Mermaid Inn

This is a beautiful building in a very nice town. We've intended to stay for some time. As antique dealers we appreciate the age and charm of places like this. Not the best of starts. We'd realised we'd be in town earlier than check in time. Phoned to ask if we could park early. Wasn't sure if they'd agree, but they very kindly said yes we could after 12 o'clock. We appreciated this. As we were parking just after 12, the engine was still running when a member of staff descended on us. Not the friendliest greeting. Quite confrontational. This could have been avoided if there had been some communication. It wasn't nice. Explanation was accepted. Next step. We were in the queue to register the car and had to witness, along with customers behind us what was literally the "check in from hell". Very tricky customers. Long exchange. It got very heated. Staff handled it well. By the time it got to us, staff were so relieved they'd gone, we didn't really have a welcome of any sort. Check in later was fine. Friendly staff. Room (24) nice. What we'd expected. The stuff of story books. Beams, quirky angles. Clean. Very appropriate furniture. Charming. Whole thing let down by the bathroom. I notice from other reviews I'm not the first to comment on the bathrooms. The response is always "this is a 600 year old building etc etc". Find this odd. The bathroom was a relic, but more 1960's/70s/80s. It desperately needs replacing. No shower, which I thought was unheard of in any hotel. I get the roof angles don't allow for it, but lack of a basic facility was still an unpleasant surprise. There was a shower type attachment. Had to use that. Water pressure terrible. Taps on sink not attached properly to sink. Whole tap turns (both). You need 2 hands to control it. Marks to bath. Bathroom door handle loose. Not of this in anyway connected to age of building. Age of sanitary ware more appropriate. Certainly not 3 star. Bar is great. All public rooms are nice and well maintained. We didn't eat in the bar, but have to say food we saw coming out looked great. Staff excellent. What concerned us is out of control of hotel, but worth mentioning. The language on the terrace from customers an eye opener. Air blue. Not what we expect to hear somewhere 'nice'. We ate out in town and returned to bar. The group (different to one there in day) on terrace quite an experience. Foul language, loud and crude. We actually went in which was a shame on a lovely evening in a nice setting. I'm commenting, as it's one to avoid with children or family groups. The people were non residents, as we saw them leave, but the mood was like a city pub on a bad day. Decent night. Room - bathroom aside is fine. Breakfast. Ok. Thought the bar meals looked amazing. Presentation, quality, quantity etc. Breakfast not as impressive. It was all fine, just not special. Wonder if this hotel is a better experience as a day visit. Bar, bar food, not parking onsite, or staying. I'd go back to bar and eat the

Extremely friendly welcome Food was really good Ham hock,cubed black pudding and grapes to start. Sounds weird but was delicious. Sea bass followed by divine chocolate dessert. Tremendous All for a tad under £50 Quality at a reasonable price

Absolutely love staying here, the staff were great and very helpful. Would have liked a walk in shower but understand that this is not possible due to the age of property.