Mercure Banbury Whately Hall Hotel

"Overnight stay"

9th May 2012, Moreaux, France

A very pleasant evening. The dinner was included within the booking provision & it was fine. The staff were both attentive & helpful, though it was annoying that cleaning of the tables was undertaken whilst we were eating; the wine was poured without offering to check the bottle was indeed the one ordered!

Management responseDear GuestThank you for your review following your stay with us, I am gald you enjoyed your food and the staff were attentive, I note your comments regarding the service you received and will speak to my Food and Beverage Manager regarding correct service of wine and clearing of tables.Once again , many thanks and I look forward to welcoming you again in the futureKind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Excellent base for Oxfordshire"

9th May 2012, EJBuen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This was at least my third stay in this hotel and I managed to get my usual preferred non-smoking quiet room. Everything was to my expectation - the comfort and cleanliness of the room, the excellent English breakfasts and the efficiency of the staff. One negative point - I was feeling rather poorly during my stay in the hotel so it was rather disappointing to be told by the staff at Reception that she was not allowed to give out paracetamols to guests.

Management responseDear GuestThank you for your kind review of your recent stay here at Mercure Whately Hall Hotel, I am very happy that we accommodated you in your usual room and that our great breakfast and team lived up to your expectations. I am however sorry that you were disappointed by the fact that we were unable to supply paractamol to yourself, this is a precautionary measure in case anyone had a bad reaction to any medication that the hotel provided.I do hope that we will have the pleasure of welcoming you again to the hotel in the future.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Leisuretrip to Banbury"

5th May 2012, Vikedal

The Whately Hall has a friendly attentive staff. The service is good.The hotel has an old and a newer part. I stayed in a room in the last category which has all the amenities requiered but could do with a second chair with a double occupancy.To access this part of the hotel you have to walk a fair distance and climb a few steps, not recommended with a heavy suitcase!Very good location, within walkingdistance to all Banbury has to offer.

Management responseDear Guest,Thank you very much for your review and I note your comments regarding a second chair and will look into this when we have a refurbishment. It is true that due to the age and configuration of the hotel there are a number fo steps.I do hope that we will have the pleasure of welcoming you again to Mercure Whately Hall Hotel.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Good Traditional Hotel"

22nd April 2012, GrahamJRK, Shaftesbury, United Kingdom

Good quality hotel although the bedroom was a little tired. The hotel in general was excellent as were the staff.

Management responseDear Guest,Thank you for taking the time to review your recent stay here at Mercure Whately Hall Hotel. I am pleased to saythat we have just begun a re-decoration programe so next time you stay with us you will see an improvement. Thank you for your comments regarding the staff here I will be sure to pass on your kind words.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"one night stay"

10th April 2012, Driffield, United Kingdom

traditional English ex coaching Inn on the old main street of Banbury - somewhat faded but clean and comfortable.

Management responseDear Guest,Thank you for your review of our hotel I am glad you found us clean and comfortable, we are statrting to refurbish the hotel so I hope that, should you choose to use us in the future, you will see the improvements we are making.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Inadequate sound proofing between adjoining rooms"

10th April 2012, Wetherby, United Kingdom

Good hotel and good service spoilt by lack of sound insulation between adjoining rooms. The guy in the room next to me freturned to his room around 11.30pm and fell asleep with the TV on. This was bad enough, but the he started to snore. It was unbelievable! I asked to change rooms and was promptly allowed to do so. However, solving the sound insulation problem in the first place would seem sensible.

Management responseDear Guest,Thank you for reviewing your stay here at Mercure Whately Hall Hotel and I am very sorry that the noise from the adjoining room disturbed you, I am very pleased that the team were able to move you so promptly and it is certainly something I will look at when we are refurbishing the bedrooms.Once again my apologies for the inconvienience caused and I do hope it will not deter you from staying with us again.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Lovely period hotel but needs a little TLC"

23rd March 2012, cumbrianmale, Brampton, United Kingdom

Very nice period hotel, however the paint around the door frames and other bits of woodwork was badly chipped with chunks out of the wood. The unit with the TV on which housed the tea tray and a mini fridge that wasn't stocked nor plugged in was also missing paint on the top and had swelling due to water from kettle usage. Other than this the hotel was lovely, it just wants a little TLC.

