I have just returned from a short trip to England, where I was lucky enough to stay at the Albright Hussey Manor. It's a great little hotel, just a few miles from the centre of Shrewsbury. My room was not huge but very comfortable, immaculately clean, well equipped, and had little luxurious touches, such as upmarket toiletries, a big teardrop bath, free wireless internet, a refreshment tray, and so on. The breakfasts are enormous and yummy. My vegetarianism was cheerfully accommodated, despite the meat-centric menus, and it is easy to believe that the restaurant wins awards. The staff (right down to the gardener!) are all helpful and friendly. I stayed in the modern wing, which leads off the ancient part of the building. As a history buff, it was a pleasure to have my meals or relax over coffee in the half timbered rooms, and then go for a wander around the grounds, which retain the original moat and a gaggle (if that's the right word) of black swans. The hotel is based in a historic manor building in a very peaceful setting, Looking out my bedroom window across the fields, I could see a church spire. It turned out to be the spire of a memorial church built back in the 1400s after a big battle on the manor lands. So I guess it wasn't always so peaceful in the neighbourhood. :) The staff were gearing up for a wedding when I was there, and it really is an idyllic place to get hitched. I would love to stay there again and, funds allowing, I would upgrade to one of the four poster rooms in the old part of the buildings. I have stayed in lots of bigger and flashier places, but none have been so relaxing or so enjoyable. I guess it has downsides; it's five miles outside the town centre, so you need a car or a taxi; it does have only a couple of dozen rooms; and there's nowhere to swim unless you decide to join the swans. But the only complaint I have is that I couldn't stay longer. A delight.

We heard of the "hussey" from friends who had been to a wedding there (lovely lawns and marquee for wedding receptions) so stayed overnight on the way to Wales. The hotel is set well back from the main road and the grounds are very well kept. We didn't do the poshest room but the feeling of the hotel and room was very comfortable and i was fascinated by the history of the buildings (dating back to the civil war). The most positive thing was the staff, all very friendly and welcoming, we would certainly return in the future.

Well what can I say, but fantasic! I have stayed in the Albright Hussey Manor now for the last 6 weeks due to relocation of job. The grounds and hotel are a rare treat and they have to be experienced. I have found the staff to be very friendly and professional. The food for me as been an experience that I have found to be most enjoyable and I can say I have completed all the menu's. The rooms are always kept clean and fresh and are very comfortable. The General Manager and the family who own this hotel have made me feel that I am part of there family and team, which as made my time away from my family alot easier.

All I can say is a big thank you to the team at the Albright Hussey Manor.

I stayed here on business and will definitely be coming back with my wife. First and foremost excellent customer service from friendly, welcoming staff. (I know what I'm talking about ,as I train people in customer service). Combine this with a clean, comfortable room and a truly charming setting and you have a refreshing change from the norm. The hotel is family owned and you can tell this from the general atmosphere, no "hotel chain" rules and proceedures. One simple example of this is the sherry decanter on the reception desk, should you fancy a(complementry) tipple as you check in after your journey.
The resturant was excellent, intimate and decorated in the period. I recommend the glazed pork.

Well worth a visit.

This hotel is set in a beautiful location and looks stunning. I have stayed in both its new wing and its older traditional rooms and found them to be very comfortable. The older rooms have all the character you would expect from a tudor building. The hotel is family owned and run, and this shows in the level of service which is second to none. From the general manager to the waiting staff the people here are some of the most friendly and helpful I have experienced. As a vegetarian I was extremely well catered for, the chef created a new menu for me each night! The wine list is excellent. Access to a very nice fitness club is provided free. As a business user I was also pleased to find that wireless access was provided free.

Having spent two nights at the hotel we have come to the conclusion that it is a superb place to dine, but not to stay.

Our room in the annexe was not particularly clean, the carpet grubby which was unexpected. The bed was hard and the pillows flat foam. We enquired if there were any other pillows only to be told that there were no other options owing to allergies. A newer pillow would have made all the difference!

Dinner was delicious, the staff friendly and helpful. However breakfast was a let down. Definitely not fresh orange juice, chewey sliced bread toast and a lacklustre english breakfast.

The manager was friendly and funny and our stay would have been very different if more attention was paid to guest's rooms.

