The Story of Well House Manor
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2008-07-12 07:32:27 - Graham Ellis
"What's the story of this place?" ... a question that I'm often asked at Well House Manor as I check out hotel guests.Well House Consultants has been running specialised computer training courses in Melksham since 2000 - so specialised that the majority of our customers travel a long way to attend, and need to stay locally during their course, which typically lasts from 2 to 5 days.
At first, our delegates stayed at the wide range of Bed and Breakfasts that was available, and some of the small local hotels, but gradually the B&Bs decreased in numbers, one of the hotels closed, as our delegates required en-suite facilities, they required internet access, and they needed to pay by credit card which limited the choice further.
As a company that brought visitors into Melksham, looked after them at our training centre during the day, provided their internet access, charged them (by credit card or on account if they wished) for our services, advised them on what there was to do around, fed and watered them, we were already - in essence - a "daytime hotel". When "The Old Manor" came up for sale, we purchased it and after major refurbishment re-opened it as Well House Manor, offering accommodation to our delegates which allows them to be trained, and have the facilities they were looking for, all under one roof.
What are our delegates looking for? For accommodation with en-suite facilities. For a desk / space to work and good internet access. For easy parking and places to eat nearby. For somewhere they can arrive late at night and get an early breakfast if they need to. For somewhere they can book online, and where they can copy vital papers and meet up with friends in the area. For somewhere that they're welcomed - even if just looking for a single room, or staying for just one night. For somewhere they can get a cup of tea or fresh coffee, or a can of soda, at any time, day or night.
It turns out (we expected that it would!) that other businesses in Melksham have visitors who are looking for a similar mix of facilities, in the area and at a sensible price. And so we're also offering our accommodation - and conference facilities - to other local businesses.
At weekends and holidays, there are some visitors to Melksham who are looking for a quiet, slightly luxurious base ... and we offer that too. We're big enough to have a range of public areas that our guests feel they can use freely without invading our home, yet small enough to retain the personal touch. And so, there's a further market. We're getting known by word of mouth, and so we're getting quite busy at weekends too, with guests we love to have - people who appreciate the particular set-up and mixture of facilities we have.
Here are the most recent comments in our vistor book ...
"Delightful place. 1st Class Service. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend"
"Outstanding Service - Great Accommodaton"
"Excellent quiet and comfortable"
"Lovely Honeymoon. Peace, Quiet, Lovely Rooms, Excellent Service. Thanks, Graham and Lisa - you made our stay extra special"
Well House Manor, 48 Spa Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6QL.
• Quiet, friendly accommodation just five minutes from the town centre ...
• Slightly luxurious rooms - spacious, large TV's, Superking beds and more ...
• Business facilities - 24 hour access, unlimited internet, printing and copying, all major credit cards accepted ...
For full details, to check availability of make a booking see the hotel web site (www.wellhousemanor.co.uk), call us on 0800 043 8225 or 01225 709638, or drop by.