Abbey Lodge Hotel

Admittedly it is still a work in progress but you cannot beat it. A mixture of the old and new the staff are exceptional. Unlike many 5* hotels where you feel you are constantly being watched the Abbey is non intrusive and it feels like being at home. A wonderful large wild garden at the rear to be alone or chat with other guests if you wish. I really enjoyed my stay here and would if I could live out my retirement here.

There was nothing I disliked

It was nice and cool, even in the heatwave - without 'modern' technology like air conditioning. Bed was more comfortable than I had hoped.

Although I had paid in advance with Booking.com, the receptionist insisted I provide an identity card. We don't carry them in England. Then he tried to allude that I was with the gentleman who had also been waiting to check in, just because I had spoken with him, so I kept having to repeat that I was on my own. This may have made a younger person feel unsafe. There was no kettle yet there was coffee etc. There was not bedside lamp so I had to get out of bed, walk round to turn off the light then walk back in darkness, or by the bathroom light. Not your fault, I thought the hotel was in another road, but it was immediately opposite the Nursing Home and even the very room where my mother had died in 2010.

Location and price

Location was good (near a tube station) and the price was cheap.

Hotel looked a bit untidy.