Usuário convidado
26 de novembro de 2023
Strattons is one of 3 typical Victorian wealthy family houses converted to hotels with modern plumbing and electrics in a quiet residential area of Southsea. They share reception and breakfast rooms at the Garden Restaurant 50 yards along Florence Road. There is also the Florence Arms Gastro-pub a further 50 beyond. The busy and noisy cafes and bars of Palmerston Road are 10 minutes’ walk to the North West (I have walked it). There are a couple of convenience stores at the end of Beach Road about 5 mins walk. The sea front is 200 yards to the South with Southsea Castle, where Henry VIII watched the sinking of the Mary Rose, 10 minutes’ walk along the front. The famous painting of that day shows the English army’s tented camp in the bottom right corner on the site where the hotel stands today. As is typical of this style of house, the main entrance (the family entrance) is up a flight of steps from the road to the first floor. There is no lift. For those with mobility issues there are 2 large bedrooms in what would have been the kitchen and service area on the ground floor with level access from the private, gated car park. There is an extra charge for this car park but the hotel can supply a temporary residents’ permit for free on-street parking. My room was on the 3rd floor, in what would have been servants’ quarters. The original fireplace indicates it was probably an important servant, the house keeper or butler. It was a good-sized room with a firm but comfortable king-sized bed and room to move around it. It has a large flat screen HD TV fixed to the wall above the fireplace; also a strong, free wi-fi signal. An en-suite shower room/toilet has been fitted along one side. It’s compact but with all modern fittings. It was a pleasure to find a shower not only with a door that closes properly but a simple on/off twist to the left and a clearly marked hot/cold twist to the right. It would have been nice to have a soap dish, somewhere to park the soap or shampoo bottle rather than hold it in my hand or drop it on the floor. Considering the distance from the boiler the hot water came through very quickly. Nice big towel too. The only grumble I have with the room doesn’t actually affect me personally but a female guest has nowhere to sit and do her make-up and hair. The small table is covered with tea/coffee things and the chair is too low and desperately in need of re-upholstering. There is a full-length mirror but not one for the table or a light by it. The single room across the landing has all these but I cannot speak for other rooms. The Garden Restaurant for breakfast is part conservatory, part well-appointed rooms. It has a pleasant busy ambiance. Orders are taken, food is served, quietly and efficiently. I did not hear any over-loud music. It serves a substantial full English breakfast and variations on that to order. I was disappointed to find very little fresh fruit on the menu; no blueberries or fruit salad. I would also liked to have se
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