Our last-minute trip to see family coincided with several events in the area, which might be why we could not get a room in our first choice hotel. However, this is also a nice, historic building centrally located (important when travelling by train) and the price was reasonable - we booked a standard double for 2 nights. The receptionist was very welcoming, but the room was not ready so we left the luggage and went for lunch and a tour with our relative. When we returned we checked in and collected our luggage, then climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor (no lift). The staircase is wide, but winding, and there is an unexpected picture on the first floor landing which my husband rather admired. When we checked in I was frankly a bit disappointed, the room was very small, as was the shower room (effective and clean but basic) so it was lucky we were only travelling with hand luggage. Although there was a card in the room saying the windows all opened, but to fasten them to the wall to make sure the wind didn't catch them, they looked too fragile for us to risk it. (Luckily it was not very warm so we could cope with them shut but we did miss having fresh air. If it had been hot it would have been unbearable). I appreciate in an old building it is not always easy to adjust layouts and that renovations are expensive and sometimes difficult. Bed slightly soft but comfortable, would have appreciated better pillow. (It was a bit flat) After spending the evening with our relatives we came back and went into the bar for a beer each. The barmaid was unable to take cash or card so we had to put it on our room, and it was lucky we ordered large beers as she left as soon as she had served them (it was 10pm on a Thursday night). They were nice beers! In fairness, on the way out we noticed an honour bar on reception, but we had been up since 3am so really didn't want anything further. In the morning we went to breakfast, which is served in what looks like a function suite - the lighting is quite stylish but the chairs and leather-effect table covers are ready for a refresh. There was a good typical buffet breakfast, the breads were very nice, as were the pastries. I didn't have any of the hot dishes - ramekins of scrambled egg with bacon on top (bit dry), a sort of liver pate with mushrooms on the top and boiled eggs (tucked under a napkin so I missed these the first day and forgot the second!) Cinnamon pastries were nice. There were no ”English” teas, but 3 jars of various loose black teas - Earl Grey, one which smelled of aniseed and one which was faintly floral. (You make up your own teabag with your choice of leaves, but because the hot water is in flasks it doesn't brew very well). The breakfast was the same the next day - still OK, still nice bread. When we checked out the receptionist offered us an umbrella as the forecast was rainy. We explained we were going back to England the next day but she said ”its fine, take one of the red and white umbrellas, I'v
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