Humber Royal Hotel

The front of house team gave me a welcome that could put luxury hotels to shame. That first impression made a real difference. From outside, the building looked quite unassuming, so “don't judge a book by its cover” really fits. There’s a very large car park, and the far end seems popular with driving instructors. My room was spacious and immaculate, with plenty of wardrobe and drawer space, plus the rare bonus of an ironing board. The window looked out over a golf course, though I didn't spend long looking out on a dark winter afternoon. I won't fault them for not having USB charging points, since I carry my own when travelling. The food was very good, better than at places with supposedly higher ratings, and the nightly price was very reasonable.

The helpful, polite staff, decent food and clean interior were all good. My room was mostly lovely and had a wonderful view, though it got far too warm without air conditioning. The huge bed wasn't very comfortable, and a strip of edging was missing from the table, catching my clothes. The car park gives a pretty run-down first impression, but the inside is much nicer. With some attention to the exterior and a few furnishings, I'd rate the place higher.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and the bar and dining areas looked modern and clean. Still, I don't think this is a four-star hotel, maybe a good two, or three at a push. Outside, the building looks derelict, with boarded windows and broken glass all around the smokers' area. The bathroom ceiling had a lot of mould that looked wiped over. The toilet wasn't fixed to the wall and kept running from the tank, and the extractor fan didn't work. The bed was rock hard.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly. The food was okay too. You'd never guess from the exterior how much better it is inside.