Northampton52.23101000,
-0.88603100,
University Of Northampton Waterside Campus, New South Bridge Road(Show on Map)
8.0
Very Good
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1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsSunley Hotel is a popular choice for visitors due to its prime location on the University campus, offering a short, scenic walk to Northampton town centre. Its proximity to shops, restaurants and bars enhances the appeal, as does the tranquil, safe environment despite being close to central attractions. The hotel's natural beauty with nearby rivers and greenspaces and abundant, convenient parking further contribute to a pleasant stay.
Breakfast at the hotel receives mixed reviews with weekdays offering a highly praised cooked breakfast that includes a variety of hot dishes, pastries, cereals and fruits. However, the weekend continental breakfast is seen as limited. Breakfast arrangements at the nearby university facilities provide more options and are valued for their quality and convenience, although some guests find the late start time inconvenient.
Dinner options appear limited, especially outside term time and weekends. While nearby dining spots are recommended by helpful hotel staff, the absence of on-site dining can be an inconvenience.
The hotel’s rooms are consistently lauded for their cleanliness, modern design and spaciousness. Comfortable beds and powerful showers contribute to guest satisfaction, despite occasional issues like the lack of air conditioning. The staff’s friendliness and helpfulness further enhance the positive atmosphere, though isolated incidents of unhelpful behavior are noted.
Cleanliness at Sunley Hotel is exceptional with well-maintained communal areas and spotless rooms that feature bright, contemporary decor. Guests frequently commend the housekeeping team's attentiveness and the overall high standards of tidiness.
The staff generally receive high praise for their welcoming and professional service with individuals like Stephanie and Alison mentioned favorably. The overall atmosphere is warm and inviting, though some guests reported occasional lapses in customer service and instances of unhelpful behavior.
WiFi availability is mixed with many guests describing it as fast and reliable, but others struggling with connectivity issues, particularly on higher floors. Despite these challenges, the availability of free WiFi adds to the hotel’s appeal.
Ample and secure parking receives positive feedback, though clearer instructions and improved signage could enhance the experience. Guests appreciate the ease and security of the parking facilities, which add to the overall convenience.
The beds, while praised by some for their comfort and size, receive criticism from a significant number of guests for being too firm and uncomfortable. The varying opinions reflect a need for improvement in this area to ensure a consistently pleasant sleeping experience.
Sunley Hotel is often perceived as a good value-for-money option with some reviewers suggesting it's more aligned with a three-star rating despite its four-star classification. The high standards of cleanliness, modern decor and excellent service quality contribute to its competitive rates and positive reputation.
Business travelers find the hotel well-suited to their needs with good amenities, business suites and high-quality conference facilities. The hotel provides a productive environment conducive to work, despite occasional noise from other guests.
Overall, Sunley Hotel is a modern, clean and strategically located establishment that offers a comfortable stay with excellent staff service and good value, though certain areas such as breakfast variety, on-site dining, bed comfort and WiFi reliability could benefit from improvements. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Parking
Located on the University of Northampton Waterside Campus, this hotel provides on-site parking. It's a convenient option for visitors to the university and the surrounding area.
EV charging stations
Accessible Hotel
The Sunley Hotel is listed as an accessible hotel on booking platforms, indicating it provides features to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room provides a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double Room - Disability AccessOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Location
Sunley Hotel boasts an optimal location on the University campus, making it an excellent choice for visitors. Guests often highlight the convenience of being a short 10-15 minute walk from Northampton town centre, which offers a pleasant and scenic journey through parks and pedestrianized paths. The proximity to amenities such as shops, restaurants and bars is frequently praised, adding to the hotel's appeal.
The tranquil and safe surroundings enhance the experience with many reviews noting the quiet atmosphere despite its closeness to central attractions. The hotel's location is particularly commendable for those visiting the University of Northampton, attending local events or seeking easy access to family living nearby.
Parking at the hotel is noted to be convenient and abundant, providing additional ease for travelers. The area’s natural beauty with nearby rivers and greenspaces, is also appreciated by guests, further contributing to the pleasant ambiance of the stay.
Overall, Sunley Hotel's excellent and central location, combined with its proximity to both the town centre and university, makes it an attractive option for a variety of visitors.
Breakfast
Sunley Hotel guests frequently highlight the breakfast experience with a range of opinions. The breakfast often gets accolades for its good quality and variety, especially during weekdays when the cooked breakfast is available. Many guests appreciated the extensive selection including hot dishes, pastries, cereals, dairy products and fruits, which were often described as delicious and nutritious.
Guests noted convenient arrangements like breakfast served at the nearby university facilities, which provides a larger and more varied selection. Continental breakfast options are regularly praised for being great value and healthy, especially when served in the campus café opposite the hotel.
