The Vineyard

I have just returned from a lovely spa break with 3 friends at the Vineyard Hotel. From being greeted by John the concierge at the front door with the friendliest of welcomes and a glass of wine to a beautiful facial by Amanda it was nothing short of perfect. The staff were warm and kind and nothing was too much trouble. Our room was upgraded and supper in the restaurant was delicious, it was a shame we were still full in the morning as the breakfast offering was huge but we still managed to squeeze some more in!! Thoroughly recommend this hotel and please keep doing what you do! I’m definitely going to head back to Newbury.

We came here to spend one night for my birthday. The hotel itself it’s really beautiful. Everything reflects the 5 stars, from the design to the extremely professional staff. We had the tasting room experience (food from Michelin star), which was an incredible food journey. We would like to thank all the staff, especially Thomas, the sommelier. He is extremely knowledgeable and took really good care of us. He also advised us on the best wine option to choose from (65 pages of wine list). We will definitely come back for another special occasion!! 💯💯

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.

Just returned from a fabulous stay at this beautiful hotel and spa. The staff as always are simply charming, quietly attentive and professional. Thomas the Sommelier is excellent please never hesitate to ask for his advice and he is definitely not an “up seller” his knowledge is extensive and he has a real passion for his subject. We have tried wines suggested and enjoyed them immensely. Anton made our visiting dog friends most welcome again great warmth and customer service. They loved the water bowls and doggy treats! I had one of the best facials I have ever had by Bliss, seriously I have had many facials and Bliss was amazing definitely worked wonders and was precise in products used leaving my skin feeling wonderful. However all of the staff are committed to excellent guest experience, it shows. We had dinner and also the bar menu on the Friday and on the Sunday both were of high quality, great presentation and thoroughly enjoyed. The room was fabulous and the housekeeping was perfect, a treat to return to our made up room. Therefore a huge thank you to all at The Vineyard for adding to our special memories of this hotel.