Old Wisteria Hotel
Old Wisteria Hotel descritpion
Old Wisteria Hotel sells fast on our site. Dating back to 1604, this former hunting lodge offers traditional, spacious accommodations in the heart of Oakham, Rutland’s county town.
Each room at the privately owned Old Wisteria features a private bathroom with free toiletries. Rooms enjoy a tranquil setting, and also each include tea and coffee facilities, a TV, ample work space and some have scenic views of Oakham.
Being centrally located, guests at this friendly and welcoming hotel have easy access to roads and public transportation, including direct services to Stansted Airport and major cities. Oakham Train Station is just half a mile away.
Pleasant nature and unspoiled countryside surround Oakham. Beautiful views of Rutland Water are just a 10-minute drive away, with several picturesque villages also nearby.
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Facilities of Old Wisteria Hotel
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge. | Free!Wired internet is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Meeting/Banquet Facilities
General ：All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for Old Wisteria Hotel
Review 1：Breakfast room a bit on the cool side (but it was very cold weather).
Review 2：Located in the centre of Oakham, which is a lovely little market town. Smallish, fairly basic hotel but clean and comfortable. Shower was great, beds a bit on the form side. Good parking at rear. Good breakfast.
Review 3：Not a bad experience but after stating one of party was vegetarian, there was not a vegetarian breakfast option. Suggest halloumi cheese or veggie sausage and hash brown instead of the sausage, bacon etc in full English. Offered beans instead, not even offered 2 fried eggs.
Review 4：Bathroom immaculate, room very clean and tidy. Receptionist polite and helpful. Good breakfast.
Review 5：This is a small hotel, but the reception desk was very helpful and service was good. The hotel is located near the centre of the town and is very convenient for sightseeing and shopping. We felt it was excellent value for money.
Review 6：The fact that the restaurant was closed while we stayed ( we were advised before hand) also the bar was closed
Review 7：the friendliness of the staff and the location were very good
Review 8：The breakfast. Good homely atmosphere and an English breakfast cooked to order and served at the table by attentive and friendly staff. Brilliant - just so much better than the tiresome buffet breakfast offered by so many hotel chains. A comfortable bed and a well equipped room.
Review 9：The staff were awful, no ome was there t let me into my room so i slept in my car till 6am when i eventually was let into my room for 3 hours... Unacceptably awful! DO NOT STAY HERE
Review 10：Lack of staff to greet you we had to use a phone to summon staff ,nowhere to sit and talk as a family. The bar had been open but when we arrived back from a meal at 10.45 we were told that we could have drinks as long as we took them back to our rooms. Most of us didn't bother.
Review 11：Bedroom was clean and breakfast was well organised with gluten free options.
Review 12：The staff very helpful, our room was spacious clean and bed was comfortable. The room probably needs a bit of decorating as did the restaurant however this is being picky as we loved the hotel and we will definitely return here.
Review 13：Finding the entrance to the car park at night in the rain is a nightmare. We had stayed 2 or 3 times before but only once a year and even so it took us about 15 mins of driving up and down the road until we found the entrance. I know that there is a sign hanging up but at night in the rain it is very difficult to see.
Review 14：The Wisteria is a lovely, quiet little hotel in Oakham more or less next door to the museum. It is very convenient for almost anything in Oakham town centre. We have stayed at just about all of the hotels / pubs with accommodation in Oakham and this is by far our favourite.
Review 15：Advertised restaurant but have to book before arrival otherwise no evening meals
Review 16：Large double room with two easy chairs - most unusual we find. Central and easy reach of shops.
Review 17：The emailed reservation cknowledgment stated: "For the evening the restaurant serves a freshly prepared table d'hote dinner, pre booking prior to arrival day is required" - which is OK, but in my opinion that limited choice and the time frame should be made clear on the website rather than after booking, especially since, as with us, the email may not be read for a day or so. However there were good eating options available within walking distance. Room was fine, and parking available if initially a little difficult to find..
