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I use the hotel often for meetings and impromptu working and the service is always very good especially in the lounge bar and in particular from one member of staff - Trevor. Always attentive, friendly and nothing is too much trouble for him.
Would definitely stay again, good menu choice and the quality of the food is also good. Lovely outside eating/drinking area Pleasant staff in the restaurant and in the hotel. Rooms are clean and comfortable Plenty of free parking
One of the best hotels I have stayed at for a wedding reception. Staff were very helpful and always available to assist, the food was very good, well presented and plentifull. Grounds to wander in if you wanted a quiet time.
We held our Wedding reception here at the Margaretting Suite in May. We cannot rate this venue highly enough. Nothing was too much trouble. The food was amazing. The staff were amazing. Aileen and Libby made the day totally stress free. We feel like they became friends! We have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them for your big day. Superb!
Had a great experience due to the amazing service from Trevor at the breakfast, he was very friendly and had a great personality! A great laugh would definitely visit again due to his service. It was my first time here and would definitely recommended it's a quiet and hospitable hotel.
The service is second to none. Trevor, the manager at the restaurant really made us feel comfortable and at ease for the wedding. He took his time to locate what we needed whilst serving other on time. We need more people like this working at good hotels. Definitely an asset of the hotel.
I have stayed here on numerous occasions (I actually live less than a mile from here but when the teenage kids and their friends descend upon us there are times when myself and the good lady wife want to disappear and enjoy an evening of peace and quiet. I have had some great nights sleep and some not so great but last night was terrible. This is a nice little hotel for a 3 star and most of the rooms are good. Room 17 (the one assigned to me last night) actually looks in need of a little TLC. There is paint starting to flake away from the ceiling where i assume upstairs has leaked at some point. The bath one too many big scuffs, there are a few scuffs on the wallpaper, happy enough to accept this given the comfort of the bed (such a comfy bed) and that it's good value. This room (along with 18 & 19) are very near the road which also means some road noise from passing traffic (albeit this is a country lane) However, at 11.34pm I assume the buildings heating system kicked in and the crashing, banging that started to come from the bathroom had me sat bolt upright. Even with the door shut the noise was too loud to sleep. We put up with this for over an hour and a half before speaking to the chap on reception and asking to be moved. Guy on reception very helpful, very apologetic and got me moved quickly but i wonder if this is simply an old heating system rather than a one off? Not quite the peace and quiet we had hoped for. I will return but only if there is a room available in another part of the hotel, ill not chance being anywhere near those pipes.
I run a business with a head office in Bath and one of our satellite offices is in Chelmsford which I visit regularly. I have stayed at Ivyhill for the 5th time now and I choose to come here for a number of reasons. Great Parking and just off the A12 Comfortable rooms Excellent Food for both dinner and breakfast. Piping hot .well cooked and delicious. For me it's the best place in the area Sure it's not the last word in modernity but a comfortable place with great staff. Highly recommended.
This time last year we was getting married here so on our year anniversary I thought it would be nice to stay there. Well what can I say about the ivy hill hotel what an amazing place it is and the staff haven't changed a bit they we're helpful and couldn't do anymore for ya the funny thing was they remembered us for the moment we checked lol and it was really nice to see Libby we had a little chat with her which was nice. It is always good to see people that made mine and my wife's special day thank you again for everything you've done for us and we have had a chat and said we will come back here every year to see in our anniversary so see ya next year Love Steven & Nina Jones
We recently celebrated our Diamond Wedding with a family get together (19 of us )at Ivy Hill Hotel. From our first meeting with management to the weekend of the event itself, we felt confident that everything would go well. Friendly and efficient staff, a great menu, both for the evening meal and breakfast on the following morning all combined to provide us with a memorable occasion.
Wasn't the generic tower block I'd expected. Staff were all lovely as was the food (breakfast and bar snacks, didn't have dinner). Room was clean and comfortable, though maybe we weren't in the best room as could hear the people above walking around (my friend didn't so maybe just me ?????). Would recommend to anybody looking to stay around this area
Had a good evening at this hotel close to Chelmsford on business. Parking was ample and reception very friendly. Room was smart and tidy. Bathroom very good. Quality wine and drinks in the bar and the meal was really excellent and good value. The owner was on hand and attentive. Breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs was spot on! I would go back again without a second thought. A really nice place.
Tucked away in Margaretting we booked a family room for the night. The room was pretty spacious with a large fold out settee bed already made up for our little one to sleep in. Nice size bathroom and the room had the air of an at home feel as opposed to many hotel rooms from chains. Special mention for the young lady who greeted us and checked us in, had occasion to request her services several times regarding various things about the hotel and the local area and she was knowledgeable and helped me very quickly each time. Excellent service. They have a bar area within the hotel and an Italian restaurant with it's own bar area which is not part of the hotel chain. We had a very good nights sleep without any interruption (was worried that attendees from a party in the hotel function room might make a noise out front upon their departure as our bedroom window was right over the entrance to the hotel). There are no shops, restaurants, pubs etc... within a few mins walking distance of the hotel so you would need transport to go anywhere. Thought the price for the room for one night was expensive but the service from the staff at the hotel certainly put a large dent in that thinking.
We recently stayed and had a very pleasant visit. The hotel staff and service could not be faulted and were very helpful. The breakfast was very good. The only slight downside was the room, although fine for the one night, being constructive, we felt needed a little updating, it felt a little tired for the price. Overall though, if we were in the area again we would stay again.
over night last minute break for the hubby and me, visiting family nearby. nice hotel, clean, staff were very friendly and happy to help, bar was well stocked. Breakfast was good, our family joined us for breakfast at £15.00 per head, i felt was a little expensive but not enough to put me off returning again
A trip with a party of 12 people was so enjoyable. The food in the restaurant was first class, the service impeccable and the value for money was good. We look forward to returning for our next big family occasion.
Staying at this lovely hotel and enjoyong its ambience. Had another lovely meal in the restaurant Bartellas tonight but as i reviewed yesterday i am unable to review again which brings me to the main point. The staff in the hotel and restaurant are extremely friendly, helpfull and professional. Tonight we were attended by Lorna who looked after our dining experience and when i mentioned that wewould have to leave for work before breakfast she went away and organised a takeaway breakfast for us to collect before we left. Credit where its due this was service beyond the norm, Thank You so much LORNA you are a star.
We stayed here to attend a nearby wedding at 2pm. Not wanting to be checking in at 10.30 at night and needing a coffee and lunch before the wedding we arrived just after 12 to enquire if it was possible to check in early and leave our cases in the room as official check in time was 3pm. Told this only possible if we paid for an early check in which we reluctantly agreed to but do think the £25 charge over the top given price for room, that. the room was ready and that if you work the average hourly cost of the room it comes out around £6.per hour. However it's a nice hotel. The sandwich and coffees were well served as were the late night drinks and breakfast.
Not a fan of the BW Hotels but this really is an exception, the hotel has clearly had a lot of money spent on it, all the way through so every inch of the hotel looks new, fresh and modern. The rooms are easily 3+ star. Staff from check in, bar, and dinner were fantastic and the drinks and food were first class. If your in the area for a night or 2 you would be mad to miss out on this hidden gem.
A well run hotel with well trained, helpful staff. Jackie manages a very good restaurant and the food was very tasty and well presented. Steph efficiently looked after all our needs with a smile and nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast was freshly cooked to order. There were many choices including porridge, English cooked breakfast, salmon, ham, cheeses, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, cereals, nuts, pastries and breads. Run by Mr. Bartella, a friendly gentleman, who is dedicated to providing the best possible service for his customers. Lovely big, thick, white towels added to our comfort. Room and communal areas all clean. Would not hesitate to stay there again when in this area.
Working away is not always enjoyable but when the staff at your hotel take time out to make your stay a better one it most definitely helps Arriving on a Sunday night I was greeted with an upgrade Our function room was set up fantastically Reception staff were exceptional and Jacqui and Steph in the restaurant were both exceptional hosts serving delicious food Thank you to everyone
We have just celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary at The Ivy Hill. The planning and organisation of our weekend was second to none. The upgrade to our room was a welcome surprise for us. The table layout and presentation, the food and service received many compliments from our guests who spent the weekend with us. I would like to thank the staff for their attention to detail and a special mention to Libby & Mary who were both involved with making the occasion so special. Thank you for a memorable weekend From Mr & Mrs Doyle, family and friends.
This is a good three star hotel. The staff is great and went out of their way to make our stay as comfortable as possible. It is a nice for a three star hotel and the more expensive rooms are spacious and relatively modern, although the bathrooms could do with an upgrade. The walls are also very thin so you can easily hear what is going on next door (and the motorway) so bring earplugs! We stayed here as we were attending a family event nearby and for that purpose the hotel was absolutely fine.
Rooms spacious and well maintained. Bartella restaurant servespecially lovely food and staff can't do enough. Great cooked breakfast. Plenty of parking. I can't say enough about this hotel. A good find.
