Taunton's Hidden Gem: The Martlet Inn Awaits!
The Martlet Inn: Taunton's Not-So-Hidden Gem (Probably) - A Review That’s Seen Some Days (and Wifi)
Alright, folks, buckle up. I've just survived… experienced a stay at The Martlet Inn, and let me tell you, it's left me feeling like a slightly pickled onion – still mostly intact, but with a few juicy bits missing. This place is trying to be fancy, but it feels a tiny bit… like it’s still finding its feet?
(SEO & Metadata Note: We're gonna sprinkle those keywords in, don't worry. #MartletInn #TauntonHotel #SomersetGetaway #WheelchairAccessible #FreeWifi #Spa #Restaurant #FitnessCenter #FamilyFriendly #HotelReview)
First Impressions (and Access…or Lack Thereof):
Getting there was a breeze, thanks to the convenient Car Park [free of charge]. Praise be! I parked, and my first thought was, "Right, is this actually accessible?" The website promised Wheelchair accessible, which, in theory, is fantastic. In practice… well, let's just say I navigated a few tight turns and uneven pavements. The main entrance seemed okay, but I'd really like to see a dedicated ramp situation, not just a slight incline. Accessibility is key, people, KEY. While the entrance LOOKED accessible, I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific needs before you're stranded near the lobby trying to find the only accessible lift. (And remember, the journey is part of the experience, right? Right?)
(Accessibility Rating: 6/10. Could be better, but doable if pre-planned.)
Checking In: A Slightly Awkward Dance
The Front desk [24-hour] was manned by a wonderfully polite (but very young-looking) staff member. Check-in was swift-ish, more efficient than I anticipated. But, honestly, the reception area felt a little sterile. Needs some… character. Maybe some locally-sourced art? A comfy sofa? A talking parrot? Seriously, something to make it feel less like a waiting room and more like a welcoming haven. The Contactless check-in/out was available, which is a huge plus in these modern times – thank goodness for that since I’m still a bit paranoid about these pesky germs…
(Emotional Response: Mildly underwhelmed at the start, but the staff member’s niceness earned them a few points.)
The Room: Okay, Not Astonishing.
I was in a Non-smoking room (thank goodness for that!), with Air conditioning (essential in a Somerset summer, which, let's be honest, is about 3 days). It had the essentials: a Desk, a Coffee/tea maker, a Refrigerator, and a little In-room safe box (always a good idea). The Wi-Fi [free] worked flawlessly (and a big shout out for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – important for a blogger like yours truly!) The Hair dryer was there, as were Towels and Toiletries. The Bed was comfy enough, though the pillows were… a bit too fluffy for my liking. I found the Blackout curtains fantastic – made sleeping in a breeze, and the Bathrobes were a nice touch. The Bathroom itself was clean, but nothing particularly memorable. Standard hotel bathroom, really. I will say, however, that I found the Socket near the bed extremely useful.
(Emotional Response: Neither thrilled nor disgusted. Perfectly functional, just a bit… bland.)
Dining, Drinking… and Questionable Asian Dreams:
Let's talk food. The Restaurant situation was… varied. They have a Breakfast [buffet], which was decent, offering a Western breakfast spread. There was also a nod to Asian breakfast, which, forgive my bluntness, felt a little… off-brand in Somerset. I mean, I’m not complaining, but it felt like they were trying to tick boxes to be all things to all people. The best part was the Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was lovely. The A la carte in restaurant provided a decent array of dishes for dinner, and the Happy hour at the Bar was a welcome respite. The Poolside bar seemed enticing (more on the Swimming pool [outdoor] shortly), but I didn't indulge. They had Room service [24-hour], which is always a bonus – perfect for a late-night snack attack or a cheeky early morning coffee. I'd rate the dining experience as average, nothing truly shone through, no dish blew me away. It wasn't terrible, but nothing screamed "come back for the food!"
(Rambling Digression: I'm still thinking about that Asian breakfast. Curried eggs? In Somerset? Intriguing, but…)
Relaxation Station: Spa, Gym, and the Pool - Oh MY!
