The Brig & Barrel Hotel

I stayed here for almost two weeks in October, with a couple of colleagues as we were working nearby. Let me tell you now, having stayed in three other ‘hotels’ in the area (20 mile radius) and we were so glad to finally find this hidden gem. From the outside, it doesn’t really scream quality hotel, it looks more like a Tiki Bar with the wooden sign and graphics, but I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed with your room. The hotel has been very recently refurbished and it’s very tastefully decorated. I’d liken it to a premier inn standard but with a bit of character. The beds are very comfy and the linen is immaculate. The showers are great, and the provided tea/coffee/biscuit station is spot on, with real milk sachets as-well as the standard UHT pots. You also get a couple of packs of biscuits which is nice, and always screams attention to detail. I think attention to detail is the Brig and Barrels’ strong point, it’s just good, there’s good storage, quality products in the rooms like the ‘hot shot’ machine instead of a standard kettle. The restaurant is good, the menu is short, but if you eat out, or stay in hotels a lot, you’ll realise a huge menu often means the food is not going to be either fresh or good quality. Brig and Barrel isn’t looking for a Michelin star, it’s looking to feed you a decent two or three course meal and send you away full. Obviously we are everything on the menu as we were there so long and nobody was dissatisfied even once. Breakfast is served in a different room, but is to an equally high standard as the restaurant. I don’t know how long it’s been since I got a properly cooked poached egg for breakfast in a hotel, and these guys knock it out every single time. Now, the bar/pub. Depending on why you’re staying, and what your personal tastes are, this may or may not be to your liking. The bar is really a local pub, and busy most nights, in fact it’s basically a great hotel on top of the local boozer. But, although it’s very popular, it’s not too noisy if that’s not your bag, I stayed directly above the bar for most of my stay, and the only night it was noisy, I spoke to Rosalyn (the owner) and it was just the bar staff getting a bit carried away with the volume, it wasn’t an issue after that. The staff are also excellent, from the owner, who is witty yet professional to the bar staff and kitchen, everybody seems genuinely happy to help, and all seem to enjoy working there, which is massively helpful and adds to the hotels personality, it’s not uncommon during the day to hear the housekeeper screaming, as it seems to be a tradition that the other staff jump out on her or just otherwise terrorise her (all in good humour) In summary, if you need a room and they have space, book here, I guarantee you won’t find better in the area no matter the price. It got 4/5 as I can’t give 5 stars for anything less than perfection. I told my company, if they want me to work up there again, unless they get me in here,