St James Hotel, BW Premier Collection

The rooms felt a bit worn and could use a refresh, but housekeeping were lovely and really helpful. The staff and location were first class, and breakfast was lovely for £15, with plenty of choice and generous portions. I’d definitely stay again.

The bar area was lovely, and the hotel itself was nice. Our basic room was an OK size, a little jaded but perfectly usable. There was decent coffee, tea, and biscuits, and the car park, down a back alley, was secure. I’m a terrible sleeper, so the pillow spray was a lovely touch.

The rooms are very good and have everything you need, though the shower is ancient. The hotel looks great as you enter, but the corridors are badly in need of an update, and it looks like some renovation is underway. It’s in an excellent spot next to the castle. The only downside was the pricey parking beside the hotel, £17 for 24 hours. That’s not the hotel’s fault, but it’s an extra cost to think about when booking.

The bed was lovely and the room was comfortable. I was tired at check-in and honestly didn’t want to leave. There’s a full-length mirror on the door, plus a kettle with tea, coffee, and standard UHT cow’s milk. I didn’t see a fridge, so bringing milk alternatives wasn’t an option. The hotel offered water in reusable glass bottles, but they weren’t sealed, so I didn’t trust how fresh or clean they were or whether anyone could have opened them. I understand the recycling and sustainability idea, but as a solo traveller I wouldn’t take that risk. I’d have preferred an unopened, sealed bottle. The small heater warmed the bedroom nicely when it got cold at night, but I couldn’t see a way to heat the bathroom. I tried leaving the door open, hoping the heater would warm it for morning, but had to close it because it was cold. The bathroom was absolutely freezing when I got up, which made having a shower unpleasant and is why I’ve taken off a star. The room was reasonably quiet until noisy neighbours came in very late and again when they went to breakfast. You can hear a lot from the hallway because the rooms aren’t fully soundproof. I didn’t try breakfast, as the usual times don’t suit me and I thought the offering looked overpriced, though I could be wrong. The TV was a decent size, but I didn’t use it because I went out to see a band and then went to sleep. The hotel is easy to find, and you can park outside, but I’d recommend calling to reserve a space. There’s also a multistorey car park next door. It’s alright, though narrow to drive around, and you pay on exit, then have stairs and lifts to contend with. Inside, the reception area is comfortable and there are two elevators. It’s close enough to the city centre and right by the castle, so I’d most likely stay again.