Great Britain 2012 Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Baytree House B&B
Why: We found ourselves without a place to stay on a weekend where Bath was inundated with visitors for Guy Fawkes. After unsuccessfully searching for vacancies we started calling places recommended in the Great Britain guidebook. We ended up in Wells at Baytree House B&B. Fantastic! Great price, clean room, wi-fi, full english breakfast and such incredibly nice people.
Erica Tomaras in Deer Island, OR USA 12/06/2011
Best: Cornerways B&B
Why: Very convenient location just off High Street, parking for our car right at the home, modern, spacious and very clean. Our hosts Les and Carole were friendly and helped us with small details like bus connections and places to walk.
Don Waddell in Walnut Creek, CA USA 10/28/2011
Best: Dionard Guest House - Inverness
Why: Clean and comfortable rooms, gracious hosts, good location
Peter in Vancouver, Canada 10/06/2011
Best: Abbey Guest House-York
Why: The Guest House was close to the train station, which was excellent. Very close to all of the sights, room and breakfast were just fine and Mr. Alec and Gill Saville were great hosts. Thank you very much for your hospitality.
Enrique in Richmond, Tx USA 10/02/2011
Best: Gil Dun-Edinburgh
Why: Earlier post have given all the reasons for staying at this nice place. We got the room with the double and single bed and it was great for us. Great breakfast, hospitality and quality of the room. Great place, will stay there again when we return. Thank you very much.
Enrique in Richmond, Tx USA 10/02/2011
Best: Brundholme Guest House -Kesiwick
Why: We spent 3 days in Keswick just to unwind, we thought. When it came time to leave, we did not want to leave this great place. The treatment we recieved at this place was just great. Excellent room, overlooking the golf course and the moutains, the great hospitalty, breakfast and warmth of the owners was difficult to leave behind. Great place. Thank you.
Enrique in Richmond, Tx USA 10/02/2011
Best: Marlborough House-Bath
Why: Peter and his staff were just simply great!!! We enjoyed our stay there with them. Great recomendations and assistance on getting to see wonderful Bath. We will most definitely stay there again when we return. Thanks.
Enrique in Richmond, Tx USA 10/02/2011
Best: Gil Dun Guest House, Edinburgh
Why: Can't say enough about the Gil Dun! Bill & Maggie are so friendly & made us feel like family. We stayed in 4 B&B's on our trip, & this room was by far the largest - surprisingly so. (We stayed 3 nights, so that was great.) Large bathroom & shower. Everything was spotless & sparkling. Delicious breakfasts (eggs-to-order, salmon, & cereals etc) Dining room intimate & pretty. On a quiet cul-de-sac. Short walk to the bus stop, & about a 15 minute walk to a great little pub (The Reverie) where we ended up eating every night because we just wanted a light supper of the terrific tomato-taragon soup. Bill arranged taxis for the 2 times we needed them, & that was helpful. Definitely would stay again.
Room Tip: Our room had 2 beds, 1 double & 1 twin. Huge room & bath, & comfortable beds & bedding. Never heard any outside noises at all.
John Reed in Alexandria, LA USA 10/02/2011
Best: Ashness Farm, Borrowdale (Keswick)
Why: Beautiful farm location. Room was very comfortable with a great view of Derwentwater and the farm with sheep and belted Galloway cows. Hostess was charming, friendly and helpful. Food was great.
Craig Steinfeld in Morrison, CO USA 07/30/2011
Best: Ellas Crag Guest House near Keswick
Why: picturesque, peaceful setting; wonderful hosts and lovely home with delicious breakfasts including freshly squeezed orange juice! We requested a lunch to-go for our travel day on up into Scotland, which was great for a picnic.
Gretchen in Winston-Salem, NC USA 07/28/2011
Best: No. 23 St. Mary's B&B in York
Why: beautiful, affordable, easy access to sights etc. great owners and hosts :)
Kim Anderson in North Vancouver, BC Canada 07/11/2011
Best: Luna-Simone Hotel
Why: Great Staff, very helpful.
Nancy Robinson in Nampa, ID USA 06/16/2011
Best: Mellness Guest House, Inverness, Scotland
Why: Joy was a gracious and accommodating hostess. Our room was large, clean, comfortable, and quiet. Breakfast was delicious. We appreciated the tea and biscuits in our room. And, we were a quick walk from restaurants and shopping.
Worst: The Dorstan, Edinburgh, Scotland
Why: The blanket and pillow covers on the bed were visibly stained and in need of washing. The mattress was very old, noisy, and lumpy. The towels in our bath were thin and frayed. In addition, they were still damp upon arrival (we hoped from having been pulled from the dryer too soon). There was lots of mildew around the tub. The hairdryer was broken. Overall a rather sad and shabby establishment but in a building with great bones and lots of potential.