What an excellent hotel. What excellent staff. THANK YOU, for a wonderful experience. Two colleagues and I had the pleasure of staying here the night. It was great. I would not hesitate to come here again, whether it's for family, business or special occasions. All the staff were exceptionally friendly, welcoming & helpful. We decided to eat out, fish n chips was high on our agenda, so we didn't sample the evening menu. We did sit in the bar later, to unwind after finishing paperwork. Everywhere is maintained to a high standard, and is very clean. Breakfast was superb. I had pastries, fresh fruit salad & Parma ham, a selection of cheeses with grapes, finished off with salmon & scrambled eggs. Everything I had, and everything my colleagues had was excellent. Service was faultless. One of the best hotels I've been in & certainly one of the top Best Westerns ~ along with the one in Eastbourne. Highly recommended
We were involved in a car accident and was dropped off at this hotel, we were welcomed with open arms and was given drinks on the house after our ordeal, this meant the world to us and would love to go back under better circumstances
We stayed here overnight as we were goi g to a Charuty Ball at the hotel. We stayed last year and looked forward to revisiting it this year. Comfortable, well appointed, clean rooms. Friendly staff. Excellent breakfast. Look forward to our next visit.
I attended a 50th Birthday meal last week. There were about 25 people, 3 course meal, each of the courses were amazing. The food was excellent, piping hot and the timing of the courses was perfect. I loved it so much, I am going back tonight. Highly recommended.
Stayed here for 2 nights on business. Great welcome, really nice and comfortable room. Had a sandwich for dinner both nights as I just didn't fancy the dinner. Just a bit to rich when all I fancied was sine comfort food. But that's not a complaint just my opinion.
We arranged for 24 of us for afternoon tea to celebrate my Mums 90th Birthday on 19th November 2017 and we had a great time. From the word go the staff were very helpful and accommodating. The room was layed out very nicely, the tea was lovely . We had 6 young children with us and they were welcomed and allowed to use the bar area to move about. The waitresses were polite and helpfull. A special thanks to Libby the manager who was on hand all afternoon to make sure we were Ok, she was brilliant , fussed my Mum and generally looked after us, which made the get together of our family a great success. Thank you
I have stayed in this hotel for one night recently, room was clean, well equipped and giving a generally good feel. Hotel restaurant is very decent, and breakfast was great. bottom line, all good, and I intend to stay there again.
Stayed here very recently for two nights whilst being away on business. Hotel clean & staff friendly & the room was spotless too. Only a minor detail to mention and that's how hot the hotel feels whilst either in the bedroom ?heating turned off? or in the various lounges, maybe a bit of air con wouldn't go a miss.
Genuinely friendly and helpful service, clean, crisp attractive rooms, skilfully prepared chef-cooked food (including homemade bread). Attention to detail everywhere, including the offer of bringing fresh milk and water to your room if required. I would definitely seek this hotel out if in the area again.
I recently stayed several nights on business. The layout, like many converted older estate homes, has rooms of various sizes and configurations with creaking floors and faulty window clasps that desperately need refinishing. The closet had no foot but had six foot long tassels like they used in the 70s which was rather a nuisance since you couldn't get anything in or out of that closet without feeling like a fly caught in a spider web. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, particularly when my room's radiator didn't work and needed service. Overall it was adequate but it's location outside of Chelmsford is not ideal.
We chose this hotel due to its proximity to Hylands Park, where we were taking part in the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Society. It's a nice-looking hotel and the staff were all excellent. Our room (room 10, ground floor) was very tired and there were several dust-covered cobwebs which didn't fill me with confidence that the rest of the room's cleanliness was up to standard, but that having been said, we didn't see anything else to alarm us. I know that someone always has to have the room next to the kitchen or within earshot of the extractor fans, but this room didn't even have double glazing. The only way I got to sleep was to put the electric fan on (extra brownie point for providing one) as white noise. Everything else about the room was fine - wifi okay, tv good, tea and coffee-making facilities good. But the best reason to come here is the restaurant. Honestly, this was the most amazing food my husband and I had ever tasted! Innovative dishes, perfectly-sized portions, beautifully presented, delicious wine - and the staff were exemplary. I can't recommend it highly enough. Now if they could just remove from their menu the word "parmesan" from their vegetarian dishes I will be totally happy. The manager reassured me that it wasn't real Parmesan, which is not vegetarian, but Parmesan has protected origin status and the word really shouldn't be used unless it's the genuine article. So overall, the room was okay, the staff great and Bartellas Restaurant was out of this world!
From first contact regarding plans for our wedding, the staff at the Ivy Hill Hotel were fabulous. Always very helpful and very friendly. The pre wedding plans were perfect and were put together with no stress or hassle. The wedding day itself was fantastic and again the staff made everyone very welcome and provided a 1st class service throughout.
The Afternoon Tea was a present for my Sisters 50th Birthday. This was very good value for money, lovely surroundings and overall a very pleasant afternoon. Oh yes and the Tea & cake was yummy! I would suggest that you give it a try.
Attended a friend's wedding and stayed overnight, what a lovely location, the gardens and patio area were great for photos and drinks and we were lucky to have beautiful weather. The staff were very attentive and the food was delicious.
A little late getting around to give this review of a very good event and stay!! In May this year, we held a party for family and a few friends at the Ivy Hill Hotel. We hired a function room for drinks and dinner in the evening and also booked ten rooms with breakfast for guests overnight. A big thank you to Mary who was really very helpful with and throughout all the arrangements and also a big thank you to Libby who was also very helpful, involved with arrangements, was there on the night to ensure everything went to plan and looked after us in an exceptional manner! The food was very good, the staff were all very pleasant and helpful. The accommodation, as one would expect of a quality hotel, was very good. Ivy Hill, we hope to see you at the next Bash - thank you so much!!
My wife and I stayed at the hotel as part of a wedding party, the staff were friendly and helpful, and when we left a couple of items behind in the room they went out there way to ensure that we got them back. All around I found them to be helpful and able to give us a welcome stay.
I have previously reviewed both the hotel and restaurant, this time however the Ivy Hill has excelled itself. During a weekend in July we have made extensive use of the hotel for my daughter's wedding. On the Friday evening I hosted a private dining event for 18 members of my family. I thought the evening was a great success. The food was, as expected, excellent, the level of service was first class but from my point of view as the organiser the assistance from the hotel management to arrange the evening was impressive. The whole party enjoyed the evening - particularly the food. On the Saturday we held the wedding reception in the Margaretting Suite. A wedding breakfast for over 90 people takes a lot of planning. The hotel management were second to none, nothing was too much trouble but of course they are experienced people. From the arrival of the wedding party to the end of the day everything went perfectly to plan. The reception drinks and hors d'oeuvres were just right, the hors d'oeuvres were also really tasty. The hotel has beautiful grounds in which to take photographs. The food for the wedding breakfast was exceptional and the levels of service were impressive. The wedding party included many different dietary requirements such as gluten or dairy free, vegetarians and vegan, all were catered for without issue. The assistance given by the staff when decorating the room was gratefully received and we were all surprised to see the room had been completely cleared and all the decorations etc packed away ready for us the next morning. Many of the guests stayed at the hotel and all reported a comfortable stay. We enjoyed a full and delicious breakfast on Sunday morning even though the breakfast room was very busy. I could go on writing good things about the hotel but the reader will get bored. Suffice it to say that my daughter's wedding day was perfect in no small measure to the Ivy Hill Hotel and the staff. My only regret is that all my children are now married and the chances of going to another wedding reception at the Ivy Hill are limited. I will however be returning for the odd night now and again and will certainly make use of the private dining.
Hotel setting is lovely was at my sister's 80th Birthday party food was excellent only thing I would say the price of drinks is a bit steep you needed deep pockets but on saying that it's a hotel not a pub
Really have to say that this hotel has a lovely ambiance and a rural location the previous owners were great and best western have improved on the establishment. Good staff, good food good rooms all in all good experience. I was an invited guest so an impartial observer rather than paying guest and honestly loved the hotel. B back without doubt.
Had my Mum's 60th Birthday meal at the Ivy hill, in one of their private dinning rooms for 25 guests. The evening ran smoothy and the staff where very efficiant. Guest commented on how nice the Venue was. Would definatly consider the Ivy hill again for any future celebrations.
I have previously reviewed both the hotel and restaurant, this time however the Ivy Hill has excelled itself. Over the weekend we have made extensive use of the hotel for my daughter's wedding. On Friday evening I hosted a private dining event for 18 members of my family. I thought the evening was a great success. The food was, as expected, excellent, the level of service was first class but from my point of view as the organiser the assistance from the hotel management to arrange the evening was impressive. The whole party enjoyed the evening - particularly the food. On Saturday we held the wedding reception in the Margaretting Suite. A wedding breakfast for over 90 people takes a lot of planning. The hotel management were second to none, nothing was too much trouble but of course they are experienced people. From the arrival of the wedding party to the end of the day everything went perfectly to plan. The reception drinks and hors d'oeuvres were just right, the hors d'oeuvres were also really tasty. The hotel has beautiful grounds in which to take photographs. The food for the wedding breakfast was exceptional and the levels of service were impressive. The wedding party included many different dietary requirements such as gluten or dairy free, vegetarians and vegan, all were catered for without issue. The assistance given by the staff when decorating the room was gratefully received and we were all surprised to see the room had been completely cleared and all the decorations etc packed away ready for us the next morning. Many of the guests stayed at the hotel and all reported a comfortable stay. We enjoyed a full and delicious breakfast on Sunday morning even though the breakfast room was very busy. I could go on writing good things about the hotel but the reader will get bored. Suffice it to say that my daughter's wedding day was perfect in no small measure to the Ivy Hill Hotel and the staff. My only regret is that all my children are now married and the chances of going to another wedding reception at the Ivy Hill are limited. I will however be returning for the odd night now and again and will certainly make use of the private dining.
