Warner Hotels disappointment

The last Warners I stayed in was there newest at Heythrop near Chipping Norton , which was all digital as to meal times etc , only 2 days there but watched a film in the theatre there .
My own personal Warners is Nidd Hall at Harrogate as its in nice grounds .
Other Hotels I have stayed in are Scottish group who own Cairn Hotel in Harrogate , but many years ago THF was good hotel chain .
Mick

We went, as a group, to a Warners hotel last summer. We had a good time because we were with friends, but (ducks behind sofa) some people who were evidently regulars, glared at us as we were apparently sitting at their 'usual table', and heaven forfend, we were talking and laughing in a bar area! The food was ok, we spent most of our time outside in the grounds, the evening entertainment was not to our taste, but obviously to others', so we didn't go into the theatre, but neither did we grumble about it. As to the PP talking about disabled access, I am sorry to hear that, but frankly, where we were, you could hardly move for mobility scooters, in fact some of the users were something of a hazard, and a tad aggressive with it. To me, it was rather like a country house style care home. Won't be going back

I have always chosen my own ways and would not want to go to the Warners . My husband and I used to go to places together and also individually as we had an old yacht and so spent main holidays on the boat and had a couple of weekends in hotels to have a bit of luxury. We worked out things we wanted to do and made decisions accordingly but if he had said that to me he would not be comng with me to anywhere. In fact he might be an ex husband!! For both of you it is meant to be a holiday and a pleasure , so either find something you can both enjoy or go separately or with a friend who enjoys similar things. As a singer and including opera in that I would probably have enjoyed it, but I even organised a few years ago to travel with a neighbour to Barcelona. We agreed to share a twin room, as it was cheaper than paying a single supplement for a rubbish room. so we agreed to do this but do our own thing when we arrived. We actually shared one meal and a couple of coffees and did our own thing for the rest of the time. Worked very well enjoyed our own things and were able to enjoy chatting to each other in the evening. So that is the way I would go. Recently I have travelled to see my family when my grandson was ill. They only have a two bedroom house and I went and stayed in the youth hostel. Worked well, was able to come and go at my own pace, worried no one by getting up early and was able to be down to visit my family. Great - freedom and enjoyed my time and was the cheapest way to go. Life is short, dont spend it doing things you dont like if you dont have to. If his attitude was not a one off, which is not normal for him I would be definitely choosing to go my own way on holiday and if things didnt improve I would literally go my own way!! Better pleasure and peace with your own company than either constantly doing what you dont like or arguing about it.

I feel there are minor snobbish rumblings on here about Warners.

My first choice this year would have been a couple of one weekers abroad in a lovely hotel where most seem to include entertainment but we take that or leave it although for some people the entertainment makes their holiday. However my husband’s health issues stopped that so we tried Warners. I think it’s good to try different things.

We enjoyed our 3 nights so went back in Sept for 3 nights and again, enjoyed it. Better than sitting at home.

My cousin goes on several cruises every year and often asks me to go with her but I have never gone …. Yet. I never rule anything out. She says I would love it but I am claustrophobic. She loves the entertainment but I wouldn’t be that bothered. More interested in sunshine, relaxation and not cooking. 😝

Warners is what it is. Leisure hotels in nice grounds, often near the sea, a mainly older clientele, no kids, comfortable villas and you don’t have to lift a finger. Entertainment, sporting activities, swimming etc … take it or leave it.

I do find even 4 star non Warners hotels are not of the same standard in this country as abroad. Stayed in lots in this country and not been to one yet that I would be aching to go back to.

I love Warners, but the Hotels do vary. I like being able to book s room without a single supplement. My favourite at the moment is Studley Castle, I’ve been twice this year. The food is lovely and it’s a full buffet. Went to Cricket St Thomas in September, and the food wasn’t so good , and was mostly waiter served. For disabled access, I’d choose Holme Lacy, the parking is near the rooms (disabled) and they have disabled changing in the pool area, with a seat in the shower and a chair lift into the pool. Most others don’t. My advice would be to ring the actual Hotel to book, not the central number. Then you can ask about facilities, and sometimes they give an extra discount!