Maureen Oberlin in Tallahassee, FL USA 06/05/2011
Best: gil dun guesthouse in Edinburgh
Why: very comfortable, outstanding breakfast, good location, quiet, exceptional host, good price
carol thibault in vancouver, bc canada 04/29/2011
Best: Both Abbeyfields in York and Badgers Wood in Keswick, Lake District
Why: Abbeyfields was lovely, wonderful hosts and breakfasts. Badgers Wood was the same. The owners of both B&B's were absolutely marvelous people, who could not have been more friendly or helpful!!!
Diane & Rick Steiner in CLifton Park, NY USA 04/26/2011
Best: Unable to book rooms in Rick Steve's recommendations
Why: All booked -- ADD MORE: including the Sonas Guest House
Maggie Anderson in Kent, OH USA 11/27/2010
Best: BRUNDHOLME KESWICK
Why: NEW OWNERS COULD NOT DO ENOUGH FOR US EVEN LET US DO A LITTLE WASHING OF OUR CLOTHES PARKING WAS FINE LARGE ENOUGH FOR SIX CARS BUT ONLY 4 CARS WERE EVER THERE DUE TO THERE ONLY BEING FOUR LETTING ROOMS ENJOYED BEING RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF TOWN
COURTNEY HARRISON in ORLANDO, FL USA 11/20/2010
Best: Number Nine, Stow-On-the-Wold
Why: Very charming old home, lovely location in the Cotswolds. Across from great restaurant, The Old Butcher.
Worst: Lime Tree, London
Why: Was fine, but overpriced for a dated hotel which lacked room decor and amenities. Great location, though, and friendly staff. We just had higher expectations from prior reviews and higher cost.
Ann in Minneapolis, MN USA 11/18/2010
Best: 23 Mayfield Gardens, B&B, Edinburgh Scotland
Why: A beautifully renovated home with elegantly furnished & comfortable rooms. The owner, Ross, is friendly and a wonderful host. Breakfast was fantastic.
Loraine in Los Angeles, CA USA 11/15/2010
Best: Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh/Warwick House in Penzance
Why: The hotel was lovely and well located, all the staff were so helpful and friendly. At Warwick House I've never had a better breakfast at a B&B! The room, though small, was beautifully appointed and even had robes. The owners were so nice--even carried our luggage up the stairs.
Worst: Durham, Castleview House
Why: This wasn't a bad experience and the room was fine, but never met the owners and had a hard time connecting with their son who was "babysitting" in finding out what to do with the car, etc. Not really a criticism, but that tells you how pleased we were with everything else. On our month in Great Britain we stayed at 7 that were recommended by Rick and 6 that I found on the Internet. We didn't have a bad experience in any of them, but I always like using Rick's because we have used him all over Europe and never had a bad lead.
Nancy Kline in Mission Viejo, CA USA 11/10/2010
Best: 23 Mayfield Guest House Edinburgh, Scot.
Why: The room was a comfortable size,Ross was a wonderful host, and the breakfasts were outstanding.
Steve Read in Madison, WI USA 11/07/2010
Best: Craigmhor Lodge in Pitlochry, Scotland
Why: The only recommendation in the book was full and the book recommended we ask for a recommendation for another B & B, which was the Craigmhor Lodge. For 99 pounds, we took the best room available and this was our favorite place of our entire two-week trip! We are going back to stay longer. The rooms had first class ammenities, including iPod docking stations with mounted speakers in bedroom and bathroom. Heated towel racks, robes, soaking tub and full separate shower, comfortable king size bed, balcony with bistro table and two chairs overlooking a green area with a quiet creek flowing by. Walking distance to town center full of restaurants, pubs, whisky tasting and shops. Thank you for including Pitlochry in your guidebook and I will be back for several nights on the next trip to Scotland
Worst: Airden House, York, England
Why: We had a basement room with no windows and a small skylight. The air was moist and stale in the room but the worst part of the stay were the noisy neighbors in the room next to us. Between 3 and 4 AM they invited several other noisy folks with laughter and shouting voices. We were exhausted the next day and resented losing a day of touring York due to sleep deprivation. The B & B owner does not live on the premises. We were charged the same rate for the basement room. Everything else was pleasant, but if you stay there I would not accept the basement rooms. They are certainly NOT worth 80 pounds for a double!
Darla Weiser in Friant, CA USA 10/24/2010
Best: Feorling B&B, Oban, Scotland
Why: Far exceeded expectations. See above.
Marjorie Pasch in Chattanooga, TN USA 09/23/2010
Worst: Brundholme, Keswick
Why: They indicated they had parking for six cars and they do not. They have a driveway and park six cars in it, but getting out would be an issue. We parked in the street and the pay parking lot in town. We didn't feel very comfortable there. I'm not sure why. The room was clean and had a nice view.
