Best Western The George Hotel

This historic hotel, a former coaching inn, is renowned for its central location, placing guests directly amidst the city's attractions, shops, and transport links. Its charm and accessibility make it an ideal choice for sightseers eager to explore, business travelers seeking convenience, and families attending celebrations. Many guests highlight the consistently friendly staff and the excellent breakfast as key aspects of their stay. While rooms are generally found to be clean and comfortable, some recurring feedback points to issues with noise and temperature control. To ensure a more restful experience, guests might consider requesting a room away from the street or kitchen vents. Additionally, clarifying parking fees upon booking and exploring direct booking options for breakfast inclusion could enhance the overall value of a stay.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities to enhance guest stays, including a welcoming bar area that provides a cozy setting for drinks and light meals. However, some guests have noted that the bar can become quiet and close early in the evening. A significant recurring concern is the elevator, which is frequently reported as being out of order, posing a challenge for guests with luggage or mobility issues, especially as no luggage trolleys are available. Many rooms lack air conditioning or openable windows, leading to complaints about rooms being excessively hot and stuffy, with provided fans often proving insufficient. Furthermore, the absence of daily housekeeping is a notable point, with rooms not being serviced during multi-night stays, which some guests find inconvenient.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the hotel for its cleanliness, noting that rooms are well-maintained upon arrival. The beds are widely described as comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep for many. However, room comfort is significantly impacted by several factors. A common complaint is the excessive heat in rooms, often due to the lack of air conditioning and sealed windows that prevent fresh air circulation. Noise is another prevalent issue, with guests reporting disturbances from street noise, nearby nightclubs, early morning bin collections, and even kitchen vents or staff conversations outside windows. Some rooms are described as dated or tired, with occasional issues like leaking showers, dripping taps, or cracked floor tiles. While basic amenities like tea and coffee facilities are provided, some guests note the absence of a refrigerator or sufficient electrical outlets near the bed.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast experience receives widespread praise, with guests consistently highlighting its excellent quality, good choice, and variety of hot and cold options, including fresh produce and cooked items. The carvery meals are also highly recommended, noted for their excellent food quality, varied selection of meats and vegetables, and overall good value. Many guests enjoy the restaurant and bar areas, describing them as pleasant settings for meals. However, feedback on the temperature of cooked breakfast items is mixed, with some guests finding them lukewarm. While the carvery is generally well-received, some found the starters disappointing or certain vegetables undercooked. Other meals, such as afternoon tea and dinner options, receive varied reviews, with some finding the food mediocre, portions small, or specific dishes lacking in quality or presentation.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently lauded as a major advantage, offering easy walking distance to the city's main attractions, including the cathedral, shops, restaurants, and the railway station. This makes it an ideal base for exploring the area on foot. However, parking is a significant point of discussion among guests. While on-site parking is available, it is often described as limited and comes with an additional daily fee, which many guests find expensive. Furthermore, navigating the hotel itself can be challenging due to its older design, with guests noting many levels, narrow corridors, and a frequently reported non-functional lift, making access to rooms difficult, especially with luggage. Some guests also mention noise from the surrounding city center, particularly from nearby pubs and nightclubs during the evening.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests highlight the welcoming demeanor of the team, from reception to the restaurant, noting their willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests and ensure a pleasant stay. The check-in process is generally described as efficient. Specific mentions include staff being accommodating with family needs, providing excellent event service for functions and weddings, and offering prompt assistance during unexpected situations. While the majority of interactions are positive, a minority of guests have reported less satisfactory experiences with some reception staff, describing them as occasionally unhelpful or lacking in warmth during check-in or when addressing concerns. Overall, the dedication of the staff is a recurring positive theme.

Additional Information
This historic property, while charming, is frequently described as dated or in need of a revamp in its accommodation areas, contrasting with its well-maintained public spaces. The hotel is a popular venue for family celebrations and wedding receptions, with dedicated event spaces and staff praised for their organizational skills. A notable pet-friendly policy is in place, though some guests found the associated charges high and suitable outdoor areas challenging to locate. Unlike many hotels, daily room servicing is not standard, meaning rooms are not cleaned or refreshed during multi-night stays unless specifically requested. Guests should also be aware that while the hotel has a car park, it is often limited in space and incurs an additional fee, though joining the loyalty scheme may offer complimentary parking.