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Summary of reviewsThe Harvard Inn, located in the picturesque and historic village of Stock, consistently receives high praise for its serene setting, modern amenities and exceptional service. Guests find the inn's location perfect for peaceful retreats and convenient for attending local weddings or functions with easy access to nearby attractions and ample parking adding to its appeal.
The breakfast experience is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, described as delicious, varied and generous. Guests appreciate the fresh ingredients and the accommodating options, including for dietary needs. The friendly and prompt service in a lovely setting enhances the morning meals, making it a memorable start to the day.
Dinner at The Harvard Inn also earns accolades with guests raving about the quality and preparation of the food. The menu is diverse and caters to various tastes with dishes like game stew and expertly cooked steak receiving special mentions. The cozy and clean environment of the restaurant and the attentive staff add to the dining pleasure.
The rooms at The Harvard Inn are a major highlight, impressing guests with their cleanliness, modern decor and spaciousness. The comfortable beds and modern en-suite bathrooms contribute to a restful stay with many guests noting the stylish touches and quality fittings. The overall ambiance is one of comfort and modernity, complemented by beautiful surroundings.
Cleanliness is a notable strength of the inn with guests consistently praising the spotless rooms and well-maintained facilities. The high standard of cleanliness extends throughout the property, enhancing the overall guest experience.
The staff at The Harvard Inn are commended for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the efficient and welcoming service with staff members going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The exceptional hospitality extends from the check-in process to the dining experience, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Parking is another positive aspect with guests appreciating the ample and convenient parking options available on the premises. The smart layout of the car park and free parking at the rear of the property add to the convenience and overall positive experience.
The comfortable beds, both in standard and deluxe rooms, are frequently praised, contributing to a restful night’s sleep. While there are minor variations in individual preferences, the majority of guests report a positive sleep experience.
Overall, The Harvard Inn offers a high-quality experience that aligns well with its four-star status. While there are minor areas for improvement, such as additional attention to small details and enhancing certain amenities, the inn consistently delivers exceptional service, cleanliness and comfort, making it a highly recommended destination. Show more
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Categories
Inn with Parking
Accessible Inn
Small Inn
4-Star Inn
Room Types
Deluxe Family RoomThis family room has a sofa and electric kettle.
Please let the property know the number and ages of children in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking.
Deluxe Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV.
Standard Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV.
Double Room - Disability AccessFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV.
Duplex Twin StudioProviding free toiletries, this studio includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The studio provides a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Superior Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
The HayloftThe apartment features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath or a shower and free toiletries. The apartment provides a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a sofa, a carpeted floor, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.9
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the charming and historic village of Stock, The Harvard Inn boasts an ideal location that guests consistently praise. Visitors appreciate the picturesque and peaceful setting of the small village, noting its appeal as a quintessential English locale. The inn's location is particularly convenient for those attending weddings or functions at nearby venues, such as Crondon Park and Greenwood, making it a favored choice for such events.
The accessibility and ample parking at The Harvard Inn are also frequently mentioned, adding to its logistical appeal. Guests highlight the ease of finding the property and its proximity to local attractions, including the nearby town of Billericay. The central positioning of the inn allows for easy exploration of the beautiful surroundings and convenient access to various amenities.
Whether visitors are attending a specific event or simply seeking a serene and scenic retreat, The Harvard Inn's location in the heart of Stock offers a delightful blend of historical charm and modern convenience. The beauty of the village setting and the overall atmosphere contribute to making it a highly recommended destination for a relaxing stay.
Breakfast
Reviews of The Harvard Inn consistently praise the breakfast experience as one of the highlights of staying at the hotel. Guests frequently describe the morning meals as very tasty, delicious and generous with many using superlatives like excellent, superb and amazing. The variety of breakfast options is often highlighted with specific mentions of cooked breakfasts, vegetarian and vegan choices and even specialized items like Eggs Florentine and Eggs Benedict receiving high marks for quality and preparation.
Several reviews note the prompt service and the friendliness of the staff, adding to the positive dining experience. Freshly cooked and piping hot meals are particularly appreciated and several guests remarked on the freshness and quality of the ingredients used. Gluten-free options are available, accommodating different dietary needs. On rare occasions, some guests noted minor issues such as the breakfast being a bit greasy or arriving lukewarm, but these critiques are significantly outnumbered by the positive feedback.
The breakfast setting also adds to the experience with mentions of a lovely, quiet environment and an aesthetically pleasing restaurant. Overall, the breakfast at The Harvard Inn appears to leave a lasting impression on guests, contributing to a memorable stay.
Dinner
The Harvard Inn offers an exceptional dining experience that has garnered widespread acclaim from its guests. Reviews frequently highlight the excellent quality of the food with many descriptions of the evening meals as delicious, lovely and beautifully cooked. The portion sizes are generous, ensuring that diners leave the table satisfied.
The restaurant's menu is diverse and caters to different tastes with options like a very good game stew and calves liver receiving special mentions. The food is consistently described as fabulous, divine and top-notch, meeting and even exceeding high expectations. Guests also appreciate the dinner for being both well-prepared and served promptly with dishes like expertly cooked steak standing out.
