Best Western The Croft - Darlington, United Kingdom 

Describing itself as Darlington's premier boutique hotel is, I think, damning itself with faint praise. The staff were brilliant - in every respect. Helpful, friendly and efficient. And full marks for free wireless internet access and free wine and water in the rooms. Many hotels that cost three times the price don't provide these facilities. However, the building itself is a little tired. It seems to have been redecorated in the last couple of years but in a very 'Changing Rooms on the Cheap' way. And this is now becoming a bit tatty and faded. The shower in our bathroom was also a very poor affair. These things don't correspond to boutique in my book. The beer garden is a slab of concrete with some chairs overlooking the car park. Saturday night's dinner was taken in Raffles restaurant at The Croft. This was complete with (and I quote) "exquisite furniture made up of authentic wicker furniture, huge carved wooden sculptures and banana plants [that] were all imported from Kuala Lumpa [sic], to create the perfect ambience to transport you to another world". During our meal with were serenaded (read 'deafened') with a live band playing country and western, which I'm sure is all the rage in Kuala Lumpur these days. The food was nice and beautifully presented, however.

The Croft is worth a visit. Staff are very friendly, personal and helpful - makes all the difference. General fabric of the place is a little tired and the plumbing in the rooms is not great. Themed rooms are good fun - some are a bit quirky though.