00LordNick00
May 6, 2024
Staff friendly, clean and reasonable hotel, good location, meals were tasty and of a good standard. Breakfast up to standard. Steff, Lyle and Callum made my stay a lot better than it could have been - Lyle running reception and restaurant at the same time, but still managing to sort needs - overheard he was only recently started, so very good! Lyle and Callum sorted out food allergies/intolerance on a busy night for the chef, really appreciated that, as it meant I could sleep well! Steff sorted out another night where I wanted to eat in my room, good food, packaged well so I could take it up! Room clean and tidy, serviced when requested. Bathroom clean. If a company is expensing their stay with you, it would be very good to find out about charging the card before the guest arrives at the hotel. Left waiting in the lobby, concerned that I wouldn't have a room having arrived up in Derby. Check in was a 55 minute hassle due to issues of authorisation.. sort it out sooner, please!! Staff are doing far too much, and having to serve the restaurant and the reception desk simultaneously. This has caused issues with the quality they can provide for both - so, keep the excellent staff you have, but hire more. The restaurant ended up understaffed on the last night to the extent of a 45 minute delay on new orders, then long waits for food. Small issues with security, again due to overstretched staff. People waiting outside the lifts with no proof of staying at the hotel, had no way to avoid them tailgating. Perhaps another key card lock on the door before the lifts/stairs? Shower in room and lighting in bathroom were needing maintenance, raised this at the end of my stay with someone newly on shift. They were not as friendly and helpful as Steph, Lyle and Callum had been during the week, and the response from this other member of staff felt more like a 'see if I care' than 'thanks for helping us be our best'. Food prices are a lot, I was glad I'm expensing these meals.. If you give your staff one role or the other, restaurant OR reception, it will improve the quality of the guest experience. Was glad that I felt comfortable to stay as a solo traveller at this hotel, some struggle with the concept of travelling for business alone!