Warner Leisure

DJ and I have been to several different Warner Leisure Hotels. We have always found a good mix of ages with the majority I would guess being 40-60.
Hotels are always spotless and staff great. I can't say we've ever had a problem with parking or distance to the restaurant but Thoresby is one we haven't tried. I think you were unlucky.

DH

I'm glad you've said that, nina because I really wanted to come home feeling I'd like to do another one.

I agree about the high standards and they must have really good training programmes for their staff. The age group was higher than 40-60 though.

Thoresby Hall is stunning and obviously very popular as there were three coach parties booking in while we were looking for somewhere to park!!

Have you done Gunton Hall in Suffolk?

Not been there but we have been to Corton Coastal Village Suffolk, I recommend that one. We've also been to Littlecote, Lakeside, Bembridge and Cricket St Thomas.

Corton's almost next door to Gunton Hall. We usually do a short break in September so I think Suffolk might be on the cards.

I think the Warner Holidays are good value and usually provide a nice environment and pretty good food. In my experience, they appeal predominantly to the over 60's but I've always liked older people and that's just as well because now I'm one myself!

I've been to Sinah Warren, Hayling Island. It is quite nice but I don't like Hayling Island much. The entertainment was good there and some of the daytime activities were enjoyable - including a painting class. I don't really understand why people are so keen on bingo though. I quite enjoy a quiz but I think bingo is really boring.

I also went with my mum (93 then) to Cricket St Thomas in 2013. It's set in a really beautiful area. It's always a bit stressful with mum because she tends to find fault with things, but I was quite impressed.

I am sure they are brilliant, but the fear of meeting Colin and his dreadful wife have totally put me off them, lol. Possibly the worst advertising campaign ever ;)

DH and I have been to three of these hotels and really enjoyed the experience. They were clean, well run and the food was good. Decent pool and leisure facilities too and we have never had any problems with parking. We were not keen on the entertainment but it is optional and can be avoided. Thoresby Hall and Nidd Hall are both beautiful buildings in lovely locations near to National Trust properties (Fountains Abbey is close to Nidd Hall). We are both in our sixties so the age range of 50 plus is good. We met a very lively, friendly group of people.

However we did visit Holmes Lacey House and that did feel like having a break in a Nursing Home. It might be more to do with the timing of the visit. We stayed at Holmes Lacey mid week when there appeared to be many very elderly people, weekends might reflect a different age group.

No sign of Colin or his wife on any of our visits.

Pheeew- will have to keep an open mind and perhaps have a Warner Break once when we come to UK.

So which one is your favourite?

That's a good point about a mid-week booking, appygran. People who are not retired would go for a weekend break so there would be a better mix of ages.

I think we'll try Corton next because of easy access to some lovely places on the Suffolk coast.

Cricket St Thomas is in lovely grounds and had the best resident comedian DH and I have ever seen. That was about 5 yrs ago though.

I don't think I could choose a favourite. We tend to choose by what entertainment is on rather than the destination. We have been to a Motown weekend. A Men In Black weekend etc.

Are Warner Leisure Hotels a good holiday place for single oldies? I resent always paying extra if I don't want to share a room, also I have never yet had a holiday on my own, would Warners be a possibility?

I went on a garden visit to a local stately home that has become a Warner hotel and was put off by the naff highly amplified entertainment that assailed our ears (man playing trumpet out of tune to canned backing track) whilst walking round the grounds; and the presence of hand cleansing stations (as in a hospital) inside all the entrances!!

Definitely not for me!

But, as others have said, the staff were kind and the meal was good. And yes, it definitely felt like a posh care home!

One of my biggest nightmares is finishing up in a residential home where there is constant TV and canned music that you cannot get away from. I would go insane!!

I was lucky enough to win a Warner break at Littlecote House through a GN competition and, never having been before, I was surprised and very impressed by the standard of accommodation, facilities and restaurant. There was a good and plentiful choice at each meal and a lovely waiter, allocated to us, for the whole of our stay.

Guests seemed to be in couples or pairs so I would not book a solo holiday there but there were lots of activities on offer, lovely gardens and even a Roman ruin in the grounds to explore. We did not go to the evening entertainment but DH was able to watch his football on TV in the lounge or our room. I had a pedicure at the spa.

We enjoyed our stay very much and will go again at some point.

Thank you Mishap and Gagagran, It sounds as if Warners would have a lot to offer as I am in my seventies but clearly nor the best choice for a solo break, I am open to suggestions.

Having won a weekend at Thoresby Hall Hotel, and shared the prize with a friend, I would have felt lonely on my own as everyone else was also in a pair or a couple. We only spoke to each other all weekend! The accommodation was lovely - a suite, no less, with a four poster bed, champagne laid on; and the food was both tasty and plentiful. But, as I said, not for singles.

I loved Nidd Hall. We enjoyed the early evening entertainment because we love dancing. It's the only holiday we've ever been on where we've never left the hotel. We played bowls, did archery and rifle shooting, went swimming, danced and generally chilled out. Don't forget the adult sized swings too. Brilliant fun without getting all your bum stuck like you do on children's swings lol