Cathedral Quarter Hotel - Derby

Absolutely horrific Checked in by someone with absolutely no social skills (His greeting was non existent) Went to our room. Not cleaned!!! Dirty wet towels, bed obviously slept in, bins full and overflowing Now mistakes can happen and can be forgiven, but When I managed to talk with the receptionist, he didn’t apologise in fact didn’t say anything. Got out his mobile phone and spoke with someone (not in English) and said they would clean the room I suggested he applies (at least) and perhaps give us another room. No apology offered and grunted that they were full I just would have liked some sort of acknowledgment of the cock up. That’s all It’s not rocket science

I initially wanted to go 3.5 but I couldn't, so was going for 3* until I got up and now its a 4* following full bathroom use and breakfast. I was a little concerned after reading some reviews, but having been there, I would stay again if I needed to stay in Derby town. Pros The bed was firm which I like, possibly too firm for some. Pillows were soft and thin, which meant one too low and two too high for me. But thats just me. The bed sheets were clean (sheet wasnt big enough it just lay on top of the mattress and wouldnt tuck under) but didnt affect my sleep. The duvet was a good weight for summer / autumn. Room 5 is a Junior room, it's quite a small double - but had everything needed and a few extras you don't always get. Iron & board / tea and coffee tray / hairdryer / safe / mini fridge / free wifi which worked (info is on the card sleeve which you get your room card in). Both the bath and shower were fine. Bath took some time to fill up with hot, but then mine does at home. Shower had a big shower head, hot water and good pressure. Shampoo / conditioner and body wash provided - fine if you are in the shower, but if sitting in the bath - they are fixed high up on the wall, so you have to stand up to dispense it and sit back down again. Handwash was provided - plus a number of fluffy clean white towels and a whole drawer of toilet rolls. Bathroom was clean, fresh, looked quite new - and bonus….. You could fill the kettle in the sink without twisting and turning and spilling as the sink was wide and deep!!! The reception area / seat area also looked clean and tidy. I didnt think I'd booked breakfast but apparently it was included. The breakfast room was on floor 1 and there is a lift as well as the grand stairway. Large, high ceilinged room, plenty of space. Hot drinks / breakfast juices / cereals / fruit / yoghurts / toast and preserves were self service. The lady then came and asked about hot breakfast. Full english was nice. Sausage, bacon, two eggs, hash brown, tomato, mushrooms and a portion of baked beans in a mini cup! It was the breakfast and bathroom which tipped me to a 4* A couple of reviews I read about the Cathedral chiming loudly every 15m - I was in the hotel from 3pm - 7pm and 11pm - 9am and it didn't bong once - that I heard anyway. Others say the doors shut at 11pm so were closed when they came back - they do. But there are signs on the reception which give you mobile numbers to call to be let in. The front desk were also explaining to the people in front of me that you can get in with your card aftr pushing the front doors open. I dont see anything wrong with that, it's in the centre of town, there are the usual drunks and druggies in city centres at night - you dont want them wandering in, do you?. People moan there is no parking - well, check before you book….there isnt at Premier Inn either - both have to use the car parks which are within a 1 - 2 minute walk of the hotel. Service at Reception while booking in was swift and easy. Service at breakfast was also very quick and very good, polite and efficient. I asked for walking directions to Vaillant which were given. Its a nice old building, with stained glass windows and a lot of character. I went for a concert at the Vaillant, and its a quick simple 5 / 6 minute walk to the venue and the same into the centre where all the shops / food places are. Cons I was at the back, ground floor, Room 5. Level with the Justice Centre / Office block car park - which meant a clear view into my room so I had to be careful when changing or coming out of the shower, if I didnt have the curtains closed - which made it dark with little lighting! Windows were wooden, old, sash and did not close properly, so on a Friday night you could hear all the loud noise (aka music by some) from pubs and clubs - it did quieten down about midnight. There was a second panel / sash but that didn't block the noise either. The walls and carpets are tired - there were lots of old marks on both, and threadbare bits in the carpet. There wasn't a big ceiling light, just two lamps and a small light near the door so it was a little dark. Its not a Luxury Hotel as it states (though may have been years ago) but its a perfectly adequate hotel for a couple of nights with good breakfast and nice staff. Sorry the photos are all a jumble between good and not so good - but you get the idea. It cost less than the Premier Inn and had breakfast included for that lesser price. I paid £50 for one person in a Junior Double in August, the Premier Inn for the same Friday night was £101, no breakfast.

Afternoon tea with no clotted cream for the scones! The staff were helpful & attentive. There was plenty of tea & coffee offered. The afternoon tea was plentiful but there was no cream for the scones only Jam. Considering this was a city centre hotel & they knew they had a booking surely they could have purchased some cream! When queried we were told that had not had a delivery. Very disappointing! We were the only people there so it did lack atmosphere!