Lumley Castle

We've been to Lumley Castle four times now, including one of its banqueting events, which was great fun. We'll certainly come back again. It's a Grade 1 listed building with lovely grounds and a really pleasant atmosphere. The staff are wonderfully helpful, and the rooms and hotel are tastefully decorated. I especially like the cosy fires in the library bar, where the cocktails and bar food are both very good. For a quieter meal, Knights Restaurant has excellent food and wines.

The rooms are all individual, comfortable and beautifully fitted out, and the breakfasts and dining choices are excellent. We found it a remarkable value for money, much better than staying in a chain hotel. It's a historic castle in a lovely setting, with friendly, professional staff and fantastic service. This was our second visit, and we'll definitely be back. One of our favourite hotels in the country.

The breakfast was a letdown. At £23.95 each for a cooked meal, we expected more, and some ingredients had run out. It didn't feel worth the price, so we wouldn't pay for it again. On both mornings, the red-haired woman serving breakfast spoke unpleasantly to younger staff. My partner and I felt uncomfortable, and the atmosphere became awkward. Finding our room was also a struggle. The receptionist gave us directions quickly, but they weren't clear, and the castle's signs aren't very good. No one offered to show us the way. There's a fair amount of walking from the parking area to the room, and in our case we had to park down a muddy path. Anyone with mobility issues may find the place difficult. The setting is beautiful, and the castle has loads of character. Once we found it, our room was lovely and made for a picturesque stay. Even so, the organisation and service fell short, and we wouldn't stay again.

The castle is a fantastic, magical place, full of history and fun, and the rest of our stay was wonderful. The staff were caring, and Mr Smith at reception and Vicki in housekeeping both helped us a lot. Thanks for a lovely visit. Breakfast was lovely too, though I wish someone had told us the veggie sausages had run out instead of simply leaving one off the plate. We waited half an hour for drinks at the Library bar after ordering, and nobody apologised.