The Dixie Dean Hotel

We had a twin room, and there was a lighter inside one bed’s sheets, which made me think the bedding hadn’t been changed properly. The room smelled of cigarettes and damp, and since the windows wouldn’t open, we couldn’t get fresh air. The sink leaked, and there was mould all over the bathroom floor. We couldn’t walk in there without shoes. The toilet and the rest of the room were so dirty I didn’t want to shower. There wasn’t any water in the room either. We tried calling reception and were told to send a message, but nobody answered that, either. I stayed there with my mum at the start of March, and we won’t ever return. Breakfast was nice, but they really need to sort out the rooms. The condition ruined the experience, and for that price it just isn’t worth it.

The receptionist was friendly, and the entrance and foodhall were nicely presented, though those chairs were tacky. No one offered to take our luggage up, even though there were trolleys in reception. The large suite with a bathtub was freezing when we arrived, and there was no A/C remote, just a plug-in radiator beside the bed. Most of all, the smell hit us straight away. The area around the tub needs much better ventilation, because it made the whole room stink of mould. I suspect the carpet was the source. The rooms felt a bit tacky to me, with a style like luxury mixed with B&M tat. I’ll admit I didn’t choose the place, and if I’d seen the photos I wouldn’t have booked it, but we gave it a try. If your mum has “Live, Laugh, Love” tat at home, she’ll probably love it. It just isn’t my style, and I probably wouldn’t stay again.

The room was lovely and spacious, and the woman at reception gave us a nice welcome. A group of us go away each year before Christmas, and we chose The Dixie Dean because we thought it would be close to amenities, including the Christmas Market. I arrived later than my friends because of work. The hot tub was a letdown. We thought all of us could fit and relax, but only two people could get in, and there was no slip mat. Breakfast was disappointing too: cold scrambled eggs and overcooked bacon, despite our hopes for a good cooked breakfast. The restaurant staff were lovely and welcoming, but I’ve worked in hospitality at several hotels, and we wouldn’t have served food in that condition. It looked as if no temperature control was being followed. The staff were a strong point, but I wouldn’t rate this as a four-star hotel. Guests should be told the hot tub size, and the chefs and behind-the-scenes staff need training to keep food to a good standard and the right temperature.

We had a really enjoyable weekend, and the service was among the best we’ve experienced. The public spaces felt quirky and comfortable, and breakfast was well stocked with good-quality fresh ingredients. It was our first stay at the Dixie Dean Hotel, and we’ve stayed in plenty of hotels over the years, but never in a room this big. We were on the third floor, with exposed beams and some of the biggest lights I’ve ever seen. The room was clean and comfortable, with two double beds and two singles. There was tea and coffee, a pristine kettle, a hairdryer and an iron. The bathroom was clean and well fitted, and the spa bath was awesome. It took a while to fill, but was worth it.