When we returned from our two night stay on 29th & 30th May at the Bailhouse, how relieved we were that we had not read the reviews on TripAdvisor beforehand, as they would certainly have deterred us from booking.

We chose the Bailhouse as we wanted to stay somewhere with character in a good location in a city where there was plenty to see and do - with these criteria we weren't at all disappointed. However, we would agree with many of the points raised by previous guests and are surprised that the Bailhouse Management has chosen not to respond to a single one which is both worrying and disconcerting.

We arrived on Friday evening at 8.00pm, rang the front door bell and no-one answered. Thank goodness for mobile phones, at least our phone call was picked up and we were given the code for the back gate and told to make our way around.

We had no problem parking in the car park, as had been the experience of some and were met at the Bailhouse back entrance by Rebecca, a very friendly young girl. We had been very surprised when walking through the car park as just leading off it we had passed a very small plunge pool, certainly not 'a swimming pool' as on the Bailhouse website, it was hardly in a suitable or inviting position and was also in a shady area with no deckchairs.

There was also an unsightly cigarette dispensing machine attached to one wall.

We were taken into the reception area which was is in fact a very sumptuous kitchen - didn't seem to be used the whole time we were there but was more like a kitchen showroom. We really didn't know what purpose it served.

Rebecca was very helpful and gave us alot of useful local knowledge. We were also given a code to use the side gate to enter the Bailhouse.

She took us up to Room 1 on the 1st floor which we had specifically booked. It was a good size, spacious and bright with a 4 poster bed and lovely antique furniture - a massive free standing wall to ceiling mirror, very large chest of drawers, beautiful fire place, couch and table. There was also a walk-in wardrobe with a safe. However although it professes to be 'non smoking' with a plastic American Express sign balanced on top of the TV, what we noticed immediately was the stale cigarette smell in the room.

While we were putting our things away, we wanted to leave a few items in the safe - but it was locked and there were no instructions on how to unlock/use it. So we rang down to reception - Rebecca wasn't able to help and neither when she rang them were the owner or duty manager!

The bathroom was a great disappointment, with the bedroom so beautifully and tastefully furnished - a very cheaply equipped and slightly shabby bathroom which stank of drains the whole time we were there. This was acknowleded by the Manager who knew about it when we saw him the next day, but nothing was done. There were a number of very large cracks on the walls, there was a modern cheap acrylic bath with a shower unit to one side. None of this was in keeping with the stunning period features - shame there wasn't a pressed steel or china bath with feet and a wash stand.

There was only one very good sized bath and hand towel for us - an oversight by the people who cleaned the room. The next day when we pointed this out, we were given two large, two small towels and two bath robes which were very welcome.

In the bedroom, there was a large Brabantia stainless steel waste bin and modern alarm clock which both seemed out of place. A mirror on the dressing table would have been useful as would a 2nd bedside table and lamp. Because of this, it was not possible to read in bed unless the main lights were on.

We paid extra for breakfast and what a let down - because the weather was so glorious we had ours in the garden. We opted for the cooked breakfast which was brought out to us. We had to go inside to choose cereals, juice, jams etc. The 'fresh;' fruit salad had seen better days and was swimming with brownish over soft apple and there were cheap cash & carry type cheese portions in plastic wrappings.

The very young, untrained staff didn't come to ask if we wanted more coffee or toast - all service standards that would be expected of the rating the Bailhouse has been given.

There was an area in the garden leading on from a private dwelling which had low level trees creating a barrier to separate it from the Bailhouse garden - perhaps where the owner lived? There were numerous large toys, Wendy houses etc there which were all quite untidy and spoiled the garden considerably.

The lounge area inside the hotel was pleasant, there was internet access and an 'on tap' hot drink dispensing machine with a good choice of hot drinks of a high standard. There was also the 'honesty' bar which people have mentioned, we thought the drinks there were reasonably priced.

We loved Lincoln - as recommended by Rebecca do try the Wig and Mitre pub on the cobbled slope, about a 5 minute walk turning right out of the hotel - gastro pub feel with good ales. We ate in Tequila, a Mexican restaurant virtually opposite the hotel, which was excellent and good value and had delicious BBQ chicken.

On our second evening we opted for the Italian restaurant Gino's, 2nd turning on the right from the hotel - again recommended by Rebecca and you need to book ahead of time. The food was outstanding, massive portions, piping hot and very tasty - we had chicken al diavolo which was superb. We shared a starter, with the two main courses and a bottle of wine, the bill came to just under £50.00 with service.

We spent 2 thoroughly enjoyable hours going around the castle, reasonably priced at £4.10 pp. There was even a croquet tournament going on. Worth visiting the gaol and walking along the ramparts. The cathedral was a real wow factor - see if you can find the famous 'imp' or ask one of the helpful wardens to show you!

Take a steep walk down into the main part of the city with all the usual chain stores and then off to the right to the very pretty water front. But beware of very loud numerous hen and stag parties who congregate there. They didn't seem to venture up to where the hotel is which was certainly a plus point.

There are a number of remedial actions that the Bailhouse could take immediately to improve the experience of its guests - but as mentioned at the beginning, it is worrying that it seems none of the previous comments have been taken on board and nothing has changed. We wonder if the AA who have given the hotel its rating are aware of this and if it has been brought to their attention by guests.

The Bailhouse has all the ingredients to make it a superb place to stay and want to return to time and time again, but it needs to act on the feedback it has been given, invest in some areas and train its staff properly.

We met the manager a few times - he seemed very pleasant and friendly but how effective is he, has he raised issues with the owner and have they been ignored? We would be interested to find out - who knows, maybe we will be lucky and get a reply to our feedback, but we won't hold our breath!