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 |
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|
WARNING:
Some links to hotels' own websites may not work as hotels frequently change
hands! |
|
| Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire
Allt Yr Ynys Country House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
15mins
drive north of town straddling England Wales border |
| Date:
|
March
& July '06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00 |
| Breakfast: |
extra |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
sauna, jacuzzi, clay pigeon shooting, good walking |
| Comments:
|
award-winning
hotel; some rooms in main building, others in grounds |
 |
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
Berwick
Upon Tweed,
Northumberland
Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Birmingham
Menzies Strathallan
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Birmingham
Novotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Birmingham
Westmead Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Birmingham
Apollo Hagley Rd Edgbaston
hotel website
|
| Access:
|
west
of centre |
| Date:
|
01/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Peeves:
|
appalling
and pealing '70s decor; 'motel' layout with outside room doors;
scalded feet with boiling water gushing from bath-tap while showering |
| Comments:
|
avoid
like the plague |
| Service
overall: |
mediocre |
| Standards
overall: |
poor |
|
|
|
Blackburn,
Lancashire
Clarion Hotel & Suites
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off A59 |
| Date:
|
May
and September '06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Executive
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£59.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
swimming
pool |
| Comments:
|
slightly
shabby but friendly; large room |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Blackburn,
Lancashire
Macdonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off M65 junction 7, near Accrington |
| Date:
|
November
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
leisure
centre |
| Comments:
|
classy
but friendly, but watch out for the extra charge to pay by credit
card |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Blackpool,
Lancashire
DeVere Herons' Reach Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
next
to the zoo |
| Date:
|
December
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£59.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
leisure
centre |
| Comments:
|
a
very well-run business and leisure hotel |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Bolton,
Lancashire
Macdonald Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
north of town |
| Date:
|
January
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
leisure
centre |
| Comments:
|
let down by tatty, poorly-cleaned room; and watch out for the extra
charge to pay by credit card |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Bournemouth,
Dorset
Metro Palace Court Hotel
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
fairly
central |
| Date:
|
01/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Luxury |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
Yes,
good sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Peeves:
|
minor
mix-up over room numbers so had to return to reception as key-card
didn't work |
| Comments:
|
enormous
room; balcony; sauna cabin in my room! |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Bradford,
West Yorkshire
Marriott Hollins Hall Hotel
hotel
website
|
| Access:
|
25mins
north of city centre |
| Date:
|
05/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
(but see note below) |
| Room
type: |
not
noted |
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
B&B (NOTE: I was offered this hotel at same rate
as Bradford Marriott Courtyard due to overbooking) |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
not
in room, possibly in public areas |
| Facilities:
|
leisure
centre; mini-bar in room |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
excellent |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
excellent |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus BBC News24 |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1200 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
excellent |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Bradford,
West Yorkshire
Bradford/Bingley Ramada Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Bridgwater,
Somerset
Combe House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Cannock,
Staffordshire
Swallow Roman Way Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
A5 |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£49.00
room only |
| Breakfast: |
not
noted |
| 24hr
room service? |
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Peeves:
|
smoking
room booked but non-smoking room allocated |
| Comments:
|
not
noted |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Cardiff
Copthorne
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms
|
|
|
|
Cardiff
Bay
Future Inn
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
Hotel de la Bere
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
north
of the town, overlooking racecourse |
| Date:
|
January
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£50.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
impressive
late fifteenth century manor house, with more recent external accommodation
of a slightly lower quality; impressive service too; and apparently
haunted (check out 'Reputedly
Haunted Inns') |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
Macdonald Queens Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
January
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
the
leisure facilities at Cheltenham Ladies' College are free |
| Comments:
|
beautiful
old-style hotel with very high standards, but watch out for the extra
charge to pay by credit card |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
Paramount Cheltenham Park Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
outside the centre |
| Date:
|
January
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
|
| Breakfast: |
£12.50
|
| Facilities:
|
gym,
sauna, pool spa etc |
| Comments:
|
better-than-average
business hotel |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Chester,
Cheshire
Carden Park Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
south
of town just off A41 |
| Date:
|
July
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, spa, golf and loads more |
| Comments:
|
DeVere
Hotel with enormous, mainly fulfilled, pretensions, but a very badly
designed parking system |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Chester,
Cheshire
Crabwall Manor
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
north of town centre |
| Date:
|
October
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, spa |
| Comments:
|
rambling
old building concealing a hotel with very high standards |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Chester,
Cheshire
DeVere St David's Park
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
across the Welsh border, off the A55 |
| Date:
|
December
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, spa |
| Comments:
|
very
high standards |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Darlington,
County Durham
Redworth Hall Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
10mins
from A1 |
| Date:
|
07/05
& 04/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
internet
access (chargeable) |
| Facilities:
|
room:
CD player/DAB radio, robe, spa bath, yellow plastic ducks;
hotel: gym, pool, beauty salon |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
excellent |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