Review 18：its one of the best 5 hotels I have stayed at in 30 years of traveling - I use hotels 2 to 3 times a week and this place is a gem - the staff are very helpful - has good parking - the food while little limited on choice is wonderful - I will stop again
Review 19：A quiet, comfortable hotel. No fuss, just good service with a smile. Room large warm clean comfortable. No view, but I was only there to sleep. Excellent breakfast.
Review 20：We would have loved to try an evening meal but we like to look at a menu before we book. This wasn't possible so we did not eat here. We think this was a shame. Car park difficult to exit because of hedgerow.
Review 21：Our room and bathroom were lovely. Debbie was great - Does the lady ever stop working?? All the staff that we met were very friendly. The hotel was peaceful. AND we met the hedgehog.
Review 22：The car park is hard to find if you arrive in the dark even though the hotel give you directions as the entrance is narrow and inconspicuous. Also the sign is dark green and high up so you easily miss it in the dark!
Review 23：The room was very spacious and well appointed. There was plenty of choice for breakfast and was located near to where I was working so I would definitely use this hotel again.
Review 24：It would be great to see a full length mirror in the room and a better hairdryer but minor points
Review 25：I had a large room with a good sized desk to work at. Good car parking. Loved the bathroom. 2 minute walk from town which was great, I will definitely stay again.
Review 26：Lounge proved to be locked and merely the end of the bar/dining room with typical pub seating. Two very uncomfortable chairs in room; pillows like bricks. Promise of sugar free cerial did not materialise. Car park not marked out but expected to move car to suit landlady's whims. Money demanded whilst registering - never experienced that anywhere else.
Review 27：En-suite needed better lighting on mirror for shaving and make up. Crumbling concrete path from car park to reception entrance needs renewing. Very rough for suitcase wheels and ladies' delicate fashion shoes.
Review 28：Comfortable bed, good breakfast.
Review 29：We booked on the day in question and were surprised to find that 24-hour notice was required for reservations for evening meal. However, there were many establishments within easy walking distance that offered a wide variety of eating options. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Our only request was for an extra pillow, which was promptly supplied. The quality and size of the bath sheets (bath towels) were the best/largest that we have ever encountered – and indicative of the attention to detail.
Review 30：Nothing
Review 31：I needed to check in early as I had an appointment. This wasn't a problem at all. My room was ready when I arrived. Large spotless room Bathroom was modern and very clean
Review 32：The only problem we find is the poor access at the rear - the path is on an incline and badly worn and uneven. Parking was also a problem when we returned later in the evening. The car park needs to be marked out.
Review 33：Having stayed there before, we were recognised by staff, who were as helpful and pleasant as ever. I was there with my elderly mother, and was able to have the usual adjacent single rooms, which was helpful.
Review 34：We had one of the only two rooms which overlooked a main road, the rest a0peared to be round the back.
Review 35：Close to town. Large room, comfortable to be in. Very good breakfast served by helpful staff.
Review 36：Found the signage and entrance quite challenging to find, especially in evening light. A warning about the sat nav difficulties would have been useful
Review 37：Spacious room, comfortable, clean beds. good breakfast, friendly staff.
Review 38：The lack of another slice of bacon or additional sausage for men.
Review 39：Bathroom very good, nice bed and very handy for us attending the Nature Reserve on Rutland Water. Staff welcoming and accommodating. .B,fast good, but could have done with a bit more.
Review 40：Walls in bedroom need painting, mattress needs replacing
Review 41：Good location, near town centre but far enough away to be quiet. Bathroom immaculate. Parking good.
Review 42：Only stayed one night so couldn't have evening meal as need to order the day before! (Plenty of other eating places immediately adjacent so no problem)
Review 43：Brilliant shower and bath Plenty of water Large comfortable bed Good, tasty breakfast Parking in enclosed location
Review 44：This old building has been sympathetically upgraded to a high standard without losing its quirky charm. Our room was spacious and the four-poster bed extremely comfortable. Breakfast was cooked to order and delicious.
