Hello! and Places to Stay

Hi everyone, and welcome to the cyber-home of our wedding preparations. Sorry to you keen beans who got here before I did and found it empty – I could use last week’s business trip as an excuse but that one’s wearing thin now. (Although if anyone’s interested, evening flights into Stansted are not recommended unless you have a pre-determined plan for getting home. And we will NOT be flying Ryanair for our honeymoon).

Anyway, first post, general info – what would you like to know? Date time and venue are pretty clear by now, I hope, but I’ll be putting up some general directions for both in due course. Perhaps more urgently for those travelling any distance, a few places you can stay. The following come recommended either from people up here or research I’ve already done:

The Kenilworth – if you’re feeling a little indulgent or historical, this is probably the oldest spot in town apart from the castle and Abbey ruins, and they’ve done it up beautifully inside. Apparently you can get free tea and coffee delivered to your room, and it also has a cocktail lounge. It’s very small though, so best to book quickly if you fancy it. 15-20 minute walk or a 4min drive to the church. Website: http://www.thekenilworth.co.uk/

The Holiday Inn – a bit more modern, obviously, and with 4 stars (no idea if it has something to do with what they call an ‘a la carte pillow menu’). You definitely won’t get lost trying to find it as it’s the tallest building on the main street, situated right at the top of town just across Abbey Fields from the church. It also has an on-site Starbucks – just don’t get coffee on your glad-rags. Website: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/kenilworth

Castle Laurels Guest House – another little historical spot, this time Victorian, very close to Kenilworth Castle if you fancy a visit on the Sunday. They do a fantastic cooked English breakfast with local produce, and if you’re feeling very naughty you can have porridge with Drambuie in it… Website: http://www.castlelaurels.co.uk/index.htm

Ramada Hotel Warwick – despite the name this hotel is actually on the main road coming into Kenilworth (a bit like Warwick University is actually in Coventry, and Ryanair’s “Milan Bergamo” airport is half an hour away from Milan). High-speed Wi-Fi for those of you interested; all the rooms are en suite; 24-hr room service; very reasonably priced. (I really do feel too much like a marketer today!) Website: http://www.ramadawarwick.co.uk

Hollyhurst Guest House – this is a cute little B&B which also has a family room, and is only a ten-minute walk from the church. All the bedrooms and facilities are on the first floor, so if you have mobility problems you may be better off somewhere else. Website: http://www.hollyhurstguesthouse.co.uk/index.html

Abbey Guest House – also only a ten-minute walk from the church, this place has off-street parking which most of the B&Bs don’t (if that’s the sort of thing that makes you happy!). They’re also quite flexible about arrival and departure times, which is handy if you need a post-wedding lie-in… Website: http://www.abbeyguesthouse.com/index.html

Well I hope that’s enough to help you all out! If you’ll excuse me, I need to go and sort out the menu…