In addition to the dinner, breakfast at The Harvard Inn also receives high praise, characterized by a fantastic selection and equally high standards. The restaurant itself is noted for its cozy and exceptionally clean environment, which enhances the overall dining experience.
Guests also appreciate the good value for money and the pleasant and helpful evening staff. Whether enjoying a hearty pub meal or a more refined evening dish, visitors can expect incredible food and excellent service, making every meal at The Harvard Inn a delightful affair.
Rooms
The Harvard Inn consistently impresses its guests with well-maintained rooms that boast cleanliness, modern decor and ample space. Guests frequently highlight the rooms as being very clean, often describing them as spotless. The spacious nature of the rooms comes up regularly with multiple mentions of large, comfortable beds that contribute to a restful stay. The rooms are beautifully designed with modern en-suite bathrooms and tasteful decorations that add a stylish touch.
Visitors appreciate the comfort and coziness of the accommodations, noting features such as comfy beds and adequate facilities. Some rooms offer lovely views and are detached from the main Inn, providing a quiet retreat. Guests also mention that the property is newly refurbished with high standards of presentation and quality fittings.
The bathroom facilities receive specific praise for their cleanliness and convenience, further enhancing the overall impression of comfort and modernity. Instances of particularly beautiful oak-beamed rooms and quaint, cozy surroundings add to the charm of the place. Overall, The Harvard Inn appears to provide a consistently high-quality experience for its guests, combining modern comforts with tasteful decor in a clean and spacious setting.
Beds
The Harvard Inn consistently impresses guests with its comfortable beds. Many reviewers highlight the large, cozy beds and the overall comfort experienced during their stay. There are repeated mentions of the beds being very comfortable, clean and contributing positively to a restful night. Some particularly enjoyed the deluxe rooms and the sizeable, plush mattresses which added to the comfort.
However, experiences do vary slightly. While most reviews praise the comfortable nature of the beds, a few guests found the mattresses either too firm or too soft for their liking. A handful of reviewers mentioned issues such as creaky beds or pillows that were not as comfortable.
In summary, while there are minor discrepancies in individual comfort preferences, the majority of guests at The Harvard Inn report a positive sleep experience, being delighted with the comfort and size of the beds in both standard and deluxe rooms.
Cleanliness
The Harvard Inn impresses with its impeccable cleanliness and modern aesthetic. Guests repeatedly praise the rooms for being very clean, tidy and spacious. The hotel maintains a spotlessly clean environment throughout its premises, including rooms and common areas. Reviewers speak highly of the beautifully clean and well-furnished spaces, noting the well-maintained and comfortable accommodations. The overall ambiance is often described as clean, quiet and comfortable with the cleanliness standard being consistently high. Facilities are mentioned to be in excellent condition with bathrooms receiving special attention for their spotlessness. The cleanliness extends to all corners, emphasizing a professionally polished environment. Visitors can expect a clean, modern country hotel experience with pleasant and helpful staff, contributing to an overall enjoyable stay.
Staff
The Harvard Inn has garnered significant praise for its exceptional staff, who are consistently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Guests frequently note the fantastic team dynamics, highlighting the efficient and welcoming check-in process. Many reviews emphasize the staff's politeness, professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
Visitors often mention the team's preparedness and ability to handle any issues that arise, creating a welcoming atmosphere from arrival to departure. Descriptions of the staff range from cheerful and kind to extremely attentive and informative. The hotel's personnel, including the chef, are noted for their approachability and dedication to providing excellent service.
Overall, the reviews paint a picture of a hotel where every team member is committed to making each guest's experience enjoyable and memorable. The consistent commendation suggests that the staff at The Harvard Inn pride themselves on delivering top-notch hospitality.
Parking
The Harvard Inn is a stunning property that benefits from an abundance of convenient and accessible parking options, making it an ideal choice for travelers with vehicles. Guests consistently highlight the ease and availability of parking with many mentioning the ample parking spaces and the excellent facilities provided on the premises. The layout of the car park has received particular praise for its smart design with some rooms even opening directly onto the parking area for added convenience.
Free parking at the rear of the property is also a noted benefit, adding to the overall positive parking experience. Although a few reviews cite limited space, the majority of guests find the parking more than sufficient and appreciate the numerous spots available.
In addition to the excellent parking, The Harvard Inn is recognized for its friendly atmosphere, great value and welcoming staff. The property also garners positive comments on its good WiFi, delightful pub food and well-thought-out menu, making it a well-rounded choice for a comfortable stay.
4 Star
The Harvard Inn presents a contemporary, business-like ambiance that aligns well with its four-star status. The hotel is polished and updated, offering a superb experience for its guests with exceptional facilities and services that reflect its rating. Cleanliness is notably good, contributing to a comfortable stay. The staff is friendly and welcoming, though some guests feel that more personnel would enhance the service to meet four-star standards consistently. Minor issues have been noted, such as stains on sheets and towels and a cramped en suite toilet, suggesting that a bit more attention to detail could be beneficial. Additionally, there are comments on the need for improved hair dryers and tea and coffee facilities. Overall, the hotel maintains a high standard of excellence while some aspects could be refined to fully meet the expectations associated with its four-star rating.
No, The Harvard Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Harvard Inn.
No, The Harvard Inn doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Harvard Inn.