THE ROYAL HOTEL

On arrival at the hotel in the delightful town of Llangollen, there was nobody at reception to welcome us, so I decided to make further enquiries at the bar. Unfortunately, there was only one person serving behind the bar and there was a long queue of people waiting to be served, so I managed to find a member of kitchen staff to ask if there was anybody available to check us in at reception. I was informed by the member of staff that the receptionist had gone home early due to sickness, but he would be happy to check us in himself. I also asked for directions of the hotel car park which turned out to be full, so the car had to be parked in the long-stay car park which was a few minutes walk from the hotel. Beware of this if you check in to this hotel during peak times! The hotel car park is of an inadequate size for the hotel and is not easy to manoevre around in. Eventually we checked into the family room on the second floor of the hotel overlooking the main street. The room was a good size, very clean and tidy with plenty of fresh towels and coffee making facilities. However, we noticed that there was no welcome pack in the room so we didn't know what times dinner and breakfast etc. would be served. We decided to ask at the bar, but unfortunately a long queue had formed again with only one person serving behind the bar. I asked a young lady in the restaurant what time breakfast was served on Sunday Morning, and she informed me it was between 7.30 am and 9.00 am. I told her I was suprised that breakfast wasn't served until later on a Sunday, but she shrugged her shoulders and did not seem particularly bothered. My initial impressions of the hotel were not good. A disturbed night's stay was had in the family room where you could hear all the noise from the main street and everybody leaving the pubs at closing time, with the church clock chiming every hour throughout the night! Not a fault of the hotel, but perhaps double glazed windows would help. We went into breakfast at 8.45am and asked if we were too late for a cooked breakfast. The waitress informed us that there was no rush as breakfast was served until 10.00 am!! There was fresh orange juice at the self-service table and a disappointing selection of fresh fruit and cereal. The cooked breakfast arrived was adequate quality, but the sausages were very overcooked. Also, the toast was thrown on a side plate without butter where it would have been better presented in a toast rack!
Finally, we checked out at reception but were not asked by the receptionist who had re-appeared! if we had had an enjoyable stay. I would not stay at this hotel again as customer service was obviously lacking with the hotel being run on a shoe-string.
Very disappointing for what probably has been a very well run hotel in the past and in a prime location in Llangollen could be improved. Perhaps a visit from the famous "Hotel Inspector" is needed!

The food was good and the staff were helpful and polite. It is located in a very central position and was clean and comfortable. The only drawback we found was the limited parking facilities which were full when we arrived late in the afternoon. This aside the hotel was very good and we would definately stop there again.