The Vineyard

Our stay at The Vineyard had some lovely aspects, but also a few areas that could be improved to meet the expectations of a 5-star hotel. When we first entered our room, it felt like it may have been very elegant in the past, but it is now showing signs of wear. A few details such as a cracked sink with peeling enamel, some mould on the curtains and patio doors, a dusty bedside table, and a shower window that could have been cleaned more thoroughly - made the room feel a little tired. I’ve included photos for clarity. Something else guests should be aware of is the 12.5% service charge that’s added to all food and drink. The pricing for cocktails and wine is already on the higher side, and the additional charge isn’t immediately obvious. It’s mentioned in the menu, but on the storyboard pages rather than next to the individual drink prices, and staff don’t always point it out when ordering. It’s worth keeping this in mind to avoid surprises on the bill. I’d expect a service charge on a food bill but not when you’re having a drink at the bar throughout your stay. During our two-day stay, the spa hot tub was unfortunately out of order for one of the days, and all massage appointments were fully booked despite us calling ahead two days prior. This may simply reflect how busy the hotel was with racecourse guests that weekend, but it did mean we weren’t able to fully enjoy the spa facilities. Most of the staff we encountered were genuinely lovely, warm, welcoming, and very professional. We did have a small interaction with a cleaner who asked us to return in ten minutes when we needed to use the bathroom, which felt a little abrupt, but this may have just been a timing issue on a busy morning. On a very positive note, the bar and restaurant were outstanding. The atmosphere, the team, and the quality of the food were all excellent, and these were definitely highlights of our stay. Overall, The Vineyard has many wonderful elements, especially the dining experience, but there are a few areas, particularly the rooms and communication around service charges where a little attention could really elevate the guest experience to true 5-star standards.

Great hotel, located off the M4 near Newbury, so easy to get too from London. Service, food and wine are out of this world. Rooms are great albeit a bit dated, but fine. Hotel was recently sold to Apex Hotels and closed earlier this week for a 6 month refurbishment and can’t wait to go back once it reopens.

A weekend away from London. We had a wonderful stay — the staff were incredibly warm and attentive, Dinner at the Tasting room was incredible. Thomas the sommelier was so knowledgeable and passionate about wine, the food was beautifully prepared by chef Tom , each course was divided and local sources.The bedrooms were spotless and comfortable, and every detail felt thoughtfully taken care of. It truly made our trip feel special. Thank you for such excellent hospitality! We will recommend the hotel to everyone and we will be back.

Our first impressions of The Vineyard Hotel were very positive. The exterior and initial welcome were impressive, though the hallway itself was particularly inviting and smelt fantastic. We were warmly greeted with a welcome drink, which set a friendly and relaxed tone for our stay. We were pleasantly surprised to receive a room upgrade, which was a lovely gesture after returning from a trip to New York. The room itself was of a high standard – spacious, overlooking the golf course, with a balcony and some thoughtful welcome treats. We took advantage of the spa facilities, which were a bit of a mixed experience. The main pool was cooler than comfortable, and the hot tub was more lukewarm than hot. That said, the sauna and steam room were both good, and it was a nice touch that staff could bring drinks from the hotel directly into the spa area. For dinner, we dined in the hotel restaurant, which caters clearly to fine dining and wine enthusiasts, complete with a sommelier on hand. The service was excellent, and while the quality of food was high, we were slightly disappointed with the portion sizes given the pricing(my wife had the Salt baked Carrots) That said, the steak and chips were exceptional. After dinner, we enjoyed a peaceful night, though we did find the bed a bit firm, so sleep wasn’t as comfortable as we’d hoped. Breakfast, however, was a real highlight. There was a great selection of continental and cooked options. I opted for the full English, which was excellent, while my wife had the crumpets, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay – friendly staff, excellent food quality, and a beautiful room. A few minor areas could be improved, particularly the spa temperature, portion sizes in the restaurant and a slightly softer mattress , we would certainly consider returning.

Beautiful location and stunning room. They went above and beyond for my partners birthday celebrations. Concierge John was super welcoming and very knowledgeable. The bath in our room was next level. Massage and facial was the best I've ever had to date. Every single time we encountered a staff member we were wished a good morning/afternoon/evening which was lovely. The complimentary toiletries were great for my sensitive skin and smelled lovely. This is definitely somewhere we would recommend to stay as you are made to feel really special.