Royal Albion Hotel - First Impression's are not always Best (Royal Albion Hotel Brighton)

Name: blondgem

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Product:	Royal Albion Hotel Brighton
Date:	20/01/08 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: clean, warm, friendly environment, adequate rooms

Disadvantages: breakfast not too great

Sometimes I travel quite a bit in my job, often enduring ofter night stays which I don't particularly like on my own. Majority of the time having my accommodation booked for me by my assistant she know's I won't slum it anywhere, however I aren't looking for something terribly expensive.

I was attending a Natural Health Trade Show in Brighton, basically to do a little networking, the good thing about this trip was it was at the weekend so its easier to take someone with me instead of being bored in my hotel room alone or wandering the streets of somewhere I aren't too familiar with to pass the time of day away.

I was booked into the Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton. After six hours driving to Brighton, the first thing that you want to do is check in and have a little relax. However upon arrival at the Royal Albion, we found that there was no parking at the hotel and had to park at a nearby NCP carpark, which was at least 15 minutes walk away. We were only in Brighton for two days, however I always seem to pack for two weeks plus all my paperwork that I had with, it was hard work lugging it from the car to the hotel.

First impressions to look at the hotel was its very old and doesn't look to clean to me, however forgive me for saying that, after entering the hotel I did realise that that was purely down to the location, directly on the sea front opposite Brighton's Main Pier and with passing by traffic I can understand why the windows were a little bit, well quite a lot grubby.

Entering the hotel, it did have a very homely feel to it. Nice thick carpet with squeeky floorboards which I do like in old buildings, lots of dark oaks wooden panels that gave it that antique effect. The reception staff were very friendly and checking in was very easy. All done and dusted within two minutes and off to our room we went.

There were two lift in the hotel and they were never particular busy, that is one of my pet hates when staying somewhere having to wait for the lift - I find it so annoying. When arriving to the floor we were on, again the decor in the corridors was a little outdated but the building itself I funf was very warm all around which was comforting.

I wasn't sure what sort of room I had been booked into, and at the end of the day, I just wanted to put my feet up, but whenever I get to the door when in a hotel, I am always a little apprensive about what is on the other side, call me a fussy bugger, but that is just the way I am. Walking into the room, the only thing I could say was it dark and a little dingy from the small passageway. Directly in front of me was a bed with very little room around it and a very tiny window. As I walked further into the room and turned around I saw a staricase which walking up it took me into a small living room with a sky light which then let the light in. It had leather sofa's, small coffee table and quite a large television. Downstair's trhere was also another television for watching TV i bed, dressing table and tea and coffee making facilities.

Walking towards to bathroom, I was amazed by the size of the actual bathroom, it was quite big, very well lit, with toilet, sink and a huge bath which in actual fact was a jacuzzi bath and that made my day. I love a good bubble bath and soaking in that tub was just fantastic.

The bar in the hotel was of a large size, at the particular time we were there, it wasn't peak time so the hotel was pretty quiet and to get served at the bar was very easy. The bar was well stocked and had everything you could want and also offered a few unique items like Baileys served in Chocolate shot glasses which made my eyes light up.

I must admit when going to bed, with the rooms being a little dark, I did have a great nights sleep. The bed was very comfortable, the pillows to my satisfaction as thats another thing I am a little fussy about.

Breakfast to be honest was better the first morning than the second morning. We were up a little earlier the first morning as I was attending my Trade Show. There wasn't a great deal to choose from, various cereals and a buffet cart which just the basic hot food. Tea and Coffee and Juices were self service too, however they were just in plastic jugs the kind you get when attending conferences and you ad to go around several jugs to find one that actually had something in it. The staff weren't very quick in cleaing tables, topping the coffee up and also replenishing the buffet cart.

After a successful weekend, all in all, not the best hotel I have ever stayed in but I wouldn't complain if I found myself booked in it again. There are a lot better hotels in Brighton, however there are also a lot worse.

Unfortunately I aren't too sure how much this accommodation was for the two nights for a double room. I would have thought in the region of £75 for this time of year was quite adequate but at the end of the day it wasn't me paying. LOL

Summary: - Okay for a Passing Stay