excellent |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate, mineral water |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes
and Galaxy bars! |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Sky Sports |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
ample,
free |
| Peeves:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
extremely
polite and professional staff, good bar, 1744 restaurant looks excellent
(not eaten there) |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Darlington,
County Durham
Walworth Castle Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms
|
| Access:
|
north-west
of town, just off A1(M) |
| Date:
|
October
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Executive
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
atmospheric
and friendly |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Derby,
Derbyshire
The Stuart Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
06/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Superior |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00 |
| Breakfast: |
£11.95
(full English) |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
several hot dishes plus good sandwiches |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
cable;
chargeable I think, but it didn't seem to work |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
adequate |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes
|
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus BBC News24 |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
breakfast
staff surly, plus for £11.95 I expect more than complete self-service
(at least to be served coffee) |
| Comments:
|
contemporary
decor; very pleasant |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Dorchester,
Dorset
King's Arms Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms
|
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
July
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
|
| Breakfast: |
£5.95 |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
friendly
with high standards |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Douglas,
Isle of Man
Empress Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
the promenade |
| Date:
|
October
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Sea-facing
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£72.50
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
a
fine hotel with a commanding view over Douglas bay, and highly recommended
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Dumfries,
Dumfries & Galloway
Cairndale Hotel
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
06/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
but sandwiches only after 2200 |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
pool/spa/sauna/gym |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
good |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
poor |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, randomly allocated on the TV |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
adequate,
free |
| Peeves:
|
faded
decor; had to fight with reception to get them to agree that room
service hot food was available up to 10pm; pathetic shower |
| Comments:
|
a
liveried porter carried my bags! |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
mediocre |
|
|
|
Durham
Ramside Hall
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
2mins
from A1(M) |
| Date:
|
01/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Superior |
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
b&b |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
Yes,
good sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
No |
| Facilities:
|
golf;
conference centre |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky Sports, Sky News |
| Peeves:
|
TV
reception rubbish |
| Comments:
|
large
room |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Exeter,
Devon
Gipsy Hill Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off M5 |
| Date:
|
July
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
very
helpful room-service |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Evesham,
Worcestershire
Wood Norton Hall Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
slightly
north of the town |
| Date:
|
December
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
former
BBC hotel at their training centre, with disappointing and careless
standards |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Grange
over Sands, Cumbria
Cumbria Grand Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
in
the town |
| Date:
|
October
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Single
|
| Rate
paid: |
£65.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
tennis
court and pool room, apparently |
| Comments:
|
Victorian
hotel which, while friendly, has seen much better days |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Great
Yarmouth, Norfolk
Cliff Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
a
few miles south of the town just off the A12 |
| Date:
|
August
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£60.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
comfortable,
but stand-offish staff |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Grimsby,
Lincolnshire
Legacy Oaklands Country House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
at
junction of A46 and A18 three miles southwest of town centre |
| Date:
|
October
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£63.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
slightly
forbidding staff, excellent breakfast (and beware the £2.95
charge to pay by credit card) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Hexham,
Northumberland
The George Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
a
few miles north of the town |
| Date:
|
December
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym etc |
| Comments:
|
unmemorable,
with pretentious food |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Hexham,
Northumberland
Matfen Hall Country House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
20
minutes north-east of the town |
| Date:
|
December
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com
|
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£90.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym, spa etc |
| Comments:
|
Sir
Hugh and Lady Blackett's country seat, tastefully converted to a very
high-class hotel |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Huddersfield,
West Yorkshire
Cedar Court Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off M62 |
| Date:
|
06/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00 |
| Breakfast: |
£11.50 |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
several hot dishes plus good sandwiches |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
yes,
chargeable (Swisscom Eurospot) |
| Facilities:
|
gym/pool/spa/sauna |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes
("Giant Pig-Shaped Biscuit") |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Sky One |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none*
|
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
room
service claimed not to have any of the hot items on offer, although
the porter did phone back later to admit he'd found them "in
another fridge" |
| Comments:
|
booking
was on hotel's system for the wrong night, but all sorted at right
rate with no drama; *Friday nights would seem to be 'Disco Inferno'
nights, so noise might be an issue in some rooms... |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
good
|
|
|
|
Ilkley,
West Yorkshire
Craiglands Hotel
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
not
noted |
| Date:
|
08/05
& 11/05 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
not
noted |
| Rate
paid: |
£65.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
not
noted |
| WiFi?
