voco Winchester Hotel Review

Our girls’ weekend getaway over the Easter break at voco Winchester was a delightful blend of relaxation, history, and modern style.

As the former Holiday Inn Winchester, now rebranded to voco Winchester Hotel & Spa, we couldn’t wait to see what this £2 million refurbishment had in store! Over the last 6-12 months, we’ve seen a huge increase in voco hotels appearing in desirable locations and it was no surprise to learn they were voted the number one premium brand last year and is IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand.

Nestled conveniently next to the Science Centre at Telegraph Way and approximately 2 miles away from the city, it served as the perfect base for exploring the historic charm of Winchester. We found ourselves just a short hop away on the bus from the magnificent Winchester Cathedral, the ancient Great Hall, quaint streets and sophisticated boutiques where we soaked up the city’s delights and rich past.

Upon entering this modern hotel, the lobby area deserves a special mention. It struck the perfect balance between informal and stylish, creating a welcoming and buzzy atmosphere. We could see many guests relaxing there with a drink, socialising and enjoying family time. Off the main lobby area there are also some thoughtful spaces for meetings and co-working.

Overall, this hotel has 131 stylish bedrooms consisting of double, twin, accessible, premium and grand rooms, plus a suite.

Our standard yet spacious twin room was a lovely size, flooded with natural light and boasting a contemporary, cosy, urban feel. The decor was spot-on – stylish and modern without feeling cold. It provided ample room for us to spread out and relax, get ready for dinner, and have a late-night chat, essential for a girls’ weekend, of course. We feel the standard rooms are a great choice if staying overnight with friends or family.

Inside standard rooms, you will enjoy a Smart TV, complimentary high speed WIFI, air conditioning for optimal climate control, USB charging points, in room safe, mini fridge, filtered water and tea and coffee making facilities with lovely homemade biscuits. There is also an ensuite bathroom of a good size. We had a shower over bath and there’s no need to bring toiletries if you like travelling light, as you’ll find Antipodes toiletries for nourishing and cleansing your skin.

If you wish to upgrade your room the brand-new premium and grand rooms now offer complimentary mini bars, Nespresso machines and new bedding with filling made with 100% recyclable materials.

The spa facilities at ANA Spa were a highlight and a fantastic addition to our stay. We paid £20 each for a 2-hour spa session and indulged in some much-needed pampering. Inside the spa there was a hydrotherapy spa, Himalayan salt sauna, sensory Shower, crystal steam room and bubbly foot spa. While the more energetic guests can work out in the gym. After making the most of the spa facilities and relaxing in our complimentary robes we felt completely rested and rejuvenated.

In the evening, we enjoyed a 2-course dinner at Kitchen 21, which proved excellent value. This included two courses and a £25 dinner credit towards your main courses. In fact, we couldn’t manage a dessert due to the substantial size of our mouthwatering rib eye steaks! They were cooked to perfection and all in all we were more than satisfied.

At Kitchen 21 you can expect a delicious modern menu of traditional British cuisine, and we saw some diners tucking into the signature showstopper 21″ pizza, topped with 15 incredible ingredients, which looked like an unforgettable feast.

The following morning after a restful night’s sleep, the breakfast buffet was plentiful and varied. Fresh fruit, smoothies and thirst-quenching juices, breads and pastries, hot drinks on tap and a fabulous cooked selection set us up perfectly for our journey back to Devon.

Top 5 things we loved about voco Winchester:

• We appreciated the hotel’s contemporary modern design and urban décor. The natural light and spacious feel were noticeable.
• The lobby’s atmosphere provided an excellent first impression. Informal yet stylish, we loved that this area was a great place to relax, enjoy a drink and socialise.
• We enjoyed the bonus of having a spa within the hotel, it topped off a wonderful stay and helped us to relax further.
• The location was perfect for exploring Winchester’s beautiful city, we liked staying outside of the city away from the hustle and bustle.
• The dinner, bed, and breakfast deal felt like great value and an easy package to book.

voco Winchester provided the ideal getaway for our girls’ weekend. We left feeling refreshed, recharged, and with a renewed appreciation for Winchester’s blend of history and modernity. Highly recommended, and we hope to be back soon!