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Summary of reviewsRoyal Lodge is widely praised for its outstanding location in Symonds Yat, providing guests with exceptional views over the River Wye. The stunning riverside setting is perfect for activities such as canoeing, kayaking and picturesque walks, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers. Guests appreciate the hotel's tranquil atmosphere and its dog-friendly policies, contributing to a welcoming environment.
The dining experience at Royal Lodge is highly commendable with guests frequently praising the delicious and high-quality meals. Dinner, in particular, receives glowing reviews for its variety, generous portions and prompt service, despite being considered a bit pricey by some. Breakfast also earns positive feedback, especially for its fresh and beautifully presented options, although a few guests find the cost high and service sometimes slow. The full English breakfast is noted for its good value.
Rooms at Royal Lodge elicit mixed reviews. Positives include spaciousness, cleanliness and the comfort of the beds with some rooms offering lovely views of the gardens and river. Amenities such as full-size fridges and streaming services like Netflix add to the comfort. However, the decor is often described as dated with certain rooms in need of updating. Despite these minor issues, the overall cleanliness and peaceful atmosphere are well-regarded.
The staff at Royal Lodge are consistently highlighted as a standout feature. Descriptors such as lovely, friendly, helpful and accommodating frequently appear in reviews. The warm, welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, from reception to the restaurant, leaves a lasting impression on guests. Personalized service by staff members, including Pat and David, adds to the positive experience.
Cleanliness throughout the hotel is consistently praised, although there are occasional mentions of minor cleanliness issues and dated furniture. Despite some minor criticisms, the hotel maintains high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
The WiFi service at Royal Lodge receives mixed feedback; while some find it satisfactory, others report issues with instability and weak connections in certain areas of the hotel. Nevertheless, the relaxing atmosphere and scenic location often outweigh these inconveniences.
In summary, Royal Lodge is highly recommended for its fantastic location, friendly staff and delightful food. While some room updates could enhance the experience, the hotel's strengths in cleanliness, comfort and hospitality make it a favored choice for travelers seeking a tranquil escape in a beautiful setting. Show more
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Historic Country House
Located in a historic setting at Symonds Yat East, overlooking the River Wye. While its specific building history as a hotel might be less ancient than some, its location has historical significance as a crossing point and visitor destination for centuries.
Country House for Honeymoon
Dog Friendly Country House
Romantic Country House
Cheap Country House
Accessible Country House
4-Star Country House
Room Types
Standard Double RoomWith an en suit shower, these rooms have views of either the garden or the river.
Classic Double RoomSpacious rooms overlooking the gardens or river.
Standard Single RoomWith an en suit shower, these rooms have views of either the garden or the river.
Economy Double RoomThese rooms are double rooms for single occupancy. They are front-facing, with river views and en suit shower.
King RoomLarge and airy room with plenty of windows and a king-size bed.
Family RoomThe family room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Standard Family RoomThe family room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Superior Family RoomThe family room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Triple Room with ViewThe triple room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Superior King RoomThe spacious double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit offers 1 bed.
Deluxe King RoomThe spacious double room features a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Double or Twin RoomThe twin/double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Suite with BalconyThis suite features 1 bedroom, a seating area and 1 bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The suite features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior Single RoomThe single room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Economy Single RoomThe single room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Triple RoomThe triple room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
King Room with Garden ViewThe double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Double Room with BalconyThe double room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Economy Double RoomThe double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Double RoomThe double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating.
Double Room with Garden ViewThe double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard King RoomThe double room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Double RoomThe double room features carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Location
Royal Lodge boasts an absolutely amazing location, lauded repeatedly by its guests for its stunning and beautiful setting in Symonds Yat. The hotel enjoys a prime spot with exceptional views over the River Wye, making it a fantastic choice for those interested in canoeing, kayaking and lovely walks. The views from the rooms, particularly the Oak Suite with its private terrace, are described as incredible.
Guests consistently appreciate the friendly and welcoming staff, who contribute to the hotel's warm atmosphere. The meals also receive high praise with food described as superb, scrumptious and the best some have ever eaten, particularly the fish and chips.
The location itself is noted as the hotel's standout feature, often highlighted for being beautiful, fabulous and perfect for various activities. The convenience of being tucked into the hillside overlooking the river enhances the overall experience, offering a tranquil escape with picturesque surroundings. Many reviews emphasize the hotel's dog-friendly policy, making it a great destination for pet owners.
In summary, Royal Lodge impresses with its fantastic riverside setting, excellent views and a combination of great location, friendly staff and delightful food, making it a highly recommended stay.
Breakfast
The breakfast at the Royal Lodge receives predominantly positive feedback with many guests praising the variety and quality of the options available. There are frequent mentions of the breakfast being very good or excellent with some highlighting specific attributes such as the fresh fruit salad and gluten-free choices. The breakfast is described as delicious and beautifully presented with a lovely and fantastic spread that includes both hot and cold selections. The full English breakfast is noted as good value for money and the overall high standard of the meal is commended.
However, there are a few criticisms, particularly regarding the cost of breakfast, which several guests find expensive relative to the value provided. Some guests also mentioned that breakfast service could be slow on occasion and there were instances where the quality and variety were deemed limited or disappointing. Despite this, the stunning location and friendly staff seem to enhance the overall breakfast experience for many visitors.
