Having stayed here overnight about four times over the past couple of years, regard this as a quiet and clean pub set in an elevated position in the Liverpool suburbs. Manager and staff are helpful and, although part of a chain, it remains its own identity. Breakfasts are more than adequate. If one was looking to find a criticism then checking in at the end of a busy bar can sometimes be a little time-consuming, but no great problem. Sometimes can be a bit difficult to park opposite main door - particularly on quiz night.

We were given room five on arrival situated at the rear of the hotel the view consisted of one window looking onto a brick wall the other on to a very littered flat roof both were steel barred outside makeing it feel like a prison, god knows how you would get out if there was a fire and the door was blocked!!?

I had to clean the well established dust off all the doors and table top which had the previous occupants tea cup stains etc on it,the inset ceiling lights/bedside lamps made the room dull and hard to read at night.

The water works in the shower room were very noisey while taking a shower it sounded like a pheumatic drill,the extractor fan did not work so you had to open the draughty sash window to clear the air/steam that then let in the smell/noise of the kitchens,also the clanky flush did not remove what it should do.

The good side was that the staff were eager to please, the food was good and varied, but we found that the Wetherspoon Five Ways Hotel on the roundabout near to was more comfortable and better value,some pleasent woodland walks near by, we did have a good break thanks to the many and varied attractions in Liverpool.

The good bits. Friendly staff, good food in the bar (2 steaks for £9.95 and not rubbish), good location for city or airport. Not expensive. £65 inc breakfast.
The bad bits. It's really well overdue for a refurbishment - completely in the public areas. the room was quite modern but the corridors are very poor. The bars are scruffy and a good clean would be a start.

On arrival for 2 nights we wondered what we had let ourselves in for! At 6.00 pm on a Wednesday the bar/restaurant was buzzing and it was not clear really where to check in. However the first of many very helpfull staff spotted us with our bags and came to our rescue. The stairs up to the rooms needs serious attention both structurally and decoratively. They do a nice line in damp on the staircase wall! The public arreas need a makeover. By this time we were worried.

However, our room was lovely, clean and modernised. There were some worrying pointers to potential discomfort - earplugs supplied and an airconditioning unit on the wall.....didn't need to worry; neither of these were required. On coming down to the bar for a meal, it was still buzzing but with really lovely people and very helpfully staff. The food is homely but good. Curry night (Wed) was superb - a delicious chicken jalfrese and an excellent pint of beer for £4.95!!! Thursday evening (free bottle of wine night) was equally excellent.

Breakfast was superb. The availbilty of being able to leave the car and get the bus into the centre was a real bonus.

Overall we had a really enjoyable stay with good food, good service and met some lovely, friendly people. Just goes to show....don't judge a book by its cover.