We recently spent a night at Villiers Hotel in Buckingham and had such a lovely stay. It made for a really relaxing little break, with a comfortable room, a nice dinner at the on-site restaurant, and a great night’s sleep. Buckingham itself is such a pretty market town too, so it felt like an easy getaway, and not too far from home in Milton Keynes.
Ad disclosure: This experience was gifted, but this post reflects my honest opinions, as always.
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Staying at Villiers Hotel, Buckingham
Villiers Hotel feels full of history the moment you arrive. It’s a former coaching inn that dates back hundreds of years, with a courtyard setting and lots of original character still intact. Despite that, it doesn’t feel old-fashioned in a bad way. It’s been updated enough that everything feels nice and modern.
We stayed in a superior room, which was a really good size and felt really nice and cosy. The bed was especially comfortable (always the most important thing), and it was just a nice space to come back to after being out for dinner and drinks in the evening.
Dinner at Dukes Steakhouse
One of the nicest things about staying here is that you don’t need to go far for dinner as the hotel’s restaurant, Dukes Steakhouse, is right downstairs. The restaurant was smart but relaxed, and everything we ordered was beautifully presented.
I had the melon, mozzarella and Parma ham tartine to start, which was very nice, and my husband chose the spiced duck press. For the main course, the steak was very nice too and clearly the star of the meal. I also really enjoyed the cheese board afterwards, which was such a good way to finish dinner with a nice glass of red wine.
Breakfast the next morning
In the morning, we headed down for breakfast in the resturant before checking out. There’s a good mix of options depending on what you feel like, from a full cooked breakfast to lighter choices. There was also a continental breakfast selection where you could help yourself to coffee and orange juice, mini croissants and cereals, which was a nice option if you wanted something simpler.
Everything was enjoyable and I did enjoy my full English, although I did think a smoked salmon option would have been a good addition. That said, breakfast was still a very pleasant end to our stay, and it rounded everything off nicely before heading out to explore a little more.
Exploring Buckingham
Buckingham itself is such a pretty little market town. It’s not overly busy or touristy, which makes it feel quite relaxed to wander around. There are lots of independent shops, pretty houses, historic buildings, and just a generally nice atmosphere for a slow morning walk.
If you’re staying for more than a night, I’d really recommend heading over to National Trust’s Stowe. It’s only a short drive away and is perfect if you fancy a nice stroll around the grounds. Stowe is actually on my list of my favourite National Trust properties to visit!