Have just had fab meal in Bartellas restaurant could not fault food my husband had fish & chips I the sea bass so nice chocolate dessert with coconut ice cream fab . Could not fault the service was so good staff very kind helpful and happy
My partner and I attended a wedding here at the end of June and decided to stay. Overall, it was a good experience. The room was clean, tidy and comfortable, although it had no air con. The breakfast was served on a buffet basis but was of a high standard with the staff being most attentive. For me the only Achilles heel was as this is a hotel catering for weddings and dinner dances etc, you may have a problem if rooming at the back of the hotel as the noise appeared to go on passed midnight. That apart, a pretty decent stay!!
Lovely hotel in peaceful and beautiful setting. Room was superb apart from the fact there was no air con and no fan, so it was very hot. The hotel was very clean and the staff were polite and helpful at all times. The room was very clean, bathroom was a good size and the overall size of the room was good too. We enjoyed our stay there.
Check in was a breeze. Everything was ready and they had my reservation all ready. Clean and well laid out room. Bed a little smaller then I would have like but comfortable. Quiet nights sleep. Everything you ever need.
We recently got married at Ivy Hill and had an Amazing day. The staff were outstanding and nothing was too much for them especially Libby our wedding co-ordinator. They were friendly, helpful and ensured our day went smoothly. The Gardens made a Beautiful background for our photo's. The Bridal suite was spacious and the bed very comfortable. We would recommend this hotel to everyone and for every type of function.
Hotel decor and gardens are nice however the rooms are over priced and it over looked a roof which was full of pipe work, roof vents (what a view). I passed my concerns to reception when I checked out the staff said they would pass my complaint to the Nanager I would not recommend this hotel the rooms are the same standard as a Premier Inn room but more expensive.
Last June we held our engagement dinner at the Ivy Hill which was a huge success, so when it came to choosing a venue for our wedding reception there was no hesitation in returning to them. From our initial enquiry to the actual event everything was perfect. Libby and her team treat you like one of the family, nothing is to much trouble and they go beyond the extra mile, superb customer service and the food is high quality and plentiful, our guests loved the canapés, dinner and deserts. And at the end of the evening collapsing into our beautiful four poster bed room was bliss! I cannot thank the Ivy Hill enough for making our wedding reception a day to remember and we will return again and again Philippa and Robert
Booked a function room at Ivy Hill Hotel as a venue for our Golden Wedding Celebration lunch. Everything was very professionally done.Nothing was too much trouble. Service was excellent,and the food was cooked to perfection and served nice & hot. Lots of our guests commented about how good both the service and the food was. I would recommend this venue.
Came here on a business trip. Friendly staff and clean rooms. Had parking which was a bonus and some lovely grounds surrounding the hotel too. Would certainly return. There's not much nearby so you would have drive in to town.
Booked the Ivy Hill Hotel as a venue for our silver wedding anniversary, where we had a function room reserved and a 3 course meal. Couldn't have been better. I supplied small flower displays for all the tables but the hotel added additional touches (silver silky runner as well as small silver hearts scattered across the tables), it looked lovely, big bayed window opening onto the hotel gardens/pound. The service was fantastic, always someone at hand watching if we needed any refills or anything else. Very professional and attentive staff. The meal was fabulous, had a lot of family members commenting on how lovely it tasted (we all had different menus) Some of our family also stayed overnight at the hotel and complemented on the rooms, spacious, clean and well looked after. Would definitely recommend as a venue.
Stayed for a wedding and it was lovely. Spotlessly clean and modern perfect venue for the wedding. Food was excellent and evening buffet plentiful. Staff were attentive and nothing was too much trouble. Room was big and nicely furnished bathroom was lovely. Couldn't find tea n coffee tray until we were leaving as put in cupboard but will know for next time. Well worth a stay.
I had my wedding at the Ivy Hill Hotel and it was amazing. Me and my now wife loved it Libby was brilliant and she was so helpful and got us both though the day. Everyone who we have spoken to have all said that they loved the day and loved the place thank you so much to everyone who had something to do with our day we will never forget what u did especially Libby thank you so much Xx
Such an amazing evening with 10 friends at Bartellas Restaurant, the service from Jacqui was impeccable food to die for and topped off with Mr Bartella himself such an amazing ambience Get booking people's
Came here with my husband and daughter for afternoon tea. We were the only people in the restaurant. The service was very good and we were offered unlimited pots of tea which was great as not all places offer this. The sandwiches were the open type and were very tasty and presented well. If you don't like the ones offered, they are happy to change the fillings to something else. Cakes were lovely, one was a bit strange and we couldn't place the taste but on the whole, delicious. What you can't eat, you get wrapped up to take home. They offer a children's version which is perfect for the smaller afternoon tea lover. We will return for another!
Stayed here last year and was good. Very friendly and welcoming staff which is what you want when your staying somewhere. Very clean and beds very comfy, Wud stay again probably. My husband loved it too. Thank you x
Afternoon Tea A Christmas present from my Grand daughter. My daughter and another Granddaughter came along too. Nice setting and grounds. Made to feel welcome and asked if we would like a 'cuppa' before we had our tea which was a nice gesture and one we accepted. Surprised to find sandwiches were of the 'open' sort and we had a tasty selection. Scones were lovely as were the cakes. Waiter kept coming to ask if we wanted 'top ups' and we had several. A very pleasant experience. N
I took my daughter and three friends as a treat for her 18th birthday. We were sat in the bar/restaurant area where there were no other diners just two meetings! no menus of what you were going to get. When we first arrived there was a large tv screen turned on to some vet programme showing surgery! Quite large open bread sandwiches. No offer of tea, maybe because we had ordered a bottle of prosecco, but was expecting to be asked if we would like tea so I had to ask. It was not special at all. I know it was quite cheap £13.50 a head so maybe I shouldn't have expected too much!! Needless to say I won't be going again. Plus side the scones were good!
Easy to get to, but that does mean you get road noise. Set in wonderful grounds. Building and rooms well presented, staff friendly. Dinner at Bartella's a must. Lovely breakfast. Some noise from the bar bur not excessive.
We were bought this by our parents as a Christmas pressie, no idea how much it cost etc - but a lovely pressie. We had lovely room (5) - on arrival once entering, we were met with a lovely smell but, a cold room - once we had put the radiator one and located the heater in the wardrobe it soon warmed up - I did note from a previous comment on here that also, when they arrived, room 5 was cold (maybe this could be addressed with house-keeping putting the radiator on prior to guests arriving. Room was lovely, it was upgraded to a deluxe room. The room in itself was lovely, a lovely comfy bed and furnishings but I do think the bathroom let it down a bet - a bit of bleach on the tiles maybe and in the corners. There are standard rooms, then executive room and then deluxe rooms - I think maybe I was expecting a bit more but nonetheless it was a comfortable room. We had a lovely evening meal and breakfast. Beer was a tad expensive at £5.40 for a pint of Peron. This was brought on a dinner, bed and breakfast best and was slightly surprised to be presented with a bit for service charge of £4.75 at the end of the evening. We had superb service and would have tipped but not happy about it being on the bill. It said "disc" which we presumed to mean "discretionary" when questioned we just got a confused face. We opted to cross it out and left a tip and we felt appropriate. A lovely place, glad we had room not facing the A12 (although we were over the kitchen) - we enjoyed it as a pressie but not sure at the real price.
Had a very pleasent stay at Ivy Hill. Pretty hotel in lovely grounds. All stall very nice and room was great. Massive bed and all very cosy. Saturday night in Bartellas was very enjoyable and food first clas. In fact I enjoyed the food more than when I ate in a very famous hotel in the west end beginning with C. Breakfast was also first class.
We found that the comfort and facilities were excellent and the staff very friendly and welcoming - much better than the norm. The breakfasts were well cooked. Our deal included dinner on the first night which was from a special menu. My only criticism here would be that most of this contained cheese, cream or yogurt and, being allergic I struggled. The waiter tried to help but I only really managed the soup. My husband's cheesy meal was fine. I did try to eat some frangipane tart but think the chef needs to practice some more!
My wife and I stayed after a function, not something we'd normally do, one of us would abstain from drinking and drive home as it's less than an hour away, however, this time we thought we'd treat ourselves and what a good idea it was. The room was well furnished and of a great size, certainly big enough for us (and others) to get ready before the event. There were tea and coffee facilities available but we couldn't find them (in the cupboard below the TV if anyone else is struggling). The evening meal was very pleasant, and the service team were quietly efficient without being stand offish, although one member of bar staff couldn't understand why I wanted a drink that our sponsors weren't providing and that I therefore had to pay for. Breakfast was an impressively sized buffet and it all tasted great. If we're invited to another event here, we'll definitely be staying over again. The only caveat would be take care with whom you book. We were told by Best Western it was £99.97 for the night, I was told by the event organiser to book directly as there was a discount on offer. When I tried to book directly they said that, with the discount, the price was £100. I pointed out the discrepancy and they said they'd honour the lower price but it doesn't seem to be much of a discount to me...
Great stay as usual. Just of the A12 so handy for getting into London or heading to heybridge where my offices are. Always clean and always friendly staff. Sometimes a bit pricey compared to other best westerns
We booked to accommodate a visit to family, without wanting to stay on their doorstep. A very cosy and comfortable hotel that made you feel welcome as soon as you arrived. It accommodates multiple meeting rooms so can be quite busy on weekends with birthdays, weddings etc not to mention meeting groups during mornings and afternoons. Therefore weekends can be a little bustling and noisy in the evening however not outrageously so. It has an beautiful up market restaurant that we never had the opportunity to try, though it seemed well supported particularly over the weekends. The lounge and breakfast room were lovely as were the staff who were always friendly and accommodating. There is not much to see or do within walking distance but a frequent bus service is a 5 minute walk to catch and takes you to nearby Chelmsford in 10 minutes or to the lovely village of Ingatestone 5 minutes in the opposite direction. A must visit place.