|
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
most
not working |
| Peeves:
|
bathroom:
run bath for 10 mins, only lukewarm; shower-head holder - can't
stand under so have to hand-hold, then back in holder to rinse,
sprays cold mist over rest of room floor; other people's hair on
floor; large bathroom yet no shelf to put stuff like toiletries;
door on hinges upside-down!
food: mashed potato inedible
reception: said they would call back in 2 mins but no update or
feedback
room: chair didn't fit under desk therefore impossible to work properly;
kettle filter disgusting |
| Comments:
|
never
again! |
| Service
overall: |
poor |
| Standards
overall: |
unacceptable |
|
|
|
Kendal
Castle Green Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central
|
| Date:
|
August
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£89.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym, spa etc |
| Comments:
|
not
noted |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Kettering
Royal Comfort Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
middle
of town |
| Date:
|
September
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£65.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
amateurishly
run and very basic; car parking a joke |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Kidderminster
Ramada Hotel and Resort
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
outside the town to the west |
| Date:
|
February
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£83.00 |
| Breakfast: |
£11.95 |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym, spa etc |
| Comments:
|
typical
large business hotel, with generally high standards, let down by exorbitant
charge for continental breakfast, and total lack of response to complaints
that the TV didn't work |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Lancaster
Lancaster House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
A6 just south of city |
| Date:
|
July
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00 |
| Breakfast: |
£12.50
(full) |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym, spa etc |
| Comments:
|
scrambled
egg made specially - delicious |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Lancaster
Royal Kings Arms
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
04/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£45.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
sandwiches |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
adequate |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
adequate |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News and others |
| Internal
or external noise: |
heavy
traffic including trucks (why don't they use the M6?), and chav-mobiles
with booming 'music', all compounded by traffic light junction directly
outside ensuring that traffic is constantly stopping and starting
|
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
totally
inadequate, have to leave keys with reception |
| Peeves:
|
hotel
had my (directly-booked) room rate wrong; bar snacks end 2130, room
service doesn't start until 2300; room light dimmer switch (furthest
side of room from door) left at lowest possible setting (by housekeeping?),
so on late entry, impossible to see; no directory services in room;
furniture polish dispenser left in bed (seriously!); some TV channels
wrong ratio |
| Comments:
|
average
overall at best |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
mediocre
|
|
|
|
Leeds,
West Yorkshire
Gomersal Park Classic Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off M62 junction 27 |
| Date:
|
November
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£76
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym
|
| Comments:
|
tatty
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Leith,
Edinburgh
Malmaison
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
north
of the city centre |
| Date:
|
many
throughout 2006 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75
- £85 room only |
| Breakfast: |
£12.75
full Scottish or £10 for 'hamper' in room |
| Facilities:
|
gym
etc; CD player in room |
| Comments:
|
perfect,
discreet service, all presented with humour |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Lowestoft,
Suffolk
Best Western Hatfield Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
A12 |
| Date:
|
January
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£65.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
reluctant
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Travel Channel |
| Peeves:
|
very
small room; no directory services in room |
| Comments:
|
wouldn't
want to stay more than one night |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Manchester
(Airport)
Etrop Grange Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
close
to airport |
| Date:
|
August
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£79 |
| Breakfast: |
£13.50
(full English) |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
good
hotel, but quality of breakfast fare not up to standard - eggs particularly
poor; car rental business also uses hotel car park |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Manchester
Britannia
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Melrose,
Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders
Station Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
A7 |
| Date:
|
05/06 |
| Booked
through: |
direct |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£60.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
no,
but award-winning 'Gary Moore' restaurant on-site |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
apparently... |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
excellent |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
excellent |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes,
and hot chocolate, mineral water |
| Biscuits/other: |
chocolate
bar |
| TV
channels: |
standard
terrestrial |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
none
on-site, but adequate free locally |
| Peeves:
|
curtains
wouldn't draw together; TV remote not working; TV had mind of its
own and switched on randomly |
| Comments:
|
friendly
small hotel; beautiful bathroom (gorgeous tiles!) |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Middlesbrough
Thistle
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Tyne & Wear
Menzies Silverlink Park Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off A19 north of Tyne Tunnel |
| Date:
|
05/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£84.00
DBB |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
possibly
in public areas |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
leisure club |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
