Lincoln Hotel

The room was clean and warm, with a very comfortable bed and an amazing view of the cathedral. Breakfast was a buffet with a great choice and tasted very nice. I’d definitely recommend the hotel, and I’ll be staying here again soon.

The staff were kind, but their strained optimism made it seem as if they knew what guests were about to find after checking in. The hotel sits in the shadow of one of England’s most magnificent cathedrals, yet the room had the charm and second-hand furnishings of a bankrupt care home. The sink was greasy, apparently undeterred by detergent. Yellow marks in the shower were so ambiguous I gave up trying to work out whether they were simply stubborn or commemorative, for the sake of my mental health. The room cost an extortionate amount, as if its archaeological-brown carpet and sponge mattresses were premium. After seeing the room, I left immediately. I was told to arrange my own refund through booking.com. Just don’t bother.

The location, ample breakfast and accommodating staff were positives, but they didn’t make up for the neglected state of the hotel. The rooms and hallways need serious maintenance and renovation, and the lift doesn’t work. On the first night of our four-night stay, we had to change rooms because neither the sink nor shower in our “superior” room drained. The replacement room overlooked the Cathedral, but cobwebs clung to the lamps and hid behind the television. Furniture was cheap, scuffed and chipped, and the amenities felt more suitable for a no-tell motel than a room costing £150+ per night. The hallway smelled nasty, the lighting was dim, perhaps deliberately, and paint was peeling. The room swung between stifling heat and damp, muggy discomfort. The White Hart was sold out when we booked over Christmas. If I’d known this was the only alternative, I’d have slept in my car. Evidently nobody in ownership cares about reviews, since mine is one of many.

The hotel’s best feature is the lounge, where sitting with coffee and looking out at the Cathedral and the busy city is a real pleasure. Its location is excellent for the city centre and the A46 ring road. Staff are very welcoming and helpful, and service staff quickly helped us carry luggage up the two flights of stairs. Our rooms have always been warm. Parking costs extra, and the car park can fill quickly if there’s a function or something similar at the hotel. The place is tired and badly needs refurbishment. The reception feels cold and unwelcoming, the lift has been out of order for months, and the decor and furniture in the rooms are dowdy. Having tried three different rooms over the past six months or so, I’ve found the en suites vary from just acceptable to very shabby. Even so, my wife and I have stayed three nights over Christmas, and we’ll no doubt come back. The pros far outweigh the cons.