Lovely place, used to be...

Liked: The place is lovely, The location is perfect, The rooms are nice and clean. Staff were great. Fantastic breakfast.
Disliked: The fact that they have stopped doing waitress service, it's not good to queue at a busy bar to order food, Then to go back once eating to order drinks. It just wasn't a good service. It was much better before the new management took over.

This place is in decline...

Liked: This is a historic building in a stunning location.
Disliked: Unfortunately every new trip to the Midland reveals more and more diminution of all that used to make this hotel great. This iconic building is falling into disrepair; the fixtures and fittings in the bedrooms are shoddy and showing signs of age; and the whole ethos and levels of customer service are more in keeping with a pub, than a hotel. Yet the prices charged are still “4 star” prices. The breakfast offering, which used to be such a triumph, is now very poor quality. It is such a shame.

We have stayed here before...

Liked: The food was good, the room was ok with problems. breakfast was good, evening meal was good with one exceptionservice was good. the plus side we were given a discount for the problems with the room.
Disliked: The room we had was too warm but could not open windows as the air conditioning unit was just below and even with the windows shut the sound disturbed our sleep. we put the fan on to try and cool the room but this too was as noisy as the air con. not what you expect for £149 room, had better sleep in one for £60. Could not work out why the room was warm as the radiators were not on.

Great stay with friends from...

Liked: Art Deco building, quirky and beautiful.

Enjoyed our timecaway

Liked: The position of the hotel roomsBreakfast Leanliness

Superb

Disappointed - Did not live...

Liked: The sea view from the room - that we paid extra for was beautiful.
Disliked: This art deco hotel has been turned into a gastro pub. The iconic reception has been ripped out and now you check-in at the bar. There is a promotion offered at check-in for you to waive house-keeping during your stay for a complimentary drink per person per night. As printed on the voucher you receive. This was reneged by the bar staff who contradicted the voucher. So for 2 people staying 2 nights, the voucher is not worth the 4 complimentary drinks but just 2. Also GONE is table service. You have to find a table where there is a pod holding paper napkin wrapped cutlery and your pre-printed menu cards offering gastro-pub choice - Chicken and chips, pie and chips, scampi and chips, burger and chips. Gone is the fine dining. You take your table number to the bar where you place your food order and pay for it. Gastro-pub style. Gone are the table cloths. And missing half of the selection of drinks from the pre-printed drinks menu. And gone are the smartly dressed (pressed) waiting staff. We had the intention of ordering the legendary afternoon tea that was ALWAYS fully booked (100+ covers) in the sea-view dining room. That looks like that has been hived off into a side room. A visit there showed that no one had booked. The place used to be immaculate but the carpets and furnishings are looking tired. The outside masonry is well due a cleaning.

Comfortable stay and nice surroundings

Liked: Love the art deco hotel with its original features. Lovely sea view room. Great breakfast. Staff helpful and polite
Disliked: Disappointed that the dining tables no longer have the crisp white linen table cloths and full service at breakfast is no longer included.

Pleasant