OYO The Red Lion Hotel

The food was delicious, both my burger and my friend’s fish and chips. I’ll be back, and next time I won’t play it so safe. The menu was varied, prices were reasonable, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I was able to add what I wanted to my burger. We’d gone shopping and stopped at the Red Lion for lunch, though my friend remembered it as not very good. The new owners couldn’t have been nicer, and he took time to chat and make us feel welcome. There was a small mix-up with the black in my Guinness & Black, but the manager’s humour made it fine. He also gave my colleague a shot of Brandy for their birthday, a lovely touch. While we waited, the food coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled amazing.

I don’t know anything about the hotel, but as a pub and restaurant this is friendly and well run, with very competent staff. It’s easily the best place in Luton by a margin. Drinks are well priced, sport is on TV if you want it, and they choose it carefully so it sits alongside excellent background music. I’m not an Indian cuisine lover, but as a longtime Luton local I’ve heard nothing but praise for the food. The takeover started slowly and took a few months to get going, but since then it’s found a great level. The new people have lifted the place from where the previous owners left it, and deserve credit for what they’ve achieved.

Check-in and checkout were easy, and the staff were brilliant, really friendly and helpful. The room was tidy and nice, with a great shower and a comfy bed. It’s central to town, but ours was at the back and very quiet apart from guests coming in. I’ll definitely be back.

The food was lovely, especially the Indian dishes, and the beer was ice cold and refreshing. It’s very close to Luton station, so getting there was easy. The staff welcomed me and my family so warmly, including our baby and a couple of young kids. They had a high chair and baby changing facilities, and were happy to accommodate our food requests. The new management has taken the pub from average to an excellent place for a meal or a drink. Lovely pub, and I’ll definitely go back.