I have stayed at the Walkabout hotel a few times now as it is good value for your money and the staff are always friendly.

I have read some of the other reviews out there for the place and must admit it did sort of hit a down period around New Year 2006, but my last stay in May 2007 proved to bring a pleasent surprise with it. The room was clean and tidy. The mattresses seemed to have been changed along with the pillows and duvet.

The noise level is still the same on Friday and Saturday nigths but if you are in for a great night out why not join the party. If you do your room becomes even more convenient as you only need to stumble down the stairs to the reception and in to the lift rather than fight the thousands of other party goers for a taxi.

This place is terrible.

1. The bed in my room wasn't made, the sheets didn't fit it properly & duvet was hanging out of the cover.
2. The bathroom was filthy - black under the toilet rim & stains in the basin & on the tiles. The shower was boiling hot then freezing cold with absolutely no let up from this as were the taps in the sink.
3. The heater was undoubtedly dangerous as an enormous blue spark appeared when switched off & when it was on a distict burning aroma was present
4. The tv had no clear picture at all on any of the channels
5. There wasn't one mirror that I could actually see myself in. The bathroom on was filthy, the full length one was too close to a wall for me to see myself in and the one under the TV & a metre away from the dressing table was in such a position I had to hold my head at a 90 degree angle to see half of my head. Not a good thing when you are trying to get ready for a night out!
6. This place was not cheap at all, infact I would say it was a rip off. I have stayed in better places for much less.

I will not be returning here ever again and I warn you - do not attempt to go yourselves.

I dont think I have ever stayed anywhere as bad. No parking. Had to park on Great Northern car park and it cost £15 overnight and was ten min walk away, with bags a long way. Reception (down some dodgy looking steps off the street smelling of a public toilet - I am in no doubt that it is regularly used for such purposes!) closed upon our arrival, finally got in at 13.51hrs to be told I could not possibly check in until 1400hrs....In Nine Minutes Time. I waited - and asked for a high up room as I expected some noise from the bar. I was told no way. Room are already allocated. A piece of paper was then thrust at me to sign stating that I was forbidden from setting off any fire extinguishers or fire alarm and if I did I would be charged £60. (was tempted to ask the obvious 'what if there is a fire?' question but resisted). Down some smelly corridor with dirty carpet and white washed walls (think 'prison' not urban chic) into our room that smelt of urine. Bed was a piece of wood with foam on top. Bathroom in bad state - mould and mildew everywhere and a dubious looking sweaty shower curtain. Out of the window was a terrace - with a discarded mattress and pair of trainers adorning it - I can only assume that another guest thought sleeping outside was preferable to sleeping in the room!

UNBELIEVABLY £50 a night. Same price as a Premierinn/Travelodge which may be basic but at least they are clean!!! (these were booked up which is the only reason we stayed at WalkaTrout)

DO NOT STAY here. got in at 1am and the noise would have been defeaning had I not had a few glasses of wine to aid my sleep. Its dirty, rough and overpriced. Stay at Premierlodge or Travelodge or even Campanile, not here.

I see other people have rated this place quite well, but on my very recent visit I must disagree with them all.
Firstly our twin room was actually a double - not the end of world, but an irritation.
Secondly, there was a leak outside our door which meant a rather unsavoury stain outside, which upon entering the room actually extended down the wall and soaked the carpet by the door. Nice. Smelly.
Thirdly , the bathroom was dirty - I'm talking about black stuff under the toilet rim and stains in the basin. The shower also souded as if some small animals were trying to force their way out through the pies and walls. And the shower curtain was hanging off.
Fourthly, the bed was uncomfortable and the duvet cover wasn't even put on right.
Fifthly, the heater sparked when switched off.
Sixth(ly) the tv was in German only. Great if you speak German. Otherwise not.
Seventh(ly) it being above the pub I did expect some music etc, but thought two floors up would deaden the noise a bit. I was wrong.
Eighth(ly), not actually that cheap. Also - how did it get rated 3 stars?