After reading terrible reviews I was a bit concerned as I was going away with a friend and the hotel was my choice due to its location. On arrival we were pleasantly surprised by the lovely foyer. Reception staff very helpful and friendly. Our room was big and had plenty of storage and sufficient supplies of beverages. I was expecting this tired, threadbare carpeted room but it wasn't any of those things. Very comfortable beds and great shower. Breakfast was great with plenty of choice. The dining room overlooks the cathedral which is lovely. I can't fault this hotel and would recommend it to everyone I know. I have stayed in lots of hotels so don't have any expectations before I go but I do wonder what other reviewers want from a hotel. Just because it wasn't a modern soulless hotel doesn't make it bad. Give me a warm,clean and welcoming hotel anytime.
Brockstar Studios253 days ago
We booked this hotel largely on the 4-star rating, despite being a little unsure about the reviews. It could be a nice hotel, but I would overall describe it as a hotel with an amazing daily cleaning staff who is doing their best with a rundown hotel, and no maintenance staff whatsoever. Our room was clean, but the carpet was wet. As was the carpet in much of the hotel, the solution to which seemed to be to place "wet floor" signs around the particularly soggy areas. And the bathroom constantly smelled. It seems like they have some upkeep issues they aren't willing to address.
It was also tricky to find staff available, the desk was sometimes vacant and at one point we saw a patron in the bar ask the reception desk if anyone was going to be serving that night, explaining they had been waiting for over 10 minutes.
Since we had already paid and it was only a one-night stay (and like I said, the sheets were clean), we wore flip flops in the bedroom to avoid the squelchy carpet and it wasn't a huge deal. But the biggest irritant and my reason for one star is that the morning we checked out, when we paid for parking for that day, they charged us the non-hotel guest fee which was over twice the price of the guest fee. If we had paid for parking five minutes earlier, before handing them our keys, we could have saved a bit of money. We were annoyed, but the icing on the cake came two weeks later when we got a parking ticket notice from our car rental company--sure enough, the Mercure hotel gave us a parking ticket after overcharging us for parking in the first place. So now we're in the process of disputing that with the hotel, explaining things to the rental company, etc. The hotel experience was NOT worth the parking fiasco and I would not recommend staying there. And if you must stay there, pay to park across the street!
Paul Twyman345 days ago
Unfortunately our stay was not enjoyable at all,due to the very dated rooms. The decor in our room was in an awful state. Sofa and carpet was heavily stained, and made you feel dirty. The sink kept blocking and the room we had Privilege Room) was very noisy. Although we booked it via Secret Escapes, the room was definitely not as it was described! Paint was also bubbling and was just an eye sore. Also there are 2 different prices quoted for the car park which needs to be sorted out! The staff were very friendly and although we had no option to complain about so many things, the receptionist (Caitlan) was very graceful. The location is good, food is good,staff are very nice and friendly too, but the rooms need more than a lick of paint unfortunately. Not a good experience was spent here I'm afraid.
Skyerider345 days ago
Not as advertised. Not a 4 star hotel by any stretch of the imagination. While the staff were friendly and helpful,the bed was comfortable and the room was clean, the hotel is badly in need of a refit. The carpets are dingy and warm and the water pressure/ hot water in the shower was impossible to use. It is Off a narrow back alley and noise from the pub in the alley goes on to the early hours of the morning. And no a/c. Even the travel lodge across the alley has a/c!
Garry Fitzgibbon1 year ago
Stayed Thursday evening with my family 2 twin beds in 2 rooms! Hotel room was lovely and quiet but in need of TLC asap ! Quite dated throughout the whole place! Breakfast was plentiful but average as quite bland! Sorry I never got to see the bar as we were told it was open to guests 24 hours a day and was shut in the dark 11.30pm after we came back from town!would consider staying again if we got a lower price than we payed for my sons graduation! Shower screen needs urgent repair as water flowed off it straight across the floor which I had to keep mopping up! Room 111 .just read the other reviews which all say that the place is run down and needs refurbishment as my room did! Lots of dodgy fittings and chipped floor tiles in the bathroom! Carpets are really old in the walkways 1st floor and shredded! When you reply (if you do!) Please don't say thank you for saying with us! It's STAYING with us! We paid just on £288 expensive for a dilapidated old building! Pass this on to someone who might care and wake up and smell the coffee!
Karen Graham1 year ago
The hotel looks a bit rough on the outside, but quite different on the inside. Staff were very friendly and efficient. Room was good with ample room. The shower was in-bath but did have a proper glass barrier and not a shower curtain so that was ok. The hotel was in a great location allowing easy access through the main road and market in Winchester. Unfortunately parking is not included although there is a significant discount for hotel guests.
Samantha Marshall1 year ago
Friendly and very helpful staff. They really are a credit to the hotel. Great location too. Beds comfy and Rooms very clean, but really do need refurbishment. So glad I read the reviews as I would have been disappointed for a 4 star hotel. Great having late check out and we were fortunate to have onsite parking. Breakfast buffet was good, just could have been hotter. Missed breakfast tea bags on the tea tray, but coffee machine and Pepsi in the fridge a nice touch.
Jay-Sparks2 years ago
Clean, comfortable and spacious room. Hotel is well located in the area for access to Winchester. The Room service button wasn't working via the in room phone but staff were very helpful and polite when visiting reception to obtain extra drinks for the room. Communal areas and staircases could do with a bit of TLC, but all in all a nice visit and experience
It was also tricky to find staff available, the desk was sometimes vacant and at one point we saw a patron in the bar ask the reception desk if anyone was going to be serving that night, explaining they had been waiting for over 10 minutes.
Since we had already paid and it was only a one-night stay (and like I said, the sheets were clean), we wore flip flops in the bedroom to avoid the squelchy carpet and it wasn't a huge deal. But the biggest irritant and my reason for one star is that the morning we checked out, when we paid for parking for that day, they charged us the non-hotel guest fee which was over twice the price of the guest fee. If we had paid for parking five minutes earlier, before handing them our keys, we could have saved a bit of money. We were annoyed, but the icing on the cake came two weeks later when we got a parking ticket notice from our car rental company--sure enough, the Mercure hotel gave us a parking ticket after overcharging us for parking in the first place. So now we're in the process of disputing that with the hotel, explaining things to the rental company, etc. The hotel experience was NOT worth the parking fiasco and I would not recommend staying there. And if you must stay there, pay to park across the street!
The decor in our room was in an awful state. Sofa and carpet was heavily stained, and made you feel dirty. The sink kept blocking and the room we had Privilege Room) was very noisy. Although we booked it via Secret Escapes, the room was definitely not as it was described! Paint was also bubbling and was just an eye sore.
Also there are 2 different prices quoted for the car park which needs to be sorted out!
The staff were very friendly and although we had no option to complain about so many things, the receptionist (Caitlan) was very graceful.
The location is good, food is good,staff are very nice and friendly too, but the rooms need more than a lick of paint unfortunately.
Not a good experience was spent here I'm afraid.
Beds comfy and Rooms very clean, but really do need refurbishment. So glad I read the reviews as I would have been disappointed for a 4 star hotel.
Great having late check out and we were fortunate to have onsite parking.
Breakfast buffet was good, just
could have been hotter.
Missed breakfast tea bags on the tea tray, but coffee machine and Pepsi in the fridge a nice touch.