However, several reviews pointed out limitations, particularly during weekends when only a basic continental breakfast is provided. There were comments about the lack of hot breakfast options and the late breakfast start time of 8:00 AM, which was inconvenient for guests with early departures. Some reviews mentioned the breakfast being served in disposable packaging and occasionally running out of items early in the morning.
Overall, while many found the breakfast to be very good or excellent, a portion of guests felt the options were limited or inadequate and suggested improvements for more variety, especially for dietary needs like gluten-free and vegan alternatives. Despite some downsides, the breakfast experience at Sunley Hotel is generally well-regarded for its quality and value.
Dinner
Guests at Sunley Hotel have noted several challenges when it comes to dining options, particularly in the evening. While there are convenient nearby options, including a university restaurant and a burger bar, the lack of on-site food availability, especially outside term time and weekends, has left many guests needing to seek alternatives. The university restaurant across the street offers limited meal options, which some guests found insufficient. However, the hotel staff have been praised for their helpful advice on local dining spots and willingness to provide cutlery for takeaway meals. Overall, guests may need to explore dining options beyond the immediate vicinity or plan for alternatives, especially during weekends and university holidays.
Rooms
Sunley Hotel is consistently praised for its clean, modern and spacious rooms, making it a popular choice for guests seeking comfort and simplicity. The rooms are described as very clean and well-maintained with modern facilities and design features that enhance the overall guest experience. Many reviews highlight the generous size of the rooms, which are well-equipped and suitable for both business and leisure travelers.
Guests also appreciate the comfortable beds, powerful showers and the quality and size of the towels provided. Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback on cleanliness, comfort and room size, there are recurring comments about the lack of air conditioning, which results in the rooms being uncomfortably hot and stuffy, especially during warmer periods. Fans are provided, but they do not always suffice in cooling down the rooms.
The staff at the hotel are noted as being friendly and helpful, contributing to the positive atmosphere. The hotel’s modern and tidy appearance, along with its strategic location, further adds to its appeal. However, minor issues such as small bathroom sizes and occasional maintenance problems like a non-functional tap or a slightly dusty room are mentioned, though these do not significantly detract from the overall positive experience.
In summary, Sunley Hotel stands out for its spacious, clean and modern rooms with excellent facilities, although improvements in cooling the rooms could enhance guest comfort during warmer days.
Beds
Sunley Hotel offers beds that have sparked mixed reviews from guests. On the plus side, many guests found the beds to be comfortable with remarks about the great size and the clean, nice sheets and pillows. Some guests even described the beds as very comfortable, referencing pleasant stays with comfy beds.
However, a significant number of guests pointed out that the beds were uncomfortably hard with descriptions ranging from firm to rock solid and even as hard as bricks. Complaints about hard mattresses and lumpy pillows were frequent with some guests mentioning that the beds and pillows did not provide a pleasant sleeping experience. Other issues included beds that were too small for a double, some springs felt in the mattresses and issues with beds being on the firm side. While there were mentions of comfortable beds, the predominant feedback suggests that many guests faced an uncomfortable night's sleep due to the firmness and size of the mattresses.
Cleanliness
Sunley Hotel consistently impresses with its exceptional cleanliness, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests. The hotel features modern, well-presented rooms that are frequently highlighted for their immaculate condition and spaciousness. Guests appreciate the bright, airy ambiance and the contemporary decor that adds to their overall satisfaction. Communal areas such as the reception and passages are also well-maintained, ensuring a pleasant environment throughout.
The housekeeping team receives high praise for keeping rooms and facilities spotlessly clean with clean linens and towels provided regularly. Many reviewers mention that the hotel’s cleanliness is exceptional and that every area meets high standards. Even though there have been some complaints about bed linen and a few other issues, the general consensus is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing cleanliness and tidiness as standout features of Sunley Hotel.
The staff are described as helpful and welcoming, adding to the positive experience. The hotel's central location also makes it a convenient choice for travelers. Overall, Sunley Hotel is a modern and clean establishment that ensures a comfortable stay with its meticulous attention to cleanliness and guest satisfaction.
Staff
The reviews for the staff at Sunley Hotel highlight a predominantly positive experience. Guests consistently describe the staff as friendly, welcoming and exceptionally helpful. Many reviewers specifically mention the professionalism and politeness of the team, praising individuals like Stephanie and Alison for their standout service. The reception staff receive frequent compliments for their friendliness and assistance, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere upon arrival.
Several guests note that the overall service quality is excellent with staff often going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The consistent friendliness and professionalism seem to be well-appreciated, contributing to positive interactions throughout different areas of the hotel, including the reception, restaurant and marketplace.
