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Summary of reviewsWhite Swan Hotel in Alnwick is highly praised for its central location on the High Street, providing guests with easy access to the town's attractions, such as Alnwick Castle and Gardens, as well as shopping and dining options. Its historic ambiance and charming period features, particularly in the opulent Olympic restaurant, are often highlighted, making it an ideal spot for a memorable and comfortable visit.
The breakfast experience at the hotel generally receives commendation for its variety and quality with guests enjoying a delightful selection of both hot and cold dishes in a pleasant dining room. Despite occasional critiques regarding specific items, the overall breakfast service is considered efficient and friendly.
Dinner at the White Swan offers a mixed experience. The stunning dining room and attentive staff enhance the dining atmosphere and while many guests enjoyed excellent meals, some encountered issues with food quality and service.
Rooms at the hotel garner mixed feedback. Many find them spacious, comfortable and clean with the housekeeping staff receiving frequent praise. However, several guests have noted that some rooms feel dated and could benefit from refurbishment. Despite these concerns, the hotel's historic appeal and the staff's helpfulness contribute positively to the overall stay.
The hotel's cleanliness is well-regarded, though some areas, particularly the bathrooms, could use updating. Any minor lapses in cleaning seem to be outweighed by the overall tidy and well-maintained environment.
The staff at White Swan Hotel receive glowing reviews for their friendliness and helpfulness, consistently enhancing the guest experience. While there are occasional remarks about preoccupied service, the general consensus is that the staff’s professionalism and accommodating nature are significant assets.
WiFi connectivity presents a mixed bag—the service works well in the lobby but can be unreliable in the rooms, affecting some guests' experiences.
For families, the hotel is deemed an excellent choice due to its spacious, clean rooms and family-friendly amenities. The dog-friendly policy and accommodating staff further add to its appeal for family stays, though minor improvements in breakfast service and dining arrangements could enhance the overall experience.
The bedding experience varies among guests. While many praise the comfort of the beds, others have reported issues with hardness, noise or an overall lack of comfort, suggesting a need for consistency in bed quality.
Overall, the White Swan Hotel is regarded as a charming and historically rich establishment with a prime location and commendable service, despite occasional shortcomings in the rooms and dining experiences. The hotel's character, coupled with the friendly staff, makes it a pleasant choice for visitors, albeit with some room for improvement in facilities and amenities. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Offers a central location in Alnwick, providing easy access to coastal golf courses. A great base for exploring Northumberland's golfing destinations.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel is a 300-year-old coaching inn that welcomes dogs. It is located near Alnwick Castle and Gardens, offering many walking choices. Breakfast sausages are prepared for dogs in the morning.
3-Star Hotel
This 300-year-old coaching inn is located in the center of Alnwick, within walking distance of Alnwick Castle and Gardens. It features a restaurant with decor salvaged from the Titanic's sister ship and offers free parking. The hotel provides a mix of historic charm and modern accommodation and the food is good value, both for breakfast and dinner.
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Room Types
Twin RoomA private bathroom, flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities are featured in this room.
Double RoomA private bathroom, flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities are featured in this room.
Family Room (2 Adults + 1 Child)A private bathroom, flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities are featured in this room.
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)A private bathroom, flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities are featured in this room.
Executive Double RoomBathrobes, bottled water and chocolates are featured in this executive room.
Executive Twin RoomBathrobes, bottled water and chocolates are featured in this executive room.
Guest Reviews
7.4
Good
Location
The White Swan Hotel boasts an unparalleled location in the heart of Alnwick, putting guests within easy walking distance of the town's main attractions, including Alnwick Castle and Gardens. Its central position on the High Street is often highlighted for its convenience, making it an ideal spot for exploring the area, shopping and dining. Visitors appreciate the close proximity to bus stations and the availability of excellent car parking facilities.
The historic ambiance of the hotel, especially the opulent Olympic restaurant, adds a charming touch to the stay. Guests frequently mention the beautiful period features and the grand decor of the dining room, which provide a unique dining experience and evoke a sense of history. The hotel’s location and character, combined with friendly and helpful staff, contribute to a comfortable and memorable visit.
