Another two nighter, this time to see friends we first met on our second ever cruise on the Jewel of the Seas in 2007. We stayed at the Great Hallingbury Manor, which proved to be roughly equidistant from our respective abodes. There were two negatives, neither to do with the hotel. The first was the diversion, which added 10 minutes to the journey (and 30 minutes if you end up visiting the M11 in error :-). The second was the flight path. No matter which way you cut it, the hotel is directly (that’s directly) under the Stansted flight path…
The hotel stay, however, was delightful. The room itself was fine, the food was excellent and, in particular the staff were fantastic. To man (and woman), they were unfailingly helpful, incredibly courteous and, almost singularly in my view, they all had personalities. Quick to pick up on guests particular idioms, they were jokey, communicative but always professional and attentive. On top of that we were welcome to the Valentine’s dinner on the Friday (of which we were unaware when booking), which was very good indeed. Service industries can negate so much that is outside its control by a friendly, can do attitude from its staff. So called five star hotels around the UK please note!! The staff made it something to which we would unfailingly return.