The Metropole Leeds Hotel

Arriving at the Met is a very pleasurable experience. The refurbishment mentioned in previous posts, appears to be to of a very high standard. The public areas are very plush, and gives the impression of a very high quality hotel. The problems started when I let myself into the room itself. Tiny. Even for a single room, it was very small. Just enough room to walk around the bed. I asked to be moved to a larger room. The receptionist told me that since I had booked a 99ukp pound deal on the internet, I had a small room. I then asked what the normal rate was.... it was 99 pounds also. The real reason, it seems was that all the other single rooms were booked out. I finally managed to get moved to a double room for the same price after some argument. It was much larger, and more as I would expect. The only problem now was the noise. The rooms are in Leeds city centre, and have no double glazing. I could hear everything, from the busses pulling up 20 yards away, people leving pubs and so on. Since there was little point in asking to be moved again, I thought I'd just have something to eat and then get to bed. A quick call to room-service should sort that out. No answer. Try again.... no answer. So, I thought I'll just pop to the bar, have a beer, and order some food. The bar area is absolutely tiny, the hotel seem to have taken pretty much all of the space you'd expect in a sizable hotel and used it for meeting space. So, unless you're at the bar pretty early, expect to stand. I finally managed to get an order in for food, which took an hour to arrive. The food was OK, but not plentiful. I think it would have been better if I'd been able to order earlier, since it was now 11pm and the restaurant shut, there wasn't much point in complaining. After a not too restful sleep, due to the noise I fancied a decent breakfast. Although it wasn't too busy, the staff didn't seem to have much of a clue as to what to do. Things kept running out of things, and when I asked for some butter - I was given someone elses USED butter from another table. I was speachless! So, all in all I was not impressed, which is a shame, since it has a lot of potential, and the decor has been done well. If I were to stay again, I'd definitely ensure that the room was an adequate size, and ask to be put somewhere quiet.

I stayed at the Leeds Metropole in September 2005 for a night with an event held there the next day. You can definitely see the benefits of the makeover. I hadn't stayed there before but the 1st floor room I was given was large enough and the bathroom was spacious. Lovely decoration in chocolate brown, mocha, grey colours. Pillows so huge that I could only sleep with one or else I would have got neck strain. My colleagues and I didn't eat in the hotel that night although I did have a drink in the bar while waiting for them to emerge from their rooms. The bar is quiet and discreetly decorated. They brought free nibbles on a glass platter to accompany the drink. Breakfast was fine (although one or two aspects of sloppy service - maybe the staff were half asleep? Tables not correctly laid up requiring me to pinch cutlery/plates from other unused tables). It is close enough to the station to make it attractive if you're travelling by train but not close enough to the trains to create noise during the night. I wasn't driving so can't vouch for the car park but it did look tight when I glimpsed it. But as someone else has said in their review - it is a city centre hotel. It was also a good hotel to hold our event in - plenty of room in the main hall, plenty of space outside for people to sit down and chat and the catering was fine. I don't usually add reviews but felt that I should do for this hotel because it seems like the overhaul has made a big difference.

After reading all the reviews but still staying there anyway, i'm pleased to say that our trip to the Metropole Hotel was well worth it. I understand this hotel has undergone a major refurbishment so I can only comment on what I saw in August 2005. Hotel reception and lobby area are very clean and first impressions were of a reasonably high standard hotel. A new lift has been installed and our second floor bedroom was larger than average and decorated to a high and modern standard. The en-suite bathoom was clearly brand new and also very modern. One critisicm of the room though.....too hot! Sleeping was a problem as the room was just too hot and stuffy. No air conditioning and child proof/security window only slides up about 9 inches! Breakfast was fine....nothing overly special but good nonetheless. We had dinner in the restaurant and this was truly fabulous, pricey but worth it. The bar was ok but would be better if it was slightly bigger. Car parking is a slight problem but remember this is a city centre hotel! Parking is free but expect to perform a seven point turn to get back out!! All the staff we dealt with were very pleasant and helpfull and I think this alone makes a huge difference to any hotel. So would I recomend it?....Yes I would Would I go back??.......yes, I would go back.

Stayed here with a heavy heart after reading some of the review on this site....however....major refurb is finished and it is actually pretty nice. Rooms nicely decorated, nice reception and restaurant looked good but did not eat there (breakfast not included). Rooms are a bit small and no a/c so stuffy in summer. Car park is far too small. Get there early and possibly scratch you car or you have to park at the NCP at the railway station (on street parking free evenings and sundays) Good central location

Stayed here for one night in June. Location good (central and close to train station). Undergoing a makeover and reception and bar looks good. Got a good price from expedia. This is where it all goes downhill. Room was tiny (the ensuite felt spacious in comparison!). A 2* hotel I stayed in (in New York of all places!) had a bigger bedroom! Room was on the 6th floor but the lift only goes up to the 5th! Not sure how the hotel can justify the 4 star rating. Didn't get breakfast included and couldn't see many facilities. Made the mistake of not checking out tripavisor before booking. Doubt I would stay here again.

Firstly, don't expect to be able to park in the car park - if you do get in you'll never get out again. This is a lovely building but the rooms are very noisy and tatty. The bar is woefully inadequate and was full of dirty ashtrays and felt like a decrepit beach guest house. I didn't dare eat there because of the disinterested response to my enquiry for a table. The worst kind of city hotel.

very average and very tatty ... claims to be 4 star .. hardly could be 3 star

It was with some trepidation that we stayed at the metropole. We were expecting the worse after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor. In fact is was a very pleasent stay indeed with no complaints at all. The rooms were very clean, the staff helpful and courteous and we experienced no unpleasantness from the ongoing alterations. We thoroughly recommend this hotel and look forward to staying here again during the new year celebrations with our friends and on future visits to Leeds.

I couldn't get a room at the Queen's so was booked into the Metropole. The rooms are apparently going to be upgraded, but it seems as if the last time they were decorated was 100 years ago. How can a 4 star hotel be allowed to become so tatty? Wallpaper was peeling off the walls and the windows were filthy. The room service menu was extortionate and the food was distinctly average and that's being kind. Breakfast was awful - nothing was replenished and the service was not what you would expect. Won't be hurrying back.

It was dire - a fire alarm at 2am, filthy room, a window that didn't open, wallpaper peeling off the wall...please, please, please don't stay there. And the worse of all - the staff! Terribe - rude, disinterested and totally non-caring. This place is hell on earth.