I am writing this out of sync, so today Friday 8th August 2025 I am writing an in-depth report about Wetherspoons where we stayed over three nights. You can look up the history of this hotel and pub chain but basically I hold them in the highest regard for a number of reasons.
I don’t know any other hotel chain that publishes its finances and tells everyone how much that they pay in taxes, I think it’s about one in every three pounds that they receive. They also publish a very good quarterly magazine giving accounts of the activity in all their 800+pubs where they feature good news and positives stories about their employees.
I arose early on Wednesday morning, after our first night, to get some coffee. It’s worth noting that you can have tea, coffee or chocolate-free at any time during your stay. All you do is show your hotel card and get a clean cup.
Anyway, a member of the management team was talking to the duty manager. People give so much away in that body language and here was a member of the management team radiating professionalism and confidence. He was only able to pass this on because he himself, in my opinion, was a respected member of the management.
As for the price of meals I think they are very well chosen. The first morning, I had a small breakfast for the princely sum of £2.99. It did not look much but actually it’s sustained me until lunch time.
There were approximately six seating areas plus an outside area and you could choose which felt most comfortable to you. It was clear from the design of the building that it was an old coaching yard.
One of the things I like about the company is that they respect the history of the building that they have taken over for example here in Midsomer Norton it was a cinema so you can see references to when the place was a cinema. That’s what I call respect.
Clientele at this hotel varied a lot from day visitors, to local eccentrics, workers popping in for a quick breakfast, an older couple taking a break from the four walls at home, anyone and everyone and they’ve designed a whole place that no one need feel alone.
The seating is informal and not overdesigned so if you’re with a group or on your own you can feel comfortable. We struck up conversation on each and every occasion we could and that was met with a pleasant response.
I now want to turn to the bedroom, room 101 no less which I had asked for to avoid too many climbing of stairs.
THE ROOM ITSELF The room was L-shaped and really ample and in proportion. It’s clear that everything was thought out from beginning to end and there were so many features that I will list them from A to Z.
NOISE our room was at the top of a short staircase where everybody had to climb so I had been worried about the noise of passers by but I needn’t have worried because they had no less than two doors through which you had to pass so the amount of noise from the corridor was negligible.
BED this was a winner because in summer I have known many hotels chains who provide a duvet which is far too warm; they had been good enough to put a summer duvet which did not stifle us. The mattress was very comfortable.
AIRCON – my goodness they got this one right. The number of times I’ve had to fiddle with instructions; on this occasion you had on off, fan level, temperature and that was it.
LIGHTING they had one pedal controlled light by the bed which made it easy for me to read but the same could not be said of the other side so I do not know what to suggest about that one but we managed.
FURNITURE I like the idea of having no draws because it’s very easy to leave stuff behind so the closets were very simple and open. There was a desk with plugs so you could use your computer if you wanted to
THE BATHROOM was a real triumph. There was a rain shower with simple to use controls, ‘heat’ and ‘extent’ and you didn’t need a degree to understand it. I love the lack of open and closed doors, it was a walk in one. Taps provided instant hot water. How rare is this.
The toilet was modern and at the basin area there was plenty of space for two people to lay out their toiletries. The lighting was good and the fan came on straight away and did not stay on for an age after you close the door
WINDOWS okay so we were facing the main street and outside was a traffic light which means that cars were waiting to proceed. To counteract this they had put some double glazing, not the best but certainly adequate.
CURTAINS these were brilliant and kept all but 5% of light away which is important during the summer when the days are long. You can never have a true home from home situation but we managed pretty well.
PROVISIONS.
Tea, coffee and biscuits with well provided milk and sugar etc.
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They minimise their rates by not appearing on any of the main booking .com or hotels.com and ask you to book direct. These agencies take 15%. This chain will not be any part of that.
I wish the government would follow their example. They actually listen to their customers come up, putting themselves in the position of the customers and undertake the design and function accordingly. Our UK government regard us as useless eaters and treat us accordingly.
