Pricey but nicey! (The Bedford Swan Hotel (Bedford))

Member Name: B_O_M_B_A_

Product:	The Bedford Swan Hotel (Bedford)
Date:	24/07/08 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good location

Disadvantages: Car park can easily fill up

The Bedford Swan Hotel
Location

The Bedford Swan Hotel
The Embankment
Bedford
Bedfordshire
Mk40 1RW
Telephone: 01234 346565 Fax: 01234 21200
Distance from local towns

Cambridge 25 miles
London 50 miles
Oxford 50 miles
Distance from Airports

Luton 20 miles
Stansted 50 miles
Heathrow 55 miles
Car parking is available free of charge for 100 cars.

www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk
info@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk
The Hotel

The Bedford Swan Hotel is located in the centre of the lively town of Bedford, occupying a great position on the banks of the River Ouse right next to the Town Bridge. The hotel was built in 1794 for the 5th Duke of Bedford and was acquired by Paten Hotels in 1916, who remain the long run owners to this day.

The Hotel is the ideal base for exploring the local area featuring 104 Standard Bedrooms (£140) and 9 Superior Bedrooms (Additional £10 fee), each is large and comfortable and offers all the amenities you could need, colour TV, Wi-Fi, Hairdryer, direct phone, En-suite and complementary tea and bathroom goods, ideal after a long day to relax and have a nice bath! The rooms are all spotless and get a daily clean and all consumables are replenished, good service!

I have stayed at the Swan on few occasions and each time I have been welcomed by warm friendly staff that are more than willing to help with anything you need. My family especially like to visit the Swan for a meal on Boxing Day, although the prices can easily reach £40/ head the meal is delicious and they are constantly filling up your plate with vegetables, and for all you meat fans they offer a good selection and don't hold back on that either. The deserts are often the best part and as you wait for the desert trolley to wheel itself over so you can see the lovely deserts in all their glory, you can't help but feel a small amount of saliva start to build (Sorry if that bit was too graphic).
As you eat your meal there isn't a table that doesn't offer a lovely view of the river which is by far the nicest area of Bedford, especially on a cold, winter day as you look out and see all the passers by in their huge coats as your about to tuck into a warm roast dinner!

The Hotel is well decorated and has been kept in great condition considering the age of the building, the Hotel gives the impression of a high quality hotel and delivers the same on all front.

In terms of functions it has 8 rooms all offering a different style, with some offering a maximum population of 250 people. I personally have been to 3 memorable functions, my High School Graduate ball, my Granddad and Nan's 50th Anniversary party, and a family friends wedding. All were held in their main room which has doors opening out onto the terrace which faces the river and various other exits, one which leads outside to their gardens/ car park. Each party has been well catered for and well organised showing they are truly experienced at such events. One sad memory however was an unruly employee who banged on the door when my Granddad was making his speech, considering my Granddad is friends with the owner I shouldn't think that employee was around too much longer after that. The food was brought out in good time and everyone received their meal pretty much in unison which is often difficult with large functions, special requests were also well catered for.

The food at all the events was good although not great, I had my wedding at the Marston Morteyne Manor and the food was around £30 rather than £60 a head, and equally as tasty and probably bigger, but this is the Swan after all, and you expect to pay more. We did however only get 1 set menu at the swan and although you could ask for a special menu it isn't made very clear, at Marston we got two menus to choose from or if you wanted mix and match.

A few downsides: The hotel is very close to the night life, and I can imagine sometimes the screams and shouts of youngsters having a good time can be heard, especially the rooms at the front facing the road / river.

Overall a brilliant hotel well worthy of 4 stars, professional staff (most of the time), good food, OK prices..They Great function holders too.

The Bedford Swan - 'Only Swan on the river not owned by Her Majesty'

'On Ciao also'

Summary: A beautiful hotel well worthy of its 4 star rating!