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Summary of reviewsThe Crown and Thistle in Abingdon emerges as a highly praised establishment, consistently acknowledged for its remarkable attributes across various categories. Its prime location in the historic heart of Abingdon on Thames offers convenient access to the town center with free parking adding extra convenience for those visiting nearby Oxford. The picturesque setting and its proximity to the Thames Path and beautiful parks enhance its appeal for both leisure and business travelers, creating a lovely ambiance for a comfortable stay.
Guests rave about the breakfast experience, describing it as exceptional and freshly cooked to order with generous portions. The diverse menu caters to various dietary preferences, including a well-received vegan option and is frequently lauded as some of the best hotel breakfasts experienced. The dinner offerings are equally commendable, featuring a varied menu with delicious pizzas and hearty roast pork, among others. Both meals are noted for superb quality and good value for money, despite the occasional mention of slightly higher prices.
The hotel’s rooms strike a perfect balance between historic charm and modern comfort. Guests appreciate the spaciousness, cleanliness and stylish decor with features like four-poster beds and luxurious bathrooms enhancing the overall appeal. The larger suites, especially the honeymoon and bridal options, receive special mention for their elegance and comfort. Some minor drawbacks include occasional poor lighting and noise from the road, but these do not overshadow the positive reviews.
Cleanliness is a strong point at The Crown and Thistle with rooms and common areas described as spotless and well-maintained. Despite minor notes about areas needing upkeep, the staff's diligence keeps everything in top condition, contributing to the overall cleanliness and comfort of the hotel.
A standout aspect is the exceptional staff, consistently highlighted as polite, friendly and helpful. Individual staff members are noted for going above and beyond, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Exceptional service in the restaurant and throughout the hotel greatly enhances the guest experience.
Families are well-catered to with spacious family rooms and a friendly environment making it a great choice for those traveling with children. The comfortable beds, especially the charming four-poster ones, are frequently praised for their exceptional comfort, contributing to a restful stay.
The hotel also delivers a robust four-star experience with many guests describing their stays as superb and excellent. While the executive rooms could sometimes exceed expectations, elements like the outstanding breakfast often feel five-star.
As a boutique hotel, The Crown And Thistle is celebrated for its period features and unique design, offering a distinctive, memorable stay. The luxurious amenities, including sumptuous executive suites and indulgent bathrooms, contribute to a high-end feel. Moreover, its romantic ambiance and intimate setting make it a perfect destination for couples seeking a charming and luxurious getaway.
In summary, The Crown and Thistle excels as a historically charming, well-located hotel with excellent amenities, exceptional staff and a strong emphasis on comfort and quality, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers seeking a delightful and memorable stay. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Boutique-style Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Small Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Standard Double RoomThis room has a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, unlimited Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
Executive Double RoomThis room has a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, unlimited Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
Standard Twin RoomThis room has a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, unlimited Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
Bridal Suite with Four Poster Bed This room has a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, unlimited Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
Family RoomOffering free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. This family room is air-conditioned and features a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit offers 2 beds.
Superior Double RoomThe double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Family RoomOffering free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The family room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
The Crown and Thistle in Abingdon boasts a prime location that is frequently praised by guests. Situated right in the heart of Abingdon on Thames, the hotel offers convenient access to the town center and a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. Many guests highlight the hotel's perfect placement for both walking along the Thames Path and exploring the historic town. A notable feature is the free parking, which adds to the convenience, especially for those visiting Oxford, just a short bus ride away. The charming historical setting of the hotel, coupled with its excellent central position, makes it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travelers. The proximity to beautiful parks and the riverside enhances the appeal, creating a lovely ambiance for a comfortable stay. Overall, the hotel's fantastic location, coupled with its historical charm and convenient amenities, ensures a pleasant and memorable experience for visitors.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Crown And Thistle has garnered glowing reviews from guests, who frequently described it as excellent, fabulous and exceptional. The breakfast menu, noted for its comprehensive and diverse selection, caters to various dietary preferences, including a well-received full vegan option. Guests praised the breakfast for being freshly cooked to order and highlighted the quality of food as top-notch.
