Reality Check ➔ HOTEL THE OLD SWAN, OXFORDSHIRE
THE HOTEL: Some 90 minutes from London and 20 from Oxford, this pretty, family-run twin venue in the Cotswolds is easily found from Jct 8 off the A40 in the village of Minster Lovell. It is spread over 63 acres of meadows, riverbanks and manicured grounds. THE CHECK-IN: Reception is in Minster Mill, the 200-year-old former water mill that forms half of the venue. A tiny, low-beamed reception area was staffed by a receptionist that speedily dealt with the formalities, so I didn’t have time to sample the sloe gin left for new arrivals. THE ROOM: Mine was a suite in the 600-year- old former inn, the Old Swan, across the road. The 16 rooms here are chintzier, characterised by uneven floors, low ceilings and dark beams, but also with every modern creature comfort. I had a cosy sitting room with flatscreen TV, four-poster bed in the bedroom, small but well equipped bathroom, tea- and coffee-making equipment, iron and ironing board, wifi, DVD player, desk and nice touches such as home- made biscuits and a hot water bottle at turn down. There are 44 rooms in the Minster Mill. THE BUSINESS: There are three spaces: the beamed Oak Room on the first floor of Minster Mill, with natural light and warm red decor, for up to 16 boardroom style. The main space is the Malt House with large reception and
refreshment area and three main rooms for up to 24, plus two syndicate spaces for six. There is also a barn that will take 50 theatre-style or 24 boardroom. A Great Hall will seat 150 theatre-style or 120 for dining when it opens by the year's end. The day delegate rate is £75; 24-hour rates are £175-£285, all plus VAT. THE FACILITIES: The restaurant is in the Old Swan and it offers good gastro pub type food. Outside is England’s largest wildflower garden and fly fishing for brown trout and the like. All manner of activities can be laid on for team building events. A full spa is opening by
➔ SERVICED APARTMENT SACO, BATH
THE BACKGROUND: SACO, 'the worldwide serviced apartment network', has access to over 12,000 different apartments in more than 35 countries worldwide. It currently has over 2,500 corporate clients. Its Bath apartments are comprised of studio, one and two-bedroom units in a converted Georgian terrace on St James' Parade in the heart of the city. THE CHECK-IN: Located the apartments easily enough in busy central Bath and left the car round the corner while I went to check in and find out about parking – there's limited parking onsite but a long-stay car park is just down the road. The affable receptionist also briefed me on the area and provided numbers for a couple of local taxi companies. THE APARTMENT: The apartment was comprised of a large, airy lounge and kitchen area looking out on to St James' Parade, plus a small bathroom and bedroom at the rear. The kitchen had an oven, kettle, toaster, fridge- freezer, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, plus a full selection of crockery and pans. A welcome pack included essentials such as tea, coffee and milk, plus dishwasher and laundry tablets. Furniture in the lounge consisted of a small dining table and chairs, coffee table, sofa, CD player and flatscreen TV with access to around 30 channels. In a
January 2012 and this augments the gym and two treatment rooms there now. THE VERDICT`: This is a charming addition to Peter de Savary’s collection of boutique inns and is sister to The Cary Arms in Devon. Nicely refurbished without taking away from its largely 15th century roots, and with good service, it’s an ideal venue for away days. THE DETAILS: Old Minster, Nr Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 ORN. Tel: 01993 774441;
www.oldswanandminstermill.com. Rooms from £165 including VAT and breakfast. GILLIAN UPTON
cupboard was an iron and ironing board and a clothes dryer. Wired broadband was charged for at £5 per day or £15 per week, but there was no wifi. In the bedroom was a double bed, wardrobe, safe, dressing table, small TV and full length mirror, and in the bathroom a shower cubicle but no bath, plus plenty of towels and a few L'Occitaine amenities. There was just two minor irritations: a lack of power sockets in the bedroom and the apartment's heavily sprung fire doors. A few paintings and ornaments around the apartment added colour and character to the plain decor. THE CHECK-OUT: Running a little late, a
request for extra time beyond the standard 11am checkout was kindly granted, and on leaving it was a simple case of dropping off the entry cards at reception. THE VERDICT: A very well equipped apart- ment in an excellent central location. It could quite easily become a small home from home for those visiting for a few nights or longer. THE DETAILS: SACO Bath, 37 St James' Parade, Bath, BA1 1UH. Rates are from £85 per night for a studio apartment, and £115 and £160 for a one and two-bedroom apartment respectively. See:
www.sacoapartments.co.uk. ANDY HOSKINS
FIND MORE REALITY CHECKS AT
WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM I 87
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