Cottage, Ensuite, Courtyard View (William Turner Cottage ) | Lounge
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Reviews of The Ancient Unicorn

3 out of 5
The Ancient Unicorn
The St, Bowes,, The Street, Barnard Castle, England

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 30 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 97 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved the quaintness of the hotel - it was beautiful too. The area is perfect for walking/rambling and was very quiet. The staff we encountered were lovely, kind, helpful and polite. And we particularly loved Gus, the resident doggie. Checking in was easy when we realised it was a staff-free experience and had to use codes and lock boxes to get the keys - simple and effective.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from karli on Mar 23, 2024
Thank you for the review.

8/10 Good

Caroline

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcel

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic experience
Booked the Deluxe double as a stop over, and had a lovely night's sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

Nicola

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Not great
No WiFi available in our room even though it is stated on the website. You had to go down to the door of the bar in the pub to pick up the WiFi. I contacted the number given and they sent the WiFi password a couple of hours later after they obviously didn't read my message properly. I measured back but heard nothing else. The hairdryer in the room turned on, got hot without blowing air and then shut down, I left a note saying this may be a fire hazard.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

clive

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness
Unfortunately our stay was ruined by the repulsive smell contained within the property (Charles Dickens Cottage). When we arrived the smell of damp dogs was overwhelming. We were offered a tokenistic can of air freshener to spray around the property. This failed to eliminate the smell which remained all week. This was compounded by a number of soft furnishings containing dog hair. The property is defined as pet friendly on their website but be warned (certainly within the Charles Dickens Cottage) that if you have sensitive smell you would be advised to book a different cottage!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

John

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A very convenient overnight stop on our drive north to Scotland. Lovely old building in the heart of the village. We arrived late but had been provided with codes that gave us access to our 3-person room, which was very comfortable and fine for an overnight stay but might be a bit small if you were staying longer. Very comfortable beds but rather a lot of noise from the adjacent room. Very good value for money - we would certainly consider returning to use the Ancient Unicorn as a base for exploring the local area.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Geoff

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

suzanne

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Happy visitors
We were delighted by this place, we had a very warm welcome and very well appointed, spotlessly clean rooms; which were very comfortable. The food was good and the atmosphere very relaxing. Cheerful friendly staff made it a good place to stopover on our travels.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Rooms feel very comfy and the colour style was lovely
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Beverley

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Not happy with the check-in!!!
We travelled 4 hours to get here to find out that the code they had given us wasn't working. With two tired children, we kept trying the door and making phone calls where we just got told that they didn't have any booking by my name. They kept asking if we were at the right place!! After around 45 minutes or so, the lady at the pub downstairs, tells us as a matter of fact that it was door 15 and not door 1 that we were allotted!! The door number on the WhatsApp message sent to us was 1!!! She also shouted out our door passcode out loud in a pub full of customers!! And after one of our outings, we found our door open (none of our stuff was missing and no, it wasn't opened by the staff for cleaning as the neither the bins were emptied nor the dirty mugs taken away). No apologies at all for any of the things listed above!! And she behaved as if it was our fault for some reason! We made a formal complaint and got a compensation. Apart from the very disappointing check-in, we enjoyed the stay there. The apartment was in an old cottage style and very beautifully kept!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Hannah

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Cosy means not much space. Shelf in bathroom and coat hooks would have been really useful. No evening meal to be had anywhere on a Sunday evening unless you drive somewhere . We were on foot and couldn't even get a pizza delivery. The howling baby in the next room was just unfortunate.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mr DAVID

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ancient Unicorn
Lovely Hotel full of character. It was comfortable, clean and the service was excellent. It was was very clean and well maintained throughout. Food was very good too.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

4/10 Poor

Caroline

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The owner who checked us in was awfully unpleasant unfriendly host 🙈no idea why I get it everyone has a bad day but aww my god we cancelled staying the next night the hotel was dirty our room was okay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rev Derek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Recommended
Such a great place with an interesting history. It is well located for local attractions and the service was excellent. I (personally) found the bed uncomfortable but that could just be me.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

4/10 Poor

STEPHEN

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service
I liked checking out and it was nice bacon at breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

