Your West Midlands Wedding - Oct/Nov 2019 (Issue 64)

28 Danielle Harvey reviews the newly launched Laura Ashley Hotel The Iliffe, Coventry A doring all things wedding, I’m always super-excited about visiting new venues to see what’s on offer for local couples tying the knot in the area. On arrival to Laura Ashley Hotel The Iliffe, Coventry it’s hard imagine this Victorian country house, with its striking mock Tudor historic façade, is just three miles from the city centre, conveniently located it’s perfect for travelling wedding guests. Boasting soaring oak trees and a pergola for al fresco nuptials, there’s a garden and charming tree swing too for big-day photography. Inside, is a feast for the eyes, with the recent refurbishment sympathetically restoring original features back to their former glory combined with the contemporary, luxurious styling typically associated with the Laura Ashley Hotel Collection. The reception area is open plan, with cleverly arranged furnishings creating cosy, welcoming areas associated with boutique-style hotels – I could easily envisage excited wedding guests mingling here waiting for the day to commence! Staying in the bridal suite was a true delight, and having only tied the knot last year myself, I can vouch that it is definitely a pretty, elegant room any bride would want to get ready in. Thought to details has been given throughout with plenty of plush seating for the bridal party and visiting well-wishers, hooks to hang wedding and bridesmaid dresses, and a design perfect for getting ready photos – there are also 16 luxurious rooms to accommodate guests. Stylish function rooms can host up to 120 guests for ceremonies and receptions and feature Laura Ashley’s classic range of décor, fabrics and soft furnishings. I particularly loved the arched window in the ceremony suite creating a focal backdrop for nuptials. The Willows Restaurant can also be utilised in wedding packages and was a sophisticated setting for our evening meal while staying at the hotel. With the starters, main and desserts all looking rather tempting it was hard to choose! Opting for Pan Fried Scallops, with a mango salsa, leek rings and frisee lettuce, followed by Salmon “en papillote”, with new potatoes, fennel, spring onion, yellow cherry tomatoes, you would have thought that was more than suffice; however, eyes bigger than my belly, I finished of with a Chocolate Fondant, with passion fruit and mango sorbet – divine! All dishes are homemade to a high quality, with locally sourced ingredients where possible using within the Pershore and Evesham area with steaks being sourced from Stratford-upon-Avon. Having a peek at the wedding menu offering, couples will most certainly be spoilt for choice, as will the big-day guests. One of our favourite aspects of the stay had to be experiencing Afternoon Tea in the Laura Ashley The Tea Room. Exquisitely furnished, it offers a traditional atmosphere for afternoon tea etiquette. Guests can expect traditional favourites including a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, delicious scones and irresistible cakes and pastries. Updated regularly, the menu is created using seasonal produce by dedicated pastry chef, Chris Murrow – what’s more, the venue offers a traditional Afternoon Tea package for an elegant bridal shower pre-vows. When tying the knot here, couples not only benefit from a luxurious hotel, attentive staff and a picture-perfect surrounding, but the value of the all-inclusive wedding package really is the piéce de résistance! LAURA ASHLEY HOTEL THE ILIFFE, COVENTRY London Road, Coventry 02476 303 398 lauraashleyhotels.com SAY ‘I DO, I DO, I DO’