Portions were consistently described as generous and plentiful with a wide range of choices ensuring there was something for everyone. Guests found the breakfast delicious with some calling it the best they’ve ever had at a hotel. The service during breakfast was frequently mentioned as friendly and attentive, contributing to an overall wonderful start to the day.
Despite a few mentions of the absence of cereals or fruit juice and the lack of a buffet, the a la carte offerings were a delight, appreciated for their variety and quality. Overall, the breakfast at The Crown And Thistle stands out as a significant highlight of guests' stays, combining excellent food with great service in a charming setting.
Dinner
Situated within a unique character building that blends modern amenities with historical features, 'The Crown And Thistle' offers a dining experience that has left guests thoroughly impressed. The restaurant and pub settings have been highlighted as great venues with many guests praising the excellent and varied menu offerings. Dinner options are noted to include delicious pizzas, hearty roast pork and other flavorful dishes that showcased superb quality and taste.
Breakfast also garners high marks with some describing it as delicious and others deeming it epic. Guests found the portions to be generous and the presentation top-notch. Both breakfast and evening meals have been appreciated for being particularly good value for money, despite some noting the dining experience to be on the pricier side.
The staff at 'The Crown And Thistle' receive equally glowing reviews, described as lovely, friendly and going above and beyond to make visits special. Exceptional service seems to be the norm, contributing to a relaxed yet refined dining atmosphere.
Not everything was perfect, as a few diners mentioned the dining room being too loud or the occasional dish falling short of expectations. However, these minor issues did not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the excellent food and wonderful service.
In summary, 'The Crown And Thistle' stands out not only for its historical charm but also for its fabulous food and dedicated staff, making it a highly recommended dining destination.
Rooms
The Crown and Thistle offers a charming blend of historic ambiance and modern comfort, making it an appealing choice for travelers seeking characterful accommodations. Guests frequently praise the rooms for being spacious, clean and comfortable, often highlighting the unique and stylish decor. Many rooms feature delightful elements such as four-poster beds and beautiful bathrooms equipped with power showers and sizeable baths, emphasizing both luxury and historical charm.
The larger rooms and suites, including the honeymoon and bridal suites, receive particular acclaim for their elegance and comfort with air conditioning and modern amenities that enhance the stay. The bathrooms are consistently described as clean and roomy with nice sundries provided, adding an extra touch of convenience.
Despite the overall positive feedback, some guests noted drawbacks such as poor lighting, dated decor and occasional ventilation issues. Room darkness and occasional noise from the road have also been mentioned. Nevertheless, consistent cleanliness and daily maintenance, including regular replenishment of tea and coffee, ensure a satisfying experience.
The hotel’s emphasis on maintaining the historical features while providing modern conveniences is well-regarded. Additionally, the complementary breakfast is frequently described as fantastic and beyond expectations. Overall, The Crown and Thistle appears to offer a delightful stay imbued with old-world charm and modern amenities, perfect for those looking to enjoy a comfortable and characterful retreat.
Beds
The beds at The Crown and Thistle receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests. A significant number of reviews highlight the exceptional comfort of the beds with descriptors such as comfy, very comfortable and most comfortable bed ever slept in being common praises. Multiple guests specifically mention the charm and comfort of the four-poster beds, reflecting the hotel's blend of historic aesthetics and modern comfort. The bedding quality, including soft mattresses and high-quality bedding and towels, also adds to the pleasant sleep experience. There are a few mentions of minor issues such as soft pillows, quilt wadding not spaced equally and occasional reports of beds being a bit too firm or sagging, but these concerns are infrequent compared to the numerous positive comments. Overall, guests frequently enjoy large, comfortable beds that contribute significantly to their satisfaction during their stay at the hotel.
Cleanliness
The reviews for "The Crown And Thistle" highlight a high standard of cleanliness throughout the property. Many guests found their rooms to be very clean, comfortable and well-maintained with frequent mentions of spotless, lovely and stylish accommodations. The hotel itself is described as clean and tidy with good hospitality from the professional staff.
However, some guests noted areas needing attention, such as carpets on the stairs and in the rooms that were ready for replacement and some rooms that could use a paint touch-up. While the general cleanliness is praised, there were occasional mentions of dust and mould. Despite some minor criticisms, the overall sentiment reflects a positive and clean environment, complemented by excellent service.
