Shakespeare Hotel

Stayed at the Shakespeare at the end of March on a one night stay. We booked through the hotel's website and I think paid about £95 which included breakfast. The room was lovely, a little small but had everything you needed. The room had blackout curtains and the hotel was very quiet, we weren't disturbed by any noise. Our room looked out over gardens. Parking was £5 a night. The location is excellent, right in the centre of anything you want to do in the town. Hall's Croft is just a short walk away as is New Place/Nash's... more

We have stayed in Stratford many times and this was the first visit to the Shakespeare. It won't be our last. Service was excellent. Very comfortable, staff very friendly. Loads of choice for breakfast and extra tea/coffee provided on request. Only query - what happens in car park if your car is the first in?

First off, let me start by saying that this hotel really looks the part and the rooms are great (if rather over-priced); however, its the service that is a real problem here. I'm a firm believer in the theory that, irrespective of how busy a hotel is, you should always get the same (i.e. good) level of service - after all you pay the same money, right? Sadly, this isn't the case with the Macdonald Shakespeare Hotel. I won't bore you with the details but this hotel really doesn't cope with crowds and when more than a couple of guests decide... more

Well above average, perfect location, Built 1637, plenty of beams, large open fires and creaky floors. Food good, wine list, again, above average. Service quick and efficient. Bed comfortable and bathroom well appointed. Would stay there again any day.

We did not stay at the hotel, but did book Christmas lunch. On arrival we were greeted and offered sherry in the lounge area as we were early. Good so far. We were then taken to a table around the corner but outside the ballroom which was the advertised dining room. This appeared to be an overflow area with no Christmas decorations and the tables were only partly laid. Our starters were very good but then, much later, came the main course. A few pieces of flavourless turkey, one cocktail sausage wrapped in bacon, two small baked potatoes,... more

We booked our room on laterooms.co.uk and paid £60 for the room for 1 night including breakfast. This is much cheaper then the advertised rate. The hotel is centrally located and this was a major factor in booking it. The room we were given was fairly small with a view of the roof top. However the room was clean and included all the necessary items such as iron/ironing board/kettle/minibar etc. There was mineral water available on the side but this was not complimentary, it was part of the minibar. The hotel has a number of... more

My husband and I stayed for two nights for a Christmas break and a trip to the RSC. We stayed last year and were happy to return, mainly because of the excellent location. Last year we stayed in the old part of the building and the room was full of character, with old beams and rickety floors. This year we stayed in the newer part and the it was just as nice but not rickety! Both room and bathroom were a good size and spotlessly clean, and the decor was in keeping with the rest of the hotel. Couple of sky channels only but who cares, I... more

I stayed here for 2 nights on 3 occaisions from Oct-Dec 2006 in order to do a course at the Shakespeare Institute. I didn't want to walk far and wanted to be close to the theatres as I was on my own. I stayed in room 307 (twice) and 310. Both were clean, if a bit tatty for the price. TV's in both rooms were like something from a junk shop. No satellite as promised in 307, but worked in 310. Shower a trickle in 307 but worked in 310. I left a husband and 3 kids at home, but was reminded constantly by the staff that I was on my own - If I... more

How to review the Shakespeare?, well, within the context of hotels globally then I would certainly not award 4/5 (maybe 3/5?), that said I'm going to be more forgiving and review within the context of a UK hotel; Only stayed one night as were in town to see The Tempest at the RSC (with Patrick Stewart no less), so arrived early afternoon to discover Stratford town centre completely closed off to host a massive funfair, I mean really massive, some of the rides were utterly awesome, nonetheless this made finding the hotel car park (right... more

My partner and I stayed here for 2 nights, and paid extra for a room with a four poster bed. (£230 a night) This was not one of the themed rooms which are even more expensive. Our room lacked the period charm I was hoping for and whilst we were not in a modern extension I don't think we were in the original old part of the hotel either. The room was large and the bed was comfortable. The bathroom was very nice and had obviously fairly recently been refurbished. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the room the one omission which surprised me... more