good |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
mediocre |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Sky One, BBC Parliament(!) |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
ample,
free |
| Peeves:
|
toilet
seat and lid need to be held up (but see Comments below); TV remote
control held together by gaffer tape; room directory claims breakfast
on Sunday until 1100 - in reality it finishes earlier and the restaurant
supervisor says she's been "telling them for months to have
it changed" (she did provide me with breakfast on a tray in
the bar area, but only after I made a big fuss); residents' bar
closes at 2300 |
| Comments:
|
toilet
seat fixed after complaint; food excellent; all subsequent breakfasts
very good, so initial "unacceptable" changed to "good";
do not navigate here by postcode using sat nav! |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Northampton
Quality Hotel
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
just
off A43 near Weston Favell |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Executive |
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00 |
| Breakfast: |
not
noted |
| 24hr
room service? |
baguettes
(if they've actually got the fillings) |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
unacceptable |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
not
noted |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and 'diet' hot chocolate |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky One/News |
| Internal
or external noise: |
single,
thin interconnecting door to next room so all conversations, TV and
bathroom noises fully audible |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
adequate |
| Peeves:
|
useless
check-in; 45 minutes wait for two sandwiches; noise (see above);
bedroom curtain hanging off; no curtain or blind in bathroom (overlooks
residential street), so despite frosted window I felt uncomfortable
when showering |
| Comments:
|
generally
unfriendly and useless |
| Service
overall: |
poor |
| Standards
overall: |
mediocre |
|
|
|
Nottingham
Best Western Bestwood Lodge
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
|
|
|
Oldham,
Greater Manchester
Menzies Avant
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
02/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00
room only |
| Breakfast: |
£10.95 |
| 24hr
room service? |
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Peeves:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
after
blown fuse, mix-up over room numbers sorted satisfactorily |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Pitlochry,
Perthshire
Swallow Fishers Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
very,
very central! |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£45.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
only
up to 9pm |
| Work
desk? |
yes,
small |
| WiFi?
|
yes,
chargeable (swisscom eurospot) |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
adequate |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
adequate |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
mediocre |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
reception
very poor |
| Internal
or external noise: |
an
occasional RAF jet |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
adequate |
| Peeves:
|
TV
remote u/s, manual TV controls unworkable |
| Comments:
|
slightly
unfriendly; full of elderly guests (coach parties?) |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
adequate |
|
|
|
Portland,
Dorset
Portland Heights Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
the Isle of Portland south of Weymouth |
| Date:
|
02/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£68.00
room only |
| Breakfast: |
£8.50 |
| 24hr
room service? |
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Peeves:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
not
noted |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
adequate |
|
|
|
Preston,
Lancashire
Leyland Best Western
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off M6 J28 |
| Date:
|
September
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
not
noted |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Preston,
Lancashire
Tickled Trout Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
2
mins from M6 |
| Date:
|
01/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Superior |
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00 |
| Breakfast: |
not
noted |
| 24hr
room service? |
Yes,
good sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
Yes,
chargeable (T-Mobile) |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Travel Channel |
| Peeves:
|
all
rooms non-smoking; badly-designed tea/coffee-making facilities;
desk too low/chair too high; ditzy female red-haired South African
receptionist |
| Comments:
|
large
room; leather LA-Z-BOY chair; beautiful bath/shower room |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Quorn,
Leicestershire
Quorn Country Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off A6 between Loughborough and Leicester |
| Date:
|
04/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
yes
(T-Mobile - chargeable) |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
adequate |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
excellent |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
excellent |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate |
| Biscuits/other: |
KitKat |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky One/News/Sports, Discovery |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
over-complicated
handbasin; strangely-stained bedroom carpet |
| Comments:
|
friendly
staff; welcome lack of patronising signage in the bathroom ("mind
you don't slip over", "warning: hot water is hot" etc) |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Quorn,
Leicestershire
Quorn Grange
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
off A6 between Loughborough and Leicester |
| Date:
|
04/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
only sandwiches & soup after 9pm |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
adequate |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate, Horlicks |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
adequate |
| Peeves:
|
no
windows but French doors into delightful but unusual garden (memorial
to British print union members killed fighting Franco's fascists in
Spanish Civil War) means not possible to open-a-crack-for-ventilation
|
| Comments:
|
very
friendly and clean |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Ripon,
North Yorkshire
The Ripon Spa Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
centre
of town |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
no
but cold salad dish left in my room while out |
| WiFi?