Okay, the Spa and Spa/sauna! I’m a sucker for a good pampering, so I had high hopes. They offer a Body scrub and a Body wrap… the Sauna was HOT, which I loved. The Massage was decent – not the best I’ve ever had, but it did the trick. The Pool with view was actually quite delightful. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was clean, inviting, and a great place to relax. The Fitness center existed, but I didn’t make use of it, so I can't offer much feedback. I saw the Steamroom also available but didn’t try it.
(Specific Anecdote: I spent a glorious hour poolside, ignoring emails and soaking up the sun. Pure bliss. Definitely the highlight of the stay.)
Cleanliness and Safety – A COVID-Era Reality Check:
The Martlet Inn seemed to take COVID precautions seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer readily available, and Staff trained in safety protocol were all reassuring. The Rooms sanitized between stays, and I'm sure they used Anti-viral cleaning products. I don't know if they used Professional-grade sanitizing services, but they seemed to be taking it seriously. The Safe dining setup was in place, which included Sanitized kitchen and tableware items and Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, I don't know if they included Individually-wrapped food options, or if Shared stationery was removed. I didn’t see a Doctor/nurse on call, but I also thankfully never needed one. They also have First aid kit to be prepared. They didn’t have Hygiene certification, but I felt safe enough.
(Emotional Response: Relieved and reassured. They are taking things seriously, which is vital.)
The Extras: Amenities, Services, and the Quirks
The Concierge was helpful. They also had a Convenience store – essential for those forgotten essentials. The Dry cleaning and Laundry service were available, and there's a Luggage storage. They offered Babysitting service for those traveling with little ones. I didn’t take advantage of it, but it's good to know it’s there.
Things to do / Ways to Relax: The hotel offered a variety of options including Poolside bar, Sauna, Spa, Swimming pool and Gym/fitness. They also offered Massage and Body scrub and Body wrap. It's a relaxing experience.
The Quirks:
- The signage could be clearer
- The elevator was a bit slow.
- The décor felt a bit dated in places.
- The Car power charging station was available but I didn’t use it
(Emotional Response: Generally positive. Some minor annoyances, but nothing too disruptive.)
The Verdict: A Solid, But Not Spectacular, Stay
The Martlet Inn is a solid hotel. It's clean, generally well-equipped, takes safety seriously, and has some decent amenities. However, it lacks a certain je ne sais quoi. It's not particularly memorable, and it could do with injecting some personality – a bit more of a Somerset feel, perhaps. I would say that it’s a decent option if you are looking for a place to stay, and you are looking for Wi-Fi for special events or plan to use the Meeting/banquet facilities. The Meeting stationery was good, the Projector/LED display was ok but nothing special, and there's Audio-visual equipment for special events – but the atmosphere wasn't that great. The friendliness of the staff genuinely helps elevate the experience.
(Final Rating: 7/10. Good, worth a visit, but room for improvement to become a true "Hidden Gem".)
SEO/Metadata Recap:
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished travelogue. We're talking raw, unfiltered, potentially-lost-my-phone-in-the-pub vibes from my (slightly chaotic) trip to The Martlet Inn in Taunton, UK. Here goes…
The Martlet Inn: A Taunton Tapestry (and Me, Weaving Through It)
Day 1: Arrival and Awkward Hellos
- 14:00 - Arrival! (Or, "Where Did I Park…?") Okay, so the GPS was lying. Seriously, it thought The Martlet was IN the roundabout. After circling Taunton like a confused pigeon, I finally spotted the sign. Let me tell you, after a six-hour drive, the sight of that cheerful little pub was…well, it was a relief. Plus, I think I found parking? Fingers crossed.
- 14:30 - Check-in and That Moment of Truth. The lovely lady at reception (who, bless her, had the patience of a saint) guided me to my room. Clean, simple, overlooking…a car park. (Meh, I can live with that. Just as long as it doesn't involve that guy playing the bagpipes 24/7) And the carpet… it's like time travel, but in a good way. Think a cosy, textured nod to the late 80's.
- 15:00 - The obligatory room inspection. Ah, the room, and the TV. Oh, the TV… They have a selection of all the main channels… but oh god, the signal is shocking!!! At least I can try to get some sleep during the night and save myself from the flickering screen.
