Royal Hotel

3 readers found this review helpful

My partner and I stayed at "the Royal" for one night, having found the hotel through LateRooms.com. What an absolute dump!! The room was tatty in the extreme with broken, MFI-type furniture, a frayed carpet and ancient bathroom fittings. The corridors were depressing and reminded me of a nursing home where, in recent years, I visited a sick relative.
True, we only paid £40 each but I was just so glad we were moving on to other accommodation the next day, and weren't staying any longer.
I don't think the room was actually dirty but the decor was shocking. The only good things about the hotel were the breakfast (which was tasty) and the swimming pool (altho' even that seemed to damage my swimming cosy, perhaps through the chlorine being strong!).
To conclude, not exactly royal and poor value even at £40. We went in May, so did not suffer from our room being cold. But, honestly, JUST DON'T GO THERE!!! And, Late Rooms, please take them off your books. The whole experience has made us think we'll stick to chains like Premier Travel Inn in future. At least with chains, you know what you're getting and it's better than this throw back to the 1960s!

3 readers found this review helpful

We have never stayed in North Devon before and my husband arranged this 4 night break. The room we were given in the first instance was on the second floor and through several corridors which was no good for our disabled child. We asked to be moved to the ground floor which was no problem at all.
This family room was spacious and had ample hanging space but not at all luxurious. It was clean though and given that we intended to be out all day, it was a perfect sleeping space!
The food was plentiful and tasty and it was nice to just turn up for our meals and choose what we wanted from at least 4 mains choices on the buffet.
We met some lovely people who won't mind me saying they were senior citizens, all very friendly and chatty. The communal areas are big and there was plenty of seating.
To summarise, if you want a cheap holiday, with no frills and do intend to be out all day and just in the hotel to eat and sleep, then this is the place for you! The beaches in the area are superb and we were lucky with good weather. All the 'fast' food on sale was reasonable as were the hot drinks. We only spent money on alcohol from the bar and the odd snack when out as we filled up on the lovely breakfast.
We are planning another visit soon.

5 readers found this review helpful

I was a little concerned having read some of the reviews but The Royal is fine. Yes - it is a little "tired" in places but we were happy with the place for the price we paid. There's evidence that work is being addressed and updated. The staff were helpful and polite. The hotel has a lovely bar area, lounge area and dining area. It was nice that we weren't restricted to just the bedroom. The breakfast is on a self service basis with plenty to offer and all well cooked. If wanting to go to the Red Barn for food/drinks, the taxi will only cost about £3 - well worth it. We were happy with what the hotel offered

5 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from a lovely holiday in Devon staying at the Royal Hotel, Woolacombe. There was 20 of us on a Gee Vee coach tour, and it was wonderful from start to finish. The driver "Steve" was very good, altering his schedule so that we wouldn't get "wet", as the weather wasn't too good. We had some lovely excursions. The Hotel was very good, I did read some reviews before we went, and must admit to some misgivings, however, we had a wonderful time. The rooms were very bright and airy, and very warm, the food was excellent and cannot be faulted. Yes the hotel could do with a revamp, but the staf were very welcoming and informative. We had good evening entertainment, but not a good choice on "beers". Overall it was a good holiday and I would have no hesitation in returning there

9 readers found this review helpful

hotel dose need a little TLC bed was uncomfortable but staff were always helpful,food was very good. views were amazing, room was cleaned daily with fresh towels and plentiful supply of tea and coffee
the week we were there my daughter enjoyed the pool, food and even the entertainment during the evening, this is very family friendly hotel.
would love to go again next year, with an improvement to the room and not placed at a table for meals which is near the door as the draught from doors opening and closing was not pleasant.