We stayed here 2 nights and found the building and gardens as beautiful as the photographs although our room was in the modern extension. We found the reproduction furniture and decor a harsh contrast to the genuine Grade II listed 16th Century building. Staff were friendly and pleasant but we were made to feel unwelcome when we sat at one table for breakfast only to be told it was reserved when there was no reservation notice on it. If you like a full English breakfast ( i.e. fry up) then you would be happy, but we would have liked to have had more fresh fruit and healthy alternatives such as bread and jams from the local area - not packaged jams and cereals. This hotel pretended to be something it wasn't. Classy.

We went to stay at the Hussey as a relaxing get-away before our wedding. We stayed in the Royalist Suite which was extremely large and had a great jacuzzi bath. It was a beautiful room with lovely views and we could not have been more happy with it.

The staff were all very friendly and hospitable, and we were dealt with efficiently.

We had dinner in the restaurant. The food was not up to the standard one would have expected from the rest of the hotel, or the prices. We had a nice drink with some good olives in the rather Fawlty Towers-esque looking bar. Dinner was un-imaginative and over-cooked. It wasn 't awful, it just wasn't what we were expecting!

Stay here but eat somewhere else!

We took our accountant and his wife there a while back to say thanks for all the work they've done for our business. What an evening it was! And you know how hard it is to please your accountant! The food and service were impeccable. Fine dining, a pleasant non-stuffy atmosphere, welcoming.... A perfect night out. You can tell The Hussey is a family-run place that cares about its customers.

What can one reasonably expect when the recommendation for a hotel comes from a street person fresh from the pub at 9 in the evening? I was dismissive as my travel partner scurried about checking out the three star choices in Shrewsbury listed in England for Dummies- surely that was better than a slurry statement from a stranger. She returned after a demoralizing trek to say there were rooms available but they were expensive and dank. I was willing to head out of town to see just what the Albright Hussey Manor was going to be like- could it be any worse?

We were so tired and ready for the end of day that we both wondered if the small house at the entrance was the Inn in question. Instead of asking I followed the one lane path to the real event- a deceptively small looking (yet largish) hotel discretely hidden from view. We courageously inquired if there were rooms and alas, the answer was "yes". What happened next just doesn't happen anymore, or at least that is what I thought.

From nowhere emerged the likes of the General Manager- a notably articulate, wildly humourous gentlemen by the name of Malcome Brewster. All his fine qualities came rushing to the forefront as he very quickly saw our distress, got us a fine room at a very good price and called the kitchen to confirm that guest had just arrived!

After a brief delay we appeared in the main dining area and we were again greeted by Monsieur Webster and treated royally- which has a real meaning in England! I will only say that in my many years of business and vacation travel there have been very few instances to compare to the sheer pleasure that Malcome and his fine upbeat staff brought to us. Hotel management is no picnique. We stayed in plenty of places that cost more and were very fine, but this was an evening of a lifetime.

You will not be disappointed regardless of whether Malcome is on that evening. He has infected his staff with the bug of real honest to goodness service- a rarity anywhere.

Doug Currie- Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Helped to put together a wonderful day for my daughter and son in law. All guests who sgtayed in the Hotel were more than happy with their rooms and the excellent service. Thanks to Paul especially.

We chose this place as a one-night getaway to celebrate our first wedding anniversary - and weren't disappointed. We stayed in the Roaylist suite, which carried a substantial premium - but for a special occasion was perfect. It's not the sort of room you;d choose for a more "functional" stay. The location is about half a mile outside the edge of Shrewsbury - and, as such you can see the rooves of some industrial units in the distance. However, this doesn't detract from the charm of the place. The property is split into two parts, one very very old, and the other, quite new. We didn't experience anything of the new part, but the original building still retains a historical, quaint and slightly eccentric air to it. We ate in the restaurant, as we wanted escapism from the rest of the world - but you'd need to take a taxi or drive, if you wanted to dine elsewhere. The food was excellent - and the staff (particularly Malcolm) were very knowledgeable about the menu, and particularly passionate about local produce. There is a link to a nearby fitness centre, but we didn't use it. Breakfast selection was slightly limited - but the quality of the food vastly outweighed this. There was a wedding reception taking place on the same night as we stayed - but this had a minimal impact on our stay, and there were plenty of other non-weding guests there too. (Worth considering for a wedding too, if you want that country house hotel feel!)

