The Three Swans Hotel, Market Harborough, Leicestershire

I came here for breakfast while staying at a different hotel nearby. At £13.50 for the buffet, it is very well priced. Unfortunately, the breakfast experience left a lot to be desired. A lot of the food wasn’t restocked for the duration of my meal. Staff seemed to be running around without much warmth or hospitality on display. Nearby tables weren’t cleared for the entire hour I was there. My coffee order was initially forgotten and when it did arrive it was plonked in front of me rather ungraciously and didn’t really taste of much either.

The Receptionist was very good. Polite, helpful and engaging. The young man who was in charge of the bar was charming and knowledgeable. I was fortunate to have Tabby looking after me during both evening meals. Exceptional. Bright, engaging, helpful and attentive. My room was spotless. During these heat waves it could have done with a small fridge. A small wall mounted “vanity” mirror in the bathroom would be a plus.

The hotel has a virtual monopoly on places to stay in the heart of Market Harborough. Its history and heritage are strong factors to be considered when viewing options for hotels. Sadly, much of the space is now tired and dilapidated, crying out for investment and serious upgrading. For example, the room in which I stayed was poorly decorated, with peeling wallpaper and ceiling paper, historic damp stains around the window and radiator. Poorly painted framework in the compact shower room meant the only tiny window had been painted shut. Irritating things like the water pressure in the hand basin was so powerful (normally a positive!) that turning the tap on was a hazard unless it was done so carefully as to not flood the rest of the space and drown oneself in the spray back. The shower, by contrast, was so weak it was almost like dancing between raindrops. The toilet seat was lose and made using the toilet a lottery to say the very least. Also, the cistern was so poorly adjusted that it continued to drain after the main flush had closed - not only wasting water (I reported this to reception) but allowing for a constant noise irritation which was all the more prevalent because the shower room door didn’t shut properly (jammed at the top). As one might expect in an historic building, floors were creaky and not level (fully understandable) but then having a bed that was able to ‘travel around the room at will (due to unsecured wheels) made everything all the more challenging. Overall, the offer was significantly overpriced, not value for money (I travel the world and am always appalled by quality and prices of UK hotel accommodation) and certainly marketed upon a history and heritage is no longer appropriately managed and maintained by the chain under whose umbrella it now sits.

Great evening meal for 11 of us for a family birthday. We were on a lovely table in the bar which was private but still in the main swing of things for a Friday night. There was live music in the courtyard which we could hear and was thoroughly enjoyed by all! The staff were extremely friendly and very attentive. They made the evening go very smoothly. We would certainly come here again for a special occasion and the odd lunch or two!