Escape to Skyvillion: Your Dream 3-Bed Stevenage Home Awaits!
Escape to Skyvillion: My Stevenage Dream Home (Probably Just a Hotel, TBH)
Okay, so the brochure for Escape to Skyvillion… it promised me a "Dream 3-Bed Stevenage Home." Home, huh? More like a swanky hotel, I'm betting. But hey, I was desperate for a little getaway, and the pictures looked… well, decent. So, I'm back, and I'm ready to spill the beans. This ain't your average, sterile hotel review. Prepare for some real talk, people.
First Impressions: Accessibility, the Awkwardness, and the Wi-Fi Blues
Right off the bat, the accessibility thing. This is important, folks! Accessibility: The brochure touted "Facilities for disabled guests." And, honestly, the entrance looked accessible. Wide doors, ramps… good start. But the true test? Didn't get a chance to really try it out, thankfully. But, seriously, if you need it, double-check. I did notice a fully-stocked First aid kit and Doctor/nurse on call which is super reassuring, especially when you’re traveling!
Connectivity, the Eternal Struggle: Remember that age-old problem? Internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Great! But let's get real. I’m a digital nomad type, and reliable Wi-Fi is my oxygen. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services… they threw all the buzzwords in. The Wi-Fi? Initially… patchy. Like a teenager's enthusiasm for chores. Thankfully, eventually stabilised, but during that first hour of trying to Internet access – wireless, I was this close to going full-on caveman. (Actually, I did use the free bottled water to cool off. Needed it because the Wi-Fi made me red faced!). And the Laptop workspace in the room? Saved my sanity. Thank god for that.
(Let's pause for a deep breath and a rant about "Dream Homes" that don't have decent Wi-Fi.)
Anyway, I eventually got the Wi-Fi sorted, thanks to some helpful staff. Speaking of…
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, the World is Currently a Mess
This place, despite the "Dream Home" hype, did seem to take cleanliness seriously. A Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Sounded promising. I appreciated that they had Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The whole Anti-viral cleaning products thing… I'm no germophobe, but it was reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays… good to know. The staff were trained in safety protocol, and that did put my mind at ease, even though I was secretly hoping for more of a ‘stay at home’ kind of a feel. The staff wore masks, and… well, they were doing their best.
Important Side Note: The "Opt-Out" Option! I found it funny that they gave an option to opt-out of Room sanitization opt-out available. Like, "Hey, we will clean your room, but if you want to live in squalor, be our guest!" (Not that I would!)
Dining, Drinking, and (Attempted) Decadence
Alright, let's talk food. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was there. A standard affair. Did I get my fill of Asian breakfast? Sadly, no. I would've loved a proper bowl of ramen, but no dice. They did offer, though, lots of options including Breakfast takeaway service, so I took something back to the room. Coffee/tea in restaurant was good, but also got my order wrong and it was annoying. Room service [24-hour]? Yes, please! (Though I mostly used it for late-night snacks and an emergency Bottle of water.)
The Restaurants were… okay. They called it "International cuisine," which meant a bit of everything, and nothing particularly exceptional. I did hit up the Poolside bar a couple of times because, ya know, vacations. Happy hour was a godsend, not gonna lie. The Snack bar was useful for those between meal cravings.
The "Relaxation" Zone: Spa, Sauna, and the Elusive Zen
This is where things got a little… complicated. The brochure promised an oasis. The Spa/sauna, the Spa, and the Steamroom were, technically, available. I thought I'd dive right into some serious "me time." Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap… the whole shebang! And, yes, I'm a sucker for a good Foot bath.
But… the reality was a bit underwhelming. It felt… impersonal. Like they were going through the motions. The Pool with view? Okay, yes, there was a view, but it wasn’t exactly breathtaking. It was more of a "meh" kind of view. And the whole "zen" vibe I was hoping for? Totally elusive. One experience I’ll never forget, though, was when I bumped into a couple who clearly thought they were in a romantic comedy. All the Couple's room shenanigans, the decorations in their room made me feel kinda awkward!