|
yes,
chargeable |
| Facilities:
|
large
room; enormous bathroom (I've stayed in smaller hotel bedrooms!) |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate |
| Biscuits/other: |
no |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky One/News, CNN, History, Nat Geographic |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
ample,
free |
| Peeves:
|
scrambled
egg at breakfast inedible (self-service from warmed dishes) |
| Comments:
|
traditional
hotel (Best Western) |
| Service
overall: |
excellent |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Ryde,
Isle of Wight
Ryde Castle Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
very
central, on the Esplanade |
| Date:
|
November
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
small
and friendly; and apparently haunted (check out 'Reputedly
Haunted Inns') |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Salford,
Greater Manchester
Copthorne
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
slightly
west of the city centre in Salford Quays |
| Date:
|
06/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00
room only |
| Breakfast: |
£7.50 |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
two hot dishes (neither available) and expensive sandwiches |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
expensive
LAN internet access |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
good |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
no |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus Sky News, Sky Sports |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1200 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
non-availability
of hot food room service |
| Comments:
|
bit
of a let down |
| Service
overall: |
mediocre |
| Standards
overall: |
adequate |
|
|
|
Shanklin,
Isle of Wight
Melbourne Ardenlea Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
with
many of the main Shanklin hotels |
| Date:
|
August
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
|
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
sauna and jacuzzi, apparently |
| Comments:
|
lack
of facilities more than made up for by friendliness of staff |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire
Albright Hussey Manor Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
just
north of the town centre, easily accessible and signposted |
| Date:
|
September
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Executive
|
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
squash,
tennis and gym, apparently |
| Comments:
|
very
friendly, and (although not tried) the restaurant is reputed to be
extremely good |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Solihull,
West Midlands
Corus Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
a
couple of miles from M42 J4 |
| Date:
|
December
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
???
(agent) |
| Room
type: |
Standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£67.00
(special group rate) |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
pool,
gym |
| Comments:
|
a
business hotel, professionally-run |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Southport,
Merseyside
Prince of Wales Hotel
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
02/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£65.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes,
but sandwiches only after 2130 |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
basic |
| TV
channels: |
usual |
| Peeves:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
not
noted |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
adequate |
|
|
|
St
Asaph,
Denbighshire (north Wales)
Talardy Park
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
1
minute from A55 |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
kind
of (sandwiches) |
| WiFi?
|
yes,
unexpectedly |
| Facilities:
|
CD
player; sofa; two huge beds; LCD TV |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
poor |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
& 'diet' hot chocolate |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes
and mineral water |
| TV
channels: |
usual |
| Internal
or external noise: |
none |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
reception/night
porter very difficult to get hold of; non-smoking hotel |
| Comments:
|
oldish
hotel 'tarted up' reasonably well, staff genuinely friendly |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
excellent |
|
|
|
Stone,
Staffordshire
Stone House Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
on
the A34 |
| Date:
|
July
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
swimming
pool, gym |
| Comments:
|
unmemorable
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Stratford
Upon Avon,
Warwickshire
Charlecote Pheasant Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
a
few miles outside Stratford |
| Date:
|
October
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£50.00
|
| Breakfast: |
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
swimming
pool |
| Comments:
|
friendly
hotel in a beautiful setting, let down - as so often - by dreadful
breakfast service |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Stourbridge,
West Midlands
The Talbot
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
Venues
Unlimited |
| Room
type: |
standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£60.00 |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| 24hr
room service? |
no |
| Work
desk? |
small |
| WiFi?
