Hotel Combermere

This hotel is highly regarded for its prime location with direct access to Mall Road via its own private lift, making it an ideal choice for sightseers and families looking for convenience. Guests frequently highlight the stunning views from various parts of the property, especially at sunset, and appreciate the vibrant atmosphere created by live music. While the hotel is an older establishment, many guests note its successful renovation, blending classic charm with modern amenities. For those planning a visit, it's advisable to confirm room specifics, particularly regarding balcony access and views, and to be aware of the property's multi-level structure which can be challenging for guests with mobility concerns.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance the guest experience, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. A notable feature is the presence of multiple lifts within the property, including a private one that provides direct access to Mall Road, which is highly convenient for guests. However, some find the lift structure confusing due to varying floor numbers. Guests can enjoy a gym, a spa, and a game room, though it's noted that some games are chargeable. There is also a disco and central heating for comfort. While Wi-Fi is available, some guests reported it to be unreliable. The hotel's various cafes and restaurants are also considered amenities, offering diverse dining options.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is varied. While some guests found their rooms to be clean and well-maintained, others reported issues such as unpleasant odours, dirty towels, and a general lack of hygiene kits like dental supplies or slippers. Many guests expressed disappointment with the small room size, particularly for "luxury" categories, feeling they were overpriced for the space provided. Complaints also arose regarding inaccessible balconies or those offering undesirable views, sometimes of garbage. Some rooms reportedly had issues with poor window sealing, leading to cold air intrusion, and uncomfortable mattresses. Noise from the hotel's own brewery was also a concern for guests staying in nearby rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel features multiple restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar and a brewery, often praised for their ambience and live music. The breakfast receives mixed reviews; while some guests found it amazing with good variety, others described it as pathetic, limited, and overpriced. Food quality across the board is inconsistent; some commend the scrumptious food, delicious dishes, and good variety including continental food and local brews, while others found preparations to be sub-standard, stale, tasteless, or cold. Specific dishes like chilli chicken, loaded nachos, soups, burgers, and pizzas were mentioned, with some finding them disappointing. The hot chocolate was particularly criticized for its poor quality.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, offering direct access to Mall Road and being very close to the tourist lift and the Ridge. This prime position makes it incredibly convenient for exploring the city on foot. However, accessibility within and to the hotel is a significant concern for many, especially senior citizens or those with mobility challenges. Guests frequently mention the presence of too many steps and steep staircases without railings, making navigation difficult. While wheelchair ramps are available in some areas, they are often described as too steep to be practical. The hotel does not have its own parking on premises; guests must use a nearby public parking facility, which is chargeable.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service is notably mixed. Many guests praise the polite, helpful, and attentive staff, particularly in the restaurants and housekeeping, highlighting their willingness to assist. However, a significant number of reviews describe the reception staff as rude, arrogant, uncooperative, and dismissive, leading to highly negative experiences during check-in and check-out. Issues with slow room service and unresponsiveness to requests, even for basic necessities like water or towels, are frequently reported. Some guests also experienced difficulties with luggage handling and perceived a lack of professionalism from certain staff members, indicating a need for more consistent service quality across departments.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several important details that impact their stay. The hotel does not offer free parking on-site, requiring guests to use a nearby public facility which incurs a daily charge. The internal lift structure can be confusing, with multiple lifts leading to different floors and areas of the hotel. Some guests noted that only one key card is provided per room, which can be inconvenient. A recurring complaint is the presence of loud music from the hotel's own brewery or club late into the night, which, combined with a lack of double glazing in some rooms, can significantly disturb sleep. There were also reports of luggage being mishandled or left unattended at reception.