SUMMARY
This is a perfectly adequate provincial pub-cum-hotel. A little dear, perhaps but fine all round. We stayed for just one night, as we had a meeting the following day. It’s obviously popular, as the place was heaving on a Friday night and there were few rooms left when I booked.

SITUATION
The town of Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire (no, really, it is). It’s on the river Ouse (one of several with that name in England) and lies about half an hour by train from London. The Embankment is near the town centre and overlooks the Ouse (the clue is in the name). The road that runs past it can be a bit busy though quietens down at night.

ARCHITECTURE
This is pure 1920s mock Tudorbethan. It’s no worse for that (just clock the Park Inn! Horrid!) Inside, it’s not just a box, with interesting landings and corridors.

SERVICE AND FACILITIES
I’m not sure how many RAC stars it has but it’s got all of the facilities you’d expect of a solid provincial pub/hotel. There’s a restaurant, of course, a large bar (with live entertainment on our night there), an ironing room. There isn’t a lift, though that wasn’t a problem for us.

On service, it’s worth mentioning the staff. They are well chosen and well trained. Check in was seamless. The staff behind the bar (on a heaving Friday might) coped admirably, for example with our food order. A newbie staff member didn’t know how to do food on the till but, rightly, immediately sought help, rather than panicking or wilting feebly.

On checking out, it turned out that they’d forgotten to put our meals on the bill. Tempting though it may have been to pay and run, I pointed that out and it was swiftly corrected. It’s inexcusable for it to have happened (I even showed the man our key fob to get the room number right) but the young woman dealt with it quickly efficiently, so not delaying our departure.

ROOM DECOR &c
The room wasn’t vast but was adequate. It had a small wardrobe, Freeview, tea ‘n’ coffee facilities (and good biscuits). There was no ‘phone, which is a bit off, should an emergency arise but that’s not too big a deal. In the bathroom, there was a window but no extractor. Mrs L made the express point that the bed was comfortable. It was a double, though, not a king. There again, a king would have taken up more space in the compact room. The view (the car park of the flats to the side of the building) was not very inspiring but I suppose is the quid pro quo of not having that road, which is what you get if you go for the river view.

FOOD + DRINK
This is a Charles Wells tied house, so sells his excellent (and Young’s sell-out) ales. I only had Bombardier, which is ubiquitous but was well kept and presented. They had three other cask ales and the usual undrinkable industrial fizz.

We had a bar meal. Friday night is Fish Night at the Embankment. We had excellent salmon/pollack fishcakes and lemon sole respectively. The sole was simply presented with boiled potatoes and asparagus, together with possibly the best hollandaise I’ve ever tasted. It was perfectly balanced and full of air. Top marks there, I’d say.

VFM
Maybe I’m out of touch but ninety notes for a night in the provinces does seem rather dear. Eyebrow-raisingly high prices seem to be a theme with brewery tied pub/hotels. Still, at least we didn’t have to pony up on arrival.

VERDICT
We liked the Embankment, its accommodation offering, its ales, catering and service. It scores well in all departments. I’d happily stay there again but I remain to be convinced that one gets value for money there.

We stayed here for 4 nights and were very disappointed with the experience. The 1st night we stayed in room 111 which was far too small.It was impossible to walk around the room without bumping in to furniture. Apart from the size of the room, it was grubby, dark and poky. There were cobwebs and unpleasant stains all over the ceiling, stains on the bedspread, dust all over the paintwork and the toilet was dirty. We were not able to change rooms until he following day when the only friendly and pleasant member of staff offered a different room- 107. This room was a little bit bigger although still grubby and shabby. There was black mould on the window in the bathroom , some revolting blood like stain on the door of the bathroom and stains all around the walls. The shower plug hole doesn't drain and I didn't dare investigate further as it must be blocked up. I agree with other reviewers that electrical sockets are too scant and difficult to access. I had to ask for a chair and a lamp so I could work properly at the desk.

One good thing is the quality of the towels although for the price I paid for 4 nights, I could have bought several bales. I have stayed in motels for a 5th of the cost which have had friendlier staff, cleaner rooms and more space. A very poor show and a miserable experience. Oh and as for safety- it seems the staff think it's fine to prop a fire door open with a fire extinguisher!! Picture available.