My husband Rob and I chose The Ivy Hill Hotel to hold our wedding. We booked it over a year ago and the whole process and professionalism of all staff leading up to the day itself was faultless. The day itself was amazing. We had the best day as did all our guests. We wanted to say a huge thank you to Aileen and her team for making the day run so smoothly. For anyone potentially considering this venue for their wedding do not hesitate.
Easy to locate directly on slip road from A12, signed on A12 when travelling East. Room and furnishings good, staff friendly and happy, which always helps! Restaurant modern but cosy, food good and reasonably priced. Nice pre-dinner lounge/bar. Breakfast served in dedicated room, excellent service with good food choice. We would recommend this hotel as welcoming, comfortable, and to a good standard.
Staff extremely helpful and really went the extra mile to help resolve getting a taxi on a Saturday evening. Breakfast was top notch and lots of choices. Had a great nights sleep in really comfortable beds. Would definitely recommend the hotel and would stay again if the need arises
My wife and I celebrated our Ruby wedding, with a party for 100 people in the Margaretting Suite at The Ivy Hill Hotel. The whole event went faultlessly and I cannot thank the staff enough for their friendliness, professionalism and first class service we were given. The food we had chosen was served throughout the evening and the quality was fantastic. Several of our party stayed the night and the following morning we were served with a wonderful breakfast. My wife and I have eaten many times in the restaurant and have never been disappointed with the quality.This being the reason we chose Ivy Hill for our special function. I have no hesitation in recommending this hotel.
A lovely small hotel,set in lovely countryside. The staff are all very helpful and friendly. The rooms are spacious are very comfortable. The bar is also really nice too. The breakfast was very nice. I would definitely recommend staying here.
We had a celebratory lunch last Sunday for 30 people in one of the function rooms at this hotel. It had been planned for some time and guests were asked to state their preference from a good choice of food in advance. There was also a children's menu so all were catered for. A private bar was available for guests to use on arrival, and from beginning to end everything went smoothly. Four guests also stayed at the hotel and they were very happy with their accommodation etc. The hotel is beautifully set with plenty of parking and I would not hesitate in using the hotel for a similar occasion. The food and service were very good and our thanks go to Libby (manager) and all the staff who looked after us on the day.
We were a group of about 20 people celebrating a milestone birthday. We had a room to ourselves at the hotel and the room was set out lovely. We had a three course meal which was served superbly and very tasty. Very attentive service.
Came here with the family for a birthday dinner. Service was lovely and the food was amazing. Very much enjoyed my starter which was the prawn and Crayfish & my main which was pork with creamy mash. I was even given a warm gluten free bread to eat at the start due to myself not being able to eat gluten. Myself and my partner are even thinking of coming back to have dinner again. ??
Had a special offer to go for Afternoon Tea at the Ivy Hill and was not disappointed. Food was very good - possibly one of the best afternoon teas I have ever had! Would recommend it - especially if you have the special offer!
We had an amazing experience with this hotel and would throughly recommend it!!! From the initial booking right through to when we left the following day Libby the hotel Manager and her team made us feel both special and completely at ease with the way they handled our wedding. The quality of the food and service and the room post function were all superb. Libby herself was an absolute star and was completely in control throughout. If you are thinking of booking a function here you will be over the moon!! A GREAT DAY!! Thanks Libby and team!
Firstly the staff were fantastic they couldn't have been more friendly and inviting. The fruit teas were beautiful I was slightly disappointed with the afternoon tea sandwiches when booking a traditional afternoon tea I expect cucumber and cream cheese the traditional stuff but instead we had smoked salmon and cream cheese although traditional there was a rim of fat on the salmon which I haven't seen before and I couldn't eat it. The egg mayo I gave to my nan as its not my taste and the Parma ham and tomato with maybe aubergine underneath we couldn't work out what it was just wasn't tasty at all. Apart from the that cakes were nice but my nan felt the scones were rock solid and not fresh which I do agree. Good for something different but not the traditional afternoon tea I was after
Really nice Hotel, great staff. Good breakfast and comfy beds. The location was perfect. The internet worked. Staff al friendly but the restaurant staff could do with a bit more training. Really good stay and thoroughly enjoyed our visit
I had booked the bridal suite and 3 other rooms for myself and my wedding party. The bridal suite is amazing. The room is spacious and nicely decorated and the bathroom is bright and modern. The staff were really helpful, bringing lunch and drinks up to the room for us. They also provided fans in the room as it was the hottest September day. Breakfast the next day was also delicious and lots of choice. The standard double bedrooms were also nicely decorated and spacious. I have seen other people complain about the road noise but myself and my husband didn't notice this at all but that might be because we were so tired from the busy day we had just had! All in all this is a lovely hotel with really friendly and helpful staff
Good points: * Superior room spacious and well laid out * Good shower and hot water * Comfortable bed * Good desk provided for laptop users * Wifi worked well * Generally very nice hotel But: * Noise - close to A12, permanent road noise with windows open * Some hairs in bath that were definitely not mine (otherwise very clean) * Breakfast waiter did not listen to my order Comments: I really liked the room but on a very hot August evening I had to have the windows open and there was permanent road noise from the concrete slab A12 which is about 100m away from the hotel (albeit in a shallow cutting). No air conditioning in superior room. Would have enabled me to close the window and have a quieter night. Breakfast waiter seemed overworked and got my breakfast order wrong. Given the price, can't justify 5*.
On August 13th 20016 my son and his fiancé chose this hotel for the venue for their wedding, this is the most beautiful place I have ever been to the staff were fantastic from the time wee arrived I'm disabled and I was able to go to most area's the only problem I found was the paths weren't laid down for wheelchairs so I was unable to get into some photo's the staff were very upset when I explained this to them. The food was amazing they had catered for everyone even some people with IBS they provided food for these people with no fuss the children's food was amazing too, tea's and coffee was flowing freely or if you wanted water that to was given freely too.after everything had finished we went to our room now because I have to sleep in my wheelchair This was a problem I know when the rooms were booked I was in a bed and it was our fault we hadn't changed the room for both my husband and I, however the staff were very nice I was prepared to go home in a taxi but the staff got us another room it was fantastic so big I was able to move around in the room in my chair and sleep in mmy chair.so the only thing I would suggest to the owners is please confided disabled people a little more please. Thank you so much for making my son and son in law's wedding day so memorabl.
I had my wedding and reception at this lovely venue, from start to finish the staff were amazing and they were very quick to deal with any issues that came up. The hotel had a number of function room and we chose the margaretting suite for our wedding, there was plenty of room for both the sit down meal and the dance floor area after they moved just two tables. The coordinator we delt with was fantastic she couldn't do enough for us to be honest all the staff were really great and there all approachable. The rooms are great sizes our guests that stayed over showed us there rooms they are a great size plenty of room. The food there was great we had afternoon tea and it was brilliant I never had an empty cup or glass. They have a good size car park and the grounds are beautiful. The only problem is I can't give it a higher rating. But I would really recommend this hotel.
Warm friendly welcoming and efficient staff added to a smallish intimate hotel with character and easily accessible location just off the A12 all contributed to a lovely stay. Would recommend the Best Western Ivy Hill.
The hotel is just off the A 12, a few miles from Chelmsford. It is situated in an old building and the rooms are scattered throughout the building. The room (superior) was large and comfortable with a sofa and tea tray. However, the bathroom was absolutely tiny and I would have expected a fridge in a superior room. It was very expensive for what it was. We did not eat in the restaurant. The bar is rather small but, although it was late in the evening when we were there, the service was excellent. Unlike at breakfast the following morning when a surly waitress informed us that there was no butter and we would have to have spread. We were not impressed either with that or the rest of the breakfast.
I really like the restaurant at this hotel and have reviewed it seperately in the past. I decided to use the restaurant again for my wife's birthday. To save any messing about I decided to book a room for the night. We were both very pleased. The room was clean and spacious and the bed was on of the most comfortable I have slept in whilst in a hotel. The breakfast the next morning was freshly cooked/ The staff were helpful and friendly. I will be using both the hotel and the restaurant again.
Another excellent Sunday afternoon tea. Very relaxed what better way to enjoy the sun than with a glass of prosecco and too many cakes! Service as ever (this is my third afternoon tea here) was excellent, very relaxed atmosphere. Very clean tea and coffee excellent. Sandwiches excellent.
My family and I had a comfortable stay here. There was me, my partner and our two children aged 7 and 1. Our room was a good size. Very clean and comfortable. Due to how nice the hotel was and how well it was kept, I did kind of expect a mini fridge, which would of been perfect for us with our littlest one. Not a problem though. The staff were very welcoming and vey nice. The receptionist let us check in early, which was fantastic for us after a long drive (subject to whether the room was ready). The breakfast was okay. Plenty of options. My only gripe was the bacon wasn't cooked well enough for my liking. The breakfast staff were very nice again. The only problem with this place for me, wasn't the motorway (which I couldn't hear with the window closed), but the doors slamming. This kept our 1 year old up through the night (doesn't have a problem sleeping usually). This made him very grumpy in the morning and very much made mine and my partners day very hard. Don't get me wrong though, this is a very nice hotel and I would of given it 5 stars if the doors just didn't slam. We also left some stuff at the hotel and the have mailed the stuff back to us (at our cost of £8 PP) still, nice of them to contact us and give us the option as to whether we wanted it or not.
