My mother and I stayed for two nights on a 'Girlie Weekend' Friday and Saturday night. My mother purchased a KGB/Groupon voucher for £99 for two nights bed and breakfast, however upon closer inspection it looks as though there are often deals about where you can get a cheaper room rate if you book in advance anyway.
The hotel is fairly easy to find, on Priory industrial estate which seems to consist mostly of car dealerships, a large Sainsburys supermarket, an Aldi and several solicitors/small business units. The estate is located just off the main dual carraigeway into Hull, in the Hessle area and the hotel dominates the skyline in the immediate area. There is absolutely nothing to do locally in regards to eating out/drinking therefore use of a car is essential however I did notice a black bus service that seems to run to and from the city centre fairly frequently from the nearby Park n' Ride.
I emailed the hotel ahead of our stay to ask for a twin room in a quiet part of the hotel with a Humber bridge view and we were promptly responded to with the allocated room number, the assurance that we had a twin located in the quieter part of the hotel, and that twin rooms were located at the back of the hotel and therefore did not have a Humber view.
Check in was slow and we felt ignored by the two members of staff on duty, who were standing around the corner at the entrance to the health club, studying a leaflet. Despite my actions to make our presence known to them it still took the yong woman a few minutes to acknowlege us and the gentleman contractor who was waiting for the contractors handbook. We were directed to the lift and found our room (located on the fourth floor, end of the corridor) with ease. The room was spacious with two very tiny single beds, two bedside tables with a drawer, a small sofa (ripped seat back but at least it looked like it had been repaired), desk, wardrobe and a small coffee table. Tea/coffee making facilities also on the desk and the bathroom was of a good size and clean. Hairdryer in top drawer of desk and plenty of space for clothes and toiletries. The window overlooked a large Arco building which looked rather like a football stadium (many groans from us) and the hotel storage unit.
As our main priority was reaxation, we decided to check out the health club straight away. The pool area is located next to reception, and rather strangely there is a barrier system-not even the most determined hotel guest can get through without having to wait to be acknowledged by a member of staff, asked to sign in and obtain towels first. The changing rooms are clean and fairly modern looking with spacious changing areas and plentiful lockers. A coin operated sunbed is also present along with plentiful shower cubicles and toilets, a wet kit spinner and towel drop. The vanity areas have hairdryers and sockets. There were also family changing rooms (which we took a sneaky peek at) which is a lovely idea.
The pool area is clean and well maintained. Looks fairly modern and new, with beautiful bubble style tiled areas, a few sun loungers located in a conservatory, steam room, sauna, 2 jacuzzi/spa baths (1 in the pool, 1 separate which got very busy, is full of chemicals and absolutely tiny) plus showers for rinsing off. The pool water temperature was tepid which is very pleasant unless you have just come out of the sauna in which case it feels cooler. We visited on the Friday afternoon which was quiet, but there were children in the pool and the area was littered with various toys and floats which is rather annoying when you're trying to have a good swim whilst being absconded by a purple hypno-dolphin! Saturday afternoon between 12 and 2pm was much better as children are not permitted during these times, however the pool did quickly become filled with ignorant 'pool walkers' who'd hog a whole lane whilst walking on the pool floor, flailing their arms about and moving for absolutley nobody! We chose to relax on the loungers with a few magazines until a lane became free but were constantly being splashed by another ignorant swimmer (but at least he was actually swimming) who liked to 'slap' his hands and feet down into the water, hence drenching us and our magazines in the process.
The sauna was nice and hot-particularly in the area around the corner which was a little more enclosed and therefore much hotter. The steam room was large but not overly steamy and although a little eucalyptus is nice to inhale, there seemed to be quite a lot in the steam which stung our eyes after 10 minutes or so.
We didn't bother looking at the gym or even to find out where it was located. The pool area was enough for us.
In the reception area was a little coffee shop (£2.95 for a pot of tea for two) which was rather quaint, and a few people ere using it for business but never intrusive. Windows overlook the pool and the car park at the front of the hotel.
The Victory pub looks nice on first impressions, but on closer inspection feels rather seedy to me, with a number of dodgy lookig characters hanging about, sports on the tv (although not at full volume like some sports bars), a pool table and an area littered with various condiments and napkins. We had planned to eat here on the Saturday evening, as a steak and wine offer was advertised but after a glass of (overpriced!) wine here opted against it.
The Verve restaurant doubles up as a breakfast room, and we dined here on the Friday evening on the two dine for £29 3 course meal offer. The offer menu is fairly limited, but we were both happy to choose an item from each course. I started with the salmon fishcake, which was deep fried but very nice and my mother chose mushrooms which were also very nice. For main course I chose the 'fish of the day' which was haddock and chips. Batter very greasy, french fries ok but would've preferred some nice chunky chips instead and didn't eat the salad. I had asked for baked beans in place of the garden peas, but my meal still came out with peas on it. The waiter did not offer to take my mothers plate away to keep warm whilst my meal was rectified. My mother chose to have the chicken with gravy which looked nice and no complaints. Chunky chips looked amazing! For dessert my mother chose her favorite-creme brulee with raspberries and I chose the bread and butter pudding which was globby, tasted slightly undercooked but rather filling. Wine ridicuously overpriced-£20.95 for a £4 bottle of rose is beyond me, but we had no choice but to pay for it as we only drink rose and the spirits with mixers would've cost us even more. The decided that we'd eat elsewhere the following evening.
We looked up Thai restaurants in Hull and managed to get booked into an establishment located approx 4 miles away in a trendy area locally called 'PrinnyO' Princess Avenue I believe. The food was great and we followed up with a drink in one of the cafe bars located opposite. Taxi cost around £7 each way.
Finally-sleep quality. The room is either too hot or too cold. No temperature control apart from a wall heater so getting it right takes some time. The beds are comfortable, although rather narrow and the pillows too soft and pliable for someone like me who suffers with back problems. heavy to moderate sleepers will have no problem whatsoever, but I'd maybe suggest guests bring their own pillow should they have a preference.
Overall, an average hotel with the added bonus of the health club. The 'No children permitted' times in the pool area an advantage. Would stay again if I needed to be in the area. Finally, the young hotel staff need a little customer service training!
Room Tip: Double rooms overlook the Humber bridge and car park. Twin rooms overlook the back of the hotel and...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
