The Kingsway hosted me at short notice for 2 nights this weekend. As other reviewers have mentioned, if you need the decor to be absolutely flawless and in up-to-the minute fashions in order to have a good stay then this is not the hotel for you. If on the other hand what matters is a warm, clean, dry place to sleep, lovely staff, pets welcome and a decent breakfast then you're on to a bit of a winner here. The hotel only has very limited off-street parking (5 or 6 spaces and - alas - none designated for disabled guests) but it's far enough along the seafront from the pier and town centre that there's usually plenty of room on-street; free with vouchers provided by the hotel.

I'm a powered wheelchair user with severe, complex impairments and consequently with my arrival the hotel also had to deal with overseeing the delivery and setting-up of 3 large items of assistive technology, hired from an independent company. Most hotels balk at this sort of thing - don't try it with a Holiday Inn! - but the Kingsway barely batted an eyelid and by the time I arrived it was all sorted. The 'disabled' room I stayed in was generously large and with a beautiful sea view from the bed - bliss - but would-be independent disabled travellers be warned: the lift will only and I really do mean only just fit a standard NHS 'high needs' powerchair in it, with no room for a companion. Users of standard manual wheelchairs would be fine, if your chair's longer than average then you need to ring up and check. The bathroom although recently redone and sparkling with plenty of well-placed grab-rails was a very tight fit indeed, with only a bath provided - check before you book though, as the manager was making VERY positive noises about further work to improve the standards of accessibility - that positive attitude pervaded throughout my stay and that and that alone is what will see me returning to the hotel. It's rare to find a hotel that genuinely, actively welcomes disabled guests rather than merely tolerating the fact that they can't legally refuse us service any more - that very much more than outweighs some 'vintage' paintwork!

Fabby breakfast both mornings - I had a full vegetarian the first day and a perfectly respectable mushrooms on toast the next. Knocks spots off most of the cheaper chains on that account.

The hotel room is a good size, but the tv is small, the bathroom is realy very, very small and need to be renovated, the carpet is old too. The good things are that it was clean and the staff is nice and helpfull. It doesn't deserve the price we paid for the room.

Two couples and a single stayed here to attend a wedding in the area. The hotel is a warren of corridors in several old house, with no obvious pattern to the room numbering (quite fun if you like that sort of thing). It is shabby and a lot of decoration and furnishing needs money spending on it. The free parking is useful. If their spaces are full they will give you a street permit. One room had a defective shower. The other two were fine. There is a basic but pleasant bar and lounge area. Breakfast was good with a fair choice of fry-up items available; not so good if you want continental. Staff were helpful and friendly. The costs of the rooms reflected the hotel's age and for the area was very good value.

I stayed for 3 nights in July. Positioned on the front overlooking the sea, and close to all amenities. The reception , bars , lounge and dining room are of good standard and booking in was pleasant and efficient. I had a single room 26. The rooms are difficult to find as the corridors are very small, hot and not signed in any way, like a maze in there. I thought I may be just a bit thick not being able to find my room, but I met 2 other people hauling their luggage around lost also ! The room was of a very poor standard, with jaded fittings, decor, and facilities . The shower was damaged and offered very hot or cold as the only options. The carpets and fittings were grubby stained and old. The towels are small hard and threadbare. There was 1 tea bag only and when i asked for more was told that they are rationed to 1 per person per day, but i could buy more at 10pence each !! I told them i would rather go without . I have never had to buy extra tea bags in any hotel anywhere in the world before !! I tolerated the room for the one night as I was
exhausted. Next day they moved me to a double at same
cost to a property Queens Lodge across the road. This room was equally jaded and poor, but I got an extra tea bag each day ! The breakfast was reasonable and well presented. Overall very bad experience and I will not be returning to stay again.