Royal & Fortescue Hotel

On the positive side the Royal and Fortesque is centrally located, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately the room was very small, with an ancient television set and dated decor. Earplugs were essential because of the noise from late night revellers and early morning deliveries. The car park is small and could be difficult to manouvre in and out of when full.

I stayed here with my Mother for a couple of nights and now realise that I should have complained straight away - since than I have learnt from other Tripadvisor contributors and dont take any rubbish from hotels. We had a twin room up numerous floors - the lift looked terrifying- so -despite my bad knee- we stuggled up many flights of stairs several times each day. That was our choice - however what was not our choice was the fact that the room overlooked the main street and the noise carried on until the early hours of the morning -... more

The first problem we encountered was getting to the hotel/car park, as Barnstaple road system in terrible.You really do need a street map to get to the car park (and realise that the "NO ENTRY" does not apply to you as you are "ACCESS ONLY), i.e. to their car park. Check in was quick, efficient and friendly, but don't use the lift if you are claustaphobic. The room was more than acceptable with everything you would expect, and was very clean.I suggest you try NOT to have a room on the third floor, as 51 steps can be tiring if you are wary of... more

I have just returned from a two night stay at the Royal and Fortescue. The hotel is situated in the middle of Barnstaple and has a small car park at the back. The hotel has a bar and restaurant and is well decorated. The food I had in the evening was plentiful and very good. My room was situated at the back of the hotel with a window overlooking an alley leading to the kitchen and the room opposite. I do not normally sit looking out of a window all evening any way so it was not a problem. The room was not big but it was very clean and... more

The instructions from the hotel made the front door easy to find, but there isn't much space to pull up outside (well you're in the middle of an old town so what do you expect?), although you can do if you could do if you have a lot of luggage or limited mobility. I found the car park around the back and that was small, especially since my hire car was an awful and massive Kia SUV. Reception staff were very good at checking me in. But apart from downstairs the place was so hot. My room was almost unbearable. Yes, the weather had... more

Very helpful and friendly hotel. Stayed in this hotel for 2 nights, the rooms are warm but there are fans provided in them. Our large group appeared to be generally pleased with the welcome and service extended to us by the hotel. Martin was very helpful and pleasant, a real asset to the hotel (he deserves a pay rise!) On the whole I thought the hotel was fine, it is located centrally, we certainly enjoyed our stay.

Just back from Devon and stayed in this hotel for four nights. There were twenty of us so we probably sampled most of the room types. My own room was a twin and was compact but satisfactory but very hot and would be unbearably so in very warm weather. Rooms on the main street were very noisy, the streets were full of scantily clad and far from attractive females in the main who's language would have embarrassed your average squady. Food was very average, without exception it was overcooked which on balance I guess is better than... more

The hotel is in a good location in the centre of Barnstaple and has free, secure car parking which is essential for a town centre hotel. The reception, bar and lounge areas are very attractively furnished and suit the atmosphere of an old coaching inn. The reception staff were welcoming despite the initial confusion over the booking - which was a little disconcerting - as it was via the internet. There is no pool but guests can use the facilities at a sister hotel a short drive away: towels were provided. The bedroom was clean and nicely... more

Imagine ariving at the reception and being advised we were in the Mews rooms, having read the previous posting about this hotel, we were ready to have a fight on our hands. Then imagine clean comfortable rooms (and bathrooms), friendly staff, excellent meals, a pleasant atmosphere and all for £44pppn Bed, Breakfast and an Evening meal. We stayed four nights and had a very enjoyable stay. Please do not believe the verbal diarrhoea form the previous posting, for reasons unknown to me it is malicious and mischevious. I... more

We stayed here for 2 nights, in the mews. The corridor really stank, the room was whiffy and dark, the bathroom smelt like an old caravan. It was average size but the layout meant that once you were in the room you were falling over anything and everything, and had to manouvre around the chair all the time. It was far from ideal. The room was also very noisy - big fans/noise outside that just kept going all day and night, and once we'd tuned that out and managed to fall asleep we were woken by 6 with the deliveries- both nights we... more