You can't beat the location, that's for sure - very central, in the heart of the town, overlooking the town marina which is really pretty, but if you're not looking where you're going, it's a long steep drop just waiting to happen (no guard rails, so watch out after you've had a couple of beers!).
The hotel itself is not geared for disabled people (no lift), and it really does depend which room you get as to how much you enjoy your stay. Last year we stayed three nights in a tiny, cramped room, with a bed that collapsed in the middle and was extremely uncomfortable, with sheets that were so poorly fitted that if you just lay on the bed, the undersized bottom sheets pulled away from the edges and every morning I woke up on the bare mattress. This year however, we decided to get a riverview, and asked for a big bed - ("Lookout", room 26) Let me say, it was absolutely sublime - very spacious, beautifully appointed, the bed was huge and firm and absolutely perfect, with crisp, well-fitting linen and a super soft duvet - it was fantastic. We had a wonderful river view, two chairs on an elevated area right by the window where we'd sip our tea/hot chocolate/rum - the decor was perfect, a nautical theme as you'd expect, but just perfect. I absolutely loved it! The other two couples in our party liked their rooms (not riverview), but ours was by far the best.
Now: from the sublime to the ridiculous - the bathroom! Yes, there was a lovely bathtub but on both nights we were there, I ran purely hot water into the bath and only got a slightly-warmer-than-warm-but-far-from-hot bath. I told the front desk - the manager Christine (super lady, very efficient overall) told me that someone would go and check it - but the next night it happened again. When I rang down after my bath the second time to complain, she said she'd put the emersion heater on - and ten minutes later, in time for my husband's shower, the water was piping hot. So we know for next time, but I was hopping mad that for two nights in a row, I had to have a luke-warm bath.
The second thing that drove me mad in the bathroom was the location of the shampoo and conditioner and bath/shower gel. They are attached in an immovable rack attached to the wall under the shower - great for someone who is showering - but if you're in the bathtub having a bath, they are way too high to use! I'm nearly 6 feet tall, and I couldn't even reach!!!! I managed to stretch up and just touch the top of the shampoo bottle, but it was impossible to pump anything out like that.. I had to stand up in the bath, which was slippery so I slipped (didn't fall fortunately) but banged my head on the steeply angled ceiling (there is literally two feet of sufficient height for where you can stand up straight). How on earth could management have approved that design? Move the bottles down please! The rest of the bathroom is also designed under the steep angle of the roof, which can't be helped, but it meant that every time I went in there, I would hit my head at least two or three times. Still, the bedroom was WONDERFUL, so while these things seemed a big deal at the time, in the big picture, they weren't.
Now - for the best part - the breakfasts. For £ 10.50, they are unbeatable. You'll see the photo of the buffet area with freshly squeezed orange juice and other juices, cereals, breads/croissants, jams etc., fresh fruit - just an outstanding collection - and then of course the full English breakfast means you really are getting a 5 star breakfast. I think that the only t hing that topped the breakfasts was the service - the staff are absolutely top notch - our first day there, Dan took care of us for the most part and was excellent (although anyone else we spoke to or who served us was also fabulous) and on day two, Cata (I think the Restaurant Manager) exceeded our expectations by arranging our tables by the window (table for 8). Thank you Cata! He could not have done more for us - not only efficient but warm, welcoming and charming - where could you get better service than that? NOthing was too much trouble. It really is five-star service and a FIVE-STAR breakfast (I enclose photos of the menu). And for £10.50! Once you've had breakfast, you won't need to eat the rest of the day. We ate in the pub both nights, one night great, one night poor (carvery ran out of beef, we had to wait 40 minutes for new beef), and the seafood chowder missed two key ingredients (no smoked haddock or salmon) - only cod and mussels in it for £14.95. Nobody came to ask us about our food, so it was eaten, but thought it very poor. The crab dinner was MASSIVE though - amazing value! To summarize - we love the Royal Castle Hotel, great service, superb breakfasts, the best location. Won't stay anywhere else in Dartmouth. read more
