Disclosure: We were sent the Charming Escape Smartbox free for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links please see our disclosure policy for more information.
It’s not very often that Chris and I get to spend a night away from the kids so when Buyagift kindly sent us a Charming Escape Smartbox to review we were very excited. As much as I love my kids it’s always nice to spend some time together as a couple.
The Charming Escape Smartbox has an incredible selection of quirky, cute and traditional one-night stays for you to choose from. Whether you want a city break or a quiet countryside stay, you will find exactly what you want in this Smartbox gift.
Charming Escape Smartbox by Buyagift Review
There are over 250 one-night stays for two people at a choice of venues across the UK. The Charming Escape Smartbox costs £69.99 and is available to buy from the Buyagift website.
The Smartbox experience arrives in a lovely presentation box perfect for gifting. Inside there is a voucher for your chosen experience and a partner guidebook. The guidebook contains all the information about the choice of overnight stays included in the experience. It’s separated into regions which makes it incredibly easy for you to see what’s available in the area you would like to visit.
Our Charming Escape Experience At Park Hall Hotel & Leisure Club
We wanted somewhere close to home so we chose from the North West section which was packed with options. We did initially think about a glamping pod but seeing as it was early March we opted for the comfort of a hotel room. Almost all of the options included breakfast which is high on my list of priorities when it comes to having a night away.
I also wanted to choose something in a fairly quiet location with pretty scenery. After looking through the choices together we chose the Park Hall Hotel & Leisure Club near Preston. The hotel is set on 100 acres of beautiful countryside and features a lakeside location. There are 110 rooms, a lounge bar, a leisure club, a restaurant, and conference rooms. The hotel is also a popular wedding venue.
Booking your chosen experience or venue is simple. You just need to book either by telephone or online if that option is available. The venue will need to know you are using a buyagift voucher and they will take the voucher reference number. You will also need to take the voucher with you on your stay in case it’s asked for again.
After a pleasant journey, we arrived at the hotel to find beautiful grounds and lots of parking space. Checking in was quick and simple, the hotel lobby was really nice and spacious. The hotel staff were all friendly and explained where everything was in the hotel and about the services they offered.
Our room was spacious and comfortable, although the decor was a little dated and the room was in need of some freshening up. After unpacking we decided to go for a drink in the lounge bar.
We decided to venture out for the evening so we didn’t eat at the hotel instead of choosing a local pub. Once we returned to the room we settled down to watch a movie and read a little. The hotel, despite a few weddings taking place, was lovely and peaceful. I had a really good and comfortable night’s sleep in the hotel bed.
Breakfast is included in the package and it was available from 7.30 am in the hotel’s main restaurant, Brookes. Chris and I decided not to take our phones to breakfast and it’s very rare we get to enjoy this time together without distractions. Of course, this meant I didn’t get any photos of the delicious breakfast on offer. There was a really good cooked selection and the usual cereal, pastries, and yoghurt, all self-service. Coffee, tea, and juices were also freely available.
Checking out was quick and simple and of course, there was no bill to settle. I really liked the choice and ease of using the Smartbox voucher. The Buyagift website has a huge range of experiences perfect for all gifting occasions and I can’t wait to try some more.
