I prefer an out of town hotel when I am travelling for work as they are usually quieter and have decent parking. Both of which are the case here. Location would not be very convenient if you were wanting to do the tourist attractions in Derry city, as it is well out of town. But perfect for me!
I have not stayed here before, and my first impression was to be a bit unsure... site fencing in the car park and long low building, looked like a cheap roadside motel.
However!
Staff at reception any time I spoke to them were excellent. Lobby has a cosy seating area with an open fire which looks lovely (as I was travelling alone I did not sit there! But I’m imagining a girls weekend with a glass of wine sitting by the fire...lovely)
Corridors are a bit dated, and a smell of cigarette smoke in one in particular. I was semi-dreading getting to my room. But I was pleasantly surprised, it was actually very nice. Spacious, clean and comfortable and pleasantly decorated.
Wet room/bathroom was a little dilapidated and old fashioned compared to the rest of the bedroom. But perfectly functional.
WiFi is not great, but not the worst
Now to the best part... the food and service in the restaurant
Honestly one of the best hotel meals I’ve had for a long time. The beef cheek tempura was absolutely delicious and such a nice fresh salad. (I don’t even really like salad that much, or maybe I’ve just never had the right one!)
The chap who served me was so friendly, helpful and welcoming. Hard to overstate how great it is to come across nice people like this, especially when you’re travelling alone all the time. I didn’t eat in the restaurant on my first night, as I wasn’t in the mood to eat alone and had a takeaway in my room instead. I wish I had!
Definitely recommend this place either for a business trip or a ‘get away from it all’ stay
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