Great Northern Hotel; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

The scones were the best part of our afternoon tea, and the staff were great, bringing refills of tea. We were seated alone in a dining room, so it felt short on atmosphere. There were also lots of huge flies despite it being mid-December, which put us off eating as they kept trying to get to the food. We’ve had afternoon tea here before in the lounge bar, and that was much nicer because the atmosphere was better.

The staff made our Christmas Day dinner a good experience. We’d been warned on arrival that they were short-staffed because of covid and service might be delayed, but the people serving us were friendly and attentive, checking that we were enjoying ourselves and happy with everything. We’d chosen the several courses in advance. The food was good overall, though the main could have been warmer. A few more Christmas decorations would have added to the room; there was a nice-looking tree, but that was all. I’d definitely recommend Christmas Day dinner here, and thank the staff for all their hard work.

The staff were lovely, and the place still has that historic railway feel. But I had two really disrupted nights: first there was a drunken argument outside my window, then a couple had a very public breakup in the corridor outside my room at 2am. My key cards kept cutting out too, locking me out of my room twice and out of the hotel once. On my last morning, the bathroom sink was blocked. I wish I could rate it higher.

Breakfast was a letdown for the price. The continental selection was tiny, the cooked food didn't seem fresh, there wasn't enough sauce, and the urn only had enough coffee for one cup each. The shower barely trickled, while the hot tap splashed so forcefully that it hit the sink and the area around it. The room was dirty and poorly equipped, with a filthy TV remote and a grimy extension lead. The kettle only worked if you held its button down. Parking was £15 overnight and the entrance was badly signposted. There are lots of stairs and no lift. I'd avoid it if you can, there are much better places for less.