Stayed in The Hussey suite for my wedding. 4-poster bed, the biggest bath I've ever seen, a wonderful, wonderful start to married life!! The family team sees that The Albright Hussey runs with perfect efficiency, and the location is something to behold. Where else can you see black swans and a moat in Shropshire?!

Fantastic venue for romantic meals. I took my wife to the Albright Hussey for her birthday and the evening was faultless. We got a lovely little nook just for two and the steak was the best I've ever tasted!

Had my wedding reception there. Sumptuous ballroom and the level of food and service for our 100+ guests was unbeatable. Paul Subbiani, manager, even had a special earpiece gadget for him to communicate effortlessly with the kitchen. Cannot recommend highly enough.

This hotel is very comfortable. The old parts of the hotel, the dining room and bar area are full of charm and history. The food was really great.

friendly staff. Lovely outside area near the moat, with ducks and geese.

All in all a lovely experience.

We greatly appreciated the care and attention for our family visit to mark my parents’ 80th birthdays. My parents were delighted, which makes me very pleased indeed. The hotel staff did all in their power to facilitate us and for that we are indebted to them. Indeed, they made us feel like special guests. We would recommend the hotel to our friends and intend to return ourselves on other occasions.

Shropshire is a great place to visit and certainly requires more than one visit, this was our fifth visit. We were recommended to stay at the Albright Hussey a year ago by a local gents shop owner. We tried to book last summer but the hotel had no availability for our desired weekend. So we booked for January 07. On check in we received a very warm welcome over a glass of sherry, and a very pleasant porter then escorted us to our room. The executive room we booked was spacious, very clean and comfortable; the bathroom had a great power shower. Before dinner we went for a stroll down an adjacent footpath, which led us accross, the Battlefield of Shrewsbury to the Battlefield church. Dinner was a first class experience; we met Malcolm and his team. The service was subtle and very efficient, the food delicious. I would certainly recommend the local beef fillet; it just melted in my mouth. For January the hotel was incredibly busy but there was no lacking in attention to detail.
The hotel is conveniently located to the town centre and the local road links. The setting is idyllic and a return in spring (a must) is already booked. Shropshire is a favourite and now we have a favourite hotel to compliment it.

I stayed at this hotel for one night on a business trip. We arrived late in the evening but were greeted hospitably and shown to our rooms individually. The service in the bar and restaurant and excellent, and we had no complaints about the food. We were fortunate enough to be bumped up to a suite each from standard rooms, and I was treated to one of the nicest rooms I've had the pleasure of staying in, complete with four-poster bed and a Jacuzzi in the bathroom. My only complaint was that I was only able to stay one night!

Paid £105/ night B&B and ate at the hotel both nights. We had a lovely time but had a few minor gripes.

We were welcomed at reception with a sherry and our bags were quickly taken to our room. The decor was very nice and the room had all the usual mod cons. The evening meal was lovely and there is an extensive wine list. Breakfast next day was good but you do get forgotten in the corner and have to seek out your extra tea. Dinner the next night had the same menu with no new choices (would have made a big difference)..Very tasty though. Sunday breakfast is help yourself and good, Toast a bit soggy was the only minor.

The main problems were check out on Sunday took ages with a queue of unhappy guests in front of me - their payment machine had broken so perhaps forgivable. Other points to improve are only two bottles of toiletries and a single flannel not enough for two days (but easy to get more), and some maintenance needed in the bathroom.

The hotel has a great setting, part 15th century buildings, the remains of a moat, and black swans. Very peaceful and relaxing. Excellent terrace overlooking the moat.

Our room was quiet, well finished and adequately equipped. A few of the rooms are in the old part, but most are in a modern annex.

The restaurant food was good but not outstanding.

The staff are simply fantastic; they really make all the difference. I can't praise the staff enough.

The only possible negative is that they have a lot of weddings: there was a wedding on two of the three nights we stayed. We weren't disturbed but I understand that others were. The problem doesn't seem to be the music - the function suite is well away from the bedrooms and the music finished by 11.30 anyway - but noise of people in the car park and cars leaving. Still, my advice is don't let this put you off.

