Hallmark Hotel Derby

I consider myself lucky that this was a visit that meant I wasn’t in the hotel for too much time, we were there for a weekend event at the Hallmark Hotel and had stayed here last year too. The hotel has gone downhill considerably since 2019. We arrived to be told the room had been cleaned, it hadn’t so had to lug all our stuff back down to reception so that housekeeping could do their job. Thankfully a member of the reception team came to give us a hand. The room was okay, but I certainly don’t think it had had a deep clean in the last year, the dust build up above the mirror in the bathroom made my stomach turn. The sofa had rather a lot of stains on it and was very small, but at least there was one. The bed was horrendous. Everytime I turned over the whole thing moved, it was bouncier than a trampoline. When we arrived back at the hotel on the Saturday afternoon we thought it hadn’t been cleaned as there bed was still unmade, but then we realised that there were fresh towels. I have NEVER stayed in a hotel where the beds not been made. I didn’t complain because frankly I didn’t want to go back downstairs, there were a lot of young men hanging around the reception areas and in the corridors and the car park. It was actually quite unnerving walking around the hotel, I completely understand that these chaps had rooms but they gave the place a real feel of a “hostel” not a hotel. In addition the lift was so slow I took the stairs as it was quicker. I am glad I never have to stay here again.

I stayed here two nights whilst attending an event at their 4* across the road. The hotel stank of stale smoke and unwashed bodies as soon as we entered, and the room was worse. The paper was peeling off the walls, hair in the bathroom, dirt under the fixtures and fittings, filthy upholstery. Reception was mostly unmanned and I had to shout for service. The breakfast room in the 3* also stank. I complained to the 4* reception in person, and was told a manager would call about a 4* room, but didn’t. I then tried complaining over the phone but the manager refused to communicate with me. The breakfast at the 4* was badly serviced, the waiter got annoyed at needing to get us cutlery and coffee. AVOID STAYING HERE and avoid large functions at the 4*!

Stayed for one night and was pleasantly surprised after reading some poor reviews. Adequate sized room with all the usual facilities including iron and ironing board, TV, tea/coffee and toiletries. Clean bathroom with lovely fluffy , white towels. Fresh milk delivered to your room on request. My only gripe was that the pillows were a bit too firm but that's personal taste. The room was quiet and we slept really well. A short stroll takes you directly into the INTU shopping centre. Parking costs £8 for 24hrs. We ate next door at Antibo the Italian restaurant which was lovely and quite busy. Couldn't really get any better value at £40 room only!