The "Things to Do" and Getting Around – Stevenage Adventures!
Getting around was relatively easy. Car park [free of charge] was a bonus. Taxi service readily available. Airport transfer? Also available, which was good, considering I needed one to get away from Stevenage!
They did offer some Things to do, including the Fitness center and Gym/fitness, which were good for some light exercise. I am not sure if I really need a Bicycle parking spot, haha.
Services and Conveniences – Because We're All Lazy
This is where Skyvillion actually shined. The convenience factor was high. Air conditioning in public area? Check! Cash withdrawal? Yep. Concierge service? Always helpful. Daily housekeeping? A must. Doorman? Nice touch. Dry cleaning? Handy for a quick refresh!
The “For the Kids” Section (I Don’t Have Any, But Still…)
They had a Babysitting service and Kids meal. A couple of Kids facilities available. They are definitely Family/child friendly, which is great if you're travelling with kids.
The Rooms: A Mixed Bag of Comfort and Mild Disappointment
So, the rooms. Not a "Dream Home" in the sense of, you know, home. But they were… fine. Clean. Air conditioning was a lifesaver. Blackout curtains? Essential for sleeping off all that Happy hour. Coffee/tea maker? Thank goodness. Mini bar? Overpriced, but I needed it. The bed was comfortable, though, not the Extra long bed that I have. The Slippers were a nice touch. Wi-Fi [free]? (Still holding my breath on this one!). A lot of the amenities are available in all the Non-smoking rooms.
The Rundown: Skyvillion – Dream Home? Nah. Decent Hotel? Probably.
So, would I recommend Escape to Skyvillion? As a "Dream Home"? Absolutely not. As a hotel? Yeah, probably. It's a solid option. It gets the job done.
The Good:
- Cleanliness & Safety seemed legit.
- Convenient location.
- Decent service, and a very useful Concierge.
- Some of the facilities, although not amazing, were great.
The Not-So-Good:
- The "dream home" marketing is a bit misleading.
- The Wi-Fi was dodgy at times.
- The spa experience needs a serious injection of… well, something.
- The food, although varied, wasn't mind-blowing.
Final Verdict: Escape to Skyvillion is a decent hotel in Stevenage. Worth a stay if… well, if you're in Stevenage and need a place to stay. But don't go expecting to find your dream home. You'll probably just find a slightly above-average hotel, and that's perfectly okay.
KL's Cutest Hidden Gem: Kota Damansara's Emporis Cozy Haven!
Okay, strap in, buttercups, because here’s how this epic, totally-not-perfect-or-planned-out adventure to Skyvillion - Valley Way - 3bed House In Stevenage, Stevenage, United Kingdom is gonna probably go down. (Keyword: PROBABLY.) This isn't some glossy travel brochure; this is me, spilling my guts, my excitement, and probably some lukewarm coffee, all over this itinerary. Let's do this… and pray for the best.
The Pre-Trip Panic & Planning (Because, let's be honest, everything's a bit of a mess before it starts)
- Weeks Before (aka "The Existential Dread Phase"):
- **Flights: **Booked… I think? Definitely *paid* for. Pretty sure. Okay, I’ll check again. Right, London, Stansted. Praying the baggage allowance is enough for my "essential" collection of vintage t-shirts. And by "essential," I mean the ones I'm too sentimental to get rid of. One in particular - purple, with a faded graphic of a grumpy cat - is going to get me through the stress.
- Accommodation: Confirmed! Skyvillion - Valley Way - 3bed House. Hoping it's not haunted. Or, you know, infested with spiders. Check the reviews. Oh, right. I already did. They mentioned a "charming garden." Charming is code for "needs a machete." We'll see.
- Visas, Passports, Currency, Insurance: Ugh. Doing it… sort of. Definitely have my passport. Probably covered by insurance, I think. Gotta figure out the bloody currency situation. Will I get laughed out of Stevenage for trying to pay with monopoly money? Probably, knowing my luck.