|
not
noted |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Internal
or external noise: |
some
noise from revellers in street |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
free,
adequate |
| Peeves:
|
don't
take American Express |
| Comments:
|
interesting,
'leaning' rooms and crooked stairs |
| Service
overall: |
good |
| Standards
overall: |
good |
|
|
|
Sutton
Coldfield,
Warwickshire
Lea Marston Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
countrified
but only just off M42 |
| Date:
|
July
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Double
|
| Rate
paid: |
£80.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
full
gym/pool etc on-site |
| Comments:
|
very
friendly, well-run; noisy golfers woke me though |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Swindon,
Wiltshire
Alexandra House Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
near
Wroughton, just south of city |
| Date:
|
October
'06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
Standard
Double |
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
not
noted |
| Comments:
|
out-of-the-way,
slightly impersonal, and designed more as a conference centre |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Swindon,
Wiltshire
DeVere
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
south-west
of town centre |
| Date:
|
many |
| Booked
through: |
Venues
Unlimited |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£85.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool |
| Comments:
|
friendly,
high quality |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Swindon,
Wiltshire
Express By Holiday Inn
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
central |
| Date:
|
04/06 |
| Booked
through: |
Venues
Unlimited |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£50
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
(continental only) |
| 24hr
room service? |
no
(no restaurant on-site) |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
yes,
chargeable |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
excellent |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
adequate |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes |
| Biscuits/other: |
no |
| TV
channels: |
usual |
| Internal
or external noise: |
some
city centre drinking |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
none
on-site, variety of car parks within walking distance with peculiar
charging |
| Peeves:
|
car
parking; lifts with minds of their own |
| Comments:
|
basic |
| Service
overall: |
adequate |
| Standards
overall: |
adequate |
|
|
|
Swindon,
Wiltshire
The Ivy Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
in
Wroughton, just south of city |
| Date:
|
May,
August and September '06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£75.00
DBB |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Comments:
|
very
friendly; highly recommended |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Torquay,
Devon
Palace Hotel
click
here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website |
|
|
|
Wakefield,
West Yorkshire
Cedar Court Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
2
minutes from M1 |
| Date:
|
February
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£67.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, sauna etc |
| Comments:
|
uninspiring
but functional |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Wakefield,
West Yorkshire
Hotel St Pierre
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
close
to the M1 |
| Date:
|
May
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
executive
|
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, sauna etc |
| Comments:
|
functional
and friendly alternative to Cedar Court |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Walsall,
West Midlands
Menzies Barons Court
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
15mins
from M6 |
| Date:
|
April
and August '06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
executive |
| Rate
paid: |
£79.00 |
| Breakfast: |
£14.95
(full), £??.?? (continental) |
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, sauna etc |
| Comments:
|
friendly
but lacking character |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Whitehaven,
Cumbria
Ennerdale Country House Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
a
few minutes from the A595 |
| Date:
|
February
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
executive
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc |
| Facilities:
|
none
|
| Comments:
|
pleasant
and friendly, but don't bank on watching much TV |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Worksop,
Nottinghamshire
Clumber Park Hotel
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
10mins
from A1 |
| Date:
|
03/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Rate
paid: |
£45.00 |
| Breakfast: |
extra |
| 24hr
room service? |
passable
sandwiches |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| TV
channels: |
not
noted |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Peeves:
|
couldn't
get chair in front of desk until rearranged furniture; kept stubbing
toes on bed; much shouting; scrambled egg inedible; phone call at
1210: "checkout IS at 12" (if one overstays checkout time,
most hotels ask one politely, "Are you checking out today sir?") |
| Comments:
|
surprisingly
poor standards |
| Service
overall: |
mediocre |
| Standards
overall: |
poor |
|
|
|
York,
North Yorkshire
Aldwark Manor Hotel
click here for an
EXTENDED
REVIEW!
hotel
website
book
this hotel through laterooms |
| Access:
|
9
miles from A1 north of city |
| Date:
|
January
'07 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard
double |
| Rate
paid: |
£70.00
B&B |
| Breakfast: |
inc
|
| Facilities:
|
gym,
pool, sauna etc |
| Comments:
|
large
but friendly, classy but modern - a treat to stay in |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
York,
North Yorkshire
Ramada Jarvis
hotel
website |
| Access:
|
on
A19 just off northern section of ring road |
| Date:
|
05/06 |
| Booked
through: |
laterooms.com |
| Room
type: |
standard |
| Rate
paid: |
£69.00
|
| Breakfast: |
£11.95 |
| 24hr
room service? |
yes |
| Work
desk? |
yes |
| WiFi?
|
no |
| Facilities:
|
none |
| Cleanliness
of room/bathroom: |
mediocre
(ants in bathroom) |
| Quality
of showering experience: |
good |
| Quality
of breakfast experience: |
good |
| Tea
and coffee: |
yes
and hot chocolate, mineral water |
| Biscuits/other: |
yes |
| TV
channels: |
usual
plus ITV2, 3, Sky News |
| Internal
or external noise: |
minimal |
| Check-out
time: |
1100 |
| Car
parking comments: |
plenty,
free |
| Peeves:
|
housekeeping
seemed uninterested in ants; window very awkward to open and close;
some picture ratios on TV wrong; incorrect remote control; room
service took nearly an hour, and when it turned up it was wrong |
| Comments:
|
substandard |
| Service
overall: |
mediocre |
| Standards
overall: |
poor |
|
|
|
| |
|
