* Extremely convenient central location * Wonderful characterful period building * Very reasonable tariffs (I ended up staying 3 nights) * Various helpful reception staff (with a special thank you to the young male receptionist - Dale? - in the evenings!)

* No in-room guest compendium/information! * 1st stay - Heavy and smelly mould on the window frame in guest room * 2nd stay - Lovely room but shower/bath tap toggle was an IQ test (need simple wall-mounted instructions) * This grand but ageing establishment could be - not just good but - outstanding again (It feels like the owners or senior management have half given up!)

The room was basic, but functional. The place is a bit dated, but still serves it's purpose very well. If a ton of money was pent on a refurbishment, then I wouldn't expect it to be such a cheap value for money stay. I was happy with it as I didn't spend a lot of time here except to sleep really. It was quieter than I expected although not a quiet place as it's city centre location is close to pubs and bars. Shower was adequate, and being well over 6 foot tall I was happy that i could fit under it properly. Room was clean and well cleaned and teas / coffees restocked everyday. I would certainly stop here again for this price.

No bedside lamp or light switch by the bed, so I had to walk across a dark room to bed every night The quality of the wi-fi was sketchy at best, so if you needed it for work, then I'd imagine it wouldn't be fit for purpose The cold water was lukewarm, and given the hot spell we were in, a nice cold drink wasn't available in the room

Excellent transport links, 2 min walk to the train station (pretty much opposite the hotel) and a 5 min walk to the bus station. Staff were very friendly and sorted out all my queries efficiently.

Very noisy because of the close proximity of 4 pubs within 2 mins walk. I decided not to be put off by the reviews I read because I was staying during the week and it couldn't be that bad (as opposed to staying over a weekend where it would be expected) Unfortunately the period I chose was Cheltenham gold cup week, so it was very busy. But all the noise subsided after midnight, so that was fine.

The hotel is in the most ideal location. I stayed in a few rooms this past 10 days due to extending my stay. Staff are very friendly and the building is locked after a certain time so you need to buzz in and that made me feel secure

The shower isnt separate to the bath taps so you have to figure out how it works and it can be awkward getting the right temperature. I stayed on the first floor and you can open a proper window where as when i stayed on the second floor the windows were the old type where i think they lift up but they are locked so you can't open them and i always need a window open to sleep but thats personal preferences. The beds are quite firm

Super friendly staff who warmly welcomed us and our dog. Huge bathroom and humongous bath tub. Excellent location, we wanted to be just on the door step of Carlisle with our dog. They kindly let us leave our bags there in storage before check in and the next day at checkout too while we were having a look round the town.

It felt like the room was miles away, a burrow of corridors and corners. On reaching the room, the smell in the corridor was atrocious, smelled like vomit/dog poo. In the room it was ok. Carpet cleaning would be great as it’s not very inviting. The bathroom didn’t feel particularly clean. Felt like I had to clean the bathtub with soap before using it. The shower cubicle wasn’t too good either, door was annoying to close. Carpet could do with a good clean as it’s a dog friendly bedroom.

I was a bit worried about staying at this hotel as it was listed as a 2-star, and half of the front door was boarded up due to smashed glass. However, once we stepped inside, it was like entering a grand hotel. It felt like stepping back in time to when the hotel first opened and must have been incredibly posh. I loved the winding staircase and the grand piano in reception. The receptionist was lovely, and the check-in process was easy. Our bedroom was huge and had a TV, lots of tea-making facilities, and even a bath, which is unusual these days. The downside was finding a hair in my breakfast, and my egg was very undercooked, making it inedible. But overall, I loved the hotel and would still recommend it.

The downside was finding a hair in my breakfast, and my egg was very undercooked, making it inedible.

- Superb price - Perfect location 5 min walk from station and on Carlisle main High Street with bars and pubs nearby - Dog friendly - Staff very friendly and helpful - 24h reception making checking in out a breeze - My room was quiet (but I was at back of building - may be different if at front on high street) - Good WiFi coverage (internet speed a bit disappointing but acceptable for room price - 10.9 Mbps down & 11.0 Mbps up)

- Hotel is unfortunately rather run down - Bathroom in particular (but also parts of the room) really need a refurbishment. Shower is nice and powerful though :)

Honestly, don't doubt the reviews or the price - we had a fabulous stay and it was just perfect. The room itself was huge, with a large king sized bed that fit myself and my partner very comfortably. TV was close by with access to almost any channel you could need. The room was equipped with a very large bathroom that had both a large bath and rainfall shower. Every surface felt clean and fresh, we couldn't have been happier! The room was mostly natural light with 3 large skylights that kept it bright and airy. And you're incredibly close to the town centre, and cathedral too, within 10 minutes walk. Our booking had breakfast included that we attended at 8am. All the food was fresh and really delicious. It was served buffet, served yourself style but attended by staff who offered extras such as boiled eggs which aren't on the buffet itself. Fresh juice, tea and coffee, a range of hot and cold breakfast food that got us well prepared for the day. Very impressed. Once again, very clean and comfy.

Nothing, the stay was perfect.

I very much liked the hotel. Very retro for someone like me to be a historian. Lovely lighting chandeliers nearly everywhere in the hotel. I had no faults with the staff they were helpful with me as I've a hidden disability. I cary a disability linyerd card. Very good!

I didn't like some of the hotel guests in the eating hall as they just banished the food like wolves to a trough! As I got there around an hour before closing there was hardly enough food to eat! There were no plates to have a hot breakfast. Not the staffs fault, I can only fault some people who were there eating.

The restaurant was open but I was shattered arriving @ 6am due storm conditions, so went straight to bed. But Wetherspoons across road was convenient for all day breakfast & other meals. I must say the staff couldn't have more polite & helpful after an horrendous journey allowing me to check in so early. The hotel itself, suggests a salubrious past with it's splendor & decor, although these days perhaps it is not upto those illustrious standards, it still maintains it's luxury & in my opinion you won't find much better value for money for comfort or location with the railway station about 200 yards away & main town centre 10 mins casual walk. The castle @ end of town probably 15 mins but I was fighting a 70 mile an hour wind . Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the hotel and town and would recommend a visit to anyone although perhaps not when a storm is in town. T

Only thing I found strange was I couldn't lock my room door from inside, so I just propped a chair against the door. Other than that nothing to report.