Great location. Lovely staff. Comfortable room.

Breakfast was SO spotty for our 4 nights. Usually staff was lovely but two days in a row we had a surly waitress. Poached eggs were hard boiled. Breakfast was dry. Every day my latte turned up in a different form. Breakfast was a disappointment. Secondly I paid £99 for the diamond package to surprise my husband for his birthday which I emailed about in advance. Right in front of him staff asked when they should prepare it. Having agreed it would be in place at 5pm, 10 minutes later after my husband was already there staff tried to enter the room to put up the included mirror message which was too late. Paid too much for something not delivered in full.

Gorgeous restored Victorian building, comfortable bed and well-planned bathroom with hook for toiletries bag right next to the sink and generous countertop space around the sink. Shower controls were easy to use. The steak I had at the restaurant was perfectly cooked and delicious. The reception staff was very personable and helpful. I splurged on a cathedral view room and loved the view from my window.

Not really a problem, but I was amused that the slip I filled out for the laundry service didn’t seem to recognize that women wear pants now. In fact, nothing on the “Ladies” list was something I wear!

Room was nice but was a little dark - needed more light in the main bedroom area. The breakfast was excellent and good value for money. Location was superb.

The hotel car park is quite small and the parking charge of £20 per day seems high but the room charge wasn't extortionate so best to look at it as part of the overall daily charge. Having said that, we couldn't get in the car park as it was full so had to park for a cost in the street outside. This charge at time of writing was £1.80 per hour between the hours of 8am - 6pm - so £18 per full day. We checked in at 4pm and out at 11am so 5 hours for a total of £9.00 - so my advice - park in the street.

Room was beautifully decorated. The Hotel, formerly the Administrative Local Government building had been attractively conserved and presented Breakfast in the main dining area was outstanding.

1 BIg issue. The extractor fan system for the internal en suite bathroom was not functioning. I took the matter up with reception who promised to attend but - 3 hours later - nobody ! Upon eventual inspection I was advised by Receptionist that the Steam Sensor was functioning and only came into play when shower employed. OK I said, but why is there no “odour” sensor in an internal bathroom? No answer was the stern reply !!!!! 1 other issue - The mattress whilst comfortable, was the wrong size for the base. It was at least 6/8 “ short in the width. Very odd !

Great location, amazing historical Victorian building. Formerly the Headquarters of Durham County Council. Beautiful architecture and pleased Indigo IHG have taken on the responsibility of tastefully and respectfully transforming the building into a beautiful hotel. Gorgeous rooms, beautiful restaurant and bar. Corridors maintained to look as though you were walking in the building a hundred years ago. Very good service from staff at the restaurant for breakfast and bar. All the staff were helpful and friendly. Our room was well equipped and comfortable. Would definitely recommend staying and will come back again!

All good.

The hotel was excellent in every way. The location was in a nice area within walking distance of the city and all the sights. We upgraded our room and it was very spacious with a large bathroom which had an excellent walk in shower, all toiletries were provided. The bed was huge and very comfortable and all the furnishings in the room were of a good quality. The hotel is in a Victorian building which has many interesting features. All meals are served in a very ornate room which is full of character like the rest of the hotel. The quality and variety of the breakfast is very good with a self service area and also a menu of cooked breakfast items. Dinner was also excellent providing a good choice and variety of meals with particular emphasis on steaks.

Nothing

Central location, very well converted former council offices. Room very good but see a few niggles below. Bed very comfortable. Breakfast excellent, good choices & service every morning. Stunning 'rotunda' room.

Minor niggles with the room (418). Very cold weather when we arrived, didn't initially realise that the only heating in the bathroom was the electric towel rail which hadn't been switched on. Eventually found switch on our first morning. No info on this or where switch for closing blinds on upper windows was. Despite lots of separate lights, no ceiling light so very gloomy. Lumpy pillows. None of the above detracted from a very good stay.

The historic building was extremely interesting and had been sensitively renovated and turned into a bespoke hotel. The dining room was particularly unique. The room was very clean and the bathroom/ shower was very good. Great location for the Cathedral and Castle, and the staff were all very friendly.

Unfortunately due to our late booking, we were only able to book a standard double rather than the larger deluxe double. ( our friends managed this) The room was very clean, although a little cramped. The only thing that was missing, would be a lounge with an open fire to allow is to send some time relaxing, although the coffee shop on the ground floor did offer some options.

Ground floor accessible room was very spacious and close to Reception and Dining Room. They've made nice use of the old Shire Hall's grand entrance facilities. Very good breakfast. Convenient location.

Being told we couldn't check in just 40 minutes before the 3pm formal check-in time. The room was clearly ready, but the staff weren't prepared to be a little flexible. Having to pay for parking by twice feeding a meter on the street. The main entrance to the hotel is not the old main entrance to Shire Hall - slightly confusing.

The staff were all very friendly and given that the hotel is an old building they have done their best to ensure that it is warm and comfortable although the heating in our room did need to be tweeked to make it less airy. I liked that people cannot just walk off the street and into the main sleeping accommodation without a security card. The breakfasts were more than ample. The bathroom was clean and the shower was the best I hae ever experience with both the side sprinklers and overhead. The hotel is just a few steps from the town and river walks and an easy walk from the Railway station.

Although the breakfast choices were good the cooked choices always seemed to be overcooked in some way; hard bacon; hard boiled rather than runny eggs; overcooked poached eggs. Bed area could have been kept better with a more thorough hoover/dust and certainly under the beds and making the bed properly would be batter than just pulling the duvert across and not touching the under sheet.