A traditional English country garden with a splash of contemporary modernism is what one first espies when approaching The Rooms: well, gardeners will. Architecture fans will probably note the late nineteenth century suburban Gothic façade. One enters an über-chic palace of modernity with carefully preserved original features enhanced by cooling Nordic hues. Our habitation for the night was room 3, which can be either a double or, for my companion and myself, converted into a twin.
A 32-inch wall-mounted television set with integral DVD-player faces the beds. What is rare, is that it is actually set at a comfortable height and angled perfectly for both beds - no-one needs to lean at an odd angle! Hanging space, storage, drawers and the drinks-making facilities are all hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling, well-padded headboard. There is a console-table serving as a desk cum dressing-table next to the window, above which hangs a large mirror. A DAB radio, tissues, water and glassware stand ready for use.
The beds have extremely comfortable mattresses, firm and supportive and comfy. Bedding linens are of a high quality and are soft on the skin. A choice of soft and firmer pillows or both are available on each divan.
Unfortunately, next to one of the main roads into the town-centre with double-glazing that failed to insulate from external noise, I hardly slept at all. When it was time to rise, I was totally shattered.
The completely tiled bathroom is a wet-room set-up with Grohe taps and Roca santitaryware. Plenty of thick non-scratchy towels were stacked available for use. Two towelling robes were also at our disposal.
Draw-backs and criticisms to the room:
* not sufficiently sound-insulated
* main light-switch only partially worked
* my bedside light-switch did not function at all
* no functioning light in hanging space
* two light-bulbs in the sleeping area were non-functioning
* thick cobwebs above the curtain-pole
* large cracks between tiles in en suite
* NO WIFI !!!
[Image description:
the breakfast room;
© The Rooms]
The breakfast menu is quite extensive. One helps oneself to juice and cereal. Tea-/coffee-pots are brought to table. My companion sampled the fishcake and ordered some toast; I the home-cooked ham & poached eggs. We were not asked if we wanted anything else. However, we were offered Bucks Fizz’, but we declined. The cuisine justly deserves its various plaudits.
On checking out we were not asked, “How was everything?” or anything similar. This makes me suspect that the proprietor is aware there are issues, as we were not asked for any feed-back or for reports of any issues.
We paid £125 for bed & breakfast, but most rooms are more expensive. Whilst The Rooms is quite lovely, it is certainly not value for money; we could have stayed in an hotel for a similar price.
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