The new owner is clearly working on turning this property around and on improving its current AAA one diamond rating. Already in the first three months, he's hired new, more helpful staff, added wireless internet, is upgrading the rooms with hairdryers, irons, microwaves and fridges and, we were told, the carpet is to be replaced within a couple of weeks. We'd stayed here years ago and were singularly unimpressed (vowed never to return!) but, after hearing about the new management decided to give it another try.

I was still dubious so asked to view a room before signing in and was pleasantly surprised with its cleanliness. I was first offered another room, however, which had not yet been upgraded and, though it had a no-smoking label, it smelled of stale tobacco, so we took the fresh-smelling but fridge-less one we'd initially been shown and happily stayed four nights.

Their breakfasts were pitifully skimpy but there's a Waffle House right next door.

All in all, while nothing fancy, this is now an acceptable and affordable place to stay and we'd certainly stay here again.