The hotel seems to have had a recent make over so it looks smart and clean plus staff were welcoming. The hotel was very empty and we found out why. The major flaw is the noise from the 3 lane A 12 which it sits directly over, PLUS next door they hold Indian weddings, fireworks and revving engines at midnight! Myself and my colleague were here on business, so we need to sleep and always ask for quiet rooms. We are used to staying in hotels during the week but both of us felt really worn out the next day through lack of sleep. Unless you are used to sleeping alongside a race track, then give this a miss. On check out we asked if there were quieter rooms but the position of the hotel up high, alongside this 24 hour 3 lane A road, means that you can't escape it. Sadly, as its right in the location we need to visit regularly, its off our list!
stayed at this hotel for the first time-good location and nice hotel and restaurant-good food and service-drinks pricey-£5.20 a pint. rooms were ok but I stayed during the very hot period and no air con in rooms-couldn't open window as road noise was bad.
We got married in London and had a Reception at Tower Bridge as Mandy has been in love with the Bridge since she was a girl. We wanted to celebrate near home with friends and family and looked for a venue. We found a perfect venue when we went to a wedding fair at the hotel. Initially Mary and then Libby, led us through the whole process effortlessly and we ended up with the perfect evening celebration. Late on in our arrangements we changed our choice to The cocktail party selection with various hot dishes, delicious desserts and canapés, all served to our guests throughout the evening, instead of buffet style which was particularly appreciated by us and our guests. Later on sandwiches were served along with the wedding cake, this was all part of the cocktail party package, although the late serving of sandwiches was Libby's idea, which went down perfectly with everyone ! This added to the whole experience being one of great joy. All of the staff serving food or tending bar were great. All our guests had nothing but compliments for the level of service and for the fantastic food served throughout the reception. Guests and ourselves booked out the whole hotel and some of the sister hotel. Unfortunately the honeymoon suite was already booked out months ahead. So book early if you want to have the suite along with your reception. The entire hotel is very clean and well kept with beautiful gardens - fantastic for wedding pictures ! We felt we were in safe hands throughout the whole process right from the initial booking and the staff were very helpful and curteous regardless of how many times I called with queries, changes or general worries - which they assured me was perfectly normal !!! We are very happy to recommend the Ivy Hill to anyone booking a celebration, large or small ??
Used this hotel many times this time for a big party couldn't thank the friendly staff enough the service was outstanding and the hotel manager is one of the best . The facilities we were given were ideal for the event and we will keep using the hotel which has easy access from the a12. Some of the guests stayed the night and loved the place . The food was also outstanding so all in all fantastic place
Room was ok but nothing special, kettle was broken and no trouser press or iron in room.Nowhere in bathroom to put toilet bag, very small. Breakfast was very good and staff were helpful.unfortunately I left my iPad charger in room so I phoned hotel and they said they had found it. I asked if they would post it back and of course I was willing to pay postage but they said there would be a £5 admin charge which was ridiculous and I just wonder where their goodwill is. We had paid £250 for a 2 night stay surely they could have posted it back without this charge. We shall never stay in a Best Western again
When we arrived we were pleased with the appearance of the hotel and grounds however, we had to wait for 20 minutes in the lounge bar until the official 3 PM check in time and then had an easy check-in. One of the reception staff took our case up to the room, to our delight as there is no lift. The room was excellent if very hot (mid June) so we opened the window to cool off and left it open all night. The beds were very soft and comfortable, the TV had all Freeview channels and the room light off switch was in the right place for switching off from the bed! The bathroom had a bath and shower with constant hot water and fluffy, high quality towels. We ate in the hotel on the first night, very good but drinks a tad pricey, and had breakfast on both mornings, superb. WiFi was strong in all areas including the bedrooms. All in all, an excellent hotel with excellent floor staff in the restaurant and reception.
I look after a couple with learning disabilities and a couple of weeks ago was their 5th wedding anniversary. Last minute a member of staff and I decided to book them afternoon tea somewhere. We called around so many places and kept being told "to short notice" when we called the ivy hill we were told no problem. When we arrived the staff couldn't have been more friendly and treating the couple like royalty. The food was amazing and very reasonably priced. The couple I look after can't wait to go back (I'm also finding reason to go again)
This Best Western is a really well presented hotel with beautifully kept grounds. The rooms are clean crisp and fresh the staff are friendly, polite and really well presented as are all the public areas a real credit to Best Western. The one area that I feel that needs some thought perhaps from the management is their attitude towards customer service. On the evening of my stay I had to return a beer which was short measured and then again as it was really not tasting great. Secondly I didn't enjoy my Mackerel starter at all, so much so I had to leave it practically untouched. When asked was it okay I mentioned I just did not enjoy it which admittedly is a personal thing but on both the beer and the starter not once was I offered any form of alternative or recompense both were just taken back but charged for. Not sure this is the best attitude. This slight hiccup may be just me but I certainly will seek this hotel out again when in the area.
On arrival staff were polite and helpful. At the restaurant staff were extremely amenable. It had the benefit of free wifi which was available in all areas of the hotel and room. A must for me. I had a great sleep as the bed was wonderfully comfortable and the breakfast was equally good.
Me and my family took my mum for a special birthday surprise. The tea which was served was good at first but when refilled the tea was colourless and tasteless as the pot had been filled up with water without putting anymore teabags in the pot. The sandwiches which did not look like sandwiches were 3 slices of bread with fillings on top. The cake selection was good. When the waiter came out with the end of a lemon on a plate with a candle in it singing happy birthday it didn't look very good. It would of been far better to put a candle in one of the cakes. Would not recommend the afternoon tea. It was the worst one I have ever been to.
Stayed one night on business! Arrived a little early but reception staff were very helpful and efficient and allocated me a room! Room very clean indeed and lovely size! Had an evening meal in the restaurant and can honestly say food was amazing! Breakfast also very good and a good start to the day! Must say one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in! Staff made it a pleasant stay!
We got married here in 2010, the staff are amazing and so helpful. We have returned every year since to celebrate each year. We have always been remembered by staff on arrival. The rooms are stunning and the grounds are beautiful. We love the restaurant Bartellas which has also recently been moved to the top and redecorated and is just stunning
We have stayed her now at least 4 times having the need to visit Chelmsford on occasions. The gardens and thus the outlook from some of the public rooms are particularly charming .Rooms are adequate with good size very comfy beds beds ...showers we have had are over baths but excellent pressure...bathrooms a bit tatty but okay . We have had excellent meals at the Bartellas restaurant and we found all the staff charming. No evening restaurant meal on sundays but bar meals and room service have good choice .We like the atmosphere here and would recommend .
very nice hotel and easy to get to . Good size rooms and very clean . Nice bathroom with shower and good size bath. Enjoyed my vegetarian meal and wine but very busy could get a table for night out of 4 ! Beautiful grounds & gardens with very pretty ponds.
Think the room must have been above the kitchens. Had to catch a flight early the next morning and the constant door banging and noise from beneath us kept us awake all night! The hotel and staff were fine. Think we were just unlucky with this room.
We visited this hotel for a group function. The setting is picturesque and well maintained in the Essex countryside. The rooms were clean and tidy but a bit small and stuffy. The shower was excellent and the bathroom immaculate. The bed was really comfortable especially the pillows. The staff were friendly, polite and helpful. The bar food was really tasty and a good selection. Breakfast was as required - good full English with 'proper' sausages. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning.
As this was a Best Western Hotel, we were extremely disappointed. We were here for a family wedding and stayed two nights. On arrival we were asked for a credit card and later that day we found £80 had been deducted although we had paid cash for a bar snack and coffee. When we asked about this at reception, we were told it was standard practice and the money was some form of guarantee. Having travelled extensively we have never encountered this before. My partner had requested an upgrade and this was a total waste of £170 a night. The so -called superior room had a double bed with a tacky homemade four-poster attachment that was made from offcuts that matched the wooden dressing table. The evening meal in Bartellas restaurant that operates in the hotel was surprisingly awful and expensive and choice was limited. My chicken chasseur consisted of one very small leg of chicken covered in a bland tomato mixture that seemed to have been poured from a tin of tomatoes. It was tasteless and another disappointment. I have seen better school dinners.The dessert, a warm carrot cake and sorbet was delicious, but overall the dining experience was not one we wanted to repeat. Likewise, breakfast was adequate but nothing special. Sadly, the hotel is positioned by a busy main road and the traffic noise is constant. This was the worst place we have visited.