8/10 Good

Angela

Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Garry

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice quiet and cosy place
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

6/10 Okay

Jon

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Had a double room in the courtyard which was large, clean and comfortable. Breakfast was nice with various cooked options available including vegetarian. Range of cereals, yoghurts and juices. Had evening meal at the hotel on one evening. We were the only people eating and arrived a few mins later than our booked time. We were thrown the menus and told we needed to look at them quickly as they were behind schedule. Food was ok but not great. We sat in the bar for a while having drinks in front of the log fire but it was obvious that we weren't that welcome when our request to add more wood was ignored and so we left. On another evening we returned from Barnard Castle at 9pm hoping to get a drink in the bar but it was all locked up. Eat in Barnard Castle the other evenings which has a good range of nice pubs and restaurants. Can recommend the Three Horseshoes Hotel and Babuls. A great stopover on the Pennine Way but won't be returning for a holiday due to feeling unwelcome.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

6/10 Okay

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was fine, but the bar and restaurant was aimed at just guest staying. Advised to book restaurant as busy but when we went to eat there was only one other couple, presume chef can’t cope with more than one table at a time, food was mediocre, breakfast was fine. There was no atmosphere in bar or restaurant so we went across the road to social club which was very welcoming
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Ancient Unicorn on Apr 11, 2022
Hi Keith Thanks for your review, all points noted, we just offer home cooked food and always through bookings to manage the numbers, as when we are full we can serve upto 60 guests, the resturant was quiet as all the other 11 rooms were let to a large contractor who do their own catering, glad you had a good time at the social club and supported them

10/10 Excellent

Philip

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, nice walks, warm, cosy fires, good breakfast, convenient
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Graham

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Converted stable was very comfortable though it has an extremely cold flagged floor, slippers needed! Food was good, reasonably priced and well presented. The bar was very cosy and comfortable. Service was good and staff were friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Short break
3 night stay was lovely. Rooms very comfortable and clean. Lesley was very accommodating
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Donald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not far from Barnard Castle off A66
Most of the accommodation is across the courtyard, which can be annoying if its raining and you want to go to the restaurant! Good service and good food.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Redworth Hall hotel had fabulous staff. Food service was brilliant absolutely tip top could t fault them. The hotel is stunning and the pool and spa was lovely. Check in and out was easy
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stop.
Small country pub, overnight stay in dog friendly room in courtyard building. Fine for dog walking holiday. Would be improved by having a small selection of toiletries, rather than the large bottle of half used shower gel in the bathroom. Good home cooked evening meal and breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Gerard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

warren

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely little place
We stayed on a Saturday night, had booked room in advance and also ate in restaurant and had phoned to reserve table, absolute must to do this as were very busy. Accommodation was clean and comfortable, owners very pleasant and helpful. Lovely surroundings. Would recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly helpful staff, large car park. Lovely room, comfy bed, v powerful hot shower. Food ok standard pub grub. The choice of beers didn’t suit me as no craft ales but fine for trad ales and lager. Let me keep my bycycle in the room. Couldn’t find any shampoo or shower gels in room. Beautiful surroundings with lovely walk to castle and along river.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

karl

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from Ancient Unicorn on Apr 27, 2021
Thank you for staying with us, we look forward to seeing you again when the restrictions are all lifted and we can serve you fully

10/10 Excellent

steve

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice little stay over
Room was well dressed with large ensuite. Food was served to the room and was very good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Hazel

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
reat[lace to stay
Very nice friendly inn. food excellent and exceptionally well priced. thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
An excellent hotel in a great area for walking
An excellent hotel in a great area for walking, and near to the picturesque town of Barnard Castle. Very good service, comfortable room, and delicious food - both breakfast and evening meals. All Covid guidance followed strictly and courteously.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rachael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
Fantastic stay. Looked after very well. Room was big and so clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stop over
Lovely relaxing break.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

6/10 Okay

Alison

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pennine way stopover
It was okay for a night but I thought the room could have been cleaner and the bathroom was awkward. The service could have been a bit warmer in general.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I quite liked the courtyard layout of the rooms. A bit like an old motel before the motor car had been invented.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020