Hotel berhampiran Umbrella alley, Durham

Stayed at castle view for 2 nights ,we arrived earlier than the 4pm stated check in time but this wasn't a problem at all, we had a ground floor room (room 1),the room was beautifully decorated with plenty of storage space ,hairdryer was in room and ironing facilities were also available on request .Breakfast was reordered with plenty of choice,the food was of a very high standard too with locally sourced produce I suspect , you could pick what time you wanted to eat between 8am -9am ,the dining room was decorated to a very high standard ,the staff were welcoming and couldn't do enough for you ,I would highly recommend the castle view without a shadow of a doubt .The guesthouse was on a steep hill but that was the only negative .

Beautiful location, I attended a friend's birthday party best service was received at the buffet restaurant in the evening and again in the morning by a younger blonde eastern European woman, she went so out of her way to help me both times, I wish I had asked her name. The buffet breakfast had everything you could possibly want, well worth the $17 cost.. I booked the Coleman Suite and it was beyond amazing, but the basic rooms some of my friends had seemed overpriced.. I should have used to pool, sauna and other amenities but there was no time with the party, I would recommend staying for at least 2 days next time. Wonderful stay, just too short.

We went to Seaham with the kids for the glass beach and this was cheap and really really clean which was very good plus the bedroom for us was ample. The food was just outstanding especially the ty restaurant X the kids loved it and the staff was friendly, helpful x thankyou 🥰 xx

The drive up to the castle was was fantastic as the view of the castle looked stunning. The entrance to the court yard for parking was quaint and inviting. The look of the court yard looking at all the out buildings looked inviting and very well presented. The “stocks” make for great entertainment The entrance to the reception is like looking for the secret door but the plaque at the side with history information explains why and is interesting to read. Inside the reception is is quite dark but this for me added to the ambience of the place. The staff where welcoming, polite and explained the hotel set up. We stayed in one of the room in the courtyard which was beautiful. Very nicely decorated and good value for money. The room was cozy. We’d booked to have a meal in the Knights Restaurant and we had pre drinks in the bar first The walk to the restaurant through the corridor into the central courtyard was very different yet beautiful. It’s so old and it was nice to see it was decorated and kept within “keeping” The bar again was inviting and cosy and it was great to see that the drinks and wine list was very reasonably priced. So often places know you are a target audience and inflate the prices ridiculously however in our opinion the castle had not done this. There was a good choice of cocktails and the “smoked” cocktails added that something a little bit different and we didn’t mind paying a few pounds more for the “quirkiness”. Again the staff where very professional, friendly and well presented. The walk from the bar/lounge area to the Knights Restaurant was stunning through the corridors of the castle and past a lovely looking staircase and when we walked into the restaurant I was overwhelmed as it was stunning and not what I was expecting. The arched ceiling, the lighting, the privacy of how the tables where set out we felt was very nice. We thought it all created a romantic setting. It was very secluded but included. The menu choice was good and the food was beautiful. The service was great too and again the staff were very professional, polite and very well presented. The prices on the menu varied so I would say they’d catered fo most people’s budget and it was your own choice on how much you spend Our nights sleep was comfortable and the walk back from the restaurant to the courtyard was well lit but again in keeping with been in a castle environment. Great use of mood lighting. My husband even went into the stocks on the was home (🤣) Breakfast the next morning again did not disappoint. The selection was fantastic and plenty of food to choice from Overall we can can not fault our experience. It was a lively venue with great facilities and very well presented. The staff where Courteous, polite, friendly and very well presented. I would recommend this as a place to go and stay. We must go back so we can stay in one of the castle rooms as I am sure they would be as good and maybe even more “quirkier” than the courtyard rooms which were very nice.

Wow sums up the experience from start to finish. Amazing room very clean infact it was spotless. Reception staff were very helpful they went above and beyond. We were checked in early, nice court yard to sit and have a drink from the well stocked bar, top quality wine. Very comfortable bed we both slept very well. Breakfast was a little hectic but we got there in the end food was just great good selection from the menu and very good quality. Wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. Thank you .

Booked a premier room and paid in advance. Receptionist upon arrival had no sign of booking & she checked 3 times. A second staff member appeared and they found it. Not a great welcome. She then mixed the details of someone else with our booking referring to a daughter paying and me not having a card, both incorrect. She wanted a card, which is standard, & I quote; in case we damage the room. The room had the most amazing views through damaged smudged ;what I think was vintage glass. Plastic plant in room. Huge room odd mixture of furniture: the chair with the dressing table was damaged and the table painted white is badly stained. The enormous plastic double jacuzzi bath has a large damaged chipped area; didn’t use it. The side of the bath has a huge tiled area missing. The bath robes would only have fitted a child. Positively free Wi-Fi, the pillows were great & there was bottled water in the room. The gardens and hanging baskets are absolutely fantastic. The free car park is great. The stables pub which is separate at the back of the hotel has seats where you can have a drink and food. The staff were great there. Beamish on the doorstep. Top tip Invest in the interior to the level of the exterior. Look at room 102 bathroom and dressing table & chair.

More like a club 18-30 experience. The hotel was fantastic, food excellent and staff went way, way beyond. However, the main function of a hotel is to have somewhere to sleep. The hotel had two weddings on the night of my stay and between 12:45 and 14:30 I was unable to sleep for the screaming, laughing, partying that was going on throughout the corridors. I never heard any staff trying to resolve the situation, just plenty of noise. I had to pay £20 surcharge for my dogs to stay and they were not allowed In the restaurant - which is very reasonable, but have to say that they were better behaved that the other animals who were not required to pay any surcharge or not required to follow any basic behavioural rules. On checkout, I was not even asked if I had a pleasant stay. I assume the staff did not want confirmation of their mismanagement. If this is the sort of establishment used but Trip.com, then I can only say first impressions go a long way and I will stick to other hotel brokers in future.