Overview

What a shame, this oldish hotel is looking out of place, it’s very shabby, unlooked after, Badly in need of maintenance both inside and outside, and our first thought was to get out of there, but we decided to give it a review anyway. This 1850 built 3 star hotel was once a gentleman’s club, with a very large car park, holding space for 120 cars, but we did not see a disabled bay, although there is supposed to be one here somewhere. What we did find useful was a hand cleaning car wash, at reasonable cost, and lads did a great job for us. The hotel is run by Regency (Shirley) Ltd from August 2021, but they obviously cannot care about the place. The hotel has 111 bedrooms over 3 floors, we would not stop here, a restaurant and a bar, with views over a garden, but this needed attention. It has a fitness centre, built in 1990, refurbished in 2009, with its own leisure centre, with a well equipped gym, steam room, sauna, so they say, we did not bother to find it. HOWEVER, there is a very pleasant, clean looking, small independent TEA ROOM, presented by Laura Ashley offering a good afternoon tea, and if the look of the hotel did not put you off, it may be worth trying out. Now let’s present you with OUR REVIEW OF HOTEL. We approached via a busy road, and entered the car park area, (photo 1) but that alone was enough to put us off, and the whole front of the hotel looked shabby and unkempt. The entrance into hotel was round the corner (photo 2) but not appealing and the woodwork badly needs maintenance and painting. There is a ramp though for you (3) with a pull handle entrance on the level (photo 4) which led us to reception desk, (5) with someone there as well, BUT DO REMEMBER TO REGISTER YOUR CAR here. A corridor (6) leads towards the bar, which was plain and simple with a few comfortable enough chairs (photo 7) and served a decent gin and tonic. A good sized restaurant is available (8) comfortable looking with nice views over garden area (9) but the terrace itself needs cleaning up all around (10). A passage now leads towards the Tea room (11) but there are steps to have to get up (12) even if you entered from the car park area, but it was a nice looking tea room (13) designed with Laura Ashley deco, in subdued colours (14). Toilets near by with a disabled toilet, (15) which is small with basic facilities (16). Around the corner from reception is a small lift (17) just big enough for chair and carer, but no room to turn (18) which will take you up to bedrooms, tired looking corridor (19) in at least an effort to add modernisation to it, but we did not see a disabled room. Then it’s back outside again for your journey to next visit. In no way would we recommend this hotel to you, it badly needs attention before we would even consider doing so.

Transport & Parking

Easy to reach, lots of parking spaces, but very off putting appearance of the hotel

Access

Did not see disabled bay, but enough room, best to pull round the corner to be near hotel entrance

Toilets

Toilet needs maintenance work, not very big, has a grab rail.it’s clean enough but needs a coat of paint

Staff

Actually very helpful, willing, and tried hard to please, well done to them.

Photos