Management responseDear GuestThank you for posting your review following a recent stay here at Mercure Whately Hall Hotel, Banbury. Having recently taken over as General Manager I have started injecting some TLC into the decoration of the hotel and I do hope that should you return to the hotel in the future you will see an improvement.Once again many thanks and I do hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you backKind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Valentines Treat"

22nd February 2012, London, United Kingdom

This is a very nice hotel, lots of character - quirky rooms and creaking floorboards !Very friendly staff, on balance our stay at this hotel was probably better than expected.Quality of the breakfast was slightly below par (cheap sausages and bacon!) Other than that, we would stay again - and recommend !

Management responseDear Guest,Following your Valentines treat here at Mercure Whately Hall Hotel , thank you for taking the time to review your stay, I am glad that we exceeded your expectations and I will certainly have a look into the sausages and bacon used at breakfast to make sure they are of the correct standard.Once again, many thanks and I do hope that you will stay with us again in the future.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Mercure Banbury"

9th January 2012, Bristol

Planning at the Hotel was awful. I was told there were 15 guests, and yet I was placed in an annexe that was a long way from the restaurant or bar. The hotel and the rooms were cold, and the room condition had seen better days. As there was so few guests the restaurant was closed and food had to be eaten in the bar, which was also like a fridge in both atmosphere and temperature.Not the sort of experience I expect from a Mercure.

Management responseDear Guest,Thank you for taking time to review your recent stay here at Mercure Whately Hall, Banbury and I am truly sorry that your stay was not satisfactory. I have taken on board your comments regarding bedroom allocation and temperature in the bar area and addressed these with my team.Once again my sincere apologies for a stay that was clearly below the normal high standards of service we pride ourselves upon offering here at Mercure Whately Hall.Kind RegardsMichael WilliamsGeneral Manager
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"Old English Well Kept"

18th May 2011, Vikedal

The Whately Hall is situated as close to the Banbury Cross and the "White Lady" as possible. Very good for taking in the towncentre and as a base for getting around the countryside of Oxfordshire. The old building is well looked after and the rooms are nicely renovated and clean.Breakfast is OK,and you are well looked after by the staff.

Management responseHappy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Mercure Whately Hall Hotel. I look forward to your next visit. Kind regards, Jane Riley
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"Excellent hotel"

14th February 2011, Knaresborough

Centrally located (once past trying to find the centre of Banbury); quiet rooms; excellent service in the restaurants and bars; a real find! Will definitely stay there again if we reuiqre a bed in the area.

Management responseThank you for your kind comments and compliments. I am delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the Mercure Whately Hall Hotel in Banbury and look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Kind regards, Jane Riley.
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"Weekend in Banbury"

15th December 2010, Ilminster

Ideally placed for all amenities. Excellent breakfast. Great value for money. Only downside was the noise from a party in the restaurant.below.

Management responseI was please to hear you enjoyed your breakfast and will pass on your feedback to my staff. I look forward to welcoming you back to the Mercure Whately Hall Hotel in Banbury in the near future.Kind RegardsJohn ArmstrongGeneral Manager
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"Convenient base for Cotswolds touring"

15th November 2010, kemeiying, Shanghai

A comfortable and spacious room. Beautiful breakfast room looking on to the lovely back garden. Very good breakfast including Banbury cakes. Plenty of private parking, some under cover. We walked in the garden in the early mornings and conversed with the cat.We took the cheaper pre-pay/no cancellation option and perhaps because of that were given a room on the driveway side with a very unprepossessing view .If you are concerned with your bedroom view, ask for a room on the garden side. My only complaint is the music at breakfast. My preference is no music, but if there must be music, let it be less intrusive.