Best Western are very keen to push their Rewards program. However as I have had several email discussions with their Customer Services, stating that most hotels do not recognise guests as members of the program. I am a Diamond level member, but was not welcomed as a member on arrival, was not offered the advertised 'Welcome Gift', in fact on arrival I was not told anything regarding location or times of the restaurant or bar, was not asked if I wanted a newspaper or wake up call, was not asked anything regarding my membership of the loyalty program, as was not advised of wiifi connections or anything else regarding my stay. I had to return to reception after unpacking in my room, to request a newspaper! So once again despite head offices assurances regarding changes to the loyalty scheme, again I received no recognition or benefits for my loyalty to the BW brand! The next issue was when I went to the lounge bar and asked for a pint of Orange Juice and Soda Water. The barman served me, less than half a pint of orange juice from a pre-opened Carton of supermarket type concentrate, in a straight glass, that was 95% full with orange juice and then he added a dash of soda water. If this wasn't bad enough, he then charged me £5.00 for a glass of orange juice he had poured from a carton! NOT ACCEPTABLE! Later that evening I ordered Room Service of Fish and Chips, when placing my order I was asked "Do you want any sauces with that?" I replied "No just some Salt and Vinegar Thank You". When the meal arrived, there was not only no vinegar, but also none of the advertised Tartar Sauce, instead there was a tiny pot with virtually nothing in it, of Honey and Mustard dressing? Fish and Chips should be served with the advertised Tartar Sauce and certainly not Honey and Mustard! So basically my initial experience at check in was a let down due to lack of information and guidance from the receptionist, plus the fact that despite Best Western continually assuring me that all hotels now offered a 'Welcome Gift' and room upgrades to loyal rewards members, I was not even acknowledged as a Diamond level member. then I was charged an extortionate amount for the part contents of a concentrated orange juice from a carton that had been sat open for who knows how long. And then I was served Fish and Chips without the advertised accompaniments but with an inappropriate pot of sauce that wasn't worth bothering with due to the miserly amount! Also the management needs to employ someone to install adequate 'Door Closure' mechanisms on all the rooms, as currently no matter how quietly you attempt to shut the door to a room, it slams shut once it is 3/4 closed, this results in a cacophony of slamming doors to wake you in the morning. If you are going to brand yourself under Best Western in order to attract Customers, you should adhere to their loyalty scheme and comply with its advertised benefits. You should review the pricing structure for sub quality soft drinks and you should ensure that the chef serves the food that is advertised in the menu and tastes the food he is serving, to ensure he does not think Fish goes with Honey and Mustard dressing. I could go on, regarding the layout of breakfast items, open to all and sundry to prod, poke and cough over and tea and coffee served from a flask. but by this time my belief in the hype for this establishment had already vanished and I was sure I would not be returning or recommending it, or its sister hotel to anyone I considered a friend.
My husband is 92 years old and no longer driving following two strokes. A granddaugter was being married in Chelmsford & he was anxious to be there. We drove from North of Aberdeen to Chelmsford last October having booked three nights on the way - in Edinburgh, North Yorkshire and finally Chelmsford.on the night before the wedding. All three Best Westerns we stayed in were suited to our requirements although we had booked only 1-2 weeks in advance. They were easy to find using the car Sat.Nav. and service was very good. Food was of a high standard and buffet breakfast suited us. On the return journey we had no reservations but again used the same hotel chain in Grantham - a characterful old coaching inn which still has stables - and near Gretna. Room prices ranged from £79 per night for a twin room to £90 for one which had not been pre-booked. We have previously stayed in Best Westerns in North and South Lanarkshire and Edinburgh and they are by far our first choice for the future. There is a Best Western 'catalogue' so it is easy to plan around their many sights
I booked Afternoon Tea for myself and my family as a Christmas present but waited for warmer weather so we were excited to finally go. The hotel, grounds and outdoor terrace are beautiful and cannot fault the location. Lovely open sandwiches and they were very accommodating of fussy eaters, making plain ham and cheese for them. My only gripe is that having not eaten all day in anticipation, we was only served 3 open sandwiches and a cheese straw for savoury. When we asked if there was a possibility of more sandwiches we was told that would be an extra charge. I felt this was a little unreasonable considering we had paid £20 per head for what was essentially 3 slices of bread! However cake selection was lovely as were the drinks.
This was my first time booking into a hotel. I was not sure of the location, plus we decided to be adventurous and use public transport. We had a little difficulty and the driver stopped at the stop before the one we needed. Eventually were got there, 11/2 hours earlier than our booked time. The young lady and the desk did not hesitate to check us in even though we were early. Thank you so much. The room was perfect for us as we just want to rest. Sleep came within minutes in addition to rain making it very cosy. It's exactly as stated on the web page. Got up in time to have a lovely in house dinner for to. Best of all to be waited on and every request was granted for the 2 nights stay.
I stayed for one night at Ivy Hill on business and ran a conference there the following day. I cannot fault the service from the friendly staff from the minute I arrived: they even provided me with a toothbrush as I had forgotten mine! My bedroom was immaculate and stylish and evening meal delicious. I even got the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful grounds as the sun was shining. My conference room was set up exactly as required and the delegates were kept fed and watered throughout the day. Thank you, Ivy Hill. I look forward to my next visit!
Fantastic hotel to break my journey, delivered way more than I expected for the price! Try it - the interior is clean, bright and modern. The bedrooms are superb I've paid much more at other hotels with more stars only to be very disappointed. This one delivers.
Made to feel very welcome, staff great and friendly. Food amazing, rooms stunning. Came for a wake and the staff were very respectful and friendly. Food in the restaurant was stunning and our waiter was outstanding. After drinks in the bar was great fun in a great setting. Room was great, bed comfortable.
I have just celebrated my 60th birthday at Ivy hill hotel. We had the private room for parties of 15 or more, all I can say is it went so well, all staff excellent and standard of service wonderful from start to finish. All my guests have said it was a great night. The venue was beautiful and food excellent I would highly recommend. I can't thank the staff enough for making it the best birthday ever.
very comfortable bed ,clean rooms, if on the small side,good buffet breakfast with plenty of choice and well presented,really helpful and friendly staff good location just off the motorway but with very little traffic noise
Myself and my partner visited the I've hill hotel for our anniversary. The interior of the hotel was beautiful and light. Our rooms were very spacious and beautiful. I would definitely recommend to a friend. The food and the wine were spectacular along with the amazing service we received from the staff.
Had a great afternoon tea on 2nd April. There were 5 lively under 7 year olds in the party of 29, but everyone was made welcome. The tea was lovely and the staff were extremely helpful, both on the day and beforehand. Thank you!
Stay here on a regular basis, one of, if not the best hotel I use in the UK Comfortable with a great restaurant, staff fantastic, rooms and beds good quality. Bar area has good ambience and breakfast is good quality.
We had a lovely afternoon tea. Both food and service excellent, could not falt it and I'm fussy had such a lovely time have booked again for next month. Not only that just booked my daughters wedding here. If this is the standard of service it's hard to beat,
This was our second stay here.we also had our Xmas day lunch here which was the best we had ever had when eating out.the reception staff are lovely.we were in room 17 which was immaculate and to a very high standard.we had a couple of drinks in the longe bar where we were served by really nice ,efficient and pleasant bar lady.unlike our last stay the breakfast was buffet style which I personally do not like.but apart from the bacon being only lukewarm the choices and quality of cereals sausages etc were very good.would definitely always stay here when visiting family in chelmsford
Ideally located to explore the towns and the coast. Lovely hotel with lovely grounds. Unable to sit outside at this time of year but can imagine it would be lovely on a summer evening, helpful staff and comfortable facilities. Would highly recommend.
When booking online this place looked perfect for us, there was 7 of us that stayed here for one night. It was a work stop over so we wanted something very basic and simple. We arrived and all booked in and was given our room keys, from walking into the reception and outside the hotel looked lovely. I had a twin room, it was a rather big room, 2 single beds of course, dressing table, wardrobe, TV, Hairdryer, Bathroom, with bath and a shower head, towels were provided, and also a hair and body wash. I was very happy with my room, I think I over looked the car park so I didn't get much of a view. We went down for Dinner about 7. We had a few drinks in the bar before hand, lovely bar, the whole area was lovely. We then went though to the other side for our meal, it was sort of split into two, I believe form how it sounded the Hotel bar and the restaurant were separate. We got shown to our table and seated. The staff were lovely. We got asked for drinks first and then someone came back to take our orders. We ordered some starters, and the main meal. First out came some bread maybe after 10 minutes of them taking our order, we had then finished our bread and a little while later our starters came out. Someone within the group ordered a starter which came out later than the rest of the food, because it had been put onto the main meal instead of starter but as soon as we asked about it, it was sorted and came out.. we then had a longer wait for our mains to come out. Food was amazing, from the bread to the main course, I couldn't fault the food. There is a big range to choose from. We were then given the menu back again for afters once are plates had been taken away. These come out the quickest. We were sitting down for the total of 2 hours. Which was a long meal, and we did have some long waits between food, but as it was a big group of us we didn't notice as much as you would have if there was two of you. Once we had finished out meal a few of us when back to the hotel bar, which was closed, we thought 9 was a little early for it to close. But the restaurant bar was still open, we were only able to buy one round of drinks in cash before they then closed the tills and it had to be put onto the rooms. In the morning we went down for breakfast, there was a big range of food to chose from. A few of us ordered breakfast from the menu and we had about a 30 -45 minute wait for a English Breakfast. We did notice a few people around us also had a long wait for their food. Food Service overall was very poor and slow.
Fantastic afternoon tea had here for Mother's Day celebrations, staff were very attentive all afternoon. Nothing was too much trouble, the food was fantastic value for money. Will definitely be booking further family events here, I couldn't fault anything.
My Grandson got married there 29th February and from start to finish it was a brilliant day. Everything went like clockwork, food great, service brilliant and everyone had a great time. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you all for making his day special.
A few of us stayed here when at wriggle college on a 2 day course. The hotel was very nice, with very comfortable and spacious rooms. The restaurant served fantastic food but was a bit over priced for the portion size
My wife and I held our joint 60th and 65th birthdays party in the Margaretting Suite . The food was superb , the service fantastic and the venue perfect. Many of the guests stayed overnight and we were all delighted with both the rooms and the varied and plentiful breakfast. If you are looking to hold a event in the Chelmsford area look no further you will be disappointed . I don't know who selects and trains the staff here but they are obviously very good at their job. Big thanks to everyone that made our day extra special.
