Palace Hotel & Spa

The breakfast was amazing, and the hotel had plenty of comfortable spots to sit and enjoy the view. Our room was spotless and looked out beautifully, as did the bathroom. The shower pressure was excellent. We had an ironing board and iron, hairdryer, fridge and TV, plus spare bedding, pillows and towelling robes in the wardrobe. Tea and coffee supplies were generous, with little biscuits too. The hotel itself was lovely and very clean. We didn't use the spa, since it cost extra and was in an annex beside the hotel. The central location worked well for shops, restaurants and the theatre.

Buxton was a lovely base for exploring, and the hotel is right in a great spot. We almost changed our minds after reading some rough reviews, but I'm really glad we went. Our Friday and Saturday weekend stay was lovely. The room was a good size, clean, and had a comfy bed. We had breakfast and dinner included: the buffet was plentiful, with hot food actually hot and nice sausages, while the three-course evening meal had good choices and tasted really good. Drinks were on the pricey side at £5 to£6 a pint, though that's what I'd expect in a hotel bar. We also used the included leisure club. The pool was a nice size and warm, with the sauna and steam room as you'd expect. I'd happily stay again. Thanks, Palace Hotel, for a fab weekend!

The room attendants were lovely and friendly, but the room itself was a letdown. It looked dated, with no fridge and nowhere suitable for the kettle, which was tucked under the TV unit. Most TV channels had a poor signal, and the window looked onto a flat roof. The reception looks attractive, so I expected more from a four-star hotel. I've stayed in better three-star places. It was freezing in the bathroom, where the small radiator only had a couple of thermostat settings. The original single-glazed bedroom window let in the cold, and the old radiator couldn't get heat through the thick curtains. Dogs can be booked into some rooms, but the hotel didn't feel very dog-friendly. They weren't allowed in the bar or restaurant, or to be left alone in rooms. We only noticed dogs in the little conservatory in the morning. If we'd known, we might not have ended up having McDonald's for tea. The “spa” was nothing like the website photo. It had a pretty cold pool, sauna and steam room, damp or missing ceiling tiles, dirty floors and dusty air vents. The walk to the ladies' changing area was cold, with soaking wet floors, and sadly there was no jacuzzi.

Breakfast was really good, and everyone working there was friendly. My twin room was clean and relaxing, with complimentary fudge, cookies and a bottle of water. The hotel is grand and huge, so I expected it might feel cold, but it was actually too warm. I enjoyed my one-night stay and will definitely come back 👌