We just got back from 3 English country stays with our toddler and I loved your Estelle breakdown. Love comparing notes and hearing where others are enjoying taking their kids
Completely. No hotel is perfect but it’s always helpful to know the “cons” or tricky things to work around.
The pool hours seem to be a British thing - all of our stays had some restrictions but the timing was better. One hotel allowed kids all day until 4pm. The other had 1 hour slots scattered throughout the day including 2-3pm with a second pool open all the time (but indoor).
The restaurant restrictions are also tough if kids aren’t “adjusting” to European time and are staying on EST and stay up late
I laughed and shared commentary from the “I love you but I don’t want to travel with you” section many times, you summed it up well! We’ve viewed friendships differently after traveling together and think twice before deciding to travel with friends, let alone when kids are in the mix! Clear is kind. We now all set our expectations in advance - “we’re fine with your kid coming on this adult trip but we want Michelin dinners to be adults only” etc. if they’re not ok getting a sitter we recommend we dine separately or plan a different trip a different time. Better upfront than resentment on the trip
Amen to all the points about travel companions relying solely on the travel organiser for E-VE-RY-THING! Can you tell I am the travel organiser? 😜
As for Estelle Manor thanks for the honest review. It confirms to me that it’s too chaotic for the price they charge.
On pool times, it’s often the case in UK luxury hotels and is a pain. Hotels with pools that have longer options for families are the Newt (the Farmyard pool is family friendly, not the spa one), Cliveden House (the outdoor pool, not the spa which also has limits) and Calcot Manor (although interiors are not as chic and back in the days I did find it too be a bit too family oriented with only families and young children around).
Limewood and Crowley manor have kids times that are a bit longer than Estelle Manor’s.
I have to add a caveat that I did love our stay at Estelle, and they are taking my feedback about areas for improvement seriously. I think you’d enjoy a visit if you know the limitations ahead of time for the pool and dining. Plan your activities early. I stayed at Cliveden house last year with my girlfriends and I will say Estelle has it beat for on-property experience w kids. They have the boat ride there and that’s about it. Also the dining is really just two options
Lovely! I’ll have to check it out. I’ve stayed at Calcot before but not with kids. Dying to visit the Newt and Crowley as well! I’m so glad my article resonated.
Great post about travel style compatibility. I am also someone for whom the hotel very much matters and am willing to spend. After staying in a less than ideal accommodation a few years back, I have now recognized my priority is going to be where we stay.
Thanks Leah! The hotel is the main point for me. My time is too short for a bad bed or to feel like we got the short end of the stick for room allocation
There is nothing worse on a trip than discovering your travel companion has a totally different travel style, and it’s going to result in an attitude problem!
We just got back from 3 English country stays with our toddler and I loved your Estelle breakdown. Love comparing notes and hearing where others are enjoying taking their kids
We did have a very lovely stay at Estelle Manor. Just know the limitations around pool hours and dining hours, and plan activities early!
Completely. No hotel is perfect but it’s always helpful to know the “cons” or tricky things to work around.
The pool hours seem to be a British thing - all of our stays had some restrictions but the timing was better. One hotel allowed kids all day until 4pm. The other had 1 hour slots scattered throughout the day including 2-3pm with a second pool open all the time (but indoor).
The restaurant restrictions are also tough if kids aren’t “adjusting” to European time and are staying on EST and stay up late
I laughed and shared commentary from the “I love you but I don’t want to travel with you” section many times, you summed it up well! We’ve viewed friendships differently after traveling together and think twice before deciding to travel with friends, let alone when kids are in the mix! Clear is kind. We now all set our expectations in advance - “we’re fine with your kid coming on this adult trip but we want Michelin dinners to be adults only” etc. if they’re not ok getting a sitter we recommend we dine separately or plan a different trip a different time. Better upfront than resentment on the trip
Exactly! I’m so glad my piece made you laugh. I’m hoping some of my friends and family don’t feel called out by it ha
Amen to all the points about travel companions relying solely on the travel organiser for E-VE-RY-THING! Can you tell I am the travel organiser? 😜
As for Estelle Manor thanks for the honest review. It confirms to me that it’s too chaotic for the price they charge.
On pool times, it’s often the case in UK luxury hotels and is a pain. Hotels with pools that have longer options for families are the Newt (the Farmyard pool is family friendly, not the spa one), Cliveden House (the outdoor pool, not the spa which also has limits) and Calcot Manor (although interiors are not as chic and back in the days I did find it too be a bit too family oriented with only families and young children around).
Limewood and Crowley manor have kids times that are a bit longer than Estelle Manor’s.
I have to add a caveat that I did love our stay at Estelle, and they are taking my feedback about areas for improvement seriously. I think you’d enjoy a visit if you know the limitations ahead of time for the pool and dining. Plan your activities early. I stayed at Cliveden house last year with my girlfriends and I will say Estelle has it beat for on-property experience w kids. They have the boat ride there and that’s about it. Also the dining is really just two options
My mistake. I meant Chewton Glen not Cliveden House!
Lovely! I’ll have to check it out. I’ve stayed at Calcot before but not with kids. Dying to visit the Newt and Crowley as well! I’m so glad my article resonated.
Great post about travel style compatibility. I am also someone for whom the hotel very much matters and am willing to spend. After staying in a less than ideal accommodation a few years back, I have now recognized my priority is going to be where we stay.
Thanks Leah! The hotel is the main point for me. My time is too short for a bad bed or to feel like we got the short end of the stick for room allocation
So true.....protecting the vibe of a trip sometimes means saying no to great friends. Compatibility is the ultimate luxury.
There is nothing worse on a trip than discovering your travel companion has a totally different travel style, and it’s going to result in an attitude problem!
I love the breakdown of what makes a good travel partner. I’m saving it to send to future prospective travel buddies to get on the same page quickly!
Great! I’m glad it was helpful. I wish I had learned this all a long time ago