THE CRANLEY HOTEL

The location is great, the room very good. My daughter and I loved the food we had for lunch--it was fabulous! I wasn't as crazy about the breakfast, but in my opinion not many Brits know how to make a good breakfast.

This was my first and last stay! From a tv that didn't work, the phone didn't work, above the noisy kitchens and couldn't have windows open, no corkscrew to open a bottle of coke. No free mini bar as a platinum member. No mention of my membership. Didn't even ask if I had a nice stay. I stay in London every week so a lost opportunity. Will go back to my usual next week

We had booked this hotel with a very generous offer through Voyage Prive which included breakfast. When we arrived at the hotel the receptionist explained that our offer was for continental breakfast only. I thought that the terms of our offer had been misleading as our paperwork clearly stated "breakfast" without any stipulations. Whenever we have previously booked hotels with breakfast through offers, the full range has been available. Also, I understand continental breakfast to typically include ham and cheese but this one was restricted to bread, toast and baked goods only. Ham and cheese were extras at additional cost. It wasn't the be all and end all but I did feel that it was misleading. We were given a card to complete for our breakfast selection. As it clearly said "Room service" on the front and we didn't want to eat in our room we said we didn't want room service. Now this is probably our fault as the receptionist explained about filling it in and leaving it on our doorhandle before 4.00 am but neither of us picked up that everyone had to order breakfast - wherever it was eaten. Everyone else had realised this so it must definitely be us! Therefore we arrived downstairs to watch people who had arrived after us being served. Fortunately the receptionist realised what had happened and gave us the card again to fill in. Breakfast is then cooked to order. We did have the full English one day and it was very tasty. The hotel had previously been a town house and its history and previous occupants before it became a hotel were detailed in the information in our room. The dining room and original floor tiles in the reception area clearly reflects its status. There are varying reviews about the service here. We found all the staff to be very welcoming and friendly. There were a few things about the room which would probably annoy others, such as the paint was flaking in the bathroom, the air conditioning didn't work and there was a large dark stripe down the television screen. It would be dishonest not to mention these. However, these niggles were outweighed by advantages. For instance there is prosecco and canapes served free each evening. We had these out on the small terrace one night. They were delicious. Also, there was always a cake stand with cakes near reception for guests to help themselves. We didn't have any of these but they did look good. The bed was very comfortable and the hotel is situated in a quiet side street so traffic noise is minimal. The area is very green with gardens and trees abounding. Behind some of the houses are charming mews where the horses and carriages used to be kept before the advent of cars. These are now bijou residences. It is an easy walk to the Museum area. We visited the Victoria and Albert (usually known as the V & A) which is one of our favourite museums ever. There are plenty of places to eat within easy walking distance. We ate one night at Olive on Gloucester Road which is an Italian Restaurant. We were very pleased with both the food and the friendly service. There is a mini mall at Gloucester Road Tube station with shops, some restaurants and a Waitrose supermarket. There is also a Tesco virtually opposite the station. I would definitely stay here again.

This was booked by my sister for a surprise for mine and my husbands 25th wedding anniversary, we was so excited as we don't often get the chance to stay away . she booked this hotel for us all as we was going to the natural history museum that night for a who done it evening .. anyway on arrival we did not receive our complementary drinks we was given our key to our room I was in room 202 as soon as we came into the room we was hit by a very bad smell coming from the bathroom (which I did tell the reception about) not only that it was so very hot in the room and the window was open , to my shock the curtains was ripped and some bad stains on them all of which informed the Hotel staff ... we set out for the evening and the reception said they would sort our the smell ..... when we arrived back about 11 pm we was given our complementary drinks but this was only because my sister had rang them to complain....went to our room which was still smelly and so hot we was unable to sleep...morning came and we went down for continental breakfast ...the table cloth has rips in it and the breakfast was to be honest crap cheap bread for toast by now I have had enough and just want to leave.....my sister went home and put in a complaint to be offered a discount on out next stay which will NEVER happen . I am absolutely gutted to have this stay 100% ruined we will not get this day back ....I now wait for a comment from the manager

This is a fine hotel that is certainly a better option than a business chain for similar money. We were upgraded to an executive room which was very well appointed with excellent space, quality bedding, toiletries and nice amenities like a portable guest phone that gives you free mobile connectivity around the room. Overall it is a good 4 star standard but rooms here can go for between 3-400 pounds per night, which is far too much. Under £200 it is excellent. Despite the executive room claiming to have dressing gowns and slippers we could not find any. Breakfast at £17.95 with an extra £5.00 for room service is a bit steep but the quality is superior. Overall it is well maintained with good staff, in an upmarket quiet street close to Gloucester Tube. It is a cosy size and to be fair it is hard to find an independent, small hotel this side of London at such a high standard. This is one of those rare gems