Berkhamsted's BEST Kept Secret? This Penny Farthing Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Berkhamsted's BEST Kept Secret? This Penny Farthing Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Berkhamsted's BEST Kept SECRET? My Penny Farthing Hotel Adventure – Buckle Up! (And Pack Your Hand Sanitizer)
Right, so, Berkhamsted. Picture quaint English town, maybe a bit too quaint. That's the vibe. And tucked away, like a delicious secret, is this Penny Farthing Hotel. The title promised to shock me, and listen, I’ve seen some hotels. I've seen motels that make you question the very fabric of reality. But this… this promised an experience. And did it deliver? Well, buckle up, because this review isn't going to be pretty, and that’s a promise.
Metadata Blitz (Because Apparently That's Important Now):
- Keywords: Berkhamsted Hotel, Penny Farthing Hotel, UK Hotels, Accessible Hotel, Spa Hotel, Luxury Hotel, Berkhamsted Accommodation, Wi-Fi Hotel, Restaurant, Bar, Wellness, Fitness, Spa, Pool, Safe Hotel, Clean Hotel, Covid-19 Safety, Family Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
- SEO Title: Berkhamsted's BEST Kept Secret? My Penny Farthing Hotel Adventure – Shockingly Honest Review! (Spa, Pool, & Safety!)
- Meta Description: Is the Penny Farthing Hotel in Berkhamsted REALLY a hidden gem? I check out the accessibility, spa, food, and safety measures - and trust me, it's an experience. Read my brutally honest review!
(Deep Breath) OKAY, LET'S DO THIS.
Accessibility: The Big Question… and a Few Bumps:
Okay, so the website promised accessibility. And, technically, they delivered. There was an elevator, which is a HUGE win. Huge. Because, honestly, trekking up stairs with luggage is my idea of hell. Wheelchair access was listed. However, the navigating around the older building was a bit… clunky. Think charming, but not necessarily efficient. There were ramps, but sometimes the angles were a little… ambitious. Let’s just say I felt like I was attempting the slalom course at the Olympics. But hey, at least they tried. Seriously, it's a work in progress, I suppose. But if you have serious mobility issues, do call ahead and grill them. Like, REALLY grill them. Don't be afraid to ask for the specifics; a room on the ground floor or a step free route through the main areas is a must.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: This is one area where my heart sank a little. The main restaurant, while GORGEOUS (more on that later), felt… a little tight for maneuvering a wheelchair. There were also some potential pinch points, especially during busier meal times. The lounge area has similar challenges; the furniture layout wasn't super friendly for wider mobility aids.
Internet: The Lifeline (Mostly!)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Thank the wifi gods! This is a must-have for me, since, you know, I need internet. In this day and age, it's not a luxury, it's as important for me as air. The Wi-Fi was generally decent - Internet - I did the speed test; I got a decent speed. Enough to stream a movie. Internet [LAN] wasn't really needed, as the Wi-Fi was doing the job. Got to give them credit for Internet Services; all the details were there and the connection was good. This hotel gets a gold star for Wi-Fi in Public Areas, with a strong signal.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Where the Magic (Mostly) Happens
Okay, listen. The Spa… the SPA. This is where the Penny Farthing almost redeemed itself completely. The Pool with View was divine, with the sun pouring in, and made a real difference. I spent a glorious afternoon with my toes dipped in that water, sipping on fresh lemon and mint tea. The Sauna & Steamroom were well-maintained, wonderfully hot. And the Massage? Oh. My. God. I fell asleep. Twice. The Spa/Sauna combo? Perfection. They also offered a Body scrub and Body Wrap. I didn't personally try them, but I was tempted. There’s a Fitness Center, but let's be honest, I spent more time at the poolside bar than in there (oops!).
Cleanliness & Safety: The Covid-Conscious Checklist
Okay, so, this is where I was really paying attention. I'm a bit of a germaphobe at the best of times, and you know, gestures wildly at the world. So. The Penny Farthing? They were taking it very seriously. This was a big plus, for me.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Cashless payment service: Double check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep. Saw them in action. Staff constantly wiping down surfaces.
- First aid kit: Present. Good.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. No excuse not to sanitize.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Probably, I mean it's a hotel, right?
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see a certificate proudly displayed, but the effort was evident everywhere.
- Individually-wrapped food options: At the breakfast buffet, Yes.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly. The restaurant could get a bit crowded at peak times.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seemed like it.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: No idea. I didn't need to.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They certainly seemed to be. My room was spotless.
- Safe dining setup: See below.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Seemed so.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Absolutely.
- Sterilizing equipment: Hopefully.
