Detailed review by fizzytom
fizzytom
Gateshead, United Kingdom95%
When I heard where my friend was getting married I really wasn’t convinced. It was described as a hotel complex that had been designed to look like a little country village. However, on arrival I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, this hotel complex is actually a conversion of some farmhouses that were originally built in the 18th century plus some newer buildings. Accommodation is either in the main building where you’ll also find reception, a restaurant and the bars, or else in a separate two storey building that is shaped like a U and looks over a lovely garden.
Each wedding gets a separate function building and in that building there are several rooms. The ceremony takes place in one, then you move into a small reception room with a bar while the couple sign the register and then you move into the main reception room for the meal. You can take this room for your evening reception too if you are having one. This is brilliant as it means that several weddings can take place on the same day but they are kept separate so guests don’t go to the wrong rooms.
Another building houses a swimming pool, a fitness room, sauna and other treatment rooms. My friend and I took a swim and a sauna before the wedding and found the facilities to be first class. The use of these facilities is free to hotel guests.
Our room was in the arcaded building and was on the first floor. A covered walkway gives access to the rooms on the upper storey. We had a double en suite which was very comfortable and nicely decorated in a vaguely country style without being too twee. The carpet was a very pale colour and I was impressed how clean it was. The walls were a cream colour and the furnishing fabrics were florals and plains in sage greens; the overall look was very appealing.
There was a television with satellite channels and some additional pay per view channels could be accessed by contacting reception. A hairdryer was provided. All rooms have wi-fi.
The bathroom was of a similar standard and had an excellent magnifying mirror which was perfect for getting ready for the wedding. The mirror in the bedroom at the dressing table was also excellent. A full length mirror was also appreciated. The toiletries were Molten Brown and were in large bottles which could not be removed.
Over the course of our stay we ate breakfast and enjoyed a drink in the Last Drop pub. The cooked breakfast was excellent and there no one in our party who did not enjoy it. Some would have eaten it twice! The pub is cosy and comfortable and has been designed to look like a traditional English country pub. The look works well with faux wooden beams, wooden barrels here and there as for somewhere to rest your drink if you are standing and a mixture of comfortable seating around the tables. Bar meals are available in the Last Drop pub and on the night before the wedding several of us arrived late and ate in the pub.
All the staff we encountered during our stay were friendly and helpful and gave the impression that nothing was too much trouble.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Last Drop Village. The idea has been nicely executed and standards in both the rooms and the public areas are consistently high. The gardens are beautiful and the facilities are excellent.
Mercure Last Drop Village Bolton9
