The Radisson Edwardian, Guildford
Radisson Edwardian | 3 Alexandra Terrace, High Street, Guildford GU1 3DA | +44 (0) 1483 792 300
If Lewis Carol was ever peering through the looking glass for a place to stay in Guildford he wouldn’t need to look much further than the recently opened 4 star Radisson Edwardian.
In the heart of Guildford the Radisson Edwardian Hotel is conveniently situated just off the high street. It welcomes guests into a labyrinth of finely balanced luxury and eccentric style. The author of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, lived and is buried in Guildford. Much of the inspiration for the design of the public areas is elaborately taken from the author’s works.
Rabih Hage the designer ensures this four star deluxe hotel is filled with fun and fantasy – even allowing visitors the opportunity to read a book from the seven metre high bookcase, accessed by a “ladder to nowhere”. The entrance includes a sparkling ornate and impressive three-metre chandelier and every detail appears to have been considered- right down to the light fittings, which feature little birds.
Hotel visitors are greeted by an ultra-modern glass structure featuring a double height atrium, which aims to give the impression of being in a theatre. Apparently the structure was previously home to an old run down hotel called The White Horse, but so much personality has been injected into this Radisson that you’d think it was born there.
Boasting 183 bedrooms this quirky Radisson is marketed to business travellers, the weekend shopper but is most popular with those looking for a bit of weekend pampering to de-stress. The bedrooms are large but a little boring, unoriginal and a little too dark. However the beds are gigantic and very comfortable and my boyfriend and I spent most of the night with more than 5ft between us.
Continuing with the quirky theme you’ll need to climb up to a free-standing booth in the middle of the foyer to access the business centre facilities. Although you’re promised a surreal working environment I can’t guarantee how much peace you’ll get.
Thankfully we were there to relax and so left our laptops at home. Instead we spent our time in the in-house spa which promises the perfect space to relax, unwind and enjoy a vast array of treatments including massages and facials from a very professional and friendly team.
The fluffy robes and slippers - along with some time in the relaxation room more than prepared us for our treatment. The couple’s massage was given by expert hands and in beautiful surroundings. It provided us with an ideal opportunity to enjoy an hour’s relaxation together – even offering us the choice of our own oils to make our treatment bespoke (of course we choose different ones!).
There is plenty of room and plenty of choice of relaxation treats – including the stone sauna, mud room, crystal steam room, pool and gym –and for those looking for a more active type of stress buster one to one sessions with the personal trainer can be arranged (I “accidently” left my trainers at home).
For dining there is a choice of two contemporary restaurants. MKB serves laid-back food all day long and focuses on an unpretentious Mediterranean-menu. In the evening the cosmopolitan bar features a disco and cocktails to match the popular tunes.
The other restaurant on offer is Relish. A stand out dining experience in Guildford it offers both hotel guests as well as off the street diners a refined yet contemporary brasserie- style experience. Be sure to book your seats early as it gets busy and some dishes run out – which is a shame as the popular dishes were also my favourite. The atmosphere in the restaurant is buzzy and service is efficient. Usually it’s polite to let the lady have the view – but on this occasion I didn’t mind missing it - the view is rather disappointing – it’s of the multi-story car park.
There are elaborate curtains to continue the theatre theme but don’t go expecting rolling hills behind them. However it shouldn’t distract from the food and the atmosphere.
The bar area also provides a warm and comfortable atmosphere and makes for a good area to savor one of the quality cocktails on offer after dinner. The focus is on quality, not quantity and its evident the bar staff appreciate the subtleties of each creation.
The staff throughout the hotel are well trained, enthusiastic and effortlessly friendly and professional. They are a real bonus to this new hotel.
If you’re looking for a stylish, upscale, yet relaxing adventure, at an affordable price, you don’t have to be as mad as a Hatter to enjoy your stay at the Radisson Edwardian in Guildford.
Melissa Davis
