Abbey Guest House

I rarely leave reviews, but this place is a gem, especially if you're working at the nearby business park. It's owner-run, so anyone expecting staff to indulge bad behaviour and selfish demands might be happier paying for an expensive hotel. For the rest of us, the thought put into the details was great: there's even a little shoe-polishing station in the downstairs hall. The accessibility lift is right in the middle of the hall, and beside the bed there's a double socket with USB charging built in. I found an iron and board in the wardrobe for my client visit shirts, plus a lovely bathrobe, so I didn't need to ask. They also recommended the Spread Eagle pub around the corner. It has unusual meats such as crocodile and zebra, as well as excellent burgers and ribs. After eating there both nights, I was sorted for my multi-day stay. The finish and attention to detail were better than at most hotels I've stayed in.

The room was spacious and comfortable, and the bathroom had a nice shower and bath together. The beds had no sheets, though, so on a warm night we were left with thick winter blankets. I was also charged extra because I paid by Visa.

I found the stay really uncomfortable and can't understand all the awards this place has. The owner came across as rude, patronising and unhygienic. I saw her eating from the communal fruit salad bowl with her hands. The bed felt cheap, with a flimsy mattress and a rock-hard pillow. She wanted to know everything ahead of time, including exactly when we'd arrive and what we planned to eat the next day. If plans changed, she went ape. Housekeeping came at 9am and made us leave the room for the day. I could say more, but I wouldn't recommend this strange place.

We had a ground-floor room with an accessible bathroom, which was fantastic. Terry, the owner, had clearly taken care over every detail, and I couldn't fault Abbey Guest House. I've stayed in hotels with much less equipment. I'd happily stay there again.