Jo Anne Vaughn in Colorado Springs, CO USA 09/16/2010
Best: Bryn Bed and Breakfast (Conwy, Wales)
Why: Proprietor, Alison, was gracious and hospitable in every way. She cheerfully greeted us and took us up to our beautifully decorated and comfortable room. The bathroom was updated and stocked with toiletries. The bedding was fine linen plus down comforters from Norway (no expenses spared). Alison offered tea and fruit upon arrival and welcomed us to sit in her gorgeous garden at the base of Conwy Castle. Breakfast was plentiful and nutritious. She takes great care in her work, does most all her own baking and will even provide gluten free options. Bryn is clean and refined; a place we liked so much that we switched our travel plans and returned for another night. Thank you, Rick for sharing Bryn B&B in your book. www.bryn,org.uk
S.Coleman in Burlingame, CA USA 08/20/2010
Worst: Kenvie Guest House in Edinburgh
Why: The owner cancelled our reservation the night before we were to arrive because one of her guests extended. She emailed us the night before! What if we hadn't checked our email before we arrived? We ended up staying in a Travelodge. This is BAD business if you ask me.
Melissa Lozano in Lakewood, CO USA 08/11/2010
Best: Dunedin Guest House (Edinburgh) and Heckberry House (Keswick)
Why: Dunedin: David was a great host, and the rooms and breakfast area were clean and classy. Heckberry: Judith and David were very friendly and attentive. Honorable Mention: Abbeyfields in York (friendly host and great location).
Worst: Parkside (Bath)
Why: "Worst" seems a little strong, as our stay was not unpleasant. But relative to the other B&B's we stayed at in Great Britain (5 others), this experience was our least favorite. Host was a bit 'stuffy' at first, although she warmed up during our stay. Parking is expensive and a bit confusing. There is a driveway that may fit as many as two cars, but we felt like we were discouraged from parking there - although the family that checked in after us pulled right in.
Don in Bellingham, WA USA 08/08/2010
Best: Craigside Guest Lodge, Inverness
Why: Clean, great location, yummy breakfasts. Amy and Ewan are wonderful hosts.
Kristen in Raleigh, NC USA 07/08/2010
Worst: Parkside B & B, Bath, UK
Why: Although told on the phone we could park in driveway upon arrival were told we could only for the night, but had to move it the next morning and pay for parking the second day/night at a parking lot. Bed uncomfortable, towels like sand paper and our "en suite" involved using a toilet down the hall due to the one in the room being broken permanently. Breakfast and room very basic, but not basic pricing. The lady running the place was friendly but unaccommodating. The Rick Steve's discount for 3 people was 5 pounds combined a night (approx. $2 per person savings per night).
R. Garg in Issaquah, WA USA 07/03/2010
Best: St Rafael Guesthouse,York
Why: Very nice accomodation (triple);great breakfast; run by very friendly couple.
AJ FORSTER in MIAMI, FL USA 06/27/2010
Best: Dorstan House, Edinburgh; Saint Columba on Iona; Glenburnie House, Oban
Why: Each has gracious honest on-site management serving marvelous food, providing quality accommodations, good value, good aesthetics, in good locations. You guided us very well and we are very grateful.You may wish to comment that the St. Columba Hotel was rescued and is now owned by a dozen or so Iona residents, and is running beautifully.
Gene Boutilier in Claremont, Ca USA 06/26/2010
Best: Ardconnel House-Inverness & Priestville Guest House-Edinburgh
Why: Great B&Bs. The hosts were so nice. John-I think that is his name-parked my rent car for me the first night & moved his car, so that I could unload the bags right in front of the house. Colin in Edinburgh packed a snack for us because our flight to Dublin was earlier than the breakfest hours-by alot. But he got up to see us off anyway. The families at these 2 B&Bs were so nice & helpful.
Scot Dailey in Arlington, Tx USA 06/26/2010
Best: Crosskeys Cottage in Stow on the wold
Why: Very nice rooms and breakfast but Roger and Margret were the best.Helpful,friendly
john theune in Sheboygan , wi USA 06/01/2010
Best: Gwynfryn B&B Conwy Wales
Why: Lots of character (both the building and the owners). great location inside the walled town
Worst: westland hotel - London
Why: shower curtain was pretty moldy. otherwise a great value in swanky neighborhood.
Richard Kussin in Cincinnati, OH USA 05/03/2010
Best: Castlebank Hotel, Conway Wales
Why: beautiful rooms, excellent location, good price (discounted for Rick Steves book holders plus for 5 nights), really good breakfast, wonderful hosts Henrique and Jo
Pamela King in Vacaville, Ca USA 03/06/2010
Best: Abbeyfields Guest House, York
Why: Just as described in the guidebook, Abbeyfields was a charming place to stay and well located, all at a reasonable price. A pleasure.
Worst: None
Why: We didn't use any other recommended places for our stay. (We used Hilton honors points and went upscale for Edinburgh and London.)