This was booked for my sister's 60th Birthday and we had a meal in the restaurant for Sunday lunch at 2pm. We also had family staying for the weekend here so they also ate Saturday night dinner and breakfast on both days of the weekend. We were all blown away with the venue, quality of the service and the amazing quality of the food. OUR COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF and backroom restaurant staff - we decided we must come back here again and despite the fact we are all pretty picky we were all very impressed. Thoroughly recommended.
I booked a table here for my nan's birthday and what a great choice I made. The service was fantastic from the moment we arrived. When I booked I asked for a corner table, and when we arrive a lovely table in the corner had been reserved for us so I was pleased with that. Once we were seated the waitress was very quick to get our drinks and then not too long after the sandwiches came to the table. Once all the sandwiches were finished we had a little break and then came the sweet. My nan looked at the selection of sweet treat and seemed very overwhelmed but she said they were all so delicious she couldn't help but eat her share!!! the food and service here was fab and the price is very good also! I would definitely return here for afternoon tea again!
AFTERNOON TEA is great! Especially if you go when there is a special offer on. Hotel is great - have stayed a few times when attending functions in the area, and it has never disappointed. Have yet to use it for dinner, but I am sure it is great too.
afternoon teas on a rainy Essex day.plenty of room in the carparks.upon entering we was greeted by happy smiley people.a nice warm friendly atmosphere.seated within minutes and served by attentive staff throughout our 2hr stay.although 3 pieces of bread with topping,the cakes made up for what I thought was miserly.we came out stuffed.the tea and coffee went down well.no hurry or worry we left when we was ready.very pleased with our day.
booked for afternoon on a Travel zoo offer, which was good value for money! We were seated in a comfortable airy lounge area, which was very spacious, clean and stood up to our expectations. We were served with individual platters with a selection of savouries for each person. These were tasty, however could be a problem with someone with a fussy palate. They served cheese straw and open sandwiches of salmon and cream cheese, egg mayo and olive tapas with Serano ham. The sweet options were great, the traditional scones with cream and jam , baileys cake, carrot cake, meringues and chocolate dipped strawberries! All washed down with a glass of prosecco and several pots of tea! The most delightful thing about the afternoon was that the staff were friendly very attentive and we felt under no pressure to hurry, a very enjoyable experience!
Very nice venue with pleasant and friendly staff. Comfortable rooms with all you need for your stay. Have booked my "big" birthday to hold there this year, having already had my last "big" birthday there 10 years previous!
Family Sunday lunch party for twenty-two, including five children, for a 90th birthday, was outstandingly successful and marvelously and efficiently hosted at the Ivy Hill Hotel. Thanks are due to the wonderful manager and staff for diligent attention and service before and throughout the occasion. Menu choice was appealing and wide-ranging; welcome was cordial, warm and particularly attentive to the ninety-year old birthday mum, nan, great-nan; food was served to everyone at same time, on time, was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Private lunch room and adjacent private bar was ideal, warm, table laid up exactly, and opened onto attractive garden. Meal and afternoon was unhurried. Every attention to detail was there. Staff could not have done anything more to help along a thoroughly enjoyable family celebration. Absolutely recommend for any similar family occasion.
One night here on business booked last minute so nearer appointment next day. Booked by phone, easy to do and agreeable rate. As last minute and late arrival didn't use the bar or restaurant, cooked breakfast however was very good. Bed extremely comfortable and room quiet as at back. Checking out was quick and easy. Will certainly use again next time in the area.
Stayed with colleagues on business. Very comfortable hotel with a great choice of breakfast inclusive in the price. In addition, guests can use the spa of there sister hotel (which I've forgotten), but it's approx 10 mins drive away in a country home. Food at the sister hotel was exquisite, far superior than the Ivy and a must for guests to try. Overall however, great stay, comfortable beds, great breakfast, wonderful location right by the motorway (yet very quiet), but recommend facilities and food of the sister hotel.
I stayed at this hotel on business and was happy with the welcome. The executive room was spacious but a little dated in parts. I would expect bottled water as standard in this category of room without having to request it. The wifi connection was not 100% reliable. The service at dinner in the restaurant was outstanding. Lorna takes great pride in her work and aims to please. The good was of very good quality. All was fine until recently breakfast service the next morning. There was nobody to greet me on arrival do after waiting 3 minutes I chose my own table. There followed an exchange of 4 letter expletives between the breakfast staff which was totally unacceptable. Although this took place in the kitchen, it was loud enough for all to hear.
I stayed at the Ivy Hill hotel for a family gathering that was near by so we had no choice but to stay there. We had a family room that cost £180 for the night with breakfast. I called to ask about early check in and was charged another £25 so in total £205, I have stayed in many hotels ranging from budget to 5 star hotels and never paid this amount for an average hotel. What left a sour taste in my mouth was the fact I called a few days before to see if there was a free family room the night before my check in date (not revealing that I was booked in for the night, out of curiosity to see what the cost would be) and there was availability with a much lower cost of £115 per night. The hotel hiked up the prices as they knew they had a family gathering and people would need to stay there. Hotel staff were polite and pleasant and the room was clean. Breakfast very average, nothing special. I would not stay here again based on value for money, too expensive.
We stayed one night in this hotel whilst attending a family funeral in Chelmsford. We booked an Executive Double room which was disappointing being small with a tiny bathroom and not what we expect from a higher priced room. We arrived at 4pm and the room was cold, the heating did not come on till well after 6pm and the bathroom radiator never heated up. The room was clean and the bed comfortable but the bathroom was poor. There was mould around the bath handles and the window frame over the bath was disgraceful having a lot of mould around the frame. The only place to put our bathroom items was on a ledge over the toilet which is far from ideal. We took dinner in the restaurant. The food was average and overpriced for its quality. It is about time that restaurants learned that serving food on pretentious slates which are cold means that the food quickly loses its heat. This was a poor experience overall and we would not use this hotel again.
My terminally ill wife and I enjoyed afternoon tea in the Ivy Hill Hotel so much she wanted her wake to be there. As, sadly, she passed away just before Christmas we approached the hotel to see if could be arranged according to her wishes. Despite the Christmas closures nothing was too much trouble.We had a large private room set out with a continually refreshed central buffet as guests worked through the courses, but also plenty of tables for those who wanted to sit. The hotel manager and Bartellas restaurant manager whilst being unobtrusive, made certain things went according to plan. We were never rushed and the whole occasion "did my wife proud". Superb.
Stayed here as part of the Bartellas New Year Gala Dinner package. Check-in was smooth, friendly and efficient. Our room was on the first floor and the view of the services ducting and pipework is such a common sight with my many hotel stays that I'm so used to it!!! The room itself appeared to be recently refurbished with good quality furniture and fittings and it was spacious. We had a decent and comfortable few hours sleep after the New Year revelry in Bartellas restaurant (see separate review), then woke up for breakfast. Breakfast is a self-service buffet arrangement and the various hot dishes were good quality possibly sourced from the same places as Bartellas restaurant unlike some processed foods I encounter on my UK hotel business stays, in fact if breakfast was served in Bartellas restaurant, it would be just as good as their other meals! Overall, we live only 50 miles from this hotel so wouldn't stay here on a regular basis, but it was a lovely way of finishing off our best ever New Year in England.
the evening was a Club Christmas dinner for 32 of us. We had a private room which was a bonus since we had complete privacy. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ambience, food, service and the table settings. With the room included the cost per head was very reasonable and the location was easily accessible for the club. For those who stayed the night, room was clean and bright and breakfast was fine.
We visited the hotel to attend a charity function also at the hotel, managing to book a room for the night. The hotel is set in lovely grounds and the staff were attentive without being overbearing. The room was very nice, although the absence of an extractior fan did make the room steamy once the shower was used.
Made very welcome. Room (executive) small but clean and comfortable. Ate in restaurant that evening. Not busy but service slowish (I suspect kitchen also busy with function in suite next door). Food good but mix up over "pie of the day" not chicken and leek as promised but steak in red wine gravy! Friendliness just brings thgia out of average category.
Had a good evening with friends(12) table was excellent near dance floor, I little loud, but didn't notice as night went on?? Robbie Williams singer was excellent had all the right faces, dance moves and voice good too, and was enjoyable and I'm not a Robbie fan. The food as not as good as expected starters for myself and husband was poor, a wedge of goats cheese on a few salad leaves and same for prawn cocktail, prawns on some leaves, Main we both had turkey what was ok, average for this time of year, pudding was a trio, I'm sorry so say I like only the shortbread biscuit, my husband said it was again ok? Drinks 1 round inc 2 bottles of wine, 6pints of larger 3 vodkas £82:00 I have been to Bartellas lots of times, can't compare, completely different. Would go again to party nights but not for the food
Went last Friday for a charity event, this is a lovely venue with nice food for 'mass catering' although the only quibble I would have was the price of drinks which were notably spiteful...... I would recommend it but be aware you will not be having a cheap night despite the reasonable room prices!
I have just spent three night at the hotel as I have been working in the area. The hotel is well appointed and the staff are extremely helpful. The restaurant is excellent with good choices on the menu, including vegetarian options and the desserts are "to die for" will need to go on a diet when I get home !! It is very relaxing, which is important when you are travelling for business purposes. I cannot believe it does not have a four star rating as it certainly deserves one !
