Sarum College

The location is fantastic, right outside the cathedral, with amazing views, easy walking distance to the centre and free parking. It was also one of the quietest, most peaceful places I’ve stayed. My en-suite single room was cute, comfortable, bright and very clean. The shower was brilliant, and one of the women at the front desk was especially friendly and lovely. Breakfast was included, which helped with the price, though it still felt a bit expensive for what you get. The vegetarian options were disappointing, and the eggs were vile. The smell was disgusting and the taste sickening. Most guests seemed to leave the eggs on their plates. I hope it was just a bad day. Even with that, I absolutely loved my stay and was quite sad to leave.

The staff were incredible, and I’m grateful they kept trying to sort out a pretty sketchy situation. The location is wonderful and quiet, and breakfast was lovely. The shared bathrooms were okay, though not perfectly clean. The building isn’t soundproof, either. I could hear most of the toilet noises from my bed. I’d booked a room with a shared bathroom and toilet, and the price was £75. The first room had broken windows stuck partly open, letting in cold air. A staff member was very kind and moved me, but the second room had a broken window too. After another call, they moved me again. It took about ten minutes of struggling with the window in the third room before it finally worked normally. By then I’d spent an hour unpacking, climbing into windows with staff to try to close them, being asked if I really wanted windows in rainy September England, moving rooms and repacking. People considering a stay should know they might get a room with major cold air leaks. For the College managers, please make sure the basics, like windows and heating, are covered if you’re taking guests. There was bath soap, and the breakfast was nice, but those basics matter first. This was the worst “hotel” I’ve stayed in, a religious college renting out empty priests’ rooms to tourists. At £25 or £40 a night it might have been alright, but at £75 it was horrible. For the same price, fellow tourists, go somewhere else.

The location was perfect, with a view of the cathedral from our room and other historic houses nearby. There was plenty of free parking, and the staff were friendly and helpful during our two-day break. Our room was clean, functional and nicely decorated, though the mattress was a little hard. Breakfast was self-service, with a choice of full English, including great sausages, or continental. Salisbury itself is beautiful, with a great assortment of shops. We visited some lovely historic places and walked along the river, well worth doing.

We picked Sarum College because we wanted to stay near the Cathedral, and its GBP profile said it was LGBTQ friendly. Being inside the cathedral close made the location feel special. The staff were very friendly, the room was great with an amazing Cathedral view, and the breakfast buffet was really good. What a fantastic place. It was a memorable stay, and I look forward to coming back. Thank you, Sarum College.