- The Packing Dilemma: This is where everything falls apart. Always. Do I need that leopard-print blazer? (Yes.) Should I pack a rain jacket? (Probably. This is the UK, after all. It's always raining.) Am I forgetting something? Probably.
Day 1: Stansted Shenanigans and the Stevenage Survival Guide
- 6:00 AM: The Alarm of Doom. (I always set three to be absolutely certain I don't miss my flight. Which, of course, means I’m always late.) Coffee. Panic. Throw clothes at suitcase.
- 7:00 AM: The Taxi from Hell. Traffic. Always. Pray the driver doesn't judge my suitcase's questionable state.
- 8:00 AM: Stansted Airport. The Gauntlet is Run. Security. Stripping down for scanners. Fighting the urge to scream. Finding a decent coffee.
- 10:00 AM: The Flight. Turbulence. Mild Terrors. Try to sleep. Fail. Gawp at the clouds. Wonder about the people in the rows nearby and what their story is.
- 11:30 AM (ish): London Landfall! Breathe. Try not to look like a complete lost tourist.
- 12:30 PM: The Train to Stevenage. Figure out the ticket machines. Successfully avoid making a complete prat of myself. Relatively. Listen to my chosen travel playlist - probably some indie rock and a podcast.
- 1:30 PM: Stevenage Arrival. Reality Hits Okay, this is it. This is where the adventure really begins. Or, more accurately, where I start figuring out how to get to the house.
- 2:00 PM: The House Hunt! Finally made it and finally get to that "charming garden"! Does it look like the pictures? Probably not. Prepare to be disappointed/delighted. Unpack, more coffee. And a stiff drink afterwards, if there's a chance.
- 3:00 PM: Grocery Run. The Great Stevenage Scavenger Hunt. Locate the nearest supermarket. Attempt to navigate the aisles. Accidentally buy something I don't need. (Spoiler: I always do.) Stock up on snacks, because you know, vacation calories don't count. (Also, I'm hungry.)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the House. Prepare a simple meal. (Probably something involving pasta. Or, if I'm feeling ambitious, a microwavable meal.) Have a pint. Or two.
- 7:00 PM: The Evening Stroll. Wander around the neighbourhood. Get a feel for the place. Note: watch out for dodgy looking characters, but don't assume everyone is sinister. Listen to the sounds of the neighbourhood, and try and fall in love with the atmosphere.
- 8:00 PM: Wind down. Collapse on the sofa. Check emails. Maybe start a book, but probably end up scrolling on my phone.
Day 2: (Potentially) Exploring Stevenage and the Surrounding Area
- 9:00 AM: Wake up, have breakfast. More coffee. Contemplate the day.
- 10:00 AM: The Stevenage Museum. Actually, I may skip this. Museums can be draining on the first day.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Pub grub? A local cafe? (Possibly.)
- 1:00 PM: Exploring Hitchin. This seems close. Figure out transportation. Hitchin market! Hoping to find some quirky shops.
- 4:00 PM: Wandering around Hitchin. Explore Hitchin, get lost, find hidden gems.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Eat at the pub I checked out on my wanderings. Have a good meal.
- 7.00 PM: Relax. Check work emails. Chat with a friend.
Day 3: A Day Trip to London (Oh God, Here We Go Again)
- 8:00 AM: Wakeup and Coffee, London Bound! Train to London.
- 9:00 AM: London Landfall! Start with somewhere familiar, possibly the British Museum. So much to see, and so little time.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Quick bite somewhere.
- 1:00 PM: Walking around London. Walk to different places. See the sights.
- 5:00 PM: Head Back. Head back to Stevenage.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and Relaxation. Dinner in the house, and a relaxing evening.
Day 4: Relaxation and Planning
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Free Time. Possibly get a hobby. Read a book. Watch a show.
