BEALES
HOTEL HATFIELD
The four star Beales Hotel Hatfield opened in 2004
following an extensive rebuild. The Beale family had previously had a
hotel on this site since 1964, but decided in 2003 to demolish the
old hotel and set about creating a modern, contemporary building
which would blend in perfectly with, and better reflect, the changing
local surroundings. Having been in the hotel business since 1769, I
feel confident to say, there were none better suited to this task
than the Beale family.
Boasting a total of 53 individually designed bedrooms,
all tastefully decorated in a contemporary style with a fair amount
of flair and inspiration, this hotel will not fail to please the eye
and warm the heart. Facilities within the bedrooms include air
conditioning, wall mounted flat screen TV, free Wi Fi with 2mb
broadband, tea/coffee making facilities and complimentary water. To
add to guests comfort, the exceptionally comfortable beds feature
Egyptian cotton duvets, there is also a trouser press and ironing
board. The bathrooms feature underfloor heating, power showers and
complimentary toiletries.
One feature that I particularly liked was the original
artwork that features in all the bedrooms, and throughout the hotel.
This exploration of the art world is a collaboration between the
hotel and the Department of Fine Art at the University of
Hertfordshire, and features work created by many of the university's
art students. This unique and fascinating, artistic venture even
extends to the naming of the rooms after the artwork that is featured
within. My room, number 19, featured a work by Jane Hogson, titled
'Polarity 1'.
Located on the one way system in Comet Way Hatfield,
opposite the galleria shopping outlet, Beales Hotel is perfectly
positioned for guests wishing to explore Hatfield and the surrounding
area. Hatfield train station is less than two miles away, enabling
quick and easy access to London, a mere thirty minute train ride. The
beautiful Hatfield House and Gardens is just a short distance away,
and both St Albans and Knebworth are also relatively close by. With
easy access from the A1 (M), guests arriving by car will find this
hotel very conveniently situated. The hotel also benefits from a
large, free car park.
The gastronomic needs of guests is extremely well
catered for within the superb Outsidein. This tastefully decorated
and very comfortable restaurant has been granted an AA Rosette for
cuisine an impressive eight years in a row. The restaurant serves
breakfast from 7.00am to 10.00am Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to
10.30am at weekends. Dinner is served daily from 6.30pm to 10.00pm.
Guests are spoilt by a mouth-watering choice from either the A la
Carte menu, or Table d' hote menu which is priced at £19.95 for two
courses or £24.95 for three courses. The food is absolutely
fabulous. I chose three courses from the Table d' hote menu, starting
with Smoked salmon & sundried tomato mousse, followed by Game pie
topped with puff pastry, and finished with Roasted plum &
frangipane tart, all washed down with an excellent glass of Shiraz.
The meal was faultless and all the staff were extremely polite and
attentive. The restaurant positively oozed warmth and conviviality,
which was enhanced by the delightfully soothing piped piano music,
which was playing unobtrusively in the background.
For lighter snacks there is the 'Talk Bar', a very cosy
bar area furnished with some very stylish and interesting coconut
chairs. The bar serves light meals from 10.00am to 11.00pm and is the
perfect place to unwind with a drink and a bite to eat. There is
ample seating within the bar area as well as additional seating
outside for those wishing to dine al fresco.
There are a number of private function rooms available
for hire for business use as well as weddings and private parties.
The hotel also holds special events and offers special weekend
packages which include dinner, bed and breakfast.
Guests looking for a little relaxation, sport, or wishing to keep fit during their stay at Beales hotel will not be disappointed. There are Golf Courses nearby and guests staying at the hotel also have use of the gym and swimming pool facilities at the Hertfordshire Sports Village free of charge. This modern sports facility is a mere one mile from the hotel, making it an easy twenty minute walk.
My visit to this impressive hotel was unfortunately a
flying visit, just one night. I arrived early evening with the
minimum of baggage. Check-in was carried out in a very polite,
friendly and efficient manner, a quality that I noticed in all the
staff throughout my short stay. I had just enough time to familiarise
myself with the layout of the hotel, settle into my room with a
complimentary cup of coffee, before going to dinner. I had previously
reserved a table for dinner on the hotel's website, which was very
easy and convenient to do. After dinner I had an extremely
comfortable nights sleep, rising refreshed the next morning in plenty
of time for breakfast. Breakfast is mostly self service buffet style,
but there are additional items that can be ordered from the menu, I
opted for a delicious, freshly made omelette with fillings of my
choice.
I left Beales Hotel Hatfield wishing that I had longer
to fully appreciate all the hotel has to offer, but I am sure I will
return. For now, I am just thankful I chose this lovely hotel for my
stay on this occasion. I drove away from the hotel feeling refreshed,
relaxed and ready for the drive ahead. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief
stay at this warm and welcoming hotel and I am certain that any guest
choosing to stay here will not be disappointed.
Hotel address for Sat Nav: Beales Hotel,
Comet Way, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 9NG
Telephone number for reservations: 01707288500
Email address: hatfield@bealeshotels.co.uk
Web address for further information:
www.bealeshotels.co.uk
