The Mountford Hotel - Free Parking

I was travelling alone so perhaps more cautious than the next guest. This was a really really reasonably priced hotel and the reviews mostly said it was clean and good. A few things on arrival gave me the jitters and I nearly bailed. I'm sure the receptionist thought I was off my rocker but when you travel alone you watch for signs that you may not be safe. I'm glad I stayed - the hotel is clean and quiet, and clearly well looked-after. The price so reasonable I'm not sure how they make money...

There were several 'Do Not' signs on the front door - it felt a bit like an old-fashioned bedsit at first. The Do Not Smoke at the front of the building was a bit surprising given the presence of a very ugly column ashtray slap bang wallop at the front of the hotel (accompanied by two sad-looking traffic cones). I started to wonder if I had made a mistake. A smiling receptionist came to the door and led me back to a well-hidden reception desk. I was asked for photo ID (often happens) and then a £50 surcharge for damages. Now I really did start to wonder - what sort of people would the other guests be? What kind of damage did the customers normally do? The receptionist clearly could not waive the charge, could not tell me what damage had ever been done by guests other than smokers (I am a non-smoker), quoted terms and conditions at me (no I had not fully read the small print) and grew a little defensive. I explained that I was starting to feel unsafe and wanted some reassurance that this was a safe place to be for a lone ageing female like me! Meanwhile the next guests arrived for check-in - I was asked to leave the reception area 'for GDPR reasons' while they checked in. It occurred to me then that the receptionist may have been as unwilling to have me stay as I was starting to feel about doing so! I don't think she could have done much different - but I thought the check-in process was pretty poor and unwelcoming. I did decide to stay (ran out of time to be honest) and the actual room was perfect. Not my style of decor but clean as a whistle with lovely cotton sheets and fluffy white towels, and a generous supply of tea and coffee sachets. All's well that ended well.

Great location

Excellent location, staff were really helpful and friendly,

Need more parking as in a wheelchair and can't walk to the car up the road. The shower was a bit small. More coat hangers. More choice on breakfast. Also could do with fans or Aircon. These were all only minor things though as we enjoyed our stay.

The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Rooms are small and not especially comfortable. Musty smell, often.