Overview

We have already reviewed four hotels for you that belong to the Handpicked group of hotels, and they really are delightful hotels, 5 stars the norm, so we were really looking forward to our overnight stay at Nutfield Priory. What a disappointment ! It started off well, the driveway towards the hotel looked great, (photo 1) spring flowers opening up, well cut and maintained grounds, and the old building looked historical and grand (photo 2) the tower of the entrance guarding the hall, old chimney pots looked magnificent, we were ready (3). We parked opposite the entrance in one of the two disabled bays (4) and headed for the hotels entrance, and found a step waiting for us. (5) No ramp in sight, so my husband had to get up out of his wheelchair, and stagger up the step. Inside we were greeted by two very friendly receptionist ,and who turned out during our stay to be very kind and helpful, and the reception area looked old but pleasing enough (photo 6) Booking in was soon done and we would be escorted up to ,our room on the second floor, and we were pleased to be told that a lift was available, which was situated behind the reception desk, through a very narrow doorway and small tight square passage (photo 7 shows the entrance behind the lamp) with a turn to get wheelchair into the small lift, where my husband continually seemed to catch his hands against the lifts edges, causing him to scrape his hands, and wipe the blood off his knuckles. A corridor led to our bedroom (8) number 25, and pleased to see we could leave wheelchair by front door (9) and the room looked very nice (10) with nice big bed for us, ( BUT THE ROOM WAS FREEZING) the cast iron radiator was not working, so we tried to sort the heating out by putting setting to high on wall panel and hoped this would warm the room up. There was plenty of room to move around (11) and in walk-in bathroom we had soft white towels and pleased to see pull cord connected to call button (12) while the walk in shower was plenty big enough for us (13) Right, time to investigate Nutfield Priory. We took chair into the large delightful drawing room (photo 14) with lovely glass framed windows offering plenty of light, and saw the 1874 restored organ which suited its place in the historical hotel (15), (BUT AGAIN IT WAS FREEZING IN THERE) the fire, set in the original fireplace was ( not lit until the next day ) (photo 16). The side doorway would lead into the bar lounge with its small but nicely wooden bar (17) which took us to see the delightful restaurant (18) which was nicely laid ready for dining tonight. The old wooden panelled library was interesting and looked authentic (20) and would be a pleasant quiet place to enjoy reading one of the many books and catch up with the history of Nutfield Priory. HISTORY It was difficult to find the early history of the Priory, but we believe it was once a home built for Monks, so our history continues from records of 1849, when this original mansion was rebuilt by Thomas Fowlerwood. From 1855 a banker, Henry Edward Gurney added much improvements to enhance this mansion, until he was declared bankrupt, so the property was sold to Joshua Fielden who was once an MP in Lancashire, and he basically rebuilt the property, to include the Tower. He had 11 children with his wife Ellen, and he was known as a caring man who sought the interest and welfare of others. When Joshua died in 1887 Nutfield was held in trust for his wife Ellen, until 1920 when she sold the property. It was then sold to a Mr Ferris, who lived here until 1930, then under the care of Mr O Picton Davies he turned the property into what we start to see today, a very expensive hotel, and he included nine hole golf course by the lake. Over the next few years a number of changes were made in how the mansion was being used, until its opening as a boarding school for deaf children, but this closed in 1987, and a year later it opened up as a hotel again. It is now under the care of Handpicked hotels. To continue with our details of hotel for you, and why we were so disappointed with our visit. It seemed to us that Handpicked Hotels have allowed Nutfield Priory to have that look of neglect, and has been allowed to go downhill for some years now. Paint has stripped off woodwork, the stained panels and doors need work to be done on them, carpets have threadbare areas and joints are separating and look tired. The general appearance is not up to the standard of other Handpicked Hotels we have visited and reviewed for Euans guide in which we gave top marks for, so having paid so much money and so looking forward to staying here, it was quite a shock to see the place so neglected. And worse of all, the whole building was SO COLD, there was no heat on anywhere, and we froze in our room. We were of course given the usual rubbish, our maintenance manager checked the heat this morning and it was working,) just how many times have we heard that, and other guest were also deeply concerned that we all had to feel so cold. It’s not cheap to stay at Handpicked Hotels, so all in all, a big disappointment for us personally. Out next visit for the groups hotels will be to Rookery Hall, and we do so hope that will bring back our confidence in handpicked Hotels. Mind you, may we say thank you to the young receptionist on duty that evening, she tried so hard for us to get warmth, she took the time and trouble to spend an hour hunting around the hotel to find heaters for us, and kindly brought up two heaters to our room, so that on waking the next morning we had a warm room, so thanks goes to her for her effort on our behalf. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS About our part one review of Nutfield Priory hotel. Leaving our disappointment behind, this could again become an interesting and historical hotel, it’s got a lot going for it, and if you read part two and our part three, you will see that we have offered far more favourable remarks on our visit here, but it’s just at the moment, until management get the hotel back up To a standard we expect from Handpicked hotels, then we shall not be recommending you visiting or staying here.

Transport & Parking

We enjoyed our journey to the hotel, the driveway itself was most welcoming, and we found two bays right up by hotels entrance ideal for disabled.

Access

Disappointing. There is a step to get up to enter the hotel, and no ramp could be seen. It is quite hard for wheelchair to get past reception desk and into the lift, which is rather small and tight, and I took off rather a lot of skin on my Knuckles as I tried to get in lift. It was untidy in its hall as well, and as it next to reception desk, we had to wait a few times for staff to finish helping other guests before we could get to the lift, which by the way, we didn’t mind. However, we did see all we needed to, most of the building is on the level, and there are plenty of seating areas.

Toilets

Having our own room meant no need to seek out toilets, so cannot make remarks about them

Staff

Top marks for trying for us, very friendly and willing, going out of their way to support us.

Photos