Gloucester, Hatherley Manor Hotel

Hatherley Manor is set up for weddings and corporate conferences and seems to do that quite well, but for the average guest it's expensive and a bit old fashioned. Add in the fact that it's neither as impressive a building nor as quaint as the name suggests and there are better places to stay. It not that it's a bad hotel, just that you can get so much more for so much less. In fact the staff were friendly, helpful and by far the best thing about the hotel.

If you are staying for a wedding, don't assume the discount offered to the bride and groom's guests is the best deal. We found it was no cheaper than rack rates and both the Hatherely Manor hotel's own website and general hotel reservation websites were significantly cheaper. In fact even telephoning the reception to book was cheaper than the discounted rates for the wedding.

LOCATION Down Hatherley Lane sounds idyllic, but is in reality a very busy road without pavements (sidewalks for our US cousins) topped and tailed by industrial sites and car dealerships. It is however sufficiently remote that you will need taxis or transport to get anywhere, and the view in front of the hotel is pretty good.

ACCOMMODATION The 'classic' rooms are reasonably small and the ensuites cramped with the basin, bath and toilet overlapping. The view from these rooms is also uninspiring. You need to upgrade to get a view of the walled garden. That said the room was perfectly adequate and very clean. Wireless broadband is available, but at a pretty expensive £5 per hour.

BREAKFAST The food was OK, reasonable quality and in more than sufficient quantities.

DINNER As an example sausage and mash costs £16 and a cup of coffee £3.75. The bar food was however fairly good quality and the service was excellent.