Dinner
Guests of the Royal Lodge share overwhelmingly positive experiences when it comes to dinner at the hotel. The dinner menu delights with its variety and is served promptly. Enthusiastic reviews emphasize the delicious and unbelievably good food, often highlighting generous portions and high-quality dishes. The atmosphere and great location contribute to a pleasant dining experience, while the friendly and accommodating staff make guests feel welcome. Some found the meals a bit pricey but agreed they were worth the expense due to their superb quality. The kitchen staff is noted for their accommodation, particularly for breakfast and dog-friendly policies. Despite one mention of an average meal and a desire for later dining hours, overall feedback paints a picture of excellent, flavorful dinners with plenty of choice, making it a memorable part of staying at the Royal Lodge.
Rooms
Royal Lodge offers a mixed experience when it comes to their rooms. Many guests have highlighted the spaciousness and cleanliness of the accommodations. Comfortable beds and ample facilities like full-size fridges and TVs with Netflix, Prime and Disney+ enhance the living experience. Several rooms provide lovely views of the garden terraces and river, adding to the charm of the stay. Cleanliness is consistently praised across multiple reviews.
However, some guests have noted that the decor is dated with certain rooms in need of updating or a bit of fresh paint and new carpets. A few rooms have been described as "tired" or "run down," with minor issues such as small or hard-to-use bathrooms and occasional funky smells.
Despite these drawbacks, the Royal Lodge compensates with great views, a peaceful atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff. The family rooms and larger accommodations seem particularly well-received. Breakfast is good but may feel a bit pricey to some. Overall, while some rooms could use a refresh, the Royal Lodge remains a comfortable and clean option with excellent views and amenities.
Beds
The beds at Royal Lodge have received a mix of responses from guests. Many reviewers highlight the comfort of the beds with numerous mentions of beds being very comfortable and soft, leading to restful sleep. Some guests appreciated the exceptionally comfy beds and noted the high quality of the bedding.
However, there are also several comments pointing out issues with certain beds. Common complaints include mattresses that were either too hard or too soft, beds that have developed dips and lack proper support and some double beds being too small and uncomfortable. A few guests found their mattresses thin and unsatisfactory, while others experienced discomfort due to beds that felt like concrete.
Overall, while a significant number of guests found the bed comfort to enhance their stay, there remain areas of inconsistency that the hotel could address to ensure a consistently comfortable sleeping experience for all guests.
Cleanliness
Royal Lodge consistently receives praise for its cleanliness and comfort. Many guests note the rooms are spotless, clean and well-maintained with comments highlighting their comfort and spaciousness. The majority of reviewers appreciated the hotel’s cleanliness throughout, emphasizing a clean and tidy environment, from the bedding to the bathrooms and public areas. Several guests mentioned the property’s ideal location and pleasant views, contributing to their overall positive experience.
The staff frequently receives acclaim for their helpfulness and cheerfulness, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. However, there are occasional mentions of dated decor and a few isolated cleanliness issues, such as dusty areas and dead flies on a condiment tray. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall sentiment reflects a well-kept and clean lodging option.
While some reviews pointed out minor drawbacks such as uncomfortably hot rooms and outdated furniture, these did not detract significantly from the generally high standards of cleanliness and friendly service at Royal Lodge.
Staff
The staff at Royal Lodge have consistently garnered high praise from guests, making it one of the hotel's standout features. Descriptors like lovely, friendly, helpful and accommodating frequently appear, emphasizing the warmth and professionalism of the team. Many guests noted an exceptionally welcoming atmosphere from reception to the restaurant, where the staff's cheerful demeanor left a lasting impression. Names like Pat and David were highlighted for their outstanding service, further personalizing the excellent experiences. Guests also appreciated the attentive and courteous service, even extending to dining areas that were dog-friendly and relaxed. The consistent friendliness and helpfulness exhibited by the staff make Royal Lodge a highly recommended destination for travelers seeking a hospitable and pleasant stay. Despite occasional pressure, the staff's dedication to providing top-notch service shines through, making guests feel genuinely welcome and valued.
Wi-Fi
Guests of Royal Lodge have mixed experiences with the WiFi service. While some found the WiFi to be good and appreciated that no sign-in was needed, others noted issues such as instability and intermittent connections. WiFi availability seemed to depend on the location within the hotel with some areas experiencing poor or no connection at all and no WiFi available in certain rooms. Despite these challenges, the scenic location and relaxing atmosphere were highlighted as compensating factors for the inconsistent internet service.
Dog Friendly
Royal Lodge stands out as an exceptionally dog-friendly hotel, perfect for visitors traveling with their furry companions. The staff is often highlighted for their attentiveness and welcoming nature, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for both pets and their owners. The dining area, which offers excellent food, maintains a casual vibe where dogs are also welcome. The hotel's charming old building, along with its fabulous location, is ideal for scenic walks straight from the doorstep. Pets are extremely well catered to, making it a great place to stay if you have a dog. Guests consistently appreciate being able to bring their dogs, noting it as a significant advantage. The hotel also caters to children, enhancing its appeal for family trips.
No, Royal Lodge doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Royal Lodge.
Yes, Royal Lodge welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Royal Lodge.