Old Palace Lodge Hotel

After many weeks of staying here my booking was cancelled for a more favourable 'government contract'. Says it all. chasing profit. OK for me I found somewhere else. What about the wedding dreams you shattered!

Hotel cancelled my reservation for February 2023 without explanation. Nobody answering the phones and not replying to emails. I've paid in advance but see no sign of any refund. Unacceptable not to offer a better explanation and hotel need to get a grip and refund people.

My wife and I were not overly impressed - we stayed at this hotel for two nights. We actually chose to stay at The Old Palace Hotel because it was rated the best in Dunstable on the TRIPADVISOR web site but if it is the best in town then that says little for the others. Our accommodation was not of a standard I would expect in an alleged 4-star hotel and the bathroom was in urgent need of an upgrade. Our experience in the restaurant (and we only went there for breakfast) was far from what we would consider acceptable.

We have stayed here loads of times as the hotel is so convenient for Dunstable - they have spent a lot of money on the outside seating garden area which is quite nice on a sunny day . The building itself is very old and has lots of character but the hotel is going downhill. The 'new' extension at the back where most rooms are are accessed by a very small lift and small doglegged staircase - its an old place so almost forgivable. Our bed was one of the worst we have slept in - neither of us had a good nights sleep even though we had had a few sherbets when out for dinner - breakfast was a joke - 3 girls in there not knowing what to do and the one serving had her hand in a bandage with not cover on - and serving food! - one of the others dropped cutlery on the floor and just picked it up and put it back in the drawer - the food at breakfast was very poor, small tasteless sausages and bean that were more like soup. Its a shame as this should be a flagship hotel and restaurant for the town - it has such character and is an iconic building in the town center. We will probably use it again as local competition is very limited but as I said its such a shame its not a place to look forward to visiting. On the plus side our room was a good size and generally well fitted out, it was clean and well presented, the staff were generally friendly, the bar was nice for an end of evening drink before bed and the location is great for the town.

Stayed the night of Saturday 6th August 2022. Started at 10.30 with coffee in the walled garden. which was fine. Drinks from the bar seemed OK as two friends joined us at 12.00 noon. Quite annoying that a table could be booked that claims four star status ! However at about 14..00 hrs it became clear that despite being "first come" and "first served" + first to order.. we were LAST to have our order prepared and delivered to our table. We could see everybody else's food delivered and had to conclude that out timed receipted meal purchases had been overlooked. We drew the attention of Junior Staff member (Theo) who was manning the walled garden bar / order station for food + drinks which was being supervised by Fabio - who seemed to be senior staff member on duty ? The time on the receipt was 19.43 and 19.48 and we have three witnesses as well as myself to attest that the time of ordering was 12.30 NOT 19.43 at stated on the receipts ! So eventually, apart from being TWO HOURS LATE, the food was good. We were able to book in with Mikhail on the reception desk at approximately 15.00 hours after the belated food. What else could possibly go wrong - at the hotel that plays the 'Fawlty Towers' theme tune as telephone callers are connected to an 'answerphone + ring back' service Well. Nothing untll 3.30 am when a noisy guest in the corridor outside room 121 began repeatedly slamming the heavy fire door adjacent until challenged to be quiet. A call to 'Alex' on reception - inviting him to telephone to the police - whose Police Station is about 100 yards distant from the hotel - resulted, initially in no response as the fire-door-banging continued. After about ten minutes, the noise abated and we were finally able to get back to sleep. By now the time was roughly 04.00 am ! I think we'll stay at the Premier Inn which IS about 4 miles north along the A5183, but they pride themselves on 'a good quiet night's sleep'

We stayed in this beautiful hotel for one night , we were slightly concerned when we arrived as there was a wedding about to take place , but I can honestly say we didn’t hear a peep all night . Our room was outstanding beautifully decorated , very comfortable, large walk in shower and air conditioning wonderful at the moment . The breakfast in the morning was lovely a really tasty cooked breakfast and large variety of continental food all in all a really fabulous stay , staff were very helpful and friendly can’t recommend enough .