THE LOWDOWN

Standing proud in the birthplace of the Bard, Hotel du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon is a pleasing combination of old and new – par for the course when it comes to this part of the county. The building itself hails from 1798, and has been everything from a doctor’s surgery to a gentleman’s club (it even boasted a stint as the town’s registry office) before Hotel du Vin moved in in 2018 and splashed its signature brand of moody French luxe all over the restored walls.

Now home to 46 rooms and suites and its popular Bistro Du Vin restaurant with two private dining spaces and fairylit courtyard, this sleek hotel is the ideal base for exploring historical Stratford and getting your Shakespeare (or shopping) fix.

THE VIBE

Cosy, clubby, cool. Once you get through the striking glass lobby to the side of the building, you’re enveloped in the hotel’s contemporary interiors – all jewel shades of navy, plum and bottle green, with exposed brickwork and modern artwork.

You’d be excused for sidestepping the squirrelled-away check-in and making an immediate beeline for the bar ahead of you, which is replete with velvet bucket chairs, flickering candles and a number of decorative glass carafes. A nod to the hotel’s wine culture. The bar menu here is impressively large (not often you can order a rump steak as a nibble with your drinks) and vaguely Gallic, and the expansive drinks menu will satisfy everyone from fruity daiquiri fans to whiskey purists. As is to be expected, the wine list is a highlight (I mean, the clue’s in the hotel name – famous for its ‘walls of wine’), and whether you’re a newbie or a vino connoisseur, you’ll find something you like.

If you can tear yourself away from the bar, then off to your right is the French Bistro, which is stylishly moody even in the light of day thanks to its dark panelled interiors, leather banquettes and retro globe lighting that puts me in mind of the Parisian Metro. It’s far from gloomy though, and in the warmer weather follow your nose out to the al fresco Champagne terrace, which opened in June 2022.

As for the guests, it was pleasingly buzzy in the Bistro when we arrived for dinner. Diners were largely couples on date nights, some decked out in sequins and suits, although there were some more casual families clearly staying in the hotel. The lively vibe was helped by the presence of a work party in one of the two private dining rooms next door, although the noise never became intrusive and staff were attentive in checking that diners were not disturbed.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The relatively small but well-considered à la carte menu serves up seasonal, unpretentious French fare that will satisfy most palettes – including, perhaps surprisingly, my vegan date.

The dishes may be traditionally French in flavour, but they’re certainly not in portion size. We opted for olives, beetroot humous, flatbread and crudités for pre-starter nibbles, and really there was no need, as the starters and mains were so sizeable we barely had room for dessert. Panic not, we soldiered on.

For starters, smoked salmon with a garnish of soft boiled egg, cornichons, capers, parsley and red onion – a fresh, delicious plate that slipped down easily.

My companion chose a tomato, black olive tapenade and vegan parmesan tart that you would be hard-pressed to identify as dairy-free, as it was buttery, flaky and packed with flavour. I’d happily have scoffed it as a light lunchtime bite with an oat latté.

The main event? There were a good mix of hearty, rich dishes such as cassoulets and steaks and lighter meals such as salads and grilled chicken escalopes. I was tempted by the traditional moules mariniére (a woman on a nearby table was tucking into hers and I looked the Bisto kid on the scent of garlic and white wine) but ended up opting for a pumpkin and pesto gnocchi with crispy fried sage – an absolutely mountainous plate of comfort food that this seasoned carb-eater, couldn’t finish.

My plant-based pal chose a warming white bean cassoulet, which came with vegan merguez sausages that were so convincing that we had to double check we’d been served the right dish. Apparently the Head Chef at Stratford helps to mastermind the vegan and plant-based dishes that are served across all Hotel du Vin locations, and that this particular sausage was 3D-printed in house – quelle surprise! While the sausage might not have been traditional, the flavour was, with a kick of herbs and spices.

Dessert? That’s what elasticated trousers are for. I was convinced by the Bistro Manager to try the apple tarte tatin, which was a perfectly-sized portion of flaky, buttery pastry with sticky apples and a creamy dollop of ice cream. Roll me out of here, I’m done. No need for FOMO my vegan friends, the plant-based chocolate and banana pot was a dairy-free triumph.

