My wife and I arrived on Sunday 27th May and our first night was pretty well sleepless. This seemed to be because of the coincidence of Shrewsbury Town FC's visit to Wembley for the playoff finals and a very warm bank holiday weekend. I have to admit that this was not the Shrewsbury I had imagined. The centre of the town was full of drunks and there was noise outside the Kebab house opposite our room even at 2 in the morning. Bleary eyed, we spoke to the manager the next morning, explaining that if this continued we would be checking out. Her response was both sympathetic and practical. She offered £40 off the sleepless night, a change of room and, should our sleep be disturbed on the next night, the stay would be free of charge.

If you're a traveller who cares only for staying in the hotel all day then it is comfortable, though the rooms are relatively small so it may, possibly, not be for you. Tea and coffee facilities plus mineral water freely available in the room and topped up every day. Breakfast is in the Wetherspoons pub downstairs so good choice at low prices. I recommend the Eggs Benedict with lovely Wiltshire ham and fresh rocket. If you're going to be out and about, the hotel has all will need. To sum up the initial experience, the test of any hotel is not whether something goes wrong but, always, what the manager does about it and this manager was kind, helpful and wall in her power to