Cocked Hat by Good Night Inns

Breakfast was included in our £84.50 Black Friday deal for me and my three children, aged 19, 17 and 14. It was delicious. My eggs Benedict were stunning, and the presentation showed how much care the kitchen takes with its food. The breakfast server was so lovely. I didn’t get her name, but we think she had a South African accent. When we mentioned my son had a nosebleed in his sleep and got blood on the sheets, she was kind and told us not to worry. The room was lovely and quiet, with two TVs in the family room, though both were on the same channel. Maybe we just didn’t know how to use them. The double bed had its own section within the same room, so it didn’t feel cramped like many family rooms. The shower pressure was a little low, but it was hot, and the bathroom was very spacious. Staff were incredibly friendly. We usually choose Premier Inn, but this was a welcome surprise, with better food than other chains and a cheaper price than any hotel nearby. We’ll definitely come back, and next time we’ll have dinner there too.

We chose The Cocked Hat because it was convenient for friends coming from different places to meet for a Sunday Roast. When we called about the children’s needs and dietary requirements, the customer service was easy and helpful. They were also completely flexible about the time, since we weren’t sure when everyone would arrive. Once we got there, they were great with the little ones and attentive to making sure we had a good time. I hope we pass that way again next year.

The shower pressure was great and breakfast was excellent, so there were some good points. Still, the noise and service have put me off returning after an overnight work stay with a colleague. Our rooms were in different parts of the hotel, but neither of us slept well. Mine was by the underpass, where I could hear lorries bumping over it rather than steady road noise, which I might have got used to. The room by the hotel entrance also stank. At first, the room and bathroom looked clean, comfortable and a good size, but both rooms were very noisy. We didn’t eat there because the dinner being served looked really disappointing. I asked reception to move me, but there were no rooms available. I tried to sleep with a fan to mask the sound, but it didn’t work. The receptionist said she’d replace it, but after dinner nothing had changed, so I gave up. They really need to invest in extra glazing.

I’ve been working away and staying at the Premier Inn across the road. If I’d known this hotel was here, I would have booked it instead. I’ve eaten here twice now, and tonight the food was so good. The steak and the whole meal were excellent, and there was plenty of it. Kai, Katie and Kian were the three staff working. I think Kai served me. He was helpful, chatty, and made it clear he cared. A real credit to the organisation, as were the friendly, capable staff team. Thanks for such an enjoyable meal. One last thing, I tried TGI Fridays and it was terrible, overpriced, and nowhere near this standard.