England 2013 Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Badgers Wood B&B, Keswick, England
Why: I stayed at Badgers Wood B&B at 30 Stanger Street in Keswick, England in March –it could not have been more perfect. The location is ideal for someone traveling by bus – right in the center of town, on the bus depot side. My room was quiet, bright and immaculate, with all the amenities you need and want. Absolutely everything was right: there were places to put things in the bathroom, light switches and outlets in the right places, and details like a boot tray and clean-up cloth to make it easy to be a good guest. Breakfast lived up to all the great reviews. Andrew could not have been more welcoming. He offered helpful tips on walking in the area, and has a good collection of books and maps for reference. And the WiFi worked, which is more than I can say for the two hotels where I stayed on the same trip, which cost £70 and £86, and were not nearly as comfortable. It was a super value at £39 and truly may be the most perfect I have ever stayed.
Worst: Watch out for added charges at Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport, Ringway Rd, Manchester, England
Why: This was the most expensive room of my stay (£86) The airport shuttle was super-efficient, but that was the only positive surprise of my stay. This is the only place in five trips to Great Britain that did not have coffee/tea in the room. There was a charge for in-room internet/WiFi (and they were pushing the £28 WiFi/movie package). The only clock was a small readout on the TV (so you have to sit up in the middle of the night to see it), the phone was across the room (requiring you to get out of bed to answer the wake-up call), and the heater/fan sounded like a helicopter. I could have overlooked all of these inconveniences – it was just one night and airport hotels are rarely a great experience -- except that my express check-out receipt included a £12 parking charge. When I went to the front desk to have the charge removed – which they did without question -- I was told matter of factly that they automatically add the parking charge to all rooms. I assume they count on people not noticing until it’s too late. It just left a really negative impression about how they treat guests. The Crowne Plaza is just not a good value -- and could be worse if you get stiffed by their automatic add-ons for services you didn't use.
Trish in Germantown, MD USA 04/15/2013
Best: York - Abbeyfields Guesthouse
Why: Excellent location, great room, great breakfast and fabulous hosts. I felt like I was leaving home when we left.
Jann Evans in Henderson, NV USA 11/09/2012
Best: Airden House in York
Why: Great location and breakfast, and very confortable rooms. The staff was really nice. Very easy to get to from the station on foot.
Marina in Washington, DC USA 09/06/2012
Best: The Spire House in Salisbury
Why: Lois Faulkner was by far the friendliest host we met on our 2-week trip. My girls loved her and she had lots of advice and info about the town and English life. I could have talked to her all day. And her rooms were adorable, Wi-Fi worked great, and breakfast was delicious. My girls also loved her tin of biscuits downstairs for an anytime snack! So glad we stayed there. Lois is one of the reasons we loved our trip!
Worst: Morgan House in London
Why: We stayed in the Family Room on the top floor (i.e. 51 steps w/ kids + luggage). The hosts did not assist us with the bags (every other host did). The Wi-Fi did not work at all in our room since it was too high up. Also, the shower doesn't drain properly. After our first shower literally flooded the tiny bathroom, Danilo told us the solution is to turn the shower off to let it drain periodically. We could only run the shower for 1 minute before turning the water off, letting it drain, and then running the water for another minute, etc. For a family of 4, this made the showering process ridiculously long. The breakfast was also below average compared to all the other places we stayed throughout England. We were quite sad that this was the last place we stayed on our trip, and our longest stop (3 nights). It was by far the worst.
Karen Meehan in Houston, TX USA 07/15/2012
Worst: Cartref House London
Why: My husband and I booked a double room at Cartref House for the last night of our trip to Great Britain, with high hopes for a romantic last evening and the "rare charm" described in the guide book. On arrival we were shown to a room with twin beds, and when I stated we had booked a double months ahead of time, were told the B&B was full and we could not change rooms. I never received any replies to my requests for a reduction in the tariff made both in person and later via email. Although the location was excellent, the room was nothing special (and not immaculate) nor was the breakfast. Most disappointing was the lack of customer service. I think Cartref House is resting on their laurels and no longer deserves a Rick Steves recommendation.
