The Stanley Hotel

1st positives, the hotel has modern rooms which are very clean.The staff are welcoming and helpful. However, the noise level coming from both the street, and a venue within the building is unacceptable. Two nights of booming music until after 12am, coming from directly under our room did not make for an enjoyable or peaceful stay. At one point the wall by the bed was vibrating with the base from the speakers, so it was impossible to sleep. Room no5 needs double glazing, and soundproofing to ensure guests can enjoy a quality stay!!

We stayed here Saturday- Sunday whilst a family member ran the Boston marathon. The hotel is very close to the main square and a car park which was handy. The rooms were very modern, clean and comfortable. Beds were very comfortable and tea and coffee was provided in the room. There was a selection of pastries, cereals, yoghurts, bread and porridges for breakfast and unlimited tea, coffee, hot chocolate, etc from the coffee machine. As the hotel is quite small it has a very nice atmosphere and makes you feel very safe with your own personal pin for the room and out of office entrance. My family and I stayed in room 2 and 3 and were very impressed. My only criticism is that the rooms get very warm but there is a fan provided and room 2 backs on to a lift or something similar that makes a loud humming noise. However, a minor issue, I would very much recommend staying here.

We were originally booked to stay at the Quayside hotel which is another member of this group, however on arrival the double room we had booked turned out to be 2 single beds shoved together which I didn't find acceptable; on heading back to reception to ask if we could be moved was told we could move one night but then we'd have to move back which I again said was unacceptable so we were moved to the Stanley hotel round the corner. This proved to be a good move as the Stanley has recently been refurbished and is of high quality with its surrounds, however it's let down in a few places. There is no proper breakfast offering, it's continental breakfast however the pastries are all pre wrapped and are therefore not fresh and crispy, the bread is prepacked in plastic bags of 2 slices which is not very green, and there is fruit, yoghurt, cereals, some babybel cheese and a coffee vending machine (free). The breakfast area is fairly soulless with just a large screen TV playing sky news. The plus point was the extremely jolly and helpful receptionist who looked after us well. We were in a premier suite which was large with a lovely en suite bathroom so no complaints about the room (although the kettle was far too small for 2 cups). I wouldn't say this is a romantic hotel but it is functional and comfortable,and in a historic building close to the town centre. With a few tweaks could be heaps better.