The staff were very helpful and friendly, the room was spotless, the items provided were good quality and well presented, the bathroom was large and had everything we could need. The hotel was in a good central location with good, free parking behind a barrier at the rear. The public rooms were also very well furnished to a high quality. The town has several good restaurants and hostelries which we visited and a good, varied range of shops. We used it as our base for four days to visit other locations in the area.

The room we had and booked was classed as a small double, but it was very small and only had one bedside cabinet and light. We have stayed in many hotels including two Wetherspoons pubs with rooms and bathrooms as good and have always been provided with two bedside cabinets and lights even in rooms at half the price. In our opinion that room should have only been considered as a good single. We found the food offered to be quite expensive though we accept it was a four star hotel. We therefore ate at other restaurants in the area.

Everything excellent but just to select one thing. The manager William Sherwin was very kind to my elderly mother and moved her to a room which he thought would be more suitable. It really did enhance her stay.

To say did not like would be too strong. However, just one comment. The food is excellent, and the dining room is a wonderful setting, but the bistro is tucked away in the corner of the bar which has no natural light. We tried the sister hotel The Royal and Fortescue one evening as we could not manage another large dinner and the hotel bistro lacked atmosphere. This was just 3 minutes’ walk away in a very interesting building. Also worth noting that another sister hotel a similar distance has a very good brasserie.

Breakfast, including choice available, was excellent but the 'Full English' could have been hotter. On the first day I was surprised at how quickly it arrived, but on a subsequent day was surprised at how long we had to wait. The room overlooking the river was very nice, but we didn't see any means of controlling the temperature (other than opening the doors onto the balcony) - perhaps we didn't look hard enough. Staff throughout the hotel were excellent. Although we travelled by car, we made use of the bus service as driving can be stressful on the winding narrow roads and the bus station is just a short walk from the hotel.

It was great to have free parking (not available at all hotels) but was relieved to get the car out undamaged from the car park at the rear as there was minimal space for manoeuvring, made even worse when someone parked a van in such a way that made it even more difficult. The complimentary box of chocolates was a nice touch but as they were exposed to heat, they all fused together and ended up in the bin.

Food was superb. Accommodation was extremely comfortable. The location is very convenient for the town, railway station (as we arrived by train) and the bus station: this was our second visit so we explored more of the local area by bus and it was great to find that the bus station was just around the corner.

Nothing that we didn’t like. Rooms were on the same floor but a little far apart, on different corridors, but to be fair I did book late and it wasn’t really a problem.

Very nice looking old property, staff were very polite, friendly and helpful, the rooms were very clean and bed was comfortable, bath with shower and plenty of complimentary products. Very central location. Cost for a small double room was very good and better value than competitive hotels in the area.

Room was a little over warm even with switching radiator off and window opened to its maximum. Feel in the height of summer with no AC in the rooms this could be an issue. Building is of an age of before AC and doubt it is possible to fit now but fans in room could be an answer for the hotter months.

We loved everything about this hotel. Very central so no need for taxis to go into town, just a couple of minutes stroll. The staff were all exceptional, they went out of their way to chat to us, we even charged our electric bikes in their garage overnight so we could carry on biking the next day. So helpful in every way they could. Our room was lush, so spacious and comfy. We loved our breakfasts, lots of choices and great quality sausages and bacon. Can`t wait to go back. We also ate one night at The Bank restaurant in town which is part of the Brend group, same group as The Imperial Hotel. Brend have 4 hotels in Barnstable and you can use the facilities in each whichever one you stay in. Unusual for a Cornish person to give praise to people in Devon but they definitely deserve it!

location excellent for a lovely stroll along the River Taw and views of the Long Bridge. Decor wonderfully quaint, with some nice artworks here and there. Amazing staircase.

Only one downside, no aircon on the hottest day of the year (very rare in Devon). However, staff readily moved us to a cooler location. Dinner and breakfast lovely, and my Italian wife reported that her espresso was much better than expected (although not quite up to Italian standards, of course). I had a capuccino, which was not good. But these are very minor complaints in an otherwise excellect stay. Well done Team Imperial.

Very good location, excellent food, including free hors d'oeuvres (with second helpings supplied without being asked), very helpful staff. An interesting historic building, with interesting decor, especially for one of our party who was interested in military history and memorabilia.

Nothing that I can think of. In other circumstances, the possibility of opting for a later checkout might have been useful, but I am not sure whether this option does exist as we needed to be on our way by 11 on this visit so didn't enquire about it.

Staff were outstandingly good, friendly and helpful. Property was superbly well maintained. Appreciated the good parking and location in the centre of Barnstaple. Excellent breakfasts with great choice, and evening meals were excellent too. Very clean everywhere. We had to move rooms during our stay because of our requirement for a walk-in shower. Both rooms were very comfortable, but the deluxe room with river view was exceptionally good.

Good service, easy check-in, clean and updated room, very good breakfast and evening meal in the restaurant. Used overflow carpark at rear with barrier and no issues with token to get out - rear carpark safer than front parking area and reduced risk of car damage from doors etc.

Restaurant menus in bar area and no bar menu laid out so had to ask what meals are available - sorted with menu but after looking at restaurant menu for 10 mins before being told if you eat in the bar area its a different menu.