Win Cahill in Flagstaff, AZ USA 07/11/2012
Best: Brooks Guesthouse, Bath
Why: Lovely and helpful — even when we had to wake folks at 12:30 in the morning for a pipe leak from the ceiling. They moved us to another room and comped us considerably. (BTW, it was disturbing that no staff is at the guesthouse at night and was difficult to reach. We had to phone a manager and leave a message. He showed up an hour later, but because we left a message, we really didn't know if anyone got it.)
Tracy in San Francisco, CA USA 06/24/2012
Best: Cathedral View B & B in Salisbury
Why: Really lovely hosts, great location, excellent food. Our nicest stay. And they were very accommodating to my wife's dietary restrictions.
Tom Hampson in Granger, IN USA 06/16/2012
Best: Allerdale House, Keswick, England
Why: Lovely hosts, good-sized rooms, huge bathroom in Room #4. We had accidentally rented the smallest room for a week. The first morning Barbara insisted on moving us at no extra cost to their largest room with a great bathroom! The breakfasts were in a cheery breakfast room and were a full English breakfast. Paul, Barbara's husband, was great with his tips and suggestions for hikes and restaurant. Barbara even arranged theatre tickets for us at the nearby Lakeside Theatre.
Deborah Lewis in Tualatin, OR USA 05/11/2012
Best: The Royal Park
Why: This recommendation from England 2011 was a lifesaver after a bad experience at the Ashley. It was a sea of tranguility with classical music in the lobby and champagne delivered to our room at no extra cost. The window could be opened and our executive suite was quite roomy. Very classy staff too.
Worst: The Ashley Hotel Page 156 England 2011
Why: This hotel was booked because they offered wi-fi which we needed for work-related reasons. Upon checking in we discovered that the wi-fi was "temporarily" out of order. We asked for an exception to the 48-hr cancellation policy as they were not delivering what was promised. It was denied. After explaining their failure to provide what was offered to the clerk, then her talking with the manager, then talking with the assistant manager we were still being told we cannot cancel the reservation. After about 10 minutes the manager appeared and finally gave the nod to us leaving without financial penalty. We felt they were unreasonable in not accepting the cancellation immediately.
M Rathe in Tampa, Fl USA 11/26/2011
Best: The Royal Park
Why: This recommendation from England 2011 was a lifesaver after a bad experience at the Ashley. It was a sea of tranguility with classical music in the lobby and champagne delivered to our room at no extra cost. The window could be opened and our executive suite was quite roomy. Very classy staff too.
Worst: The Ashley Hotel Page 156 England 2011
Why: This hotel was booked because they offered wi-fi which we needed for work-related reasons. Upon checking in we discovered that the wi-fi was "temporarily" out of order. We asked for an exception to the 48-hr cancellation policy as they were not delivering what was promised. It was denied. After explaining their failure to provide what was offered to the clerk, then her talking with the manager, then talking with the assistant manager we were still being told we cannot cancel the reservation. After about 10 minutes the manager appeared and finally gave the nod to us leaving without financial penalty. We felt they were unreasonable in not accepting the cancellation immediately.
M Rathe in Tampa, Fl USA 11/26/2011
Best: The Royal Park
Why: This recommendation from England 2011 was a lifesaver after a bad experience at the Ashley. It was a sea of tranguility with classical music in the lobby and champagne delivered to our room at no extra cost. The window could be opened and our executive suite was quite roomy. Very classy staff too.
Worst: The Ashley Hotel Page 156 England 2011
Why: This hotel was booked because they offered wi-fi which we needed for work-related reasons. Upon checking in we discovered that the wi-fi was "temporarily" out of order. We asked for an exception to the 48-hr cancellation policy as they were not delivering what was promised. It was denied. After explaining their failure to provide what was offered to the clerk, then her talking with the manager, then talking with the assistant manager we were still being told we cannot cancel the reservation. After about 10 minutes the manager appeared and finally gave the nod to us leaving without financial penalty. We felt they were unreasonable in not accepting the cancellation immediately.
M Rathe in Tampa, Fl USA 11/26/2011
Worst: St John's Court Guest House, Canerbury England
Why: Proprietor was rude and had lots of rules which seemed not necessary. Her neighbors call her one of a kind and she certainly is..thank goodness. towrds end of stay she did warm up a bit but by then who cared ...very controling and not enjoyable personality. B&B was good, clean and breakfast OK
Louise Tracey-Hosa in Las Cruces , NM USA 11/13/2011
Best: Brindleys Boutique Bed & Breakfast Hotel Bath
Why: See earlier post - location of Brindleys is in Bath.