Day 5: Goodbye Stevenage, You Weird and Wonderful Place
- 9:00 AM: Pack. (The dreaded task.) Try to assess how much stuff I can actually bring back.
- 10:00 AM: Final Check-Out. Make sure everything is in order. Hope I haven't left anything important.
- 11:00 AM: Transport to Stansted. One last look at Stevenage. Wondering if I'll ever be back.
- 12:00 Noon: Stansted. Check-in. Pray everything is okay.
- 1:00 PM: Flight to Home. I'm a mess.
The "Post-Trip Debrief" (Because I Need One)
Post-Trip Journaling: (Maybe.) Gotta keep a journal!
Photo Sorting: Hours wasted, but worth it, for some of the memories.
"Will I Go back?" Absolutely.
Final Thoughts: This trip will be what it will be. A little messy, a little emotional, a little imperfect. And if by some miracle, it doesn't end in total disaster, it will still be a good time. Here’s hoping for the best. Wish me luck!
Escape to Skyvillion: FAQs (Because Let's Be Honest, You Have Questions)
So, is Skyvillion actually... nice? Because Stevenage, right?
What's the catch? There *has* to be a catch, right?
The Commute: If you MUST work in London… you've got to be prepared for the rush hour crush. The train is *usually* reliable, but occasionally, especially when the leaves are on the line (seriously, that's a real thing), you might experience a delayed train
The Social Scene (or lack thereof): It’s not like there's a buzzing scene of artisan coffee shops and indie record stores. While the town centre does have all the basics, you do need to travel a bit for fancy dining or wild nights out. However, your wife may like it. The quietness of the area might be appealing.
The final catch? Probably the cost. Its expensive to move, and even more expensive to get your kids into a good school, which is why it's your one and only choice.Okay, but what about the actual *house*? What's it *really* like inside?
The garden is... well, it exists. It’s not huge, but it gets the sun. I'd love to have a proper patio, but the DIY projects are just waiting to happen. And I'm *totally* not prepared to be the guy who's always mid-project. But its a good space, and its home.
Are there any good pubs? Tell me about the pubs! This is crucial!
There are a few pubs nearby. The Woodman is the closest. It's a bit of a "local's local", which means it can be a bit raucous on a Friday night, if you know what I mean. Excellent pool table though, and the beer is decent, but the place has a certain, shall we say, "character". My wife goes there regularly, thank God for her.
And then you have your chain pubs, which are a bit safer. Still the pub, but at least it's a familiar face. I've been known to sneak off there to watch the football on occasion. Don’t tell the wife.
Seriously though, finding the right pub is important. It's where you'll make friends, complain about the train delays, and generally feel like you're a part of things. So, explore! Find your own! And if you see me there, buy me a pint. I'll tell you all the secrets, no charge.
What about schools? Because, y'know, kids.
I'm not going to name any specific ones (privacy and all that), but do your research *before* you commit. Talk to other parents. Visit. Ask about homework... the teachers and the curriculum of the schools. Don't just assume "the closest one" is the best. Trust me on this one.
Is there anything to *do* in Stevenage? Besides, y'know, live?
Shopping? Got it. Fairlands and the town centre have all the big shops. Cinema? Yep, you got it. Parks? Plenty of green spaces for the kids to run around and let off some steam (and for you to collapse on a bench after dealing with them for several hours.)
But honestly? What I *really* appreciate is the proximity to London. It’s not right on your doorstep, but its easy to get away. Trains often and fast, and then, you’re away. When you get tired of the area, hop on the train and you can get away anytime.
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
If you want a picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy life? Probably not. If you're looking for a bustling, exciting lifestyle? Maybe not. But if you’re looking for a comfortable home, a decent community, access to London, and a place to raise a family, then... yeah, I'd recommend it.
We've been here for a few years. We grumble, we complain, we sometimes want to run screaming into the distance. But we also have a solid home. The kids are doing well in school. And in the end, that's all that really matters, right?
