Pen Mill Hotel

This hotel is consistently praised for its exceptional food and outstanding staff service, which together create a welcoming and homely vibe that many guests find highly appealing. Its signature feature is the vibrant restaurant and bar, often bustling with activity, serving delicious meals that draw both hotel guests and locals. The hotel is an excellent fit for work travelers seeking comfort and convenience, families appreciating its accommodating nature and pet-friendly approach, and couples looking for a cozy getaway. Sightseers and locals also find it a perfect base or dining spot. To ensure the best experience, guests are advised to book restaurant tables in advance due to its popularity and consider requesting a room away from the main road if sensitive to noise.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of convenient facilities that enhance the guest experience. A good-sized car park is available, with ample spaces, including those large enough for motorhomes. Guests can enjoy the outdoor seating area, perfect for watching the world go by. Inside, the restaurant and bar areas are popular and often busy, providing a lively atmosphere. For connectivity, the Wi-Fi is noted for its outstanding quality, supporting multiple devices. Rooms are equipped with a Smart TV offering Netflix, YouTube, and live TV. The hotel is notably pet-friendly, providing dog bowls, a dog bed, and even treats for furry companions. Additionally, the presence of a pizza trailer serving rustic pizzas and a selection of real ales, beers, and ciders adds to the unique offerings.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel for its high standards of cleanliness, describing rooms as very clean, spotless, and well-maintained. The comfortable beds and cosy rooms contribute to a restful stay, with some noting the presence of a very comfortable double bed. Rooms are generally well-equipped, featuring thoughtful touches such as a Nespresso machine, kettle, bottled water, and biscuits. Bathroom toiletries are provided, and many appreciate the powerful shower. While most find the rooms comfortable, some have noted that certain areas or rooms appear a little dated or show signs of wear, such as peeling paint or visible holes from previous fixtures. Noise can be a concern, particularly from the main road noise, music noise from outdoor speakers until late, and the general bustle of the busy restaurant.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience receives widespread acclaim, with many guests highlighting the food quality as exceptional. The breakfast is consistently praised for being excellent, freshly cooked, and featuring good quality, often local produce, with a variety of options including a perfect breakfast bap. The carvery is a standout feature, described as amazing, the best many have tasted, offering plenty of options and catering well for gluten-free options. The restaurant and bar serve delicious meals with generous portions and appealing presentation. While most experiences are positive, some guests have noted occasional slow service during busy periods or mixed feedback on specific menu items like ribs or curry. The selection of ales and ciders is appreciated, though some find the general drink prices to be on the higher side.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient location, particularly for those arriving by train, being just a two-minute walk from the train station. It offers easy accessibility to the town center, which is a short walk away, and a shopping outlet with various stores and amenities is within a ten-minute walk. Situated on a main road, the hotel is easy to find, though this can contribute to traffic noise in rooms facing the front. A pleasant park is located directly across the road, offering a green space for relaxation. The hotel provides a car park with ample spaces, including those suitable for larger vehicles like motorhomes, adding to its convenience for guests traveling by car.

Staff & Service
The staff at this hotel consistently receive glowing reviews for their exceptional friendliness and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight their helpful staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, from a quick check-in process to accommodating special requests. The team is described as welcoming, cheerful, and having a genuine "family feel," creating a supportive and positive atmosphere. Specific examples of outstanding service include providing dog-friendly service with treats and amenities for pets, arranging takeaway meals, and extending vouchers for special occasions. While the service is overwhelmingly praised for its warmth and efficiency, a few isolated comments mention instances of slower service during peak times, but overall, the commitment to excellent customer service is a recurring theme.

Additional Information
A notable aspect of the hotel is its comprehensive pet-friendly policy, making it a welcoming destination for guests traveling with dogs, who receive treats and even bone-shaped biscuits at breakfast. The hotel cultivates a distinct homely vibe, which guests appreciate as a refreshing alternative to more impersonal chain hotels. Its busy atmosphere, particularly in the restaurant and bar, underscores its popularity as a local and guest favorite. While generally offering value for money on food, some guests find certain drinks to be expensive. Feedback on hotel condition is mostly positive, though some rooms are noted to be a little dated or have minor maintenance issues like peeling paint. The check-out process has occasionally been described as rushed by some guests, who felt pressured to leave their rooms. The hotel is highly accommodating regarding dietary accommodations, offering gluten-free and slimming-world friendly options, though some guests have raised concerns about nut allergy guarantees.