First time I have stayed in a 3* Hotel for years. Was attending a function here so decided to stay over. No criticisms at all except we could have done with a bigger room (booked an Executive double the middle price category), when checking out the following day I mentioned this to the receptionist who said that their 'Deluxe doubles' were bigger so would book one of these next time. Bed and breakfast inc vat and service, £130 per night, excellent value! The hotel has a charm of it's own, is very clean, comfortable, warm (went down to below freezing whist we were there) and the staff most welcoming and friendly. Parts of the property have been modernised but this didn't appear to affect the overall ambience. Never fancied staying at a 'Best Western' property before, but if they are all like this one, then I wouldn't hesitate again! And the wifi is free and instant, not even a password required! 5* Hotels could learn from this!!
terrible night noise of a motor that sounded like a extractor fan next door 23.00 and night porter refused to knock on the room next door or move me. comment from porter always get complaints from room 4. day service great but avoid a night overstay.
I arranged a Lunch Party, held at The Ivy Hill Hotel to celebrate my aunt's 90th birthday last Saturday. The hotel's staff were very helpful with the planning and although we changed our minds several times as to what we were eating and how many people were coming, nothing was a problem or too much trouble for them to arrange. In the end 30 of us sat down to a very good cold buffet - rare sirloin of beef, English ham, salmon and all the trimmings. We provided our own specially made birthday cake - again no problem - and the wine flowed. Family and friends came from far and wide, everything went precisely according to plan. Aileen and her team provided a first class, unobtrusive service throughout. The only eventuality that wasn't planned was the accident at the top of the slip road off the A12, which for a time blocked the access drive into the hotel ! Other than that, The Ivy Hill Hotel did ?Exactly what it said on the Tin? Thank you all. You had 30 very satisfied customers.
Really good hotel for commuters (and I assume leisure visitors too). The staff are friendly and accommodating, the facilities are clean and of a good quality. The food is very nice and the restaurant is flexible to accommodate dietary requirements, and the need for a bit of variety in the menu.
70 guests attended a Sunday luncheon party in the Margaretting Suite. Drinks in the Orangery were followed by 3 course excellent meal with musical accompaniment by a great violinist, Caroline Pattrick who we booked via the hotel. Later a close table magician 'Papalarny' entertained the guests followed by dancing. Hotel manager Libby was supported by her wonderful staff including head waitress Marion who made the day go so smoothly. There were many thoughtful touches and suggestions that really put the seal on a totally wonderful day. This newly refurbished property must now rank as one of the finest dining locations and party venues in Chelmsford.
Great place to stay. It's obviously been updated and renovated and they've done a nice job. Nothing negative to say (other than they could have been a bit more generous with the in-room tea and milk) decent, solid hotel, not top notch but clean, comfortable, polite and with a good brekkie.
Been here on a few occasions and the place only get's better, this is a family owned Hotel which prides itself on great personal service , this time we went for a Children's birthday organised by the hotel the service from the time we arrived was more then outstanding, the food was superb and the whole experience was just outstanding. We will recommend this place to our family and friends .10 out of 10.
We stayed at this hotel for a family wedding, .although you not offically book in before 1400 hrs we arrived at 1100 hrs with the full intention of just requesting a storage area for our overnight bag as the wedding was at Highlands house at 1230 hrs. The young ladies on the desk were extremely courteous and informed us that our room was reading and we could book in then at no extra cost which was excellent. The room was outstanding as was the breakfast the next morning, although he A12 is very close there was no noise to disturb our sleep, we were in room 24 (recommend). The staff were extremely atentive and nothing was to much trouble. An excellent stay and reccomended.
Me and a group of friends recently visited for afternoon tea and had a lovely time. We had the restaurant to ourselves which was great, and enjoyed a lovely selection of sandwiches, drinks, cakes and scones. The food was gorgeous and the waiter took the time to explain all the food to us and make sure we were happy. The restaurant space is very modern and cosy, making for a great space to enjoy a couple of hours with friends. Highly recommended!
We stayed at this hotel as part of the family wedding we booked a superior deluxe room which was clean and tidy but it was much bigger than a standard room unfortunately the shower was above the bath and not a walk in apart from that it was okay The breakfast was okay as expected only problem was there was a lot of people 30/40 walking back and forwards through breakfast room from a conference room. Using it as a shortcut I think this was very annoying for me
I stayed at this Hotel as I was on a course there the next day. the staff were very attentive. I had a meal in the Bartellas restaurant which was very good, and again well looked after by the staff, even though I had a strange request with my meal. (I cant eat white bread and had the burger) Free WiFi. My only problem which the hotel had no control over was the inconsiderate gits who at 02:10hrs came back and were talk9ing loudly in the corridor. So Bronte and your mates hang your head in shame, I just hope that me getting up at 06:30hrs created as much noise as you did at ten past two.
Had Afternoon Tea with 11 friends, great time to visit as was lovely and quiet and had the whole place to ourselves (booking was 4pm - 6pm). The waiter was extremely attentive and explained the flavours of the cakes. Very tasty open sandwiches. Enjoyed the salmon and the Parma ham.
The Executive deluxe double rooms was really lovely and the beds was so comfortable. We all enjoyed our evening meal immensely and the restaurant service was excellent. But was disappointed with the service at breakfast. Had to keep asking staff for plates and food and drink that had run out on buffet service. Also they did not clear our breakfast bowls from our table. Informed reception that there was no water in our rooms(at £120 a night) to be told that they do not do this. But they would put a jug of ice water in our rooms if we so wished, which we did.
·Desde la M25: tome la salida de la M25 en el cruce 28 (A12 dirección norte), siga en la A12 y tome la salida J14 (Margaretting). En la parte superior de la rampa de salida, gire a la izquierda y verá el Best Western® Ivy Hill Hotel a mano izquierda.
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text:
Dukes' Steele not satisfied despite sterling season
By Tommy Keeler Jr.
HARRISONBURG — Gage Steele had a sterling season for James Madison University's football team last year. However, don't expect the Warren County graduate and current JMU redshirt sophomore to get caught basking in the glory of his success.
Steele believes as good as last season was, he has a lot to improve on over the next three years.
"Last year is just one thing that will stick in my head for the rest of my life," Steele said. "It was a great experience, but I'm focused on this year now. I'm only going to try to get better.
"I'm going to constantly work on my craft, my toolbox, and each year I'm going to come out better and better."
As a redshirt freshman Steele had 106 tackles, including 43 unassisted. He had three sacks and forced three fumbles. Steele was also a third-team All-CAA selection.
He said that he even surprised himself with the success that he had for the Dukes.
"Last season I was definitely a little nervous, but that's how it's going to be playing college ball," Steele said. "But it's also a dream that I've always wanted to accomplish. Last year I just wanted to be productive for the team, knowing that I was young. I didn't have as much experience, but I was just constantly trying to get better to help out the team."
Steele also had help at his linebacker position with Stephon Robertson, who was the two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year.
Steele said Robertson, who graduated from JMU in May, was a great mentor to have.
"He was my teacher all last year," Steel said. "I did nothing but sit down and watch film with him, ask him questions constantly just trying to add to what I knew about football. Coming from high school, it's a totally different animal coming up here. Stephon was just a great teacher, unfortunately it was only for one year but it will be OK. I still talk to him to this day. He's a real good guy."
Steele suffered a hip injury in preseason this year, but is expected to be ready for JMU's season opener against Maryland.
A lot changed in the offseason for the Dukes. After a 6-5 season, head coach Mickey Matthews was replaced by Everett Withers, who brought a whole new staff in with him.
JMU also switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, although they will still use the 4-3 some.
Steele said he's enjoying the new defense.
"There are tons of different formations that we can run out of in this 3-4 package, and it just seems like anything the offense throws at us we got something to counteract it," Steele said. "It's really exciting to learn a new defense where you have so many things to counteract offenses with."
With the 3-4 depth will be even more important at the linebacker spot, and Steele said he believes the team has plenty of depth in the middle of the defense.
Robertson was a big leader for the Dukes, and Steele said he knows that he has to step up and be more of a leader and he believes he's ready to do that.
"I've got to be more of a leader this year. I've got to take control," Steele said. "I love working with all [the linebackers]. They're real competitive. It's real nice to work with guys who want the same thing as you. It makes your job a lot easier."
Withers said being a vocal leader is an area where they are really looking for Steele to improve before the season starts.
"We want him to grow as a leader," Withers said. "He's not a real talkative guy, so we have to make him do some things. We'll try to make him uncomfortable and make him have to communicate with his teammates. If he'll do that and grow in that way in training camp, that will be a plus for us."
JMU defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said he's happy that Steele is at JMU.
"They don't make them like Gage very often," Staley said. "He's been a real pleasure to coach. He's a throwback. He's a pro. He's really mature. He takes a lot of pride in his performance. He's an exceptional student.
"We're real excited about him. He can be a lot better player and he knows that. And it's going to be exciting to work with him and see him grow."
Steele said the first time he ran onto the field a few years ago he couldn't stop smiling. He said even last year that same incredible feeling came over him every time he stepped onto the field.
"It didn't get old," Steel said of running onto the field. "It was just amazing running out in front of the crowd. It makes me more hungry to do better. It's a motivator. You want to do well for all these guys, my family and fans. It's an amazing experience, and I'm very humbled. I don't talk much about it, but I'm very thankful for this opportunity."
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Tommy Keeler at 540-465-5137 ext. 168, or email@example.com Follow on Twitter @tkeelernvd