Duke William Hotel

The staff were attentive and very professional when I asked to move tables, and the service was excellent. But tonight was a real disappointment after I've always rated this place highly and recommended it to friends. We had a table booked for four at 6.15, weeks in advance, yet the restaurant was absolutely heaving. First they put us opposite the main door, in a draft and by the noisy bar. I declined, and the replacement was at the back opposite the back door, on very high stools, squeezed tightly behind another table. We all ordered steak pie. It arrived quickly, but it was soggy and smothered in gloopy gravy. I'm pretty sure gravy is usually served separately. We had a 50% off voucher, so decided to indulge in desserts. The brulee looked pretty in its cup, but at £10.00 I think it was overpriced. I'll take a break from coming here for a while.

We booked ahead for six of us on December 26, which was a good call because the pub filled up fast. Our window table gave us a view of the lively room, and the atmosphere was great. A brilliant waitress somehow made her way through the crowds to look after us. The food was plentiful and really good. We all had a lovely lunch in a proper pub, and we'll come back next time we're in Lincoln.

We stopped in for drinks and food, and both breakfast and our evening meal were top notch. It's dog friendly too. We preferred sitting in the bar, where there was more atmosphere. At the back near the toilets we felt a bit removed from everything, and on our last evening the heating was off, so that area was cold.

Breakfast was included and tasted great. You order it on a paper form left the evening before. We also ate dinner at the hotel, and it was superb, though it costs extra. The restaurant was busy even on a Monday, so booking a table mattered. Check-in was straightforward, the staff were excellent, and there's parking behind the property. Our room had plenty of useful bits like a kettle and hair dryer, though the bathroom looked a little dated. Great location too. We'd stay again when we're next in Lincoln.