Tempted as we were by the expansive wine list (and it’s hard to forget it when you’re sat opposite the bottle-decorated cellar), we kept things simple with a glass each. I opted for a glass of the Maison Blanc, a light and fruity sauvignon and chardonnay blend that was honestly better than some much higher-priced sauvignons I’ve had recently. My date went alcohol-free (I know, trust me to bring the teetotal vegan to a French bistro specialising in wine) and chose the Eins Zwei Zero Alcohol-Free Riesling, which was a surprisingly nuanced alternative to a glass of fizz.

PILLOW TALK

There are 46 rooms to choose from at Hotel Du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon, ranging in size from a Classic Double to the Signature Suite, each decorated in the Hotel’s moody chic colour palette and named after a famous vineyard. I particularly loved the graphic artwork inspired by William Shakespeare – we had odes to The Tempest and Macbeth hanging above our bed in the Huia room – and the plush textures of the furnishings gave everything a luxe feel.

The bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve slept in (put it down to the hand sprung mattress and Egyptian linen), and although there was no signature Hotel du Vin roll-top bath for us on this occasion, I did enjoy the L’Occitane toiletries for an extra little touch of Gallic flair. For extra ooh la la? Request one of the rooms with a flower-decked balcony.

If you want to guarantee that roll-top soak and the best views, consider booking the Suite Dreams package, starting at £183 per night, which includes an overnight stay in one of the Hotel’s super-chic suites, a bottle of Champagne, full cooked breakfast, and a late check-out – parfait.

OUT & ABOUT

Where for art thou? Shakespeare country. So when in Stratford and all that… why not book your trip around the world premiere of Hamnet – performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre at the newly restored Swan Theatre (1 Apr-17 June). The play is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel pulls about the imagined family life of the greatest writer in the English language. O’Farrell, will be back 2-7 May for the Stratford Literary Festival, alongside literary and showbiz greats like Dame Judi Dench, Alexander Armstrong, Brian Cox, India Knight, Sir Anthony Seldon and more.

Being just at the North end of town, the main draw of Hotel du Vin Stratford is of course being a stone’s throw from Stratford’s shopping, theatre and museums. If you want to discover more about the Bard, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, Hall’s Croft, and Shakespeare’s Birthplace are all within easy reach. We recommend Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (no, not that one), which opens in Spring – the nine-acre grounds include a lavender maze, a woodland walk and the Shakespeare arboretum.

Sick of Shakespeare? The MAD Museum (which kids will love), Tudor World and Magic Alley (one for Harry Potter fans) are all in town, and there are lots of little boutiques and eateries to sample too.

CHILD FRIENDLY?

You can book an extra bed or cot in your room, although only the larger rooms can accommodate this. There is an additional £30 charge for the additional beds, but cots are free.

DOG FRIENDLY?

Yep! Owners and their pooch can share one of the dog-friendly rooms for an extra £20 a night – kitted out with a bed and water bowl. They won’t be allowed in the Bistro though (can’t have them going for the steak haché, can we?).

ACCESSIBILITY

There are two accessible Classic rooms and one accessible Deluxe room, all of which have a wet room with no steps to enter the shower. Flag up your needs with the Reservations team as early as possible.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: History buffs looking for a great base for exploring Stratford; couples after a romantic escape with classic French fare on the menu; a cosy spot for cocktails or an excellent glass of vino with girlfriends.

Not for: If you’re after rolling hills and landscaped gardens, look away now – the town centre location means that the Hotel is definitely not a hidden countryside gem, however the new Champagne terrace offers guests a chic outdoor space for drinkies in the sun.

The damage: Classic double rooms start at a reasonable £105pn room only in March and £119 room only in April. There are plenty of offers too. Grab one of the best rooms with Suite Dreams from £183 or upgrade to the Deluxe Du Vin – a two night stay with dinner, wine and brekkie from £335. Well-behaved dogs over 1 year old may share their owners’ room for a charge of £20pn.

In the Bistro, there’s a Prix Fixe menu available for dinners Mon-Thurs, 5-7pm: two courses cost £21.95, and three courses cost £26.95.If you’re dining à la carte, starters cost from £7.95; mains from £12.95 (£32.95 for 50-day aged steak); desserts from £7.95. Bear in mind there’s no on-site parking, and nearby NCP carparks will set you back £15 a day.

Hotel du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon, Rother St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6LU. Tel: 01789 613685