The Fort Hotel

The hotel's vibrant pub and restaurant, complemented by a popular beer garden, serves as a lively social hub, consistently praised for its excellent dining and bustling atmosphere. A unique feature is the accommodation setup, with many guest rooms situated in a separate building across the road from the main hotel. This arrangement offers a quieter environment for some, though it requires a brief walk to access the primary facilities. The hotel is particularly well-suited for couples seeking a comfortable getaway, groups celebrating special occasions or enjoying meals together, and business travelers looking for a convenient and welcoming base. Its central location also makes it ideal for shoppers and short-break visitors exploring the local area. To enhance your stay, guests sensitive to noise, especially on weekends, may wish to request a room in the quieter, separate accommodation. Additionally, be aware that parking can be challenging, often requiring a search for on-street spaces.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities that enhance the guest experience, most notably its popular bar and inviting beer garden, which are frequently highlighted as vibrant social spaces. While the main hotel building houses these bustling areas, many guests appreciate the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity, though some have noted occasional issues with signal strength or connectivity. In-room amenities generally include a TV, hair dryer, and a fridge, contributing to a comfortable stay. The bathrooms are often described as modern and well-appointed, with many featuring a shower, though some guests have found the shower size to be small or the water pressure to be inadequate. The overall decor throughout the hotel and its annexes is frequently praised for being modern and recently refurbished, creating a fresh and appealing environment.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be exceptionally clean and well-maintained, with many describing them as spotless and modern. The beds receive mixed feedback; while many guests report them as comfortable or very comfortable, some have found the mattresses to be too hard or the beds themselves to be small, occasionally impacting sleep quality. Room size also varies, with some guests enjoying spacious accommodations while others found their rooms to be quite small or not as spacious as expected. Noise levels are a significant and recurring concern, particularly for rooms in the main building or facing the street, with reports of noise from the pub below, street activity, and even loud fans or nightclub sounds extending late into the night. Some rooms, especially those in separate buildings, have also been noted as being cold due to heating issues. The bathrooms are generally appreciated for their modern design, though some guests have reported minor cleanliness oversights in the shower area.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options consistently receive high praise, with guests frequently commending the food quality as excellent, delicious, and homemade. The restaurant and bar areas are popular choices for meals, offering a good selection of dishes, including options for half or full portions, and even a separate vegan/vegetarian menu. Many reviewers highlight specific dishes like steak pie, fish, and scampi as particularly enjoyable. While the main meals are overwhelmingly positive, feedback on breakfast is more mixed; some guests describe it as very good, tasty, and freshly cooked, others found it to be adequate, basic, or overpriced, with occasional comments about overcooked items or stewed coffee. The atmosphere in the dining areas is often described as friendly, bustling, and vibrant, contributing to an enjoyable meal experience. Service in the restaurant is generally efficient, though a few isolated comments mention slow service during busy periods.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent and central location, placing guests within easy walking distance of local shops, restaurants, the waterfront, and the beach. Its proximity to these attractions makes it a convenient base for exploring the area. However, parking is a consistent challenge for guests, frequently described as awkward, very limited, or a nightmare, with no dedicated hotel parking and reliance on on-street options that can be difficult to find or have time restrictions. The unique setup of some guest rooms being located in a separate building across the road means guests need to walk outside to access the main hotel facilities, which some found inconvenient. Furthermore, the central location, particularly being above a busy pub and near a main street, contributes to significant noise levels that can extend late into the night, affecting the tranquility of some rooms.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive glowing reviews for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Guests frequently highlight their welcoming demeanor, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests, such as moving rooms to quieter locations or even helping with taxi arrangements. The check-in process is generally described as quick and easy, though a few guests noted it could be slow when the bar area, where check-in sometimes occurs, is particularly busy. The service provided by the waiting staff in the restaurant and bar areas is also highly praised for its efficiency and pleasantness. While the vast majority of feedback on service is overwhelmingly positive, a small number of guests reported isolated instances of slow service or perceived disinterest from some staff members during peak times. Overall, the dedicated and accommodating team significantly contributes to a positive guest experience.