Diamonds Guest House — Hotel in Great Britain

Like other reviews, I would compare this more to an AirBNB experience than a Hotel (not manned/staff usually not onsite).

Best to check prices on Booking sites but then book direct with hotel for the best price (at least 10% discount mentioned on their website). Off-street parking was essential for me to decide to book the room. I was told that there was limited parking permit availability, but they were able to provide me with parking at cost of £7 for 24 hours (so best to confirm parking at time of booking to avoid disappointment).

We booked a single night for myself and my 3 children at short notice (2 days before date). The room was spacious and had some character. As per other reviews, we were provided with towels (left in wardrobe rather than bathroom), water bottles, tea & coffee, biscuits, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.

We arrived very late evening (around 11pm) but found a parking space just outside the hotel.

There is a large shared kitchen / dining room (something I had not expected). It could do with more crockery (e.g. bowls). it had fridges but it would have been nice if the kitchen had a freezer too (e.g. for Ice cream purchases!)

It is about a 15min walk till you hit the City walls. Personally I think the location is great and didn't use public transport at all (just walked everywhere).

The main reason for 4 rather than 5 stars is the experience to check in. I explained the importance to receive the check-in doors codes early (one for external door, one for room) as I was going to arrive late evening/night to avoid any late night issues. I was told I would receive them after 5:30pm on my mobile phone, but nothing was received. I then had to make repeated phone calls to two different mobile phone numbers for the hotel as the phone calls were not being answered. I left voicemail messages and send text messages. After a stressful hour, I did receive a call back and everything did go smoothly from that point on.

Minor issues: 1) Broken Shower rail holder in bathroom 2) Would benefit in upgrade to WiFi MESH system throughout as they currently promote 2 different Wifi networks incase of...

I have just returned home from a few days in York. And what a relief to be back home after staying at the Diamonds Guest house in Bishopthorne road. It must be the worst bed and breakfast place I have ever stayed at. When we asked for some brown bread toast-- a shock when 2 toasted hard crusts of bread were brought to the table. On Tuesday morning when entering the breakfast room with several other guests at 9am we noticed the tables hadn't even been laid with mats or utensils. A minute or two later someone appeared, but no apology was given. We were also informed that breakfast would be served between 8-30 and 9-15, In the guest information posted in the rooms it clearly states 10am when breakfast finishes. Also in our en-suite bathroom there were 3 lights that didn't work. No-one came to replace the bulbs. Also on Tuesday there was no heating or hot water. Even at 7-30 in the evening still no hot water or indeed at 10pm at night we were unable to have a shower. In fact another couple that were staying in an attic room were so cold even with several quilts wrapped round them. This is appalling, when these people should have been offered an alternative room and a radiator provided. On our last morning there we discovered the young man in the kitchen seeing to a continental breakfast clearly could not speak any English. The TV reception was so terrible that we just had to switch off and couldn't watch it. Trying to sleep the first night was almost impossible due to the noise of heavy doors slamming at all hours. In the bedrooms guest booklet it states "Diamonds boasts a beautiful position-just 10 mins walk from the city centre" The position is average and its a 20 min walk from the town. It also states in the room booklet that it is a strictly no alcohol premises and anyone having an alcoholic drink will be asked to leave. This is utterly ridiculous and non of anybody else's business if I would like a little drink with my husband. I ran a successful bed and breakfast for many years without a complaint, as I always put the customer first. Unlike this appalling place which needs...

I couldn't fault the guest house on it's service, location and the room, although I was disappointed with two things.

Firstly, the check in. As I was checking in late, the hosts had been really kind and contacted me, who then provided me the self-check in codes. Upon checking in, I can then use an electronic card to replace the codes when entering the guest house and my room.

Unfortunately I was provided with a wrong code. I was lucky to have two other guests who came back at the same time when I was locked out outside. I did phone the host, who kindly helped me and ensured I got to my room. I then went back out to get food. On return, the electronic card did not work. Called the host again, who then provided the electronic code for the entrance again. That's when we found that the code provided earlier was incorrect. There was a later message to my phone to say the code was incorrect though. So overall, I had a card which did not function properly.

When I finally got to bed, I realised there was a constant noise coming from somewhere within the building. It was like a boiler or generator kind of motor engine sound. Even with my ear plugs on (which a guest shouldn't be having to wear these to sleep), I was still able to hear it. It was still on even when I left this morning. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well.

I hope it was a one-off situation like another guest had left something on the whole night. But I would suggest the host look into these details of things. It's not ideal when guests are locked out a couple of times and more importantly, are unable to sleep.

The lack of parking is not really an issue. It was mentioned clearly on the booking website anyway. The hosts do allow guests to park on their designated parking space within the residential area, at a cost. Considering the parking fees elsewhere in city centre, it's...