Stayed at the Phoenix for a weekend as had a wedding nearby.

This hotel COULD be absolutely beautiful. It needs a lot of money and TLC spent on it.

All the rooms are extremely spacious but need re-decorating and much of the furniture needs replacing.

Our room was large with TV, tea /coffee facilities and an en-suite. Unfortunately (as with rest of property) the wallpaper was filthy and the tiles in our bathroom were either chipped,broken or missing. Theres also an obvious damp problem. The carpet in the bedroom was very old and didnt even fit to the skirtings (although there was gripper!)

On the positive side, our sheets were pristine, the staff were extremely cheerful and its the best breakfast we'd tasted in years!

For the price we paid, our stay was ok.

PROS
Kind and helpful staff (eg. they let me occupy my room well before the official check-in time). Secure doors (opened with a magnetic stripe card). Spacious room. Stereo TV. Some items of furniture are beautiful. Simple but elegant decor. Clean towels, sheets, sink, tub. Low price (Ł35 pn for a single, without breakfast /which is c. Ł9/).

CONS
The windows are difficult to open / close, they are not double glazed (much noise from the street!). No clock radio. No wireless internet access. Wallpaper starts peeling and is stained a bit. Some pieces of furniture are shabby (and shold be replaced).

I have parents living near the hotel and have stayed a few times. the hotel/restaurant and staff are all much of a muchness with this sort of small chain hotel, however, I will NEVER stay again, as each visit has been ruined by the inadaquate parking facitilites at the hotel, there's space for about 7 cars on the grounds, and you can only park anywhere within walking distance for a total of 2 hours, this should at least be made clear at the time of booking.

RUBBISH

My partner and I found the Phoenix Hotel very pleasant. The room was clean and comfortable. Just your standard 'travel lodge' style. The breakfast the next day (and service) was definately more than we expected....however.....just a small warning if you stay on a Saturday night as we did, 2 words, church bells!! They started at 9am and went on and on and on....I think it may be bell practice on a Sunday morning! Oh but if you get a room round the back of the hotel - it seems to be ok? (as confirmed by some of the diners in the morning, who said they hadn't heard them!). Also, you do get the people leaving the club (the Pit) walking past the window at about 2am, usuing the usual colourful language you would expect!!