The Kingston 1

We had a great dinner one evening, and the staff were excellent. Emma deserves a special mention for being so helpful. The place was clean and smart but still very friendly. We were glad we chose it for our two-night stay. Although it's on a busy road, the shutters and sliding glazed windows kept out both the noise and light.

We booked this hotel for a wedding, but checking in we were told the bar would close at 9:30 pm because there was no staff. Breakfast was included in our booking, yet none was available. The room was small, with no soundproofing at the windows, no wardrobe, just a small rail above the tea tray, and a broken divan bed base. After a lot of discussion, they offered us another room for one night, with the bed in ours to be repaired the next day. The whole hotel was full, and with our commitments, that felt like too much disruption. The hotel offered a full refund, which was fine, but it left us looking for somewhere suitable at 8 pm, in unfamiliar surroundings. We ended up paying double our original budget and felt aggrieved to be left in that position. The hotel has a way to go before it can sort out its issues and make guests comfortable.

The beds were comfortable and the shower was great, but we were very disappointed. We usually stay at the Travelodge, but paid more here for two reasons: free parking and gluten-free breakfast options. There was no parking, no gluten-free extras at breakfast, and hot drinks cost extra. The room was looking a bit tired too. The writing desk was broken, the dressing table very unsteady, and there was only one double plug socket, so you might need an extension lead. It was not as described.

Reception and restaurant staff were beyond words, and the food was top-notch. Our standard king room was huge and beautifully decorated, really spacious. My stay isn't even over and I already want to come back. Absolutely amazing!