- CCTV in common areas & outside property: Yes.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie Factor
Right. The most important part of any trip, isn't it? The food. And the Penny Farthing had a mixed bag here.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Yes.
- Asian breakfast: Nope.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Also nope.
- Bar: Excellent! Good selection of drinks, and the bartenders knew their stuff.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes, and generally good. The usual suspects, with cooked breakfasts and continental choices. Breakfast service: was good and kept stocked.
- Buffet in restaurant: See above.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yep.
- Coffee shop: Nope.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious and devilishly tempting.
- Happy hour: Yes, and very happy indeed!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Mainly, yes.
- Poolside bar: Yay! Cocktails by the pool. What's better?
- Restaurants: Several. The main one was beautiful, but as I said, could get busy.
- Room service [24-hour]: Sadly, didn't use it.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes.
- Snack bar: No, not really.
- Soup in restaurant: Probably. Didn't order any.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Nope.
- Western breakfast: Yes, and a good one.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes, predominantly.
Now, the food was… good. Not mind-blowing, but good. I had one seriously amazing steak. And the desserts? Seriously dangerous. But the breakfast buffet, while plentiful, did feel a little… predictable.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Didn't see any, but they probably have them.
- Business facilities: Yes, and seemed capable.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Concierge: Efficient.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes, the future is now!
- Convenience store: No.
- Currency exchange: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Good and discreet.
- Doorman: Yes.
- Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Elevator: Mentioned above.
- Essential condiments: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mixed.
- Food delivery: No.
- Gift/souvenir shop: No.
- Indoor venue for special events: Yup.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service: Yes.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Meetings: Yes.
- Meeting stationery: Probably.
- On-site event hosting: Yes.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is life in Berkhamsted, or at least, my version of it, fueled by lukewarm tea and a healthy dose of existential dread. We're talking The Penny Farthing Hotel, baby! Expect to get lost, find yourself, and possibly order too many scotch eggs. Let’s get messy.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Berkhamsted Mystery (That Probably Isn't)
- 1:00 PM: Land at… well, let's be honest, I’m probably going to be cutting it close, because my train was delayed (shocking, I know). Greeted by the charmingly crooked façade of the Penny Farthing. My first thought? "Wow, that's… definitely leaning a bit." (It adds character, I guess.) Check-in with that polite British nonchalance that makes you feel simultaneously welcome and slightly intimidated.
- 1:30 PM: The Room! Okay, confession time. I booked the smallest single room available. Partly because I'm cheap, partly because I'm a masochist who enjoys squeezing into tiny spaces. This room is like a cozy cupboard, with a view of… a brick wall. But hey, it’s my brick wall! Discover the mandatory tea-making facilities. Attempt to make tea. Fail miserably. The tea bag explodes. Sigh. It sets the tone.
- 2:00 PM: Mandatory wandering. Berkhamsted High Street seems… idyllic. Too idyllic? Is this a Truman Show scenario? Am I being watched? I swear, everyone here is so pleasant. It's unnerving. Find a local bakery. Buy a questionable-looking (but delicious) sausage roll. Immediately feel better about the world.
- 3:00 PM: Investigate the Berkhamsted Castle ruins. Okay, this is genuinely cool. It's not exactly Windsor Castle, but I like it. I may or may not have pretended to be a knight battling dragons. The "dragons" were probably some mildly irritated pigeons. No one noticed, I hope.
- 4:00 PM: Pub time! The Penny Farthing has a lovely pub. The locals. They all seem to know each other. The barman, bless him, gives me the nod. I try to look like I know what I’m doing. Order a pint of… something. Feel like I’m in a scene from a cozy mystery. Decide Berkhamsted is definitely hiding something. What is it? That’s the question.
- 5:00 PM: The Great Meal Debate. The Penny Farthing's restaurant! I could eat there. But, I’m also secretly craving… fish and chips. The eternal struggle. The inner conflict. Decide to stick with the safety of the hotel restaurant. I will order the pie. I hope it's good.
- 6:30 PM: Pie! So much pie! The pie was good. Delicious even. But I feel guilty anyway. I am alone in the world.
- 7:30 PM: Stroll. A leisurely walk around Berkhamsted. Contemplate life. Maybe I'll start a book. Maybe I'll finally learn how to knit. Maybe I'll just stare into space.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the pub, naturally. This time, a glass of wine. Contemplate the meaning of life. Actually, I'm thinking about how much I want to go to sleep.
- 9:30 PM: Sleep. Exhausted. But in a good way. This day was tiring.
