Lumley Castle Hotel

Short Break November

The hotel sett[ng was lovely.All the staff were welcoming,helpful and professional.The room was well appointed.clean and comfortable.The service in the restaurant was excellent but the temperature of the food on our first night was tepid and the second night cold and we did complain so it was rectified but still came on cold plates.We had coffee but I thought it would had been a nice gesture if it gratis.If we had been staying more than two nights I would like to have seen more choice on the dinner menu;however the breakfast was excellent. My name is CRISPIN but am knowen as Francis

Two Night Stay at Lumley

On arrival the staff at reception were most helpful. The offer was made to take our luggage to our room which we declined. However we were not told that our room was up a small spiral stone staircase which proved difficult. Guests should be advised of the location of their rooms.
Our room in the castle was large and well appointed and the public rooms were comfortable and welcoming.To reach the restaurant from our room we had to descend the staircase, cross the carpark to reception and cross the courtyard. It would not be pleasant in bad weather.
We were looking forward to our first dinner in the restaurant. All the staff in the restaurant were very helpful and friendly. The menu was somewhat limited but acceptable. We both ordered a rare steak. They both arrived cold in the centre and basically uneatable. My wife refused to eat hers but I struggled through the 60% gristle. We have never had such a poor quality and badly cooked steak in the UK or abroad. The cost of my wife's meal was deleted from our bill but our hoped for pleasant evening was a disaster. The next evening we ate fish and chips in the hope that could not be badly cooked. It was OK but very expensive for a meal we could have got at the local "chippy" for a fifth of the price.
.If you ignore the restaurant, our stay at Lumley Castle was very pleasant. The location is good, the rooms, both public and private are good and all of the staff, excellent. Shame about the restaurant!

Stairs

We were in a room that was up one large set of stone stairs and then 2 spiral stone flights decreasing as we went up. Just a rope on one side which you had to hang on to to negotiate the stairs. No offer of help with luggage and no lift. Almost impossible to negotiate and in our late 60s/early 70s hugely difficult. Receptionist at check in gave no warning and insisted on us deciding a time for breakfast and dinner on both days of our stay. There was one tiny window we could open so very little air or light in room. We had booked a superior room. Whilst other staff were friendly and helpful the frosty greeting at check in did not make one feel welcome. Would definitely not return.