Review 45：bed was hard. We were the only ones in the restaurant for the evening meal but the food was good.good .
Review 46：location and the old original building was still in use.
Review 47：Little evidence the advertised hotel restaurant was serving anything other than breakfast
Review 48：Close to the centre of Oakham with easy access to many restaurants and bars
Review 49：Breakfast thinking is firmly lodged in last century. Vegetarians will struggle; there weren't even baked beans as an option! The mushrooms are fried in the same pan as the bacon. Tea very weak. Some coat hooks would be useful in the room. Breakfast finishes at 9am on weekdays - most other places stay open later.
Review 50：Great location just on the edge of the shopping area. Marmite at breakfast!
Review 51：Pillows were on the hard side.
Review 52：Location was excellent. Staff were pleasant & helpful especially young waitresses.Towels & bedlinen changed daily. Plenty of parking spaces.
Review 53：Pillows flat as pancakes! Faded pictures in corridors and no pictures in bedroom,
Review 54：friendly helpful staff. Very peaceful and relaxing. Excellent bathroom. Everywhere very clean..
Review 55：Bar area let's the hotel down, ran out of soda water after one drink. Refurbish the bar and put in some decent sitting .
Review 56：Staff,location and breakfast were very good. Would return
Review 57：Normally single rooms are tiny. This one was bigger than many double rooms. Bath in bathroom instead of tiny shower. loads of cupboard space. Really lovely owner and staff. Clean, comfortable. Everything you need for a good nights sleep.
Review 58：Pillows somewhat flat and hard and probably due for replacing. Decor rather tired and dated.
Review 59：Location excellent. Quiet. Spacious room with plenty of hanging, drawer and cupboard space. Staff rarely about but very easy to contact if necessary.
Review 60：Lovely, comfortable room and spacious, very clean, bathroom. Excellent choices available for breakfast - juices, cereals, fruit, plus an "English" platter, beautifully cooked and presented.
Review 61：There was no service at all from the only girl Isaw during my 2 night stay. Breakfast is awful with little choice, instant coffee and marmalade in plastic containers. The water in the sink runs away and there is no information on T.V.numbers or local trips in room.
Review 62：It is a very short walk to the Market Sq. in Oakham
Review 63：Good position off high street of Oakham, a pleasant market town, close to Rutland water - wildlife ,bikes, walks etc Pleasantly decorated and very fresh, bedroom and public areas. Parking at the rear of hotel Good breakfast though not huge choice Would certainly visit again
Review 64：The decor in the hotel was very tired and dated.
Review 65：Clean and comfortable rooms. The bathroom and shower were wonderful, lovely thick towel. The breakfast was excellent.
Review 66：Not a bad experience but we were surprised there was not a room for disabled person, i e with a wet room for showering.
Review 67：The room was clean and comfortable and the ambience quiet. Breakfast good
Review 68：Lack of a lounge with sofas to sit and chat with friends,but have been told this is being done.
Review 69：Location for shops Restauants excellent. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Review 70：Very friendly reception when I arrived late as I usually do. Don't normally have breakfast as I tend to leave early but did this time and a treat.
Review 71：The heating appeared to be off because it is summer but this meant the towel rail was cold so bath towels didn't dry.
Review 72：Convenient location, clean and a good breakfast to start the day.
Review 73：Hotel needs updating in all rooms. Reception left unattended most of the time. Beds were not comfortable at all, & pillows as flat as anything.
Review 74：Just one staff member who always greeted us with a smile
Review 75：I was disappointed the bar didn't stay open later on the Saturday evening. On arriving back at the hotel after a night out at 11.25 pm there was a member of staff and people in the bar but was told it was closed.
Review 76：None only above in restaurant
Review 77：The bedroom, a suite was excellent Evening meal ok but we were the only ones in the restaurant. Need to create more atmosphere, staff most obliging.
