Southwell Stays

I liked the proximity to the Minster and the range of facilities and most of the equipment provided in the property within such a compact space. Not only was tea and coffee-making equipment provided, but also a small number of tea and coffee sachets together with a jug of milk which was changed for non-dairy milk at my request. I liked the PIR sensing energy-efficient lights in bathroom and kitchen. The wardrobe was pretty good, but not long enough for womens’ dresses, although the iron and ironing board almost made up for that! The hosts responded willingly to my couple of requests.

The check-in instructions and timings received on the day were confusing and contradictory, both with the pub opposite opening times (from which one was required to collect the key) and with the original instructions and timings on Booking.com: ie check-in was not 3pm, but 4pm which itself was 1 hour earlier than the pub opening hour of 5pm. This is unhelpful when making initial travel plans. Within the property, the toilet seat fixings were unsafe owing to being too loose, and enabled the seat to swivel partially and precariously sideways off the toilet pan when one was turning sideways and back to access the toilet roll on the wall behind one! Any disabled or elderly customer could easily fall off the seat if this happens while they are using it (I nearly did!). I therefore felt badly fobbed off when I was advised, after the first inspection visit, that the seat was meant to do this ‘by design’ (especially as I have personally fixed several toilet seats of which the fixings have become worn and loose)! The fixings were subsequently tightened on a second visit (but not fully securely), and I felt obliged to sit sideways thereafter on the toilet in order to ensure the seat didn’t swivel when I accessed the toilet roll! This needs new fixings or a new toilet seat to be safe. The cooking and washing-up facilities were inadequate for any proper meal, and the very small round ‘dining’ table and two chairs provided in the bedroom were not comfortable to sit at to eat, although better than nothing. There was no recycling facility. The bathroom lighting turned off automatically when in the shower when no movement was detected outside the shower cubicle for over 2 minutes - slightly disconcerting when this happens after dark until you realise it can be reactivated by opening the shower door and waving an arm under the ceiling sensor! The communications from the host were not reassuringly timely.

Exactly what we required adult brother and sister travelling together

I have a very sensitive sense of smell and one of the pillows smelt of Tabacco which I don’t like but the other pillow was ok just a little thing

Overall good value, small but well equipped kitchen, everything you need for a short stay. Would stay again.

Only small things could be improved - the motion-sensing light in the bathroom was super annoying, going dark in the middle of a shower and you have to get out of the shower to turn it on again... Also the 'smart' tap you need to keep one hand waving in front of it to keep the water flowing, rather annoying. Also would be useful to have a usb charger somewhere, and better lighting in the bedroom. Would be good to frost the bedroom widow so you can get privacy but still some natural light.

Great location, close to town and opposite a lovely pub

Some noise from flat above

The property was in a good location Ideal for what we wanted for visiting the Old Vicarage wedding venue just a 15 minute stroll away. Virtually on the doorstep are two garden centres, the National Trust Workhouse and easy access to the town centre.

Being used to your own bed we found the bed a little uncomfortable.

It was all great.