The Rowton Hotel

It offered more than I expected, definitely. I'm still trying to work out why the name is a little different: Google says OYO Rowton hotel, while the sign says Rowton hotel.

A terrible hotel. This is now one of those places that will be protested against.

The staff did all they could to make the stay pleasant. The front desk and bar were helpful and accommodating, and the food was great. The building itself has plenty of history and character, and the shower facilities were very good. The room was the letdown. The old windows, perhaps because of the building's listed status, let in cold air and noise. Rooms were very cold on arrival, which wasn't welcoming. The hotel seems to save money by heating rooms only when the key card is in its reader, so the room cools whenever you're out. With those windows, it stayed cold. I asked at the front desk and a maintenance man brought up a heater, which helped with that issue. Noise was harder to fix: I clearly heard three or four boy racers going up and down the road overnight, so I didn't sleep well. The rooms could also use fresh paint and replacement furniture where pieces are broken. The entrance is grand, and spending a little money to improve its appearance would make a real difference. It seems to be run on the cheap for such an impressive building, which is a shame. Thanks for my stay.

The location is handy, within walking distance of the city centre, and the rooms were inexpensive. The lounge is nicely decorated too. Our room was poorly maintained, though, and the bathroom drain was broken. Management acted quickly and moved me to another room, and the staff were kind, which helped make up for the disappointment. It’s an okay choice if you’re after a basic stay at a low price.