In summary, White Swan Hotel's central and convenient location makes it a perfect base for discovering Alnwick and the surrounding Northumberland area.
Breakfast
The breakfast at the White Swan Hotel generally receives praise from guests for its variety, quality and the pleasant atmosphere of the dining room. Many guests describe the breakfast as excellent with words like "delicious," "great," and "fantastic" frequently mentioned. The buffet breakfast often stands out for its extensive range, including both hot and cold dishes, offering choices for a full English or continental breakfast. Service during breakfast is notably friendly and efficient, contributing to the overall positive dining experience.
However, some guests found certain aspects of the breakfast less satisfactory. Criticisms include occasional over-cooked items, such as fried eggs and instances of food not being replenished promptly. A few guests also mentioned that certain items, like the cooked breakfast, were sometimes lukewarm. Despite these occasional negatives, the consensus leans towards a positive breakfast experience, highlighting a good selection of quality produce in a charming and historical dining setting.
Dinner
The White Swan Hotel's dining experience has received mixed feedback from its guests. On the positive side, the hotel features a stunning dining room where many have enjoyed superb meals, finding the food both excellent in quality and value. Staff have been described as very attentive and helpful, contributing to an overall pleasant dining experience. The evening menu, although limited, is praised for its good quality and variety, making some guests particularly pleased with their meals.
However, the dining experience has not been universally praised. Several guests found the food quality below par with concerns about cold and inedible dishes and poorly cooked meat. Some also noted that the restaurant was often fully booked, making it difficult to secure a table. Service issues were also highlighted with reports of incorrect orders and inattentive staff.
In summary, while the White Swan Hotel offers an impressive dining setting and has the potential for excellent meals, inconsistencies in food quality and service might affect the overall experience for some guests.
Rooms
At the White Swan Hotel, guest experiences with the rooms are quite varied. Many visitors praise the spaciousness and comfort of their accommodations, often noting that rooms are clean and adequately equipped with all the necessary amenities. The beds are generally comfortable and some rooms have even been recently refurbished to a good standard.
However, there are a number of observations about the age and state of the rooms. Several guests felt the decor and furnishings were dated and in need of updating with some mentioning specific issues like paint peeling from the walls, musty smells or furniture that has seen better days. Despite these concerns, most guests still found the rooms to be clean and serviceable.
Specific rooms offer different experiences; while some provide ample space and modernized facilities, others are described as small or poorly ventilated, occasionally leading to noise or temperature discomfort. Issues like single glazed windows and outdated bathrooms were also highlighted by some visitors.
In terms of service, the room maintenance staff often receive high marks for friendliness and helpfulness, responding promptly to specific requests such as extra fans. Additionally, the hotel's historic dining room and overall great location contribute positively to the guest experience.
To sum up, the White Swan Hotel offers a mix of well-maintained, comfortable rooms and some that could benefit from renovation. While the decor may sometimes feel outdated, the cleanliness and service quality help to balance these drawbacks for many guests.
Beds
Guests at the White Swan Hotel have had varied experiences with the beds. Many praised the beds as comfortable with phrases like "very comfortable beds," "bed was really comfortable," and "beds were comfy." Specific mentions of a "super-king bed" and "large sized bed" being very comfortable were repeated highlights.
However, some guests found the beds less satisfactory. Several described the beds as uncomfortable with issues like being too hard, having pillows compared to concrete or beds moving on wheels. There were also mentions of old and squeaky beds and in some cases, discomfort from beds made of two singles pushed together.
Overall, while many guests enjoyed a comfortable sleep, there were enough criticisms to suggest that the bed quality varied and improvements could be made.