However, there are a few reports of negative experiences with specific staff members, particularly at the reception. Some guests encountered unhelpful or rude behavior, which stands in contrast to the generally positive feedback. Additionally, mentions of understaffing and occasional lapses in customer service are noted.
In summary, while there are some areas for improvement, the majority of guests commend the Sunley Hotel staff for their friendliness, helpfulness and professional demeanor, making the stay enjoyable and welcoming for most visitors.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi at Sunley Hotel has received mixed reviews from guests. Many have praised the internet speed as good with some even describing it as excellent and fast. The fact that the hotel offers free WiFi adds to its appeal. However, several guests mentioned challenges with WiFi efficiency and reliability. Issues such as the WiFi not working well in rooms, particularly on the 7th floor and having to choose between using the WiFi and air conditioning have been reported. Some guests faced difficulties with internet authentication and connection, citing the need for credentials which were provided upon request but were limited in accessibility. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards a generally positive experience with the WiFi when it works, coupled with other amenities like free parking and a safe, secured environment.
Parking
The Sunley Hotel provides a variety of parking options that have generally favorable feedback from guests. Visitors appreciate the ample and free parking available on site, describing it as secure, weatherproof and safe. Many reviews indicate that parking is easy to find, simple and straightforward and conveniently located close to the hotel. The hotel offers a good-sized parking lot with designated spots and plenty of free spaces, making parking hassle-free.
However, some guests did encounter issues with finding the correct parking location and noted unclear instructions from the reception. While a few mentioned the car park is situated a short distance away from the hotel, resulting in a minor inconvenience, the security of the parking facilities was commended.
Overall, parking at the Sunley Hotel is well managed and provides peace of mind with its secure and ample space, though clearer instructions and signage could enhance the experience.
4 Star
Sunley Hotel presents itself as a commendable accommodation option, boasting a strategic location and an impressive array of features. Guests frequently appreciate the clean and spacious rooms adorned with modern decor, which are meticulously maintained by the dedicated housekeeping staff. The hotel is often noted for its exceptional service and the remarkable friendliness of its personnel, making for a welcoming and comfortable stay.
Moreover, the structure is described as almost brand new and consistently spotless, enhancing the modern appeal of the facilities. The breakfast receives positive mentions, adding to the overall value for money that guests feel they receive. While there are varying opinions on its four-star rating—with some perceiving it as a firm three-star—many agree that it stands out for its quality and high-value offerings.
The firmness of the beds is another point of approval, aligning with the hotel's contemporary and clean ambiance. For those weighing price against service, Sunley Hotel often comes up as a great deal, highlighting its competitive rates without compromising on service quality. While there are nuanced critiques, the overall impression of Sunley Hotel leans positively, endorsing it as a sound option for future stays.
Business
The Sunley Hotel has garnered positive feedback for its suitability for business travelers. Its strategic location and competitive pricing make it a good value for money choice for business stays. Business travelers find the hotel to be well-equipped, featuring good business amenities, facilities and specialized business suites. The hotel is conveniently situated for work-related activities and offers comfortable and clean spaces, ideal for short business stays.
Guests praise the high-quality conference and business facilities, including a well-laid-out business centre and meeting rooms of various sizes. It's suitable for hosting several business events with positive remarks on the organization and quality of facilities. While there were some comments about crowded hallways, the feedback provided to the hotel appears to be acknowledged, as they offered instructions and credentials upon request to ensure smooth operations.
Overall, the hotel receives commendations for being business traveler friendly, providing a peaceful environment conducive to work despite potential noise from other guests. The availability of a good work or study area with a table adds to its appeal for business travelers seeking a productive stay.
Accessible
The Sunley Hotel offers several aspects of convenience and accessibility for guests with disabilities, yet it has room for improvement in certain areas. Many guests reported positively on the hotel's clean and spacious rooms specifically designed for disabled access, including suitable bathrooms and wheelchair-friendly showers. The presence of ground-floor facilities and appropriately adapted rooms was frequently acknowledged, ensuring ease of mobility within the premises. The hotel is situated on a spotless university campus, making it an accessible and well-located option for travelers.
However, some reviews indicated mixed experiences. While some rooms were spacious and well-equipped, guests sometimes faced issues with certain amenities, such as faulty bathroom accessories and a lack of bins for sanitary products. The lift capacity was also mentioned as a shortcoming, only fitting one person at a time. Some guests needed to request additional supplies like towels and mugs, as only one set was provided, even for bookings meant for two. Additionally, the effectiveness of the shower facilities was occasionally questioned, highlighting an area that could benefit from further enhancement.
Overall, while the Sunley Hotel caters well to disabled guests with various accessible features and a convenient location, attention to small details and some logistical adjustments could significantly improve the overall guest experience.
No, Sunley Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Sunley Hotel.
No, Sunley Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Sunley Hotel.