Review 78：Just be careful if you're over 6 foot. We stayed in the old part of the hotel where there are some very low beams in corridors etc. My husband somehow managed the entire time we were there to not bang his head!
Review 79：We wanted to cycle round the lake and choose this hotel as it was close to one of the starting points and had a secure car park for keeping the bikes safe in the van when not in use. Breakfast was good and cooked to order. We didn't eat in the hotel in the evening, there are plenty of eateries about and there is a Wetherspoons!!! Room was large and overlooked the main road at the front which didn't cause any problems. All in all a good stay.
Review 80：The breakfast was very limited in choice with "full English" a very small serving. No choice of types of bread and little selection of food in my opinion a minimal effort. I have had better breakfast choices and portions at B&Bs costing half the money that this hotel charges.
Review 81：This hotel is in s good position for seeing Oakham .
Review 82：Breakfast was a bit small, room was priced slightly high
Review 83：Liked that i rang up to see if we could get an early check in, got there 2 hours early and our room was ready also they gave us a later check out time with an extra hour
Review 84：The room was tired although clean enough. Comic moment on trying to open the wardrobe where the handle came of in my hand. The restaurant must be pre booked but this was not explained when we arrived. Luckily we had planned to eat out. Overall felt the place was run down and running on a shoestring.
Review 85：The location of the hotel is fine, if you want to be close to the centre of Oakham, car parking is an issue if the hotel is busy and no alternatives are available that do not cost.
Review 86：Minor issues, like breakfast not starting until 8 am on Saturday (by which time there was a large queue of walkers and cyclicts waiting to be served), and the fact you had to keep logging in to the wi-fi.
Review 87：Good location in centre of town with ample car parking.
Review 88：The location was excellent for what we intended to do and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The evening meal and breakfasts were very nice and served in a lovely yet quirky setting.
Review 89：Pillows too hard. Bathroom very dark. Curtains let in light - there was a street lamp outside the room - perhaps a heavier liner would be better. The restaurant for dinner if booked, was totally silent and we were the only people in there. Perhaps some background music in the bar area would make it more welcoming. Totally empty when we were there - not really very inviting.
Review 90：Good sized room. Good shower.
Review 91：The only complaint we had was that the taps in my mother's room were very stiff to operate. There was no lounge as such.
Review 92：The room was spacious, with all the essential hospitality features. I was woken by the dawn chorus outside at 5 am, but this was rather pleasant for a city dweller!
Review 93：we paid extra for a room upgrade which was not the case on arrival no refund has been offered by the hotel or yourselves Is this a scam?
Review 94：good breakfast well cooked
Review 95：No problems at all, you do need to read the directions for the car park as the entrance is a bit obscure (as said is their documentation) not a real problem.
Review 96：Excellent location. Really good rooms, plenty of storage space, clean and quiet. All the staff very very helpful Good value
Review 97：We should have asked for a ground floor room, but even so, stairs to our first floor room were VERY narrow width and quite steep. There was NO ONE to help us with our luggage- this was a pain and could have been a real problem.
Review 98：Good shower- lots of hot water. Good breakfast. Easy parking.
Review 99：The soup,vegetable selection and deserts never changed. Main course menu seemed to be on a three day cycle. We stayed for four days and would have liked more variety.
Review 100：Relaxing environment in an convenient location near to family for easy visits. Food well presented,meat always tender and tasty - but see adverse comment.
Review 101：Only thing missing was a residents lounge.
Review 102：Location, free parking, gluten free cereal and toast at breakfast and soy milk for the cereal. Very friendly and attentive staff. Quiet rooms at the back of the main building, only the birdsong could be heard in the mornings!
Review 103：Feel they need more choice on the evening menu. But food is off an excellent standard. Plus more choice of drinks in the bar.
Review 104：The hotel was clean and well run. They offered an excellent breakfast. Staff were friendly and very helpful
Review 105：The bed was incredibly hard, and the pillows were flat. We did not sleep well.
