After having stayed in Room 6 on the night of Friday 16th of December 20011, I filled out the form asking for comments, left my bag with Sophie the lovely Hotel Manager and went shopping in York. A couple of hours later, I was sitting by the river with a pint and got this reply from her by email on my mobile.

"Thank you very much for leaving behind your comments and suggestions sheet. We greatly value the opinions and points made by our guests in paper form and on Trip Advisor as we strive to continually improve our service and deliver a great all round experience.

I apologise for the maintenance issues found in your Room 6. It is very helpful to be informed of these in order that we can sort them as quickly as possible, such as the loose window latch and missing draw handle. I am sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced and our lack of attention to detail.

I have noted your suggestion of making some clearer instructions for the Jacuzzi bath which can be added into our guest information pack as a help for future guests to avoid more soap sud explosions!

Out of your points made, I am most embarrassed that you found an open Trebor mint packet by the radio... It takes away the pleasure in staying in a hotel when remnants of past guests are left lying about. I must mention that this is a very rare occurrence within this hotel due to the perfectionist nature of our housekeepers and apologise to you that on this occasion we have let you down".

On a Friday night, Room Six at Judges Lodges retails at £225 a night. I didn't pay that, but many others will.

As someone who has stayed in many hotels across the world and was married to a hotel manager for ten years, I have some understanding of what is required at various price points.

Make no mistake.This is an exceptional hotel. From the totally female front-of-house staff, through the remarkable ambiance and quality of the place to the fabulous food, The Judges Lodgings in York is a fine place to stay.

Here's a tip. Get up to have breakfast in a hotel. You'll have a better experience and the staff will appreciate you too.

Let me state this. I have not had a better hotel breakfast anywhere. Delicious. The service and food was exemplary. I was first down at just after 8am on the Saturday and I sat alone in complete bliss. The food provided was exactly what was required. I liked the understated but attentive service and the cooked breakfast (particularly the sausages) got 5 stars.

The room however let it down (see above).

You feel cossetted in such a central location of one of the finest cities in England, if not the World. Views of The Minster. A King size bed. Quiet and luxurious. But the bathroom in Room Six has an alarming crack in the wall running the entire length of the room - and this from a hotel which boasts it has had a recent, massive refurbishment?

I ordered a Telegraph. It came at 8am. But it was complimentary and appreciated.

They will charge you £10 to park your car overnight and you will have to give them your keys so they can move it in your absence in their tiny car park should it be required. I think not. There is York Railway Station a few minutes walk away, so why drive anyway?

To sum up, I feel the good Dr. Wintringham (1689-1747/8) who abilities paid for the construction of this Grade 1 C17 York Townhouse would be more than a little concerned his C21 guests were being more than a little short-changed in some areas.

The upper rooms were servants quarters in times past and I got a mixed feeling there too.

I felt his ghost brush past me on the staircase in disgust, much as I felt they would have had.

I explored the cellar bar area briefly. It very much depends on the time you do it and the people you are with. It was designed to be a cellar to keep things cool before fridges. Not people.

I shall return as am curious what improvements they may make.