The Swan Hotel - Bradford on Avon (Bradford-on-Avon, United Kingdom)

Always very friendly and helpful, the quality of the service received from staff members is one of the big ‘pluses' here. They have the uncanny knack of remembering your name, which is really impressive.

This isn't a place to visit if you want a clinical environment where all rooms are the same … and characterless. Part of the attraction of your break is the experience of staying here. That said, at least when they built the hotel, centuries ago, they thought to include a car park! The free car park is a serious advantage when staying in busy Bradford-on-Avon.

Breakfast and evening meal choices are good, well prepared and presented.

A lot of upgrading is needed. Dirty carpets and torn curtain linings aren't acceptable in a hotel of any reasonable standard. It's tempting to suggest that many of the amenities were incorporated when the bridge next door was built … in the 14th century! There's some penny pinching when it comes to the contents of the hospitality tray, which can only be described as being ‘frugal'.

The sensible tip is to suggest that you specify that you do not want a room that is anywhere near the very noisy bar.

The central heating system must have been installed when the place was built. It hardly works and the room is very cold. Likewise, the shower doesn't work very well and quickly runs out of hot water. This isn't a cheap, seaside B+B. Tariffs are sufficiently high to lead the guest not to expect problems like this. Someone, therefore, should certainly be in hot water over these issues … Sadly, it won't be you!