Spent a night at this hotel after agreeing to meet up with some old friends who had stayed there twice previously. The hotel is above the Westgate Inn.

We had originally been booked into one of rooms at top of building but for some reason this was changed to one of first floor so never saw what the first one was like. Had that sinking feeling as we went up the narrow stairs from bar area. Worn faded carpet and drab decor in communal ares. Room was reasonable size and bedding looked clean but everything looked tired and in need of a lick of paint. No storage area for clothes - just a single coat hanger. Room looked out onto kitchen roof and rear yard and hemmed in all side by other buildings. Owner said this would be quieter than rooms at front particularly when late night revellers passed! Best feature was the large oval shaped bath bath - easily big enough for two !!

Didn't stay in room long but returned to meet friends in the bar. Quite busy with people watching rugby on TV - unfortunately nearly all of them chain smoking. Real ale on tap but none of the staff appeared capable of pulling a full pint.

Later had a wander around town - cathedral, Great Hall housing King Arthur's round table, loads of old buildings and had a beer or two in a couple of great pubs - Wykeham Arms, Kingsgate Street and Black Boy, Wharf Hill. Latter resembles an eccentric folk museum with fabulous local ales.

Returned to hotel in the evening for Indian meal in the The Tiffin Club - open are adjacent to bar. Very busy but for good reason - food was excellent.

Had hoped for a couple of late drinks as residents but bar staff keen to get rid of us after drinking up time.

Went up to room to find it freezing even though we had left radiator on. Checked and it was cold. Then spent about half an hour trying to bleed the air out of it which resulted in getting a bit of warmth out of the bottom of it. Ended up leaving the heated towel rail on in the bathroom with the door open to try and heat up the sleeping area. Also noticed bulb missing from dressing table light. When I tried to change it with one from a bedside light still didn't work so assume fuse had gone.

When checking out the following morning obviously mentioned the heating to which the response was "that's funny some other people who stayed in your room had that problem". Whilst we got an apology there was no offer of any reduction in the room rate.

Hotel very expensive for what it is - had two nights in the Tripdavisor top rated hotel in Riga the previous weekend for less !!!