Stayed for one night booked at last minute through Laterooms.com, this hotel looked to fit the bill as it was central and close to all amenities of Portsmouth. On entering the lobby all looked fine, friendly staff, bar to the right and plenty of wood panelling and various pictures of ships and a nautical feel. On walking to the room it became apparent this was a budget hotel past its best. The pool looked inviting but was empty and the tiling looked grubby, I expected someone to be using it at 5.00pm The corridors were clean but so worn and paint was coming off and it all reminded me of my days spent 30-40 years ago in government training establishments. The room was spacious but bland and needed updating. The flat screen TV was high up in the far corner from the bed and so far away you needed 20:20 vision to see it; it was also loose on the wall. The furniture in the room reminded me of flat pack and was worn out and dated. There was the usual tea and coffee in room but patterned cups were remiscent of something out of a charity shop, the curtains were of the same era too. There was summary of the history of the hotel in the room saying how it had been visited by various Royals in the past due to its history (hence its title 'Royal'), I dont think they would have stayed long or will be coming back soon.
Breakfast was the best bit, plenty of piping hot food, great selection and efficient friendly staff

For £80 a night this was a very disappointing experience and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone at that price, I would personally spend a few pounds more and move to a modern hotel in Gunwharf quay. If the price was right it would have been acceptable but it was more like a dated B&B at a top rate price.
At night the area around the hotel was not nice, many old pubs corner pubs and at 7.00pm too many drunks staggering around in the middle of the road for my liking out of their head. It did not feel safe to be walking out alone in the dark round here.