The Continental Hotel

Crazy parking situation (be careful!). Good location for local town and station. Didn't change towels in room but was compensated so can't complain really.

Only 1 lift that doesn't work properly. poor shower. Great facilities for gym and beauty. Good TV choices - usual norm is only very few - here you have full Freeview choice. Overall not bad, but expensive at £85 for small room with no breakfast

Very good standard of accomodation at this hotel.

Customer service varies greatly depending on who's behind the desk. If you are lucky, Joanna will be working. I was surprised at 11:10 AM to find a 5 Pound charge for a late check-out but perhaps it is because my husband had asked for a half hour late check-out and it was already printed. Or perhaps there is no grace period at all in terms of check-out. Do not expect the use of a fridge in the room as the mini-bar cannot be used as a fridge. There is a 5 pound tray surcharge for room service. This might be shocking to foreigners but we've now noticed this at a few UK hotels so The Continental aren't alone in doing this. The gym and pool are great and the quality of food in the restaurant is also great. Also, like many hotels in the UK, coffee making facilities in the room means a kettle and instant coffee so if you're from North America, you might want to bring your own filter. Apart from those things, The Continental is a comfortable hotel.

The rooms in this hotel are compact and modern, with smart bathrooms. Use of the hotel gives access to the adjacent Golds Gym which is very well equipped (although I used it in the morning and I imagine it would be quite busy in the evening.)
The major downside is parking. From the disinterested receptionist giving useless directions by phone to the hotel's own parking facility which I never found, to the busy surrounding streets, it can be difficult.
There is a pay and display multi-storey behind the hotel which is free from 1830 - 0800, however a passing Police Community Support Officer warned me against going back to the vehicle at night if I parked there, and suggested an adjacent street by the Police Station where there was free parking from 1800 - 0930.
On balance I'd recommend the hotel at the Lateroom prices, as long as you know what to expect in terms of parking difficulties.