We’ve been 3 times this year to Warner Leisure hotels, as well as 3 overseas holidays, and I don’t recognise the entertainment you have described as having been on at any of the venues we went to nor would I be happy if it had been. I think you really need to look at what acts are on and when at the various venues and give it another go.

Had always wanted to try a Warners holiday. They looked so good on the adverts. Finally booked for our 40th wedding anniversary and were bitterly disappointed. The activities were all booked up before we got there, the entertainment was loud and tacky, we couldn’t even eat in the restaurant of our choice because they were booked up and the one we had to eat in was more like a school canteen than anywhere I’ve eaten since I was 16. Certainly overpriced for what we got. We shan’t be going back.

Eeww- sounds like a place to avoid. Never heard of them before but I don't think I would enjoy hordes of people every evening. Having said that, I do like a good cruise where sometimes you have to be pretty nifty to get a seat at the theatre nights.

W have had a couple of breaks with UK Breakways. They do various options, with or without entertainment. You can self drive or go on the coach. We did self drive, one break included 2 coach trips, the other had evening entertainment. Enjoyed both, however, they are budget holidays so don't expect 5*. Worth it.

Troglodyte Thanks for the rant. I am adjusting to the fact that my osteo arthritis has now progressed to the stage that I have just had a raised toilet seat installed (along with a stairlift). I have to ask everywhere I go for a chair with arms in order to get up at all. I get around with a three wheeled walking aid to carry shopping, books, handbag. Light enough to heave up or down one step otherwise I could never visit anywhere in my historic old town. Stairs/steps, must have handrails or I am helpless. Until fairly recently I went on holiday,always alone, but had to look at coaches when I had to stop driving and now cannot manage a trolley case along with the wheeled walking aid. I never thought things would reach this stage.. If rail travel ever returns to " "normal" I would recommend the former help with boarding and changing trains offered by different lines if booked in advance.
It is now obvious that when booking anywhere like Warners, a careful check in advance must be made. One can be disabled without using a wheelchair

We’ve travelled to several Warners hotels for a short break, meeting friends there. With the exception of the latest offering, Heythrop Park which was woefully understaffed, the experience has been a reasonably good one. There is a facility to book dining location and times in advance, something we always do and haven’t been disappointed. Not going specifically for evening entertainment we’re happy to be elsewhere and chat. Having said that we have enjoyed some excellent entertainment and certainly haven’t come across anything distasteful.

We’re all different for sure. Littlecote is one of our favourite places to stay. The gardens are beautiful in the summer, there is an interesting mosaic in the grounds which are partly open to the public. The Old House is Grade I listed and fascinating, there’s an audio tour to guide you around and comfortable places to sit with a coffee. No, It’s not a building particularly suited to people with restricted mobility. Some rooms are a long way from the dining room and others involve stairs or steps. There are however rooms with a reserved blue badge space in the car park with easy access to the hotel.

I’d second the advice to call the hotels directly about specific access issues. The staff know the rooms and can advise if their hotel is suitable. We’ve always found great understanding and kindness when making a request for a room close to a lift, which is all we need.

It always interests me when people have such different experiences. Luck maybe.

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If you depend on aids such as a raised loo seat and grab bars and a walk-in shower with no step, then surely you would check they were all available before booking a hotel?

Germanshepherdsmum

If you depend on aids such as a raised loo seat and grab bars and a walk-in shower with no step, then surely you would check they were all available before booking a hotel?

We went away last year with a group of people; one lady had pre-booked an accessible room which should have meant access for a wheelchair, a bathroom with accessible loo, shower etc, like the one in the picture (stock image).
She said she hadn't been able to have a shower as it was over the bath, there was no room to get to the loo easily - accessible must mean different things to some hotels!

She also said her DN had treated them to a weekend at a very exclusive boutique hotel (another 'accessible' room) and that room had steps between the bathroom and bedroom. 🤔

I understand what you’re saying but it may be that too many ‘accessible’ just means the ability to get into the room with a wheelchair. I think the onus is on people needing these aids, and absolutely no steps, to spell out exactly what their requirements are. To me, a reasonably able bodied person, an ‘accessible’ is one you can get into in a wheelchair without having to negotiate any steps.

