Alderlea House

It was warm and cheap, but I wouldn’t return. The place was pretty grotty: the pillows and duvets were old and dirty, the shower door was broken and the TV didn’t work. Nobody was there when I arrived, though I found a tatty note with numbers. A nice lady eventually came in, then had to come back to replace the fallen curtain and pole and clean the bin.

Friendly staff and everything was very clean. We only stayed one night; our room was small and the shower tiny. Breakfast was continental style rather than a hot meal. A good budget choice.

The room was meant to have free Wi-Fi, but we got no reception at all. The signal was weak, to say the least. We couldn't sleep because the bed was in terrible shape, with springs poking into our backs, and we were really tired the next day. Thankfully, we got to bed early that night. The walls are paper thin, so you can clearly hear people using the bathroom. It didn’t feel charming, homely or cosy. There were angry signs everywhere telling you obvious things, and the lady who greeted us could have had a better attitude. I wouldn’t recommend it. Try Kings Knoll Hotel instead, or another hotel with a funny name of your choice.

I was exhausted from travelling, but Margaret made my late check-in painless and efficient, and made sure I was met safely. I slept well and had no problems. She also stored my bags the next day while I waited for the ferry, which was icing on the cake. Thanks for a lovely, homely stay.