Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, Darlington

Passable

Liked: Central location for Darlington
Disliked: Room was tired paint peeling from walls updating required. Hate shower curtains. Website showed evening meals but only a very small variety of bar food available.

Very friendly staff made us...

Liked: Very central
Disliked: Nothing

Exceptional

It was ok but not...

Liked: The room was pleasant, bed was comfortable, location good, parking on site, decent water supply to the room.
Disliked: Lighting in room is poor, no lighting at dressing table.Toilet located in front of door so hard to close door, and there is a camera in the corridor right outside the entry door so someone may have gotten an eyefull!As this was an occasion, I requested some drinks in the room. I received an email saying my request had been accepted and there would be no charge which I thought was a very nice touch.There were no drinks in the room (when later ended up costing an extra £50) and I was told that the email related to my check in time being approved and there would be no charge. I have never heard of anywhere charging for a check-in before.I am also convinced I brought a bedbug home with me after finding one on a brand new dress purchased during my stay. I'm glad I unpacked at the washing machine when i got home.

Exceptional

Superb

Liked: Central for everything.Rooms nice .
Disliked: Paying for parking

You get what you pay...

Liked: Location good
Disliked: TV remote was dirty and faulty, sink did not drain, brown smudges on the wall, doors slam shut to the point that it’s dangerous, the window has to be kept shut because the ambient noise of what I assumed was the air con was so loud!

Good

Noisy guests banging on doors...

Liked: Not much.
Disliked: Lack off food options in the restaurant.

Good

Liked: Staff when asked were helpful. One traveller had an accident (sick) in bathroom and cleaning staff kindly cleared it up for us.
Disliked: Communication and Co ordination lacking. Was told we had rooms next to each other and near a lift for a disabled person. The room was a long way from lift and not next door to their relative. It was resolved at the desk, but communication( I had phoned to check this earlier than we were due to arrive to check this) could have avoided this. No newspapers, did tick option on form, did ask about this on my first morning and was only told there wasn't this facility on my second morning. Shouldn't be on the form if not offered and all staff should be aware of this. The room was tired. Lack of sufficient and no disabled parking (that available was public blue badge parking which is limited to a max of 3 hours between 9am and 5pm).Perhaps make the first spaces in the car park disabled on grounds a wheelchair can be used up the road to it, like ramp, onto pavement and to front door of hotel might be an option? Nowhere to turn around once in car park if it is full. Bad parking by others meaning insufficient space to park.