We approached our 3 Peaks Challenge with a sense of trepidation - not so much about the walk, but the accommodation! The other Horton hotel had been experienced by one member of our group before so our expectations had been well managed and the reviews of this one were actually worse - undeservedly as it transpired.

We were in the bunk room; it is exactly that - quite a small room with triple bunks carefully arranged to maximise occupancy. Whether this is seen as cramped or cosy is a matter of personal opinion, but large and airy it is not. The PVC covered mattresses are all you get in terms of bedding - sleeping bag (and pillow) essential as is a towel for the showers. The bunks are really solidly constructed so no creaking. The only nocturnal noise is the occaisional rub of sticky flesh against PVC - and snoring!

The bathroom is connected and forms one end of the bunkroom. A little unsavoury perhaps and definitely not for those seeking privacy - but why would one choose a bunk room with 14 other beds if seeking privacy? Simple to agree a male / female rotation for the bathroom (2 showers with transparent doors and 2 loos open at top and bottom so no privacy even in these and 2 basins. A soggy mat adorns the wooden floor.

Ventilation would transform the room - yes it has velux windows, but nobody can reach them.

Bunk room summary: approach with a (robust) sense of humour, and enjoy all the money you saved.

The food attracts poor reviews - can't see why based on the 3 meals we had there (and those we saw others eating). Good pub grub probably best describes the fare with good portion sizes. Little in the way of (unnecessary) fancy presentation the food looked ordinary but tasted good. The cooked 'full English' breakfast was well above average and this is the first time I have ever enjoyed crisp, not soggy, toast on the two orders we consumed.

We also ordered the 'tasty paked lunch' for £4.50. The contents of the two rounds (each) of the sandwiches were a mystery until delivery, but we could and did exclude one possible filling from one of the lunches. So with two rounds of sandwiches, a packet of crisps, a piece of fruit (oragnge, banana and apple between us) a fruit juice drink and a chocolate bar, plus mustard (French and English), mayaonnaise and brown sauce packets, we felt we had a very good value - and tasty lunch (and tea!)

Staff were a combination of family, local and Polish. We found them all friendly, helpful and cheerful. Yes there are some house rules that some may regard as lacking flexibility, but stay within these (when to order breaksfast and lunches mainly) and there is no problem whatsoever.

So for a cheap, warm and dry night in a comfortable and friendly pub/hotel in a walker's heaven this is the place. If you are in the bunk room remember to bring your sense of humour and leave your modesty at home.

I ve just done 3 Peaks Challence last weekend. I ve stopped at Golden Lion Hotel in Horton and I really enjoyed it. The service was wonderful, food was ok our bed was really confortable, nice and kozy bedroom, very helpful and friendly staff. I will come back next year.

Stayed in the bunk barn above the pub - very claustrophobic, 5 beds each 3 bunks tall. No privacy - when I arrived a bloke was taking a shower and came out of the bathroom (which doesn't lock) wearing just a towel! See-through shower enclosures - take bathing costume if you want to preserve some modicum of privacy. Beds were actually quite comfortable, no-one kept us awake snoring (although I did take earplugs) and can't complain at £12 a night. However, that's where the good news ends. There was no electric socket to charge mobile phone, plug in travel kettle, etc, and although we had brought our own breakfast, there was no way of obtaining hot water to make a coffee or fill a flask (we were doing the 3 Peaks the following morning). The charge for continental breakfast was a joke - we were told that the minimum we could book for was 5 people - at £4.50 a head - all we wanted was some hot water! When we politely asked to see the manager to discuss this, we were told (by the rude Eastern European lady) that she wasn't there. No-one cared, there were certainly no friendly faces, the accom was basic in the extreme (I have stayed in much better, and cheaper, bunk barns than this one). Needless to say, I won't be going back.

I stayed here with my girlfriend for a "romantic" getaway in the dales. I wish we had stayed at home. The location is the ONLY thing going for this place. The rooms were dirty and cramped, the curtains were coming off the rail in our room. Our duvet cover was dirty as if it hadnt been changed since the last guests stayed. The food was microwaved curry which i could have payed £1 for at a supermarket with a sorry excuse for a side salad, and we had to wait forty minutes for this to arrive. When it arrived it was served by a young boy and our order number was just shouted across a busy bar. The bar staff were generally friendly apart from the blonde on who was more interested in playing with her tongue piercing than serving any body, when my girlfriend asked her if anyone was serving she replied "yes" then walked away. VERY RUDE. And to top all of this off the owner was sitting watching her whilst getting drunk at the bar. Allin all I would not reccomend this place to my worst enemy, the pub at the other end of the village was much nicer and i wish we had stayed there.