Staff
At The Crown And Thistle, the standout feature according to guests is undeniably the exceptional staff. Visitors consistently highlight the team as polite, friendly and wonderfully helpful, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment guests arrive. The staff’s competence and professionalism consistently shine through, ensuring that all needs are promptly and efficiently met. Particularly noted are individual staff members like Jane at reception and Alaina in the restaurant, who go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
The hotel's team is described as attentive and helpful, delighting guests with their cheerful demeanor and efficiency. This extends to the restaurant, where service is praised as being excellent and attentive with memorable interactions and noteworthy customer service. Guests appreciate the friendly and accommodating nature of the staff, even in the face of busy periods or when short-staffed.
Families traveling with young children have expressed particular gratitude for the staff’s care and attentiveness, making the experience enjoyable for all ages. Overall, guests of The Crown And Thistle can expect a fantastic stay bolstered by the superb, friendly and attentive staff who are committed to making every visit memorable.
Wi-Fi
The Crown And Thistle features a commendable Wi-Fi service, which many guests have reported as good quality and very strong. The hotel ensures that Wi-Fi is included for all its guests, adding convenience to their stay. However, there have been occasional issues with the Wi-Fi signal dropping out. Some guests also noted that the TV in the rooms should be connected to the internet and mentioned difficulties accessing the Wi-Fi login page through the TV. Despite these minor drawbacks, the majority of feedback highlights a generally positive experience with the Wi-Fi service at the hotel.
Family
The Crown And Thistle stands out as an excellent choice for families looking for a comfortable and welcoming stay. With its strategic location and spacious family rooms, it caters perfectly to families of all sizes, including those of four. The family-friendly atmosphere is evident, from the helpful and accommodating restaurant staff to the delicious smoothies that delight the younger guests. Guests frequently note the family-focused environment, making it a highly recommended option for both couples and families seeking a pleasant and hassle-free experience. The hotel strikes a balance between comfort and convenience, ensuring a positive stay for everyone.
4 Star
The Crown And Thistle presents a strong four-star experience, excelling in both facilities and services. Guests frequently describe their stays as good, great, superb and excellent, reflecting a consistent level of satisfaction. The hotel exudes a luxury feel and delivers four-star value, particularly noted in the quality of its meals. While some guests expected a bit more from the Executive Room, overall, the hotel maintains its status as a nice, four-star establishment. A standout feature includes the breakfast, which many consider to be of five-star quality, adding an extra touch of excellence to the guests' morning routines.
Boutique-Style
The Crown And Thistle is a uniquely charming destination, celebrated for its quaint and characterful ambiance. This boutique hotel, rich with period features and a distinctive design, offers a quirky old-style experience paired with modern boutique-style rooms. Guests particularly appreciate the unique property and the lovely staff, which contribute to the hotel's overall appeal. However, it is worth noting that the boutique feel might not be to everyone's taste, but it undeniably provides a memorable stay with its carefully curated interiors and intimate atmosphere.
Luxury
The stay at The Crown And Thistle exudes luxury at every turn. Guests frequently highlight the luxurious beds and bathrooms, adding to the overall sense of comfort and opulence. The executive suites and double rooms are described as particularly sumptuous, fitting perfectly within the hotel's luxury boutique style. The surroundings and settings contribute to the feeling of a special, high-end escape, enhanced by fantastic and attentive staff who elevate the experience further. Each aspect of the hotel, from the accommodations to the ambiance, cultivates a feeling of genuine luxury, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a bit of indulgence.
Romantic
The Crown And Thistle offers a truly romantic experience, creating an intimate getaway for couples. Guests have praised their magnificent stay, highlighting the superb rooms that amplify the overall delight. The romantic location and setting of the hotel contribute significantly to the charm, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a peaceful escape with a loved one. Visitors particularly enjoyed the romantic roll-top bath in their rooms with many expressing their fondness for the luxurious bath and bathtub. Romantic meals further enhance the experience, providing delightful culinary moments just for the two of them. In essence, The Crown And Thistle excels in delivering a romantic atmosphere where couples can create cherished memories together.
No, The Crown And Thistle doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Crown And Thistle.
No, The Crown And Thistle doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Crown And Thistle.