- 16:00 - The Pub Beckons. First things first: a proper pint. I braved the bar, which, let's be honest, is always a bit intimidating when you're alone. But I saw a friendly face, and what a friendly face! I saw his eyes and the beard that he was sporting and I swear, he looked like Hagrid. Hagrid but British. Ordered a local ale (can't remember which, too excited), and struck up a conversation with…well, Hagrid. Turns out, he's a local and a fountain of pub trivia. I learned about the history of Taunton, the best walking trails, and the proper way to eat a sausage roll (apparently it’s a heated debate). This, my friends, is what travel is all about.
- 17:00 - Dinner Plans (or, "Am I Really Eating Alone?") The menu looks amazing. I feel my stomach rumble a bit. Should I go out? Stay in? Can the pub even be that great?
- 19:00 - Dinner: A Culinary Adventure (Maybe) I did it! I went downstairs and ordered a… wait for it… Burger. I know. Burger. At a pub. Shocking, right? But it was a damn good burger. Proper pub grub, cooked to perfection, with a side of, um, chips. (Or, in the local parlance, "fries.") And the best part? I ended up chatting with Hagrid and his mates at the next table. Turns out, everyone in Taunton is incredibly friendly, especially after a couple of beers.
- 21:00 - Evening Wind-Down (or, "I'm definitely not too tired for another pint…") Back to the bar! This time, I tried a stout. Dark, rich, and perfect for a long chat. This is the life, I swear!
Day 2: Exploring Taunton (and Surviving the Post-Pub Hangover)
- 09:00 - Breakfast (or, "Why Did I Drink That Much?"). Let's just say it was a slow start. Dragged myself down to breakfast and, fuelled by coffee and the kindness of the staff, managed to find my way to the scrambled eggs.
- 10:00 - Taunton Town Centre. I was told the town centre was perfect, so I decided to explore. The usual shops and, well, the usual stuff. I'm not gonna lie, I was hoping for more. It was okay…
- 11:00 - Back to the Inn (and the Pub). I got tired of walking around the town centre, so I went back to the Inn. The pub was open and, well, the pull was too strong. This is the life, getting drunk twice a day.
- 14:00 - Mid-Afternoon Slump and the Quest for Caffeine. Walked down into the town and tried out a cafe. It was okay, but how does a place mess up a coffee? The staff were nice, and the food was okay, but the coffee sucked.
- 16:00 - Dinner at the Crown at Huntworth. It's a bit out of town and I had to take a taxi, but all of the reviews raved about it. And boy, were they right. The food was amazing and the staff were amazing. The steak I got, was the best steak of my life.
- 20:00 - Back to the Inn and the Pub. I came back, and then I had another pint. Because why not?
Day 3: Departure (and the Lingering Smell of… Pub?)
- 09:00 - Farewell Breakfast (and One Last, Longing Look). I’m pretty sure I saw the same table as the first day. The breakfast had the same quality and everything. I'm starting to feel like I could live here.
- 10:00 - Check-Out (or, "Did I Leave My Keys…?") Everything went smoothly. Checked out, and after one last longing look, I was ready to leave.
- 11:00 - The Road (and the Memories). I went on the road. I don't know if I'll ever be back. But I will never forget the trip.
The Takeaway: The Martlet and Me
Look, The Martlet Inn isn’t some swanky, five-star hotel. It's down-to-earth, friendly, and has a pub that’s the heart and soul of the place. The food? Solid pub grub. The staff? Utterly lovely. The locals? Absolutely brilliant. The whole experience? Messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. And, you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Cheers to that.
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The Martlet Inn: Unfiltered FAQs (Because Seriously, You NEED to Know)
So, What *IS* This "Martlet Inn" Everyone's Whispering About?
Is the Food Good? Because, Let's Be Honest, That's Crucial.
Alright, Alright, Drinks. What's the Brew Like?
Atmosphere? Is it All Snobby Taunton Folks?
What About Getting There? Is It a Nightmare to Find?
Do They Have Live Music? Give me some good news.
Any Bad Sides? Be Honest.
Okay, You've Convinced Me. What Should I *Actually* Order? The Ultimate Martlet Cheat Sheet?
You've Mentioned a "Thing" You Dated Before. Tell more.
Anything Else I Need to Know? Any Secrets to Unlock?
