Special Offers – click here

Based on bed & breakfast, available 7 days a week, excludes any supplements such as dinner, child or pet. Prices based on our non discounted rack rates. Subject to availability and our normal terms and conditions.… Rooms from £155.

Quote: DEUX MESSIEURS
Book: Call   01760 7238 to book, or book online. Offer ends 30th March, 2014

Once you’ve experienced Strattons, you may never want to leave. Set in rural Norfolk, this award-winning boutique hotel run by Les and Vanessa Scott has a fantastic arty feel to it, with original artworks, amazing rooms (with hotel or self catering options), exquisite (and award-winning) food, a lovely neighbouring deli. Perfect for that special escape and great if you want to explore Breckland, Norwich, King’s Lynn and the coast…

Main Review

Sunday, 16.00

When by happy coincidence a planned visit to my family in Norfolk coincided with Monsieur 2’s birthday, we decided to extend the weekend and treat ourselves to a night somewhere fabulous after our few days en famille. We asked around for recommendations and one name kept coming up – Stratton’s.

Tucked away up a narrow close off the market place which Swaffham is known for, Stratton’s resembles a small country estate – an imposing main villa, a couple of attractive outbuildings and a cafe-delicatessen, all within immaculate landscaped grounds. It feels like a delightfully secluded luxury hotel in Norfolk, despite being in the heart of the town. We’re immediately relaxed – and we’ve not even checked in yet.

16.05

A couldn’t-be-friendlier receptionist, Michaela, welcomes us and walks us through a comfortably-furnished lounge – where one of the hotel’s three adorable resident cats is curled up peacefully on a chair – and shows us to The Red Room.

We gasp as we walk in; it’s amazing. There’s a vast oak four-poster bed on a dais, a lounge area, a tea table with armchairs, a library for goodness’sake…I rack my brain to think of where I’ve seen a bedroom this opulent before, and then it comes to me: Chatsworth. When Michaela says “And here’s the key to your private courtyard garden” I’m already wishing we’d booked more than one night.

16.12

We make tea, slump on one of the three sofas and put our feet up. While Monsieur 2 flicks through the TV channels and logs the iPad onto the free WiFi, I read the hotel guide to find out what amenities there are. It turns out there’s no bar in the hotel although drinks are available from the (well-stocked) mini-bar or in the lounge; instead we decide to stroll around Swaffham and find a pub.

16.45

Bustling during the week and on market day, Saturday, today there’s hardly a soul to be seen in Swaffham. We head to The Greyhound (which appears in the TV series Kingdom) for a pint; it’s not exactly welcoming so we drink up quickly, grab a bottle of wine from the one open shop and head back to the haven of The Red Room.

18.20

With plenty of time before dinner we decide to take advantage of the 7’ roll-top bath in the bonkers tented bathroom (it looks like something out of Cleopatra) as it’s rare to find a tub long enough to comfortably accommodate both messieurs. We soak and soothe until our toes turn wrinkly, then dry ourselves off and dress for dinner.

20.00

It’s just a few steps from our room to Stratton’s restaurant. We’re greeted warmly by restaurant manager Charlie and given a table by the open fire.

A fabulous meal follows; chef Sam uses only the best local produce and it shows. Monsieur 2’s leek and potato soup is creamy and seasoned just right while my duck pastrami and turnip sauerkraut is a clever riff on a Reuben sandwich. We then tuck into a Swannington beef burger – served with decadent ‘thrice cooked dripping chips’ and home-made ketchup – and sea trout with lovely, salty King’s Lynn cockles.

To finish, I have ‘Millionaire’s shortbread’, a delicious deconstructed version of my favourite bakery treat, while Monsieur 2 polishes off a rhubarb trifle. And to drink, how can we resist a bottle of the restaurant’s house wine – Domaine Gayda?

22.30

Thank goodness we don’t have far to stagger – we’re stuffed, not to mention a little tipsy. Back in The Red Room we draw the thick heavy curtains and climb into our luxurious four-poster.

Monday, 09.07

We’ve slept like two particularly contented logs and after a cuppa to wake us up it’s back to the restaurant for breakfast. As well as self-service cereals and granola, some home-made, we’re given a choice of cooked breakfasts and go for the full English. Everything’s as good as dinner the night before, a perfect end to our stay and start to the day.

10.25

It’s always a good sign when you’re sad to check out of a hotel and that’s definitely the case as we return our room key. The staff at Stratton’s obviously care about every guest so much that I feel they’re even a little sorry to see us go. We grab a couple of goodies from their deli and bakery before we head off, and have one last look at the beautiful place where we’ve spent a fabulous night, knowing we’ll be back.

Remember to mention les Deux Messieurs when you book!

Special Offers

Tuesday treat from £92.50pp
Including bed and breakfast, two courses each from the a la carte menu, rose buds scattered on your bed and a bottle of bubbly in your room for arrival.

Doubles: £185, CoCoes 1: £201, Edie & Boudoir: £217, Opium & Stalls: £227, Red & Print rooms £233 (these are total rates for the above package based on 2 adults sharing)

T&C’s: Only available on Tuesdays, cannot be booked as part of a longer stay; cannot be transferred to existing bookings; our usual terms and conditions apply including cancellations and deposits. Expires 15th July 2014.

Strattons Sunday from £99pp
Including a newspaper of choice in your room for arrival, afternoon tea for two, bed and breakfast, two courses each from the a la carte menu with a bottle of house red or white wine.

Doubles: £199, CoCoes 1: £215, Edie & Boudoir: £231, Opium & Stalls: £241, Red & Print rooms £247 (these are total rates for the above package based on 2 adults sharing)

T&C’s: Only available on Sundays, cannot be booked as part of a longer stay; not available on bank holiday Sundays; cannot be transferred to existing bookings; our usual terms and conditions apply including cancellations and deposits. Expires 20th July 2014.
3 nights b & b for the price of 2
Availability any days of the week. Based on 2 adults sharing, double rooms from £310 – 460 b&b (3 for 2 not available on d,b&b rates or pet or child supplements). Expires 20th July 2014.

Stayed here? Tell us what you thought.
Strattons is one of the luxury hotels in Norfolk and a gay friendly luxury hotel in Norfolk

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