BRULEE & THE BARD
Millie Reeves enjoys a stylish break at Stratford-upon-avon’s latest luxury hotel
IT’S the newest addition to the Hotel du Vin family - a name that has steadily become synonymous with luxury across the UK. Hotel du Vin Stratford-upon-avon is situated in the heart - and we mean heart - of Shakespeare’s birthplace. It has only been open since the early summer but is already making a name for itself as the ‘it’ place to go to enjoy a glass of something and a bite to eat.
The stylish boutique hotel offers 46 stunning bedrooms and suites, each of which featuring traditional Hotel du Vin touches. The decor has a slightly contemporary feel mixed the unmistakable inspiration of the town’s Jacobean bard, with rooms adorned with poetry pages and imagery from his stage plays.
Also at the hotel is a French bistro and relaxing bar with al fresco dining on the site’s landscaped courtyard. There are also two private dining rooms and an events space which can accommodate up to 70 guests.
Our stay took place in early August, in the midst of one of the warmest summers we south westerners have had in a long long time. As such, we and every other guest and local choosing to dine at the hotel were making the most of the outside seating area.
Food at the bistro was a perfect addition to the stay, with simple dishes like pizza and a walnut salad taken to a whole new level thanks to the chef’s creative twists and great execution.
The creme brulee (enough to feed two but could be devoured by one if allowed) was a particular highlight, served in the traditional way and free from frivolous additions.
As with almost every building in the Tudor town, the original structure has buckets of history.
Built in 1798, the address has had many different ways over the years, from a doctor’s surgery during and after the Second World War to a Gentlemen’s Club.
Its most recent reincarnation, prior to becoming a boutique hotel, was as the town registry office - which makes sense
given its central location within touching distance of all the town’s tourist hotspots, shops and leisure facilities.
The room itself at Hotel du Vin Stratford-upon-avon was comfortable and surprisingly peaceful.
Waking up refreshed the next morning was fantastic as the entire delights of the town were simply on the doorstep - no public transport or stuffy car ride needed. It was simply hand in the keys and enjoy the day’s adventures.
As for the town the hotel is situated in it’s one of great contrast - where department stores, living statues, swans and haunted period homes all share one street.
Like many places with a claim to fame (and what could be more famous than the birthplace of the greatest writer of all time?) it has embraced it and rolled with it. Everywhere you look there is a ‘ye olde this’ and a ‘to be or not to be that’; even the buskers have caught on, donning wigs and holding feather quills in an attempt to coax visitors out of their spending money.
But my observation is not a gibe at the town, quite the opposite actually. It makes the town unique. If, as Shakespeare says, ‘All the world’s is a stage,’ then Stratford-upon-avon is quite the backdrop.
Original Tudor features reside next to coffee shop chains dressed up to look the 16th century part. Even high street favourites like Wetherspoons and Debenhams are hidden under a cloak of faux-period charm.
Amongst these masked familiars, the town has a bustling market, a handful of museums dedicated to different aspects of the bard’s life, even a Peter Rabbit and Harry Potter shop - arguably the next two most recognisable Englishmen behind old William.
Hours can be spent simply milling around the town’s cobbled streets, taking in the splendour and imagining a time when Shakespeare walked down the lanes.
For literary fans, there are tonnes of independent book shops - and yes they do sell more than just guidebooks and pocket editions of Romeo and Juliet.
The town is also famed for its jewellers, old pubs, and - of course - theatres.
Whatever your tastes there is something to do in Stratford-upon-avon.