Abbots Hamilton - Hotel and Conference Centre

The reception service was great, the gentleman was very nice, and my room was clean. The shower was great and the location handy. But as a woman travelling alone, I didn't feel safe. I believe the hotel is used for emergency housing, and I hadn't been told that. Within minutes of arriving, people outside were shouting, swearing, and arguing. The same happened early on both mornings, including a woman screaming obscenities at 7am on the second morning. I didn't feel comfortable sitting outside with my coffee, leaving my door open, or drawing attention to myself. Coming back after dark from my conference made me anxious, especially with the poor lighting, and I couldn't relax. I even used a steering wheel lock on my car. There was no bathroom sink. The only sink was in the small kitchen area, and it had to serve for washing hands after using the toilet and filling the jug. I didn't wash food or utensils there because of cross contamination. The king bed was two mattresses pushed together, with one lower than the other. The shower itself was good.

The price was good and the customer service was great. I didn't like having one sink serve both the kitchen and bathroom. The toilet seat was badly worn and damaged and needs replacing. The king bed was made from two singles, leaving a big, hard lump down the middle. There was no cover or sheet over the duvet inner, which concerned me.

The little Christmas card and treats were a lovely touch, and the price was really good value. My room had everything I needed for one night, and I'd happily return. One thing to change: the terry-cloth bathmat slipped out from under me as I got out of the shower, and I had a small fall. A non-slip mat would be safer.

The location was perfect for getting to Porritt Stadium. The budget room was adequate for what I needed, and there was a lovely snack basket when I arrived. I found there was no hot water at the sink, but reception fixed it promptly after I mentioned it. They left an apology note and another snack basket.