Legacy Thatchers Hotel Surrey Review
Legacy Thatcher’s Hotel
Guildford, Surrey
Reviewed by Victoria Moore
As we travelled to our overnight location in Surrey we journeyed through a beautiful village and pretty surroundings that were mirrored in the Legacy Thatcher’s Hotel’s landscaped gardens. The Tudor style building is impressive upon arrival, easily located from both the M25 and A3, and our satnav took us directly to the entrance. The location is ideally suited for weddings (as was being prepared for the checkout day of our stay), and local attractions such as Legoland, RHS Wisley, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Ascot Races.
We arrived mid evening and were impressed that the hotel has a private car park with CCTV, and clearly signed entrance from the car park as well as the main entrance. The receptionist warmly greeted us, checked our details and explained the hotel layout including where the restaurant was and where breakfast is served, before telling us how to access the free wifi, offering us a morning newspaper, asking if we would like assistance with our bags and then directing us to our room. Rooms are keycard operated and corridor doors have keycard access but I think as it was relatively quiet these weren’t in operation.
The corridors smelt lovely – cotton fresh clean which is like staying in a higher standard hotel and everything had been visibly well cleaned. The corridor decor is in need of minor regular maintenance / updating but this may be me being picky. The only area that unfortunately had a slight odour was the reception that had traces of the cigarette smoke from outside the main doors. This was only really noticeable though as a non-smoker.
Our spacious room was very clean and tidy and had great features such as a comfortable leather chair and footstool, generously sized double bed, space efficient wardrobe, trouser press, powerful hairdryer, multiple room lighting options, a variety of mirror sizes, fluffy white towels in a range of sizes and tea and coffee making facilities, as well as a range of plug sockets. The bathroom is a real selling point of the room, fantastic large enclosed multi-jet power shower with integrated seat, complementary toiletries, heated towel rail and elegant lighting.
The little touches would send the rooms to the next rating level, our first room had no radiator thermostat control and was rather sweltering, the windows were open so I imagine someone was aware of this, but we were swiftly and politely relocated to another room upon notification and met at the room with our new key. This second room was just as clean and tidy with one noticeable minor flaw that the bedside light switch button was missing. The beds have mattress protectors, pillow protectors would be a minor improvement, yet there were plenty of pillows, crisp white bed linen that relaxes you as you sink into the comfy mattress, and seasonally tog appropriate duvet.
Our stay included dinner in the onsite restaurant which we initially thought would mirror the albeit rather pricey room service menu detailed in the room literature (Nacho’s £7.45, Lasagne £12.95, 8oz Sirloin Steak £21.95). It would have been nice to see the restaurant menu in the room too as we presumed the same variety would be available dining in the restaurant.
The restaurant is accessed through the bar which is tastefully decorated and well spaced with a baby grand piano and modern chandeliers.
We were greeted and seated by our polite host waiter. The oak beamed restaurant features a beautiful fireplace. It has a calm atmosphere, is gently lit, and has a simple seasonal set menu, nice decor and polished tableware. The restaurant was starting to be set up for a wedding the next day but this didn’t interfere with the room, and bar was steadily busy with beverages, and diners choosing the bar menu.
The menu options reflected the change from winter to spring season, hearty meals with summery options of prawn cocktail and fresh fruit salad.
For starters we chose carrot & coriander soup, and chicken liver pate. Both arrived swiftly and fresh rolls were offered before they arrived and a jug of chilled water was provided as standard.
The pate was tasty, additional side toasts would have been eaten but the layer of pate on a toast slice may be thicker by most, the red onion chutney accompaniment was a big hit. The soup was a large serving and was heartening with coriander and pepper accentuating the root sweet carrot taste.
Our host waiter was the perfect host. He was attentive, friendly and left the right amount of time between courses as well as checking that everything was ok.
For our mains we ordered the steak & ale pie, and beer battered fish and chips, both arrived in good time and well presented.
The beer battered plaice was stupendous and possibly the best either of us has ever tasted and compliments were sent to the chef, sadly the pie was disappointing as it was less pie, more a stewed steak and mushroom stew with a thin puff pastry lid but the intention was there and the vegetables were done to perfection with the buttered beans a delight.
Pudding hit the spot with the bread and butter pudding being exactly as one would remember from childhood winter puddings. The chocolate fudge cake was a delicate mix of chocolate sponge and sauce with the side accompaniment of vanilla ice cream. A tasty diversion from the usually overpowering taste of sickly sweet frosting often found in these deserts.
After a comfortable yet slightly disturbed night by banging corridor doors (that could be easily rectified with soft closes), we headed down for breakfast in the restaurant. In daylight the manicured gardens provided a relaxing background to the restaurant and offer outdoor seating for idyllic afternoon teas, and I’m sure provide a plethora of photo opportunities for wedding parties. We were welcomed and chose a table, the self service breakfast had a good choice of fruit juices, cereals, continental breads, fresh fruit & fried / full English breakfast, with options available to order from the kitchen which arrived in a timely manor. Tea and coffee were waitress order and brought to the table.
The Legacy Thatcher’s Hotel is a beautiful building which the owners have obviously worked hard to match with the standard of the interior decor, rooms and restaurant. With slight amends and perhaps a foodie award to merit the prices it would easily rival superior independent hotels and high class chains. We stayed as a couple but would happy to recommend this for business travel and family stays.
Rating: 4/5
For more information or to make a booking visit www.legacy-hotels.co.uk/legacy-thatchers.
The Legacy Thatcher’s Hotel, Guildford Road, Surrey, KT24 6TB | Tel: 08444 119043
