Despite paying homage to the Bard, like almost every hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, and maintaining the elegance of the IHG brand, The Crowne Plaza Hotel has managed to establish an identity of its own – one with a chic yet homely aesthetic. Those touching down here for business or pleasure will feel compelled to sit back and relax. The attentive staff take your worries and carry them on their shoulders for the duration of your stay, allowing time for you to divert yourself with their leisure facilities, wonderfully-refurbished outdoor space – which includes private dining in a bohemian-style Tipi hut – or feasting at the Riverside Restaurant and Bar.

Over the years, the hotel has become renowned for its meeting and conference facilities, accommodating up to 550 individuals. Having had the time to refurbish the outdoor space during the pandemic, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is quickly making a name for itself as the go-to establishment for a staycation in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Set within its own landscaped gardens and overlooking the River Avon, the Crowne Plaza is ideally situated for a traveller’s convenience. This theme is continued upon arrival at their spacious and orderly lobby, where the lofty jasmine-white walls coalesce with the open-floor design. As such, the reception desks seamlessly flow to a large, leather, calico-coloured seating area, divided from the rest of the lounge by a roaring fireplace and decorative hanging bells. To avoid their guests lifting a finger, there’s even a concierge and ‘with compliments’ desks, the latter offering free cucumber and lemon water, fruit, and maps for runners.

Rooms at the Crowne Plaza

There are 259 bedrooms, all with the same style of grey furnishings, floor-to-ceiling curtains and windows, and modern artwork. It’s a functional, minimalist design, intended to give guests space to make the room their own. But the champagne on ice and a welcome box full of gin, tonic water, chocolate, nuts, olives, and a quirky quill is a much-appreciated gesture.

Amongst these, there are eight family rooms with interconnecting doors, so parents can easily check up on their children while getting quality alone time. However, it is the 22 executive rooms and two suites that give an exclusive penthouse touch to one’s stay. The suites have everything the classic rooms have – an extra-large bed, a workspace, and great views – but with an added dining area and lounge. The executive rooms boast a king-sized bed, a walk-in shower, complimentary bathrobes, and comes with exclusive access to the hotel’s private club lounge. The lounge serves unlimited tea and coffee during the day, and canapes, wines, and beers in the evenings.

Dining at the Crowne Plaza

The Riverside Restaurant is decorated in dark shades of grey and blue, and the seating arrangement – tall booths and elongated, earthy tables – emits an intimate vibe. The menu is extensive, and among the finest of main dishes is the roast red pepper penne, accompanied by chilli, shallots, wilted spinach, and cherry tomatoes. Breakfast is also served here, offering full English breakfasts, omelettes, waffles, pancakes, and a Continental buffet full of yoghurts, fruit pots, cereals, muffins, and pastries.

The Terrace Bar and Atrium, which exudes a contemporary Japanese aesthetic, is by far the superior dining option. Here, order one of the bar’s unique small plates. One option is ‘Land’, which includes mini steak pies, chicken satays, and a Continental meat platter with gherkins and capers. The second, ‘Garden’, has pesto-marinated bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, halloumi fries, and guacamole crostini with pea shoots. Lastly, the ‘Sea’ option features smoked salmon, salt-and-pepper squid with wasabi sour cream, and peppered mackerel with lemon mayonnaise.

Outdoor Space and Boating

During the day, the terrace is the peel-me-a-grape location. But by night, it transforms into the hotel’s own party scene. Their theatre-mask-shaped seats, low, white wicker chairs, and beanbags are excellent for social gatherings. Private garden parties can take place in the Tipi hut, where branches and pearl-like bulbs coil around its wooden beams, and pink-purple cushions border its lantern-lit table. The hotel also has ‘terrace takeovers’, meaning diners might just hear a DJ dropping beats or local businesses teaching guests how to make cocktails.

Below the outdoor seating is the hotel’s Bancroft cruise dock. Should travellers wish, they can hire the boat for reception drinks, private dinners, to scatter ashes, or just enjoy being on the water for 40 minutes. To the left of the dock, the terrace has an expansive green where multi-coloured deck chairs overlook the water; and an additional bar, in a countryfied horsebox, adds a quintessentially English ambience to the terrace.

Leisure Facilities and Event Rooms

A major focus of the Crowne Plaza Hotel is their guests’ health and fitness. The Leisure Club’s indoor heated pool is excellent for children, while adults can find tranquillity in the jacuzzi. The onsite gym also has everything one could need, from weights to treadmills. There are 14 meeting rooms of various sizes, and the Warwick conference café has unlimited teas and coffees. Here, the chef also provides fresh pastries, cakes, and fruits during breaks. For a more gleeful experience, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom has a private bar and tailormade menus – ideal for any wedding or special event.

There are few places in Stratford-upon-Avon that offer luxury bedrooms, sumptuous cuisine, outdoor space for relaxing or partying, recreational activities, and lavish event and/or meeting rooms all in one building. The Crowne Plaza puts the hotel on par with any European all-inclusive resort. Here, families or couples can have a staycation where unwinding is an artless pursuit.