Was looking for somewhere to stay in Shrewsbury that had a bit of style and more of a splurge than a B&B. There wasn't a huge amount of choice so we went with Albright Hussey and stayed in their largest suite, which seems to be mainly occupied by bridal couples. It had a huge bedroom dating from 1524 (floors and ceilings were not even close to parallel, which was quaint) and nice views out over a little stream populated by black swans and ducks. And a massive bathroom with a large Spa bath (jets weren't very powerful though, so don't expect too much from that).

We ate at the hotel restaurant in the evening. It has pretensions of grandeur - to be fair the dining rooms are very atmospheric - but the cooking and service don't quite live up to it. That's not to say that the food is poor, our meal was fine, in fact. It just wasn't in the same league as somewhere like Dinham Hall in Ludlow. You get the impression that there isn't much fine dining competition in the area to keep the chefs on their toes. Certainly there were plenty of locals in there enjoying themselves and talking about making bookings for Christmas already. The service was a bit vague and we were served rather slowly in the bar - but not as slowly as an elderly couple who had to wait at least 5 minutes before anyone even bothered to ask them what they would like to drink. Not good enough for a 4 star hotel.

It clearly caters for lots of wedding receptions and there was one on while we were there. But they did a good job in keeping the reception guests away from the hotel guests, which can sometimes be a problem in small hotels.

Overall, the hotel experience was very comfortable and there was nothing that particularly jarred on the senses, apart from a workman starting to saw timber outside our window at 8.45am on Sunday morning. The owners have clearly had to spend a great deal of money in restoring the ancient buildings to make a comfortable hotel but the end result lacks style in the furnishings and is missing some professionalism in the service. For £190 a night I would expect a bit better - but it was still a good stay. We just felt like outsiders rather than treasured guests.

Andrew

Fantasic stay in an idealist setting. Bedrooms are of good size and well equiped. Dinner on the new patio in the sunshine was great - the only bad point being the "over welcoming" restaurant manager who wouldnt leave us alone and kept going on and on while we were trying to have a romantic meal! He was a bit to much in the face for us Apart from that the staff were super! Will be back.

I booked one night's stay over the internet for a business stay (at a cut-price rate), and was not expecting anything exceptional, but was greatly and pleasantly surprised. Even though my room was in the new part, it was comfortable and well-equipped, the shower was excellent, and I loved the views over the fields. On a very humid summer's night it was great to have drinks and dinner on the terrace with its collection of black swans and views over to distant hills. The food was really good, delicious (local apparently) chicken, and a heavenly home-made marjoram-scented mascarpone ice-cream with grilled figs. But the best thing of all was the amazingly friendly staff. As a female on my own, they made me feel so welcome, and were just really lovely, genuine people who went out of their way to make sure my stay was as pleasant and comfortable as possible. The lady serving breakfast in the morning was just fabulous. I left feeling strongly that I wanted to write a good review when I got back to praise this lovely hotel, I only wished I could have stayed for longer. Highly recommended.

This is one of the best examples of the ludicrousness of the Star evaluation systems. According to the AA, for example, this hotel deserves three stars. Yet, for anyone who enters the reception area it becomes plain rather quickly that this establishment is something special. The medieval building exudes atmosphere and ambience, complete with moat and black swans in the garden. However, as so often, it is the small things that make a stay here something out of the ordinary. Staff are an admirable blend of detached efficiency and friendliness with just the right touch of joviality. They, obviously, enjoy working here, which is transmitted to the guest. Those who arrive are greeted not with a formulaic welcome that could have come out of an industrial instruction manual but with genuine pleasure and politeness. Attentativeness can assume proportions one is not used to, even from higher rated hotels, as I noticed when I asked the gentleman who showed me to my room where breakfast was going to be served in the morning. Two minutes later this was followed up by a phone call from reception to make absolutely sure that I would not go astray the next day. The same attention to detail can be found in the bar and restaurant. Food is of a very high standard and it is good to see that workmen on a contract are treated with the same personal touch as the seasoned business traveller or recently married couple. All this comes at a very reasonable price. The single rate for the quirky Corbett Suite in which I stayed was £79.00 and goes up to £120.00 for double occupancy. For that money one gets a twin-bed room with its own stair case and a bathroom that is as large as the bedroom. Considering the style and class of this hotel the money seems well spent to me.