Matt L. in Arlington, VA USA 10/21/2009
Best: Marine House B&B Portree, Isle of Skye
Why: Fiona Stevenson is an absolute dear. She was very friendly and knowledgeable and at the same time was protective of our privacy. Fabulous view of the Portree Harbor from our front room.
Anne Herfindahl in Vashon Island, WA USA 09/21/2009
Best: Lumley Castle, Parkfield, Bantum Tea Rooms and Coalbrookdale Inn
Why: All of our B&Bs were very good, but the Castle was lovely and splurge and their food was wonderful. The location of the Bantum Tea Room was perfect and we just loved the bakery, plus there was a festival in town when we stayed
Jan and Greg Wieboldt in Ormond Beach, FL USA 09/12/2009
Best: Adelphi Guest House, Stratford-upon-Avon; Badgers Wood B&B, Lake District/Keswick; Premier Inn London County Hall
Why: Adelphi: Amazing breakfast menu, pleasant and helpful owners, off street parking. Badgers Wood: Attentive but not intrusive owners, immaculate rooms. Premier Inn London: Mixed bag but location-location-location and value put it in the plus column; exceedingly stuffy room (locked window relieved only by small fan) and bathroom.
Worst: Travelodge York Central
Why: Bordering-on-shabby rooms, inattentive staff, very noisy bar crowd below our room, room charges billed in advance of arrival.
Mark H. in Seattle, WA USA 09/04/2009
Best: Priestville Guest House - Edinburgh
Why: We spent two nights in Edinburgh and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Colin is a wonderful, gracious host. He made sure we knew how to use the bus to get around the city. Gave us tips on when to visit certain attractions, suggested good restaurants and pubs. His breakfasts were fantastic. The guesthouse itself is charming. Beds and shower facilities are wonderful. We couldn't have picked a better place to stay.
Kristi Davis in Carmel, IN USA 07/19/2009
Best: Elizabeth-London
Why: Nice location near Victoria Station. Staff could have been more helpful on suggesting sites/day trips but curtious. Breakfast staff great.
Worst: Winchester - London
Why: Booked a room for 3 nights and had to change rooms each night (!), compute did not work and most of the staff not so pleasant. (maybe due to our frustrations of having to change rooms each day).
Kendra K in Denver, CO USA 06/06/2009
Best: The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel - Edinburgh
Why: The hotel was lovely. Very clean, nice size rooms and huge marble bathrooms. We loved the china tea set and shortbread cookies in the room. Hotels tend to be somewhat sterile and cold, but we found this one to be charming and the staff was friendly and helpful. It was a lovely experience.
Ellen Cole in Shaker Heights, OH USA 06/05/2009
Best: Park Farm in Windsor
Why: Very fresh and lovely. Very accommodating inn keepers who helped with sightseeing questions and offered alternatives and extras.
Worst: Cartref in London
Why: Mattresses very old and uncomfortable, shabby feel with toilet tank cover jammed through wall. Breakfasts with powdered eggs. It was clean though.
Bev Terry in Shelby Township, MI USA 06/03/2009
Best: Premier Inn London County Hall
Why: I know it's a Premier Inn. So sue me! They're not my preference, either. I'd prefer a sociable B&B or some hotel with personality. It also wasn't the cheapest accomodations one could find if one went to the fringes of London Zone 1.
But the rooms were large, on a quiet street. The double rooms also have a day bed and so hold 3 people. The breakfast was decent. But most important: location. It was so nice to wake up every morning, stroll out of the hotel, and around the corner is the London Eye, a view over the river Thames, to your left is the Westminster Bridge straight into Westminster, and to your right is the bridge to Charing Cross, convenient to Trafalgar Square and all those environs.
Being right next to Waterloo (if you find the right exit to come out of 8-) is also convenient for travel to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace without having to use the Underground.
Finally, 4 different Underground lines come right to Waterloo, and two more are a lovely walk over to Embankment across the Thames.
Ethan Solomita in San Francisco, CA USA 05/30/2009
Best: Vicorian Town House, DURHAM
Why: Jill and Andy were tremendously helpful and friendly hosts. Our room was lovely...with absolutely the best towels in Britain! Yes, we notice these things. Good breakfast. Convenient location. Highly recommended.
Carla White in San Francisco, CA USA 04/05/2009
Best: Hotel Ceilidh-Donia EDINBURGH
Why: What a wonderful, all-inclusive place to stay! Our room was perfect; Max and Annette were gracious hosts. Annette is a fine chef. We stayed in Edinburgh for 5 days, and 3 of those evenings, we ate 'in' at the hotel restaurant, terrific food. They were helpful in getting us our reservation for our day-trip to Glasgow to visit the Glasgow School of Art. Very accommodating hoteliers.
Carla White in San Francisco, USA 04/05/2009