Review 106：The location of the hotel and the size of the room was great. The breakfast was fine.
Review 107：The location is excellent being in the centre of town. The room was nice and quiet. Extra early continental breakfast was available to enable us to make an early start to attend an event at Rutland Water.
Review 108：Lots of cobwebs. Room a bit dreary, needed a lick of paint Temperature of shower kept changing Mirror too low so couldn't see when drying hair
Review 109：Size of the room was good. Breakfast was fresh and hot Location to town
Review 110：Not bad experience but if you want to eat at the hotel in the evening, ensure you book in advance. Located in the walking distance of many restaurants if you can't eat at hotel
Review 111：Stayed there due to racing early the following morning. Hotel put on an early continental breakfast for athlets
Review 112：The older part of the hotel was quaint and visually attractive (old beams etc) but had a bit of a fusty smell in the bar/restaurant.
Review 113：The location was great. The receptionist/waitress was very friendly and good humoured. I was allowed to have my bike in the room which was very useful.
Review 114：I tried to book a table for dinner prior to my arrival on the same day but was told that I should have booked much earlier and they were full! Interesting because when I looked into the restaurant at 08;45 that evening there was only one table with 4 customers at it! I won't stay there again.
Review 115：closeness to the town
Review 116：Very minor, but the pillows weren't very comfortable.
Review 117：The location was excellent, the staff were friendly and very helpful. The hotel was clean and quiet at night.
Review 118：the bar could do with a better selection of drinks.
Review 119：all the stall were courteous and helpful. the room was clean and well presented, with a very comfy bed. bathroom was nicely decorated and a fantastic shower. and the food was excellent!
Review 120：Friendly staff. Room well equipped and a lovely new and clean bathroom. Breakfast was varied, plentiful and served with a smile. An enjoyable short stay
Review 121：No complaints
Review 122：A very friendly hotel. I could not find the car park and called for directions the receptionist couldn't have been more helpful. The rooms are well furnished, a good size and very clean. It is a quiet hotel in a quiet area. Breakfast was freshly cooked to order and the service very prompt. As a solo female traveler I felt very safe in the hotel. Would definitely go back if I am in the area again.
Review 123：Wifi was unobtainable!
Review 124：Hotel is in an excellent location. Very quaint and nicely decorated. Staff (and owner) were very helpful and approachable. Hotel was comfortably warm over a very cold weekend.
Review 125：25 minutes waiting at the reception for checking in eventually had to call them from my mobile then final someone came to assist us
Review 126：Clean, quiet, comfortable beds and all round pleasant appearance. All in all a perfect place except for the checking experience
Review 127：The breakfast was quite adequate but no more - low quality jam in plastic single-portion catering packs and tasteless eggs. The dining room is clean and spacious but dingy and looks ready for a makeover. It had snowed before we arrived and the car park had not been cleared properly leaving the path to the reception slippery with ice. But these are small complaints for what was overall a comfortable stay.
Review 128：Unlike many hotels, the room had windows that opened and a functioning heating system so we could have the room at the optimal temperature - bliss! It was really quiet at night, even on new Year's Eve, the bed was huge and comfortable and the bathroom modern and well appointed with an excellent shower.
Review 129：Thin walls = noisy neighbours yapping at 7am when you want a lie in! Bed was 2 singles pushed together then covered with matress topper = ok but not ideal.
Review 130：Good location, nicely presented, very tidy. Lovely bathroom. Free parking.
Review 131：Limited choice on food in Oakham as arrived late - 9.00pm following traffic accident on A1. Should have stopped off with hindsight
Review 132：Staff very friendly and helpful
The Fine Print
Children are welcome when accompanied by parents.Please advise the hotel in advance of any late arrivals.This can be done using the contact details on your booking confirmation.Pre-booking is required for the restaurant, some restrictions may apply at certain times of the year.Please note that payment will be taken on the day of arrival at the hotel. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards within a day prior to arrival and to release rooms where authorization has not been successful.