Dunkerleys Hotel

This hotel offers a charming coastal retreat, with its signature seafront location providing stunning views over the sea and pier, making it a memorable choice for guests. It is particularly well-suited for sightseers and couples seeking a relaxing getaway by the coast, as well as short-stay visitors looking for a convenient base. Guests consistently highlight the friendly staff, the excellent food, especially the breakfast, and the comfortable beds as key aspects of their stay. The hotel maintains a traditional, quaint charm that many find appealing. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room with a sea view to fully appreciate the picturesque surroundings. Additionally, be mindful that while the location is superb, parking is not on-site and requires using nearby public car parks, which can be a minor inconvenience.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel, housed in an older building, presents a traditional charm, though this means it lacks a lift, a point frequently noted by guests. Many reviewers, especially those with mobility issues or older guests, found the steep stairs challenging, particularly when accessing rooms on higher floors, with some rooms requiring multiple flights. Despite this, the hotel offers a welcoming bar area that is consistently praised for its lively atmosphere and good selection of drinks, providing a pleasant space for relaxation and socializing. Guests appreciate the convenience of having this on-site option for evening drinks and casual meals. While some isolated comments mentioned the absence of a fridge in their rooms or issues with a spa bath not functioning, the primary feedback revolves around the accessibility challenges due to the building's structure.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness is mixed; while many describe their rooms as spotless, gleaming, and very clean, some reported issues such as dirty carpets, stained furniture, and dust, indicating inconsistency. The beds are widely praised for being very comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep for most, though a few found them a bit hard or noted smaller sizes. The bathrooms receive frequent mixed reviews, with some appreciating excellent rain showers and cleanliness, while others found them dated, tired, or in need of updating, citing issues like inconsistent water temperature (too hot or cold), low pressure, leaks, mould, and limescale. Noise levels are generally reported as quiet, with guests not hearing much from other rooms, but some rooms facing the street or above the restaurant experienced noise. Many rooms are described as spacious, though some guests found them small or snug. Tea and coffee facilities are consistently appreciated, often including hot chocolate and biscuits.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast experience garners extensive feedback, with many guests praising it as excellent, freshly cooked, and offering a great choice, including full English options, kippers, and haddock. However, some found the quality inconsistent, mentioning cold toast, stewed coffee, or limited buffet options that ran out quickly. The restaurant and evening meals receive high praise for their superb quality, delicious seafood, and well-presented dishes, often highlighting local fresh produce and good value. Conversely, a few guests had disappointing experiences, describing meals as mediocre, lukewarm, or with tough meat, and some reported issues with specific dishes like inedible lobster or raw oysters. The bar food is generally well-regarded as tasty, good, and reasonably priced. Service in the dining areas is mixed; many commend the staff as efficient, friendly, and attentive, while others noted slow service, staff shortages, or a lack of attentiveness, particularly during busy periods, leading to uncleared tables and a chaotic atmosphere.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's seafront location is a major highlight, consistently praised for being right on the beach and offering picturesque views, placing guests within easy reach of the pier and coastal walks. Its proximity to local amenities, including high street shops, restaurants, and the train station, makes it an ideal base for exploring the town and surrounding areas. However, parking is a significant point of concern for many guests. The hotel does not offer on-site parking, requiring reliance on nearby public car parks, which often have three-hour restrictions during the day, necessitating frequent top-ups and causing inconvenience. Furthermore, the hotel's traditional structure means there is no lift, and guests frequently mention the presence of steep stairs and a lack of handrails, posing considerable challenges for those with mobility issues or limited physical ability, and sometimes leading to difficult access to rooms.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive overwhelming praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests highlight their professional and welcoming demeanor, noting that nothing is too much trouble and that staff go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Specific mentions include efficient service in the dining areas and a general willingness to assist with guest needs. The check-in process is often described as quick and easy, though some guests reported issues with reception being unattended or not being fully informed about room changes upon arrival. While staff are generally responsive to issues, feedback on problem resolution is mixed; some guests had issues promptly addressed, such as TV replacements or room moves, while others experienced delays or felt their concerns, particularly regarding room maintenance or booking cancellations, were not adequately resolved or met with an unsympathetic response. Overall, the positive interactions with the staff are a recurring theme.

Additional Information
The hotel's overall building condition is a frequent topic of discussion, with many guests noting its traditional, older style. While some appreciate this charm, others describe the decor as dated, tired, or in need of updating, citing issues like peeling wallpaper, cracks, or general wear and tear in certain areas. Conversely, some rooms have been recently decorated or refitted, offering a fresher appearance. A significant recurring point is the hotel's suitability for guests with mobility issues; due to the absence of a lift and the presence of numerous steep stairs, guests are strongly advised to consider this before booking, as it can significantly impact their experience. Some reviews also mentioned specific room numbers (e.g., Room 16 or 17) as being particularly problematic in terms of condition or view, suggesting that room allocation can greatly affect guest satisfaction.