The Stuart Hotel - Derby, United Kingdom 

Having read reviews on this Hotel, I was quite worried abount what I might find. I had not shared my worry with my wife and waited until we arrived to judge for myself. I have to say, I was quite pleasantly surprised. I had booked an executive double, room only. Yes, the corridors were narrow and the bedroom and bathroom was quite small but this is a hotel where room is important from a business point of view. We were aware of the sounds of the sirens from the ambulances in the hospital opposite, but I have spent nights in hotel rooms across the world where the rooms have cost a lot more and I have heard sirens all night long. New York is a prime example so I have no complaint there. I found the prices in the restaurant for a la carte and breakfast was very expensive. We found a nice pub in the centre of Derby where we had a two course meal and drinks for less than ?16.00. The only thing I missed was a remote control for the TV. It was a pain having to physically switch channels on the TV. Based on our experience, would I go back? Yes I would. Would I recommend a similar room? Yes I would.

After seeing the hotel website I had such high expectations of this hotel. If I hadnt have got my room through Lastminute top secret and only paid ?53 I would have been asking for my money back. Ok well where do I start. I have stayed in many hotels over the years and have even worked in the hotel industry where I have seen some bad hotels, but this one takes the buscuit. On the outside the place looks ok but the first thing you notice is that its directly opposite the entrance to Derby hospital A&E so you get ambulances going in and out all night. Luckily I had room 257 which was on the second floor and at the rear of the property but that still didnt drown the sirens out. If it wasnt sirens it was the bar staff empyting bottles into the bins at 3am, and if it wasnt that there was some sort of AC unit outside humming away. The reception was nice, the staff were smarty dressed even though they looked and sounded like that didnt want to be there but thats they only thing this hotel has going for it. The corridors are narrow, the rooms (I booked an executive) as smaller than a postage stamp and the air con in the room didnt work so it was like staying in a sauna. The TV was limited to just the 5 terrestrial channels so nothing to keep me occupied in the evening. I didnt even bother ordering from the room service menu, I mean ?20 for a ribeye steak and some mashed potatoes, come on your having a laugh arent you. Admittedly I couldnt fault the bathroom, it was clean and modern and the shower was nice. I know this place states that it is 4 star but you must remember that they also state this is a self appointed 4 star hotel and it has not been awared so from VisitBritain. Technically this is false advertising on Lastminute.com, I mean I could rate my flat as 5* and put it on there to rent out. I dont think some bathrobes and a bottle of water constitute a 4* stating. On closing, if you need to stay in Derby and want comfortable, nice accommodation there is a nice park in the city, go to Argos, buy yourself a tent and stay there. I would not recommend The Stuart hotel even to my worst enemy.