The description in the Disabled Discrimination Act is not as comprehensive as the requirements for 'accessible' in some other countries and some hotels in the UK do not seem to be even complying with the basic requirements set out.

minor snobbish remarks

Yes, I think so too.

Germanshepherdsmum

I understand what you’re saying but it may be that too many ‘accessible’ just means the ability to get into the room with a wheelchair. I think the onus is on people needing these aids, and absolutely no steps, to spell out exactly what their requirements are. To me, a reasonably able bodied person, an ‘accessible’ is one you can get into in a wheelchair without having to negotiate any steps.

Yes, but I think it's a get-out clause.

It's obvious that if someone uses a wheelchair they just might need a loo and shower which are easily accessible too.

As AlisonKF points out:

One can be disabled without using a wheelchair too.

We are off to Heythrop Park the week after next. As we go as a group we do need to be organised.
We are a party of 8 and need 5 rooms. There is a mechanism on line for linking our individual bookings for meals etc.
It does need a bit of thinking about.
We have booked a distillery tour and a cocktail class ( OK so what does that say about us!) it all seems fairly straightforward.
Mum is in a wheelchair but can also walk for short distances. We have always found it easy to get around.
We also seem to have to book the entertainment (never done that before) but we aren’t that bothered.
Will let you know how we get on.
For all of you who recommend just going to a nice hotel. I get it, we do that too but Warners is ideal for us all to have a family holiday with mum, She is 95 and has a marvellous time.

We have been on one Warner break , Monday - to Friday. Never again. Before we had even stepped inside the hotel, I could tell it wasn't for me. The entertainment wasn't the problem, it's just that I felt I'd admitted myself to a care home. We went for a walk on the first evening and I wondered if we'd be shepherded back. It felt like The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan.

SpringyChicken

We have been on one Warner break , Monday - to Friday. Never again. Before we had even stepped inside the hotel, I could tell it wasn't for me. The entertainment wasn't the problem, it's just that I felt I'd admitted myself to a care home. We went for a walk on the first evening and I wondered if we'd be shepherded back. It felt like The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan.

🤣🤣 that was funny. We have only been twice as we were unable to travel abroad this year due to ill health. First time there was a very varied clientele ranging I should think from 18 to maybe 85. So all ages.

Second time there were a few younger but mainly older people. I wonder if the entertainment determines which age groups book? Eg if it was opera stuff or old time then we wouldn’t book.

Interesting reactions.
Perhaps we misinterpreted the adverts which we thought were trying to attract older people like ourselves. I should have said we are both 85 and I noticed most of the other guests were around 50 to 60 and seemed pretty fit and active, dancing enthusiastically to the music and applauding loudly, with screams and whistles like they do on 'Strictly'.
They were enjoying themselves, so we were definitely in the minority.
I should also have said we are not especially well off and both have mobility problems.
Thanks for the Potters recommendations. They are a bit out of our price range which is a pity, but that's what I was hoping to find.
I might try a stay in a nice hotel and organise our own entertainment for the evenings.
I think there's a market for such venues for golden oldies.

I have never been to a Warners hotel but the adverts I’ve seen don’t lead me to think they are seeking to attract 85 year olds with mobility issues. More like fit people in their 50s or 60s, maybe 70s looking for a child free break I think, and they would gear the entertainment to the expected demographic.

We went to a Warners on the Isle of Wight many years ago, thinking it was 'child free' and all inclusive and a change from a hotel - it really was full of much, much older people and we felt like fish out of water. We ended up only staying at the hotel overnight, after one man had a heart attack the first night at our dinner table.

SpringyChicken

We have been on one Warner break , Monday - to Friday. Never again. Before we had even stepped inside the hotel, I could tell it wasn't for me. The entertainment wasn't the problem, it's just that I felt I'd admitted myself to a care home. We went for a walk on the first evening and I wondered if we'd be shepherded back. It felt like The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan.

We stayed at Port Meirion - and when we turned the TV on, it showed The Prisoner on a loop 😁
It was lovely but walking round was quite an eerie experience.