The Midland

The sea view was a treat to wake up to, and the room was spotless, quiet and comfortable. The bed made it far too easy to sleep in. Breakfast was fresh and tasty, with plenty of choice, and the staff were just as friendly in the morning as the night before. We felt at home within minutes of arriving. Check-in was welcoming and personal, with lovely, chatty staff. The whole place felt relaxed and well cared for, and you can see the team take pride in the details. For the price, this was amazing value in Morecambe and one of the best short hotel stays I've had in a long time. Our one night exceeded expectations, though it wasn't enough. I'd happily return and recommend the Midlands Hotel.

The Midland is a lovely building in a great location, and our top-floor suite had fantastic views across Morecambe and the bay. It was spacious, with echoes of the hotel's former greatness. But this was by far the most disappointing of the thousands of hotel nights I've had around the world. The lack of reception should have been a clue. Check-in now happens at the bar, like in a budget hotel. The soft touches felt penny-pinching: no bathrobes, slippers or bathroom amenities, the hot tub was out of order, and the TV wasn't set up, so I had to do it manually. There isn't a restaurant, just a bar where you order food. The evening staff seemed totally uninterested, chatting with friends at the bar. The food was average gastro pub fare at 4-star prices, and the wine list was poor. This isn't a luxury 4-star experience, though it's priced like one.

Breakfast was the highlight for me, looking out at the beach through those huge panoramic windows on a spectacular, sunny but cold winter day. This is a fun art deco hotel right on the beach, with lots of interesting, slightly quirky design touches even in the bedrooms. The Rotunda Bar was nice, and the restaurant food was good, though more pub-style than anything fancy.

We've been coming to The Midland for nearly 20 years, since it opened, and have had many happy meals and stays. After today's New Year's Day lunch, though, we're doubtful we'll return. It was a shame to see such an iconic, once prestigious venue on the Lancashire coast feeling like just another Wetherspoons. Offering pub grub on New Year's Day also felt like a missed opportunity. The dining area seemed badly understaffed. The staff looked fed up with complaints, and we felt for them. We noticed party popper rubbish left from the night before and a dirty table. We cleaned the table ourselves, while two waitresses walked past without reacting. We had a long wait to be greeted because the bar was busy. Then our table felt like a fridge, with cold seats and drafts everywhere. People around us were sitting in coats and scarves, huddling over their coffee cups. We've never had such an unpleasantly cold visit. We told two members of staff, but nobody offered to move us. The second person plugged in a tiny heater that made no difference, while they kept saying the heating was on. The food was well cooked when it arrived, but cold, and one of our cups was chipped.