The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel

Ashley, I think this is a really nice place, though the decor is very outdated and some parts of the building are hard to reach because of the layout, which makes installing a lift difficult. The bed was very comfortable, the room was spacious, and it had the basic facilities and a big bathroom. The furniture could use attention, but the staff were really, really nice. Parking can be hit or miss. I did find a space, but someone blocked me in when I was leaving, and it took a while to find them and get them to move. Other than that, the location is perfect and I really enjoyed my stay.

We arrived in Rochester later than planned and needed a last-minute stopover about ten minutes from where we had to be the next morning. Since it was after 8pm, the £20 late check-in charge was understandable. There are only a few parking spaces on site, so we left the car on a nearby street until 8am, after which it was permit-only or limited to an hour. The receptionist was lovely when we checked in at 9pm. We went out to eat, then came back to bed. The beds were much more comfortable than I'd expected given the state of the rest of the hotel. It's old and dated, and feels long past its time. The floors and stairs seemed sloped, and much of the walls and ceiling were in poor condition. It felt like staying somewhere from a horror film. Still, for one night it was okay, given that it was one of the cheapest options with rooms available. It was quiet, with no noise from nearby pubs or food places.

This hotel is disgusting and should be condemned. Nothing was good: the shower was broken, there were what looked like rotten droppings under the bed, and the top of the cupboard had two inches of dust and grime. Don't go.

It was cheap, and you definitely get what you pay for. The staff seemed nice enough, but the place smelled like an old people's home. The furniture was ancient and dirty, and I found an old pair of boxers in a drawer. The shower came off the wall when I used it and only ran cold. There were damp patches on the wallpaper, and something feasted on my legs while I slept. They left three coffee mugs but barely enough milk for one cup, and no spoon. The general impression was that this place would charge by the hour.