The Arden Hotel

So much potential, but let down by poor maintenance

Paid over 400 for a 2 night dinner b&b break.
The location is fantastic, directly across from the RSC theatre.
The majority of staff are amazing, particularly in the restaurant.
Breakfast fantastic and kitchen staff very good with gluten free accomodating.
Dinner on the first night was very good, though both me and my partner had very upset stomach, we think from undercooked fish.
Sunday lunch was a real highlight, but not a traditional roast, a steak instead of a roast beef dinner, but very nice.
What let the hotel down was the room. From our first shower on the first afternoon, the bath tub backed up with soiled water, to ankle height. This then backed up in the sink and neither would drain. This then started to smell. We reported it to front of house staff on our way out for the evening and was told it would be sorted.
Second day, next shower and same issue. Almost a foot of standing, soiled water and the sink backing up. Absolutely repulsive. Our room (ground floor) also sounded like the room above us we re rehearsing for line dancing all weekend. I m assuming the upstairs rooms also have laminate flooring and we heard every footstep , all weekend.
On checkout, an extra 83 was added to our bill and nobody could explain why !?! This was removed, but made to feel like they were doing us a favour by removing ! Mentioned the room issue and a very nominal amount was removed from the bill, the service charge and a few drinks I think. This was very poor as we d actually tipped staff in cash all weekend and would have asked for the service charge to be removed anyway. Can t call this a luxury break because we had to bathe in soiled water all weekend , accompanied by the putrid smell. Coincidentally, both me and my partner are now on antibiotics for a viral infection. Coincidence? Probably not. Could have had a weeeknd abroad the (total) 600 odd pound we paid/

Fabulous stay at the Arden Hotel

We had a really lovely 1 night stay at the Arden Hotel.
The staff were really helpful and friendly. The room was lovely and immaculate.
We had dinner and breakfast in the hotel restaurant and both were spot on.
100% recommend and we will be back.

Very Disappointed

The hotels location is excellent and is visually very pleasing. Unfortunately inside it s a different story. The hotel is very tired and requires attention. Our bedroom was small, dowdy and very uncomfortable. and not particularly clean. What we couldn t understand was that as the hotel was practically empty why we weren t given another room. The food served in the restaurant was not good at all and due to lack of guests had zero ambience. We had the afternoon tea on arrival and dinner the same night and although we had another night booked and paid for we decided to cut our losses and come home, we didn t even bother with breakfast. It was certainly not worth the 430 we paid. The staff need a mention though as they are lovely.
I did email my comments to the Arden Hotel and was told someone would be ringing me to discuss my issues. Two weeks later and I am still waiting on that call.