Day 2: Canal Capers and Existential Reflections
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast! The full English! Or at least, attempt part of it. I can't eat it all. Eggs are perfect, though. The bacon? Glorious. Drink way more coffee than necessary.
- 10:00 AM: The Grand Union Canal. Wow. Just wow. This is unexpectedly lovely. The water! The boats! The… peace. Rent a bike and wobble along the towpath. Nearly fall in the canal. Regain composure. Decide to make myself look like a local.
- 11:00 AM: Stop at a cafe. The cafe is right on the water. Drink coffee. And feel better.
- 12:00 PM: The Berkhamsted Canal Walk. Walk along the canal. Consider life choices. Specifically, why I’m single. Decide it's the fault of society.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch! Pub lunch! I order a ploughman's. The cheese is exceptional. Feeling quite smug.
- 2:00 PM: A walk in the woods! The Ashridge Estate. Apparently, it's beautiful. Get lost. Consider yelling for help. Eventually find my way back. Triumph!
- 3:00 PM: Tea shop. Drink tea. Read a book. Feel cultured.
- 4:00 PM: The Berkhamsted Town Hall. Attend a local event. Become involved in a passionate discussion about… the merits of cheese. Discover that I love cheese.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Take a nap. Realize I’m getting old.
- 6:00 PM: Pre-dinner drinks at the hotel. Chat with a couple from… well, from somewhere! Their accents are fascinating. Suddenly feel like I’m doing my best to be a good person.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Order something simple. Try to look relaxed.
- 8:00 PM: Stroll. Take a walk along the canal. Think about cheese. And the couple! I hope they're having a good time.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Another day down.
Day 3: Departure and the Persistent Charm (and My Own Crummy Luck)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast! Same as yesterday! Maybe better! The breakfast makes me happy.
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the friendly staff. Feel sad to leave. Berkhamsted starts to feel like home.
- 11:00 AM: One last stroll. Buy a postcard. Send it to… myself. Make people think I have friends.
- 11:30 AM: Train station. Waiting. The train is late, of course. I seem to attract train delays.
- 12:00 PM: The train. Thinking about the future. And cheese.
- 12:01 PM: Suddenly feel very tired. Sigh.
- 12:15 PM: The train finally moves. Goodbye, Berkhamsted! It was messy. It was wonderful. I’ll be back. (I’ll just need to find someone to come with me next time. Cheese and shared misery are always better.)
- 12:16 PM: Nap.
So there you have it. My Berkhamsted adventure. It wasn’t perfect. It was probably quite disappointing in places. But, hey, it was mine. And hopefully, it gave you a little chuckle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe some cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.
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Berkhamsted's BEST Kept Secret? This Penny Farthing Hotel Will SHOCK You! (or at Least, Intrigued Me) - FAQs
So, what's the big deal about this "Penny Farthing Hotel" in Berkhamsted? Seriously, what am I getting myself into?
Word of warning: If you're expecting modern minimalism, run far, far away. This place is all about embracing the past, quirks and all. And trust me, there are quirks. Plenty of them.
What's the ROOM situation like? Are we talking luxurious suites, or… something else?
My honest opinion? The 'suite' rooms, I heard from someone, are worth the extra quid, if you want more space to avoid the low ceilings. Otherwise, make sure you pack some industrial earplugs. And maybe a helmet.
And the food? Is it all penny farthing-themed cuisine? (Please say no…)
The breakfast, however, was a different story. Let's just say the buffet was a bit of a throwback to the 1980s. I'm all for a bit of nostalgia, but lukewarm scrambled eggs? No thanks. But then again, the dinner *chef* could have single-handedly made the trip worth it.
Was it actually a good experience? Give me the real tea!
Would I go back? Absolutely. As long as I get a room away from the creaking floors and the breakfast buffet chefs. But I'd recommend it to someone who is looking for an escape and doesn't mind a few imperfections. If you are looking for perfection, go somewhere else. But if you are looking for an adventure well then... welcome to the Penny Farthing!
Is the hotel haunted? Be honest!
What's the best thing about the Penny Farthing?
Let me tell you a story: One time, the tap in my bathroom went completely berserk – spewing water everywhere! I was ready to lose it. But the staff? Instead of freaking out, they were calm, efficient, and even cracked a few jokes to lighten the mood. The whole experience was… human. And that’s something you rarely get these days.
Tell me something BAD about it, beyond the rooms, the creaking, and maybe the slightly subpar breakfast from before.
Also: Parking is limited, and you might have to walk a bit from the nearest car park. That and the lack of a lift could be a pain.
Also also: The temperature control was a little… erratic. I was either freezing or roasting. There isn't much in the way of amenities.
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