Stifford Hall Hotel

7 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Accommodation

Date of travel

April, 2018

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Husband

Reasons for trip

Other

We were due to take a CMV cruise on the Astoria departing on Easter Tuesday. The weather forecast threatened more snow, so thought it prudent to get nearer Tilbury sooner rather than later. We didn’t want to run the risk of missing the cruise, due to depart somewhat early at 2pm. It also meant a 7.30am departure from home.
We looked for hotels in the area which are thin on the ground and thankfully we found Stifford Hall. Reading the reviews, other hotels seemed to attract contractors and weren’t really what we wanted.

We arrived at around 2.30. Check in was very efficient and friendly and we were given room 243. All rooms are in a modern annexe where you very briefly have to leave the main hotel. It’s now a “Bespoke Hotel” having been a “Park Inn”. There’s no lift so we left our main luggage with reception – ground floor rooms are available, and the staff did offer to help with the luggage. The main building is lovely with the annexe having a more 1980s feel. Our room was fairly modern with a nice looking shower, although the water pressure is rather low, but just about adequate. Thinking I was in London, I put more shower gel than I needed, the water is much softer here than London! Rather strangely, the room had a balcony which needed some TLC, and even had the weather been better, we couldn’t really see us using it.

There isn’t a lot to do in the immediate vicinity, so after a quick walk round the village, we drove to Southend which took about 30 minutes.

Our tariff included dinner, however, as it was a Sunday the main restaurant was closed. We ate in the bar, choosing from the main menu. The choice was fairly varied, although somehow tuna dishes were marked as vegetarian! I started with the chicken with saté sauce followed by pork which had a lovely crispy outer. The hotel wasn’t busy and chatted to the staff who were super friendly. I even got a lesson in napkin folding from the Deputy Manager Amanda!

Our room was quiet and the bed was comfortable so we got a good night’s sleep. We finally got to see the restaurant for breakfast which is a lovely room, and sat at a table overlooking the garden. As there weren’t many guests, the cold options were buffet style, and we ordered the hot selection.

After breakfast we visited Rainham Hall, an interesting National Trust property, although there’s no car park so we parked in Tesco nearby, where we also had a cuppa as Rainham Hall was only serving hot drinks in paper cups as it was Easter! What has the National Trust come to!

We also went over the river (costing a fiver and necessitating internet access) to the Red House in Bexleyheath. Coming from Birmingham, the Burne Jones windows were of interest.

On the way back we popped into Lakeside shopping centre, but there wasn’t really anything different from the shops in Merry Hill, so didn’t stay very long.
Dinner was served in the restaurant which was lovely, especially as Amanda came to chat with us!

All in all it was a nice prelude to the cruise and a good alternative to driving down the same day. It’s a shame we didn’t know about the hotel beforehand, as they do a special offer for staying and parking for the cruise, although a taxi is apparently about £15 each way.

Oldenough

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.