Kettering Park Hotel and Spa

We stayed at this smart-looking chain hotel for a two-night stay whilst in Northamptonshire visiting family. We had previously stayed here on a similar visit several years ago; but on subsequent visits we have stayed elsewhere. Our return to this hotel was much anticipated as we had enjoyed our previous visit here (in September 2017). Again on this trip we did not take advantage of the, we feel, expensive Spa and Treatment facilities. We arrived in the early afternoon after a long and very tiresome journey. Slow motorway travelling is so tedious and frustrating. Our expected 2½ hour journey took well over 4 hours! We hadn’t stopped enroute, so we were hungry, and more than just a bit fractious. We needed a snack meal, a glass of wine, and a sit down to help us to relax into our stay. So, after an efficient check-in and a quick baggage-dump in our room, we headed for the hotel’s very pleasant and up-market bar area. We ordered sandwiches: a ‘Prawn Open Sandwich’ for my Partner and a ‘Thwaites Original beer battered fish finger butty’ for myself. The first bite of my butty confirmed that I had made a bad choice. The fish finger batter was far too thin to provide any, even a slight, but much-needed crispy element to the food. Also the brioche bun made the sandwich extra claggy, so that the ‘sandwich’ had a total lack of a satisfying texture. It served only to sate my appetite; there was just zero enjoyment. It was my mistake, and my Partner’s open sandwich was much the better snack. We had a medium-sized glass of wine each; a very good ‘AIX Rosé’ from Provence, this was much enjoyed by us both; but at £10.30 per 175ml it was perhaps a bit too ‘reassuringly’ expensive. As I had finished driving for the day I also had a glass of ‘Winzer Krems’, a Grüner Veltliner from Austria. This latter white wine ‘read well’ and proved to be very delicate and most pleasant. The presence of a fine-sounding South African Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch indicated that wine at dinner in the evening would be most likely to be rewarding. Drinks over (for now anyway) we took a walk around the outside areas of the hotel, and then strolled beyond and out into the surrounding streets. The lawns, patios and bars in the hotel-grounds are really very pleasant, but there was considerable traffic noise from the busy A14, and the junction (No. 9) with the A509. The hotel sits on the edge of the ‘Kettering South Business Area’, and the final road leading to the hotel is a dead end. As a result the minor roads around the hotel were very quiet. The hotel carpark is certainly large enough, and we parked with ease each time that we returned from our many and various trips to family gatherings and activities. During our stroll we made contact with our family, and agreed that we would have a meet-up during the very early evening, at one of their homes in a nearby town. Having finalised our evening’s itinerary we immediately went to reception and secured a dinner

On arrival check in was efficient. Our suite was really nice with welcome toiletries provided and a bottle of Prosecco and card to celebrate my birthday. However there was a string chemical smell which we found out to be sealant used for window replacement. This caused irritation to our throat and eyes. Reported to receptionist and relocated to another room. New room fine with exception of broken safe which could not be repaired. Used spa and had a facial with Scarlett both excellent. Had cocktail and beers in garden and the bar person great personality and attentive. Evening service meal was a disaster over 1 hour for order to be taken and no drinks offered including water! Staff appeared to be overworked and given no direction. Had to complain to receptionist along with others to receive service. Once food arrived 90 mins after sitting waiting the food was good. Breakfast food and service great checkout given reduction on bill as a result of poor service l. In summary what would have been an excellent stay was spoiled by poor service at dinner and v hard to recommend to others.