No35 Narrowgate Apartments

No.35 Narrowgate is in a very convenient spot near the town centre, and the Majestic Purple apartment could work well for a short stay. But cleanliness and maintenance really detracted from our visit. There was a lot of dust and cobwebs, and plates, cutlery, cups and glasses weren't clean, so we had to wash them again when we arrived. The cafetiere was in poor shape, with old coffee grounds still inside. One morning we woke to a flooded bathroom, with water coming through the ceiling. A plumber came but couldn't find the cause, and no one offered to help clean up or replace the soaked towels, which was frustrating. We also found a broken kitchen shelf and items that seemed past their best, like knives with peeling paint. Noise was another issue, as some other guests weren't considerate at night. The apartment has potential, but the lack of cleanliness, upkeep and follow-up when problems came up let it down.

Forest Green Lodge is spacious, modern and spotlessly clean, and the setting is peaceful. We heard nothing from outside during our stay and didn't notice the other lodge. It's also very close to the town centre and castle, just a two-minute walk. But we arrived to a cold lodge in 8-degree weather, with all the heaters off. Finding the radiator switches and figuring them out was the first job. The bathroom stayed cold and damp, with no window and useless ventilation. The towel rail doesn't work, and the fuse isn't installed in the spur, so the owners clearly know about it. They thanked us for mentioning it but didn't fix it, leaving us to dry towels over chairs. The radiators heat effectively, but they're very noisy. We had to choose between trying to sleep through the bedroom radiator clanging all night or turning it off and waking up to a cold room. There's not even a doormat, so we walked between rooms on our own cold, wet footprints. The management company also sent 12 messages before arrival and kept trying to sell us gin, food, extra nights and damage waiver right up to the moment we arrived. They even offered early arrival for a fee, though the cleaners arrive as soon as you leave.

Booked through host & stay. The lodge at the back was quiet and peaceful, with a lovely view of the local church. The location is fantastic, close to Alnwick Castle and amenities.

We had a great weekend in the apartments. They were lovely, clean and well equipped with everything we needed, in an excellent location close to all amenities.