61 Durham

The room was very small, and part of the ceiling by the bed wasn’t full height, which caused some problems for my 6ft 6 partner. We also had a lot of stairs to climb to reach it. We were surprised to find the restaurant shut at 8pm when we were ready for an evening meal, so we couldn’t eat there. The bar next door had a very limited drinks choice and slow service, though at least it wasn’t busy. The main area TV was off, while the one by the bar played music, so the atmosphere felt a bit rubbish.

We ended up having an okay stay. The place is a bit isolated, and it’s hard to get anything nearby unless you drive. The room looked a little dated, though it had been maintained, and it didn’t look like the website at first glance. The TV channels didn’t work well, so I couldn’t really watch anything. The signal was good, but the phone network wasn’t great. The breakfast was okay, and I had dinner twice. I really enjoyed the chicken with cheese. It looks like a good venue for weddings.

Breakfast was the highlight. The menu had plenty of choice, everything was freshly cooked to order and brought to the table, and the food was delicious. On our second morning it was even better, with attentive service and perfectly cooked food. It felt like much more care had gone into breakfast, and restored some of my faith in the kitchen. Dinner was a different story. We’d booked for 6.30pm, but no one was there to greet us. After a long wait for bar and restaurant staff to arrive, we ordered drinks and were told to seat ourselves and take menus. The atmosphere felt casual and pub like, not what we expected from a hotel restaurant. The starter was very tasty and gave us hope, but my main came lukewarm with unappetizing congealed gravy, and I couldn’t eat it. Service in the dining area was minimal and we struggled to find anyone to talk to. Tim’s meal was fine but forgettable, so we skipped dessert. I shared feedback when the plates were cleared, hoping it would help. The room was pleasant and spotlessly clean, with a comfortable bed and very nice bathroom. We arrived early, but the room was ready, which was a lovely start. Sixty One is advertised as a four star hotel on the outskirts of Durham. The building looks attractive and welcoming, and the hotel is set in lovely grounds with space for children to play, a private events venue and an adjoining pub. It was comfortable and welcoming, though I wouldn’t call it four star. The sash window was propped open with a block of wood on a string, a quirky, unusual touch that worked. I’d stay again for bed and breakfast without hesitation. For dinner, I’d probably try one of the many places in nearby Durham instead.

Our room was warm, comfortable and beautifully clean, and breakfast was delicious. The staff were so friendly and nothing was too much trouble. They even rescued an earring from the bathroom sink and posted it to me. Thank you!