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Definitely a budget hotel that does not live up to its "luxury" claims. The playing conditions were quite good, but the bedroom was basic and the breakfast had a limited selection to choose from.
There's a road which runs alongside the canal and then turns up the hill beside the hotel. This had plenty of parking space. It's one way with no entry from the roundabout directly outside the hotel. My Sat Nav took me that way. When it told me I had arrived at my destination, I parked up and then looked for the hotel entrance on foot. I think this would have been around 1.15pm when the car park was already mostly full.Ian Thompson wrote: ↑Mon Nov 03, 2025 11:49 pmAlthough I arrived early enough to get a parking space, I heard that later arrivals found the car park was full.
They weren't when I arrived. I asked if it was possible to check-in and the response was that check-in time was 2 pm. I said I knew that, but I was hoping to get an early check-in. The receptionist stepped back and turned away without responding.Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 9:58 amThere was a bit of a queue at reception, but at least the rooms were available for immediate occupation at no extra charge.
At least they honoured your booking. I booked sixteen rooms in July, received written confirmation, but when I forwarded the player's names in September was told we had only been booked in for the Friday night and we would need to look elsewhere for the Saturday. There was no offer of compensation and my two teams ended up five miles away.Ian Thompson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 3:12 pmThey weren't when I arrived. I asked if it was possible to check-in and the response was that check-in time was 2 pm. I said I knew that, but I was hoping to get an early check-in. The receptionist stepped back and turned away without responding.Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 9:58 amThere was a bit of a queue at reception, but at least the rooms were available for immediate occupation at no extra charge.
Did you notice that their pre-arrival, online, check-in form said check-in was from 2 pm, but wouldn't let you select a time earlier than 3 pm? I chose not to complete it because of that.
I used the express checkout and I'm still waiting to receive my invoice by e-mail.
If they'd said that to me I'd have asked them whether they were going to find alternative accommodation and arrange transport between it and the venue, or whether they wanted me to make those arrangements and claim the cost back from them afterwards. I'd also have asked for use of a conference room at the venue for the weekend and for some compensation for the inconvenience.LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 3:51 pmAt least they honoured your booking. I booked sixteen rooms in July, received written confirmation, but when I forwarded the player's names in September was told we had only been booked in for the Friday night and we would need to look elsewhere for the Saturday. There was no offer of compensation and my two teams ended up five miles away.
I tried most of that (barr the conference room) and the 4NCL officials and hotel contact were also informed. The one redeeming thing was that there was cheaper accommodation available which was close to the station and where we had our team meal. With my teams playing on Saturday loss of preparation time wasn't an issue as my players had a week's notice for their board pairings so it was only Sunday where the loss of 15-20 minutes prep time could, potentially, have impacted the teams. They did, belatedly, offer me seven rooms a week before but I politely declined.Ian Thompson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 8:07 pmIf they'd said that to me I'd have asked them whether they were going to find alternative accommodation and arrange transport between it and the venue, or whether they wanted me to make those arrangements and claim the cost back from them afterwards. I'd also have asked for use of a conference room at the venue for the weekend and for some compensation for the inconvenience.LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 3:51 pmAt least they honoured your booking. I booked sixteen rooms in July, received written confirmation, but when I forwarded the player's names in September was told we had only been booked in for the Friday night and we would need to look elsewhere for the Saturday. There was no offer of compensation and my two teams ended up five miles away.
My personal experience of dealing with hotels that cancel reservations is that they'll try it on by offering nothing to start with, but, when they realise they're not going to get away with that, they'll agree reasonable compensation.
I didn't, no. I know hard it is for the 4NCL to find hotels and by that time I had got used to the idea of cheaper hotel rooms, albeit with the convenience of being in the venue. Had I been unable to find a hotel that was cheaper then I may have been less forgiving when the oversight was discovered.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Wed Nov 05, 2025 8:38 am"They did, belatedly, offer me seven rooms a week before but I politely declined."
Did you politely decline with the words, "What ****ing use is that, you morons?"
It makes you wonder if they understand the concept of hotels and travel.
Because you were sitting there by yourself? Strong words, a breakfast is a breakfast, and if it was inadequate you could surely have found something to augment it in Northampton. Yes, I am being argumentative.
I wonder how many cafes in Northampton provide breakfast cereal at 9 on a Sunday morning, or ever.NickFaulks wrote: ↑Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:54 pmBecause you were sitting there by yourself? Strong words, a breakfast is a breakfast, and if it was inadequate you could surely have found something to augment it in Northampton. Yes, I am being argumentative.