The Commodore

We spent a week at the Commodore because the council was doing extensive work on our house, leaving it too dusty and messy to live in. We had our well-behaved dog with us. We wouldn't choose to stay here again, and got no apology or reason to return. From outside, the flags needed replacing, weeds and a flooded car park needed attention, and the elephant by the front door was smashed and should have been skipped. The bar ceiling looked a mess and needed paint. Room 4, on the first floor, was very dated. There was no kettle, dust covered every surface, the carpet was stained, the headboards didn't match, and the lights sat diagonally to the bed. Pillows and mattress were stained, and live silverfish were under the sheets. The bathroom was horrendous: cracked, filthy tiles, black mouldy silicone, brackets coming off the walls, and a bath that looked as if it had never been cleaned. After we complained at reception, we were told nobody would be around until morning. They eventually brought up a kettle so we could make a drink, but it was filthy. By then we were fed up and couldn't face eating, so tried to rest on top of the bed. At 3am I woke up short of breath, with my eyes so swollen I had to leave. Our dog was sick too, which was very unusual. We packed up and walked back to our own house in the rain, soaked through, then slept in an armchair in the front room while the house was still upside down. I took an antihistamine to try to fight whatever I'd reacted to in the hotel room. The next morning, after calling our housing officer, we went back to the Commodore reception to ask about the room. One staff member laughed when we mentioned the insects in the bed, as if we were making it up. We were told, "our cleaners are very thorough." When the manageress returned from holiday that day, unaware of what had happened, she offered to move us to a room at the other end of the building. That room was small but slightly more updated. Its tilt window wouldn't stay open unless we jammed the curtains in it, which wasn't ideal in heavy rain. The TV had no signal, and even the maintenance man couldn't fix it. The shower window had a big crack. Three corridor doors banged all night right beside the bed, and all we could hear was people chatting in a jacuzzi in a gazebo beside a very green pool that was closed. We tried to brave the bar food and sat with a couple who were there for a wedding. Then two little dogs, the manager's dogs, weed all over the rug in front of us. Lovely. It immediately put us off our food. When we called the manageress over, she said she couldn't believe they had done that. Breakfast felt like an unorganised cattle market. There was no fruit, we had to wait for hot food, and getting hot toast was a free for all. Otherwise it was cold.

The main hotel has nice rooms and a very good, spacious lounge and bar. There's plenty of free parking too, plus a heated outdoor pool if you're feeling brave.

The breakfast and service were okay, but I wasn't impressed. My bed was messy and had stains, and there was half-drunk tea in my room. The building needs refurbishment.

The food is beautiful, and of all the places in Llandrindod wells, this is definitely the friendliest and cleanest. It's right in the centre of town and has top of the range decor.