Since the first year of university is such a great time for most people I think that it is highly unlikely that you willl find anyone who doesn't have anything good to say about their hall.
I was in Highfield hall for my first year and I had a fantastic time. Highfield is expensive, but the rooms are really nice and very luxurios for student accomadation - all have their own basin or bathroom. Ok so there are only about 150 people in hall, but this does mean that you get to know everyone in the first week and you will never be faced with walking into the dining room and not knowing anyone!!! The bar is tiny - about the size of a rather small shoe box, (reputedly the smallest University bar in England, but that may be just another hall myth!!), but it is painted a rather fetching shade of blue, and as everyone knows each other it is more like a cosy sitting room (with copious amounts of cheap alcohol!!!), than a bar. This is an advantage when you want to pop down and get some alcohol wearing your PJs and slippers!!!
Highfield doesn't offer the sports facilities of larger halls, but it is only 2 mins walk from the Avenue campus (it is literally just across the road!!) and about 10 mins walk from the main campus. The hall formals may not offer extravagant entertainment, but they are always a good laugh!!!
The only real disadvantage of Highfield is the wardens - yes, there are increadibly strict rules about noise and most people suffer several formal warnings and £5 fines during their year. However, all in all I would recommend Highfield to anyone who wishes to be in a small friendly hall - I made loads of great friends in hall, AND I managed to get out of bed at 9.45 and still make it to my 9.55 lectures!!! Oh and remember to look out for the infamous midnight "quad runs" - lots of drunken people running round the courtyard with no clothes on - an essential part of student life!!!