4 readers found this review helpful

We booked this hotel for 3 nights after looking at its web site which shows it looking 'all bright and breezy' Staff seemed pleasant at check in. We opened the door to our room and the curtains were swaying in the breeze, the only problem was that the balcony doors were shut!! and the room was also very cold, we had to ask for another room which was warmer (and the staff cooler)but the curtains were still swaying in the breeze and also had the wind whistling through them as well. The balconys are shared so you have to ensure your curtains are shut for privacy, which destroys the fantastic view over the hills and beach. The bathroom was pretty bad with paint stuck in the bath from the last lot of decorating and the plumbing gurgled when anyone else had a shower or bath. The floors creak so badly that people walking down the halls sounded like they were in your room. The swimming pool was cold because the boiler had broken down. Breakfast was a buffet and was just about ok......We left after one night....The lady at reception commented ' if the wind wasn't blowing it would be ok!!' Kinda says it all really

3 readers found this review helpful

What a waste of a suprise for my husband. Room cold, on asking if we could have the heating on i was told it comes on now and again and it couldn't be changed. It didn't help with the draught coming through the dilapidated windows. To open the bedroom door took some pressure because the wind coming through the windows was pushing against it.The bed felt like concrete and the bedding only just covers the bed. No hairdryer. a 10" portable tv (not remote). the bath taps didn't work so we had to fill the bath via the shower head. No extractor fan in the bathroom. wardrobe door missing (room 102). Only 1 bedside light. Lighting was dull and i paid extra for a balcony which gave a sea view but the balcony is a continual one for all rooms so you couldn't leave your curtains open while getting changed or relaxing on your bed because anyone could walk past your window !!
The roast dinners were obviously from the freezers. Meat was 'ready sliced' roast potatoes straight from a pack and fairly hard. Desserts were 'child like' with lime jelly and ice cream. Rhubarb crumble was so sharp it almost cut your tongue and someone commented that the bread and butter pudding was absolutely tasteless.As previous comments, the tea and coffee were only ever luke warm.Staff weren't particularly friendly. Usually reception staff are more than welcoming. I certainly didn't feel that and when we booked out no one even made eye contact. Not just with us but the previous couple who were booking out too.We certainly would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Decor is in a real bad state and i would definately say it can only survive because of the coach parties. Truly disappointed.

6 readers found this review helpful

my wife and myself have just returned from a 5 day break at the royal hotel, this was our first visit there and having read some reviews we were a bit wary, but there was no need to worry our room was bright and airy with stunning views of the hills and of the bay. The self service resturant was very clean and the food well cooked and plenty of it, if anyone left there hungry it was their own fault. All the the staff were friendly and helpful.Thank you royal hotel.
pat and robin southam

3 readers found this review helpful

Got badly ripped off here so a warning to others. I booked directly with the hotel for 3 nights. When we arrived we noticed with concern the badly maintained exterior of the hotel. Inside it stank of mould and mildew. We were shown to a disgusting room at the back of the hotel which was in an advanced state of dilapidation. We wished to move out and idenitified a two star hotel much closer to the beach which was available at a cheaper price. We were told we could not check out, there would be no refund. Instead we were offered a marginally better room but it still had wallpaper peeling off the wall and stained ceilings.
The owner said in repsonse to our complaints that it was a budget hotel. Well, we were paying £150 a night for our room which held two adults and 2 children. We were not expecting luxury but the booking was made on the basis that there would be a reasonable level of comfort. If the room is sold unseen and the customer is reasonably disappointed in the accomodation I think it is counterproductive for hoteliers to refuse to revisit the arrangement.
The only positive thing to say is that the staff, aside from the female owner, were all cheerful in trying circumstances, and the food (Breakfast and dinner included in the price) was perfectly acceptable.
It appeared to cater for large coach parties who probably were paying a budget price. We were not and reasonably expected better for the price. Clearly we will not be going back.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned today 31/08/08 we were very disappointed with the royal hotel from the outside it looked tried and unkempt, once inside it had an old musty smell to it,
the room was also very tried the furniture was well worn also the carpets bare in places,
some of the paper was coming of the walls,it was also dusty again a musty smell.
In the bathroom the drain in the bath was rusty and mould and mildew could be seen in the tiles, the bath panel was broken and the flooring old and badly marked and the toilet bowl strained also the extractor fan didn't work
The only good thing the bedding and towels were fine.
I booked this short-break as a surprise for my partner and felt quite let down by the state of the hotel this was not a cheap break and i expected more
D.Fisher