John Reed in Alexandria, LA USA 10/02/2011
Best: Brindleys Boutique Bed & Breakfast Hotel
Why: Perfect little B&B. We only stayed one night but would have loved to have stayed longer. Jamie & Anel were such friendly hosts & everything was spotless. This is a newly renovated B&B & everything feels fresh & clean. Comfortable bed, delicious breakfast. Convenient walk to center of town & the Roman baths, cathedral, & restaurants & shops (about 10 minutes). We're writing to Rick Steves to suggest this be included as a recommended hotel. I think all the rooms would be good. Hotel is on a quiet street away from traffic, & hotel is slightly off the road.Don't think you could find any better. Thank you, Jamie & Anel!
John Reed in Alexandria, LA USA 10/02/2011
Best: Heckberry House, Judith and David
Why: We wanted to add an extra night, and although she could not accommodate us, Judith went out of her way to help us fine a room. She and her husband were lovely hosts and facilitated moving our luggage and car to her neighbors. They went out of their way to make our stay relaxed and comfortable. We stayed our final night with their neighbors --Deb and Keith, who were equally gracious and welcoming.
Jacqui Lichtenstein in Eugene, OR USA 10/01/2011
Best: Seatoller Farm B&B - Borrowdale @ Lake District
Why: Christine Simpson gives you a warm welcome to their farmhouse with tea, coffee, and fresh baked goods in their comfy sitting room. Their B&B rooms are nice, tidy, and well maintained. The room views overlook the farm at the base of Honister Pass in the Borrowdale valley of England’s Lake District. Christine freshly prepares a delicious, hearty, real-Cumbrian breakfast. The working hill farm is so inviting – the bucolic fells, the pastoral sheep, and the 16th century architecture make for a very unpretentious and refreshing experience. We will definitely take advantage of their hospitality on our next trip to the Lake District!
Mike Rogers in Warner Robins, GA USA 08/18/2011
Best: Luna Simone Hotel, London
Why: Great location, reasonably priced, clean rooms, friendly and helpful staff.
Anne Klowden in Moscow, ID USA 07/03/2011
Best: The Hazelwood in York June 2011
Why: very quiet and calm, excellent location. delicious breakfast--staff were exceptional! we had a very large room with modern bathroom. wifi in room. well worth 100 pounds/night
Worst: Coach House Hotel in York June 2011
Why: Because of the England 2011 guidebook describing the rooms as "huge" we splurged on this hotel. There is no way anyone would use the word huge to describe our room! It was small and crowded. The bathroom was dingy and did not even have a shelf of any kind to put a few toiletries on! The room and bathroom had a very unpleasant odor. We managed to prop open two windows then realized that because we were positioned above the pub, all of the smokers went outside to smoke so their smoke wafted up into our room! We paid $180 a night for this! Their website is totally misleading...do not believe anything you see on it! free wifi was only in tiny, cramped, noisy "lounge". we checked out and moved to the Hazelwood--what a welcome change!
Susan in Bellevue, WA USA 06/25/2011
Best: The Henry in Bath
Why: Immaculately clean, breakfast made to order, nice innkeepers and great central location. Its all good!
Worst: Lynton Hotel
Why: We are very disappointed in this recommendation! The room reeks of smoke, mattresses are terrible, towels are sandpaper, the room has peeling paint... I am very surprised this made a Rick Steve's recommendation. We will move as soon as possible.
Nancy Block in San Jose, CA USA 04/16/2011
Best: The Clarence Hotel Portsmouth (Southsea)
Why: Absolutely lovely old Edwardian era home converted into hotel. Not in Rick's book but should be. Staff most gracious and attentive. Included full breakfasts, cooked to order. Bus or walk seaside promenade to Portsmouth proper.
Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 03/31/2011
Worst: Parade Park Hotel, Bath
Why: For the standard price, we had a VERY small, dingy room on the 4th floor (no lifts). I had to park the rental car in a public lot, 20 min walk away, for 15 UKP per night.
Keith Ciarlariello in Fort Worth, Tx USA 02/11/2011