Castle Lodge

There’s free parking on the street outside and behind the property. The hotel is unusual, but it covered what we needed. It’s close to the cathedral, which makes it a handy base for sightseeing. There’s also a fish and chip shop at the end of the road if you don’t want to go far, though it only takes cash. There’s no staff on site apart from at breakfast. A few days before our booking, we were emailed codes for the front door and room. They worked without any trouble, and our room was on the ground floor. It was a good size, with a double bed, a single bed, and chairs. The bathroom was separate, with a decent shower and hot water. A small heater had been put in the room and switched on, presumably because the wall heater wasn’t working, and it kept the room comfortably warm. There was a kettle with tea, coffee, and complimentary biscuits, along with a little fridge in the corner. Breakfast was included in the dining room. I chose a very good full English, cooked to order by the owner, I assume. Tea, toast, orange juice, and the rest were available too. A comfortable stay with a lovely breakfast.

The bed was comfortable, and the sheets and towels were clean. The breakfast was okay, and the staff were lovely. We knew in advance that there wouldn’t be anyone on site, but the room’s condition was disappointing. It looked nice at first, with branded cushions and a bed runner, yet wallpaper and plaster were peeling off the walls, with sticky tape used to hold some of it up. There was dust under the bathroom sink and on the windowsills. I didn’t see much point in raising it, since replies to other guests’ complaints had blamed them.

The room was cosy and lovely, and the door codes were an easy way to get in. The bed was a bit too soft for me, and the mattress sagged slightly, but otherwise I had a great stay. Breakfast was excellent, freshly cooked to order.

My Mum and I found Castle Lodge Hotel suited our needs despite the mixed reviews. The bedrooms and shared bathrooms were good quality, and breakfast was good too. The ceilings are low, but we were told that when booking. There was very little staff presence, with no reception, though the cook came in for breakfast. The location is ideal for Ely Cathedral, the museums, and the lovely restaurants within walking distance.