Our room, Room 9, was delightful! Nearby Henley is a perfect spot to sit by the river and watch the day go by with a good book.
We needed a gorgeous getaway within a 30-minute taxi ride from Heathrow and The Olde Bell did not disappoint. Not that I want to give the wrong impression, this stylish coaching inn is the antithesis of an airport hotel and therefore just what we were looking for. From stylish sleek earthy interiors; think Farrow & Ball complemented by old chairs with personality and finished off with pillar-box red accessories; to discreet yet friendly service and fantastic rustic food. Don’t forget to admire the waiters’ cool aprons! In the morning we explored the tiny village of Hurley, a hotspot for sleepy old England charm. We strolled to the river past the church and then returned for The Olde Bell’s fabulous communal-style breakfast, where its not unusual to share a large breakfast room table with fellow guests and put the world to rights over the papers and scrambled eggs whilst looking out over the inn’s lawn, which was sprinkled with frost when we stayed. After breakfast we were whisked away in a taxi in the most effortless dash to the airport. Oh, and PS the bathroom products and showers are great!
The Olde Bell Inn is the perfect base for a gastronomic adventure. Whether you seek an internationally renowned establishment or an intimate character-filled country pub you will be spoilt for choice. This time we opted for a mixture starting with lunch in nearby Marlow at The Hand and Flower which offers what must be the best value set menu locally, alongside their extensive à la carte choice.
By way of contrast dinner was taken at Danesfield House where it must be said presentation triumphed over substance – despite the five page water menu – and we left grateful for the generous portions we had enjoyed earlier at lunch.
Saturday was "pub day" with lunch at Heston Blumenthal's Hind's Head in Bray followed by dinner at Nick Parkinson's Royal Oak in Paley Street both of which are on our list for a return visit.
On Sunday, following a leisurely stroll along the nearby Thames, we lunched at The Olde Bell Inn and it could certainly be said that we had left the best to last, so much so that we felt we just had to steal a further night in its oh-so-hospitable embrace – certainly a weekend to remember!
If you are staying in one of the Standard Inn rooms, plump for Room 3 which seems to be one of the larger rooms and has a view of the garden. We enjoyed a lovely walk along the river (only about four mins from the inn – go out of the front door, turn left and follow the men with rods!) and met some friendly goats and llama(!?) along the way. Top Tip: take your own 'do not disturb sign' as the onn doesn't seem to provide them and housekeeping can call in the morning rather unexpectedly!