Cleanliness
White Swan Hotel in Alnwick has garnered a reputation for its cleanliness, praised frequently by guests for being very clean and well-maintained. Many have noted that the rooms are not only tidy but also spacious and comfortable, often highlighting the professional and friendly housekeeping staff who ensure high standards. The modern bar and the period features of the dining room add to the hotel's charm and its central location is a significant advantage for visitors. Despite its many clean and attractive features, some guests have noted that aspects of the building and certain facilities, like the bathrooms, could benefit from refurbishment and updating. Occasional lapses in cleaning, such as issues with mould and dusty areas, have been mentioned, along with some reports of rooms not being serviced regularly. However, the overarching sentiment remains that White Swan Hotel is a lovely, clean and comfortable place to stay, complemented by its excellent location and welcoming staff.
Staff
At the White Swan Hotel, the overwhelming sentiment about the staff is one of friendliness and helpfulness. Consistently described as very friendly, welcoming and polite, the staff go out of their way to assist guests, making their stays more enjoyable. Many reviews highlight the staff's informative nature and their efficiency in doing their jobs. There are multiple mentions of staff being brilliant with nothing being too much trouble for them. Receptionists, in particular, receive praise for being helpful on arrival.
Additionally, guests note that staff are not only friendly but also extremely accommodating, ensuring that all needs are met with a smile. Even in cases where the hotel itself may need some updating, the positive and attentive nature of the staff helps mitigate any shortcomings. A notable few reviews mention specific staff members, Rachelle and Joanne, underscoring their exceptional service.
While the majority of feedback is glowing, there are minor mentions of staff occasionally appearing preoccupied or not being particularly informative. Nonetheless, the general consensus portrays the team at the White Swan Hotel as hardworking, professional, friendly and a key component of the hotel's charm and success.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at White Swan Hotel is characterized by a mix of positive and negative feedback. Many guests found the WiFi to be working well and operating seamlessly, particularly in the lobby area. However, several reviews pointed out issues with connectivity, notably in the rooms where the WiFi either did not work at all or was very poor. Some guests described the WiFi as free but hardly accessible in their rooms. Despite these connectivity issues, there is an acknowledgment of the facility working excellently in some areas, though it may not always be secure. Overall, while the lobby area seems to offer decent WiFi service, guests may experience challenges connecting in other parts of the hotel.
Family
The White Swan Hotel proves to be a delightful choice for families looking to stay in a comfortable and inviting environment. The family rooms are particularly noteworthy for their cleanliness, spaciousness and excellent amenities, making them a fantastic choice for a family of four. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's great location, offering easy access to nearby sightseeing spots such as the castle, which adds an extra layer of convenience for family outings.
The hotel also earns praise for its dog-friendly policies, offering thoughtful touches like dog treats and bowls in the dog-friendly rooms, making it a welcoming place not just for families but for pets as well. Additionally, the staff's accommodating nature towards guests with mobility issues ensures a comfortable stay for all family members.
However, there are some areas for improvement. Despite the overall spaciousness of the family rooms, some reviews mention inadequate space, suggesting variability in room sizes. Breakfast service can be slow, particularly for guests seated in separate areas due to having a dog and seating arrangements at meal times occasionally result in family members being placed at separate tables.
In summary, the White Swan Hotel offers a commendable family-friendly experience with its spacious, well-equipped rooms and excellent location, though improvements in dining arrangements and breakfast service would enhance the overall experience.
3 Star
The White Swan Hotel, nestled in a historic building full of character, offers a charming setting with its lovely architecture and a rich history linked to The Olympic. Guests appreciate the beautiful restaurant and appealing decor, which add to the pleasant ambiance. The staff are noted for their helpfulness, contributing to an overall positive experience during the stay.
However, the hotel's facilities and services appear to need some attention. Some guests have found the rooms dated and in need of refreshing. The absence of a lift presents a challenge for carrying luggage to the upper floors. For those with accessibility issues, the layout could be problematic, especially in bad weather.
Though the hotel is generally regarded as good or very good with phrases such as pleasant, exceptional and superb popping up in reviews, several guests have remarked on the high cost of staying relative to the quality provided. For the price, there were expectations of better services and newer amenities. Despite enjoying their stay, many feel the hotel has the potential to offer much more after undergoing necessary upgrades.
No, White Swan Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at White Swan Hotel.
Yes, White Swan Hotel welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at White Swan Hotel.