WonderDays and The Hotel Inspector

We were absolutely thrilled to step into the TV spotlight for the very first time with The Hotel Inspector! WonderDays made its debut appearance alongside Alex Polizzi and her team as they uncovered the story of Heart House in Coventry. 

When the TV company TwoFour reached out to us as a local business to feature on the show, we jumped at the chance. Going behind the scenes to explore Heart House was a truly special experience, and we were incredibly honoured to share our thoughts on the journey.

Heart House - Formerly Known as Old Hall House

Nestled in the rolling countryside between Coventry and Birmingham, Heart House is a hidden gem of character and charm, with enormous potential still waiting to be tapped into. Despite that potential, this ten-bedroom hotel was struggling with occupancy numbers, before Alex and the team stepped in to worked their magic.

On the one hand, the concept is unique; every room has its own theme, from a gun room to a snooker room, a steampunk suite and more. But at times, it feels a little too quirky, with odd surprises like dummies under the bed and spooky decor greeting you in the reception. The overall impression is inconsistent, not very functional, and often not aesthetically pleasing, leaving the hotel feeling more disjointed than distinctive.

That said, there is so much to celebrate here. The restaurant is excellent, and the outdoor dining pod adds something really special. The glamping pods with hot tubs are a huge draw, and the outdoor spaces are simply phenomenal, with beautiful gardens, a lake, and acres of land for activities like axe throwing. It’s a place that brings everything together in one location, with real potential to appeal to families and groups of friends.

Our Thoughts

From our perspective, the accommodation, particularly the glamping pods and outdoor areas, is fantastic. The bar and restaurant make the offering even stronger, and we could easily see guests spending three or four days there without running out of things to do. 

Importantly, Steve, the owner, was incredibly receptive to everything we asked and suggested. That openness is a real strength and gives us confidence that Heart House can evolve into the experience-led destination it has the potential to be. 

Our feeling was that the current strategy leans far too heavily on corporate events, which simply don’t do justice to what Heart House could be. With so much of the property sitting empty, relying on occasional corporate bookings risks overlooking its true potential.

As Abi put it, ‘very quirky, it gives a small inn type of feel, but with all of the amenities that you do have in a much bigger property. So on that side of it, we loved it.’

Matt echoed this by saying, “There’s so much variety here”, and we couldn’t agree more. With themed rooms, glamping pods, a restaurant, bar and activities, there’s a richness of experiences waiting to be tapped into.

Abi also observed, “Somebody looking to stay in the hotel would take advantage of the restaurant, it’s going to be additional revenue on the experiences and on the property, so he will see good growth there”.

The real opportunity lies in repositioning Heart House as a vibrant, experience-driven escape for families, friends and experience gifters. An audience that would embrace everything the venue has to offer.

The overall experience was truly enlightening and a fantastic opportunity for us to contribute our perspective. As an experience gifts company, it was great to bring our insight to the show and highlight how places like Heart House can thrive when positioned as destinations for families, friends and gift experiences. A proud moment for WonderDays and hopefully just the first of many. See how it all plays out in the full episode of The Hotel Inspector.