The appearance of a charming and characterful establishment quickly turned into a thoroughly underwhelming experience. Strict adherence to the 2pm check-in time was unnecessarily inflexible, especially when guests arrive early after long journeys. This lack of hospitality was the first of many concerns.
The bar area, which could have been a continuation of the hotel’s historic charm, felt out of place with its overly modern decor. Additionally, signs advertising “real ales” were misleading, as none were actually available. We paid £170 for a room, yet this did not include breakfast or parking. While the rooms were reasonably comfortable, they were extremely basic, and we've since noticed the same rooms now being advertised at nearly half the price we paid. The courtyard was a welcome respite from the busy High Street, but sadly this was the only real highlight. A friend’s room was shockingly below standard, with dirty walls, short curtains that didn’t cover the windows, cracks and holes in the ceiling, and an overall atmosphere that felt more like a hostel than a hotel.In another room, one side of the mattress was completely collapsed due to broken springs, making for a very uncomfortable night. Worse still, we found dirty tea cups and even a bloodstain on the bedding.Breakfast was acceptable, but one of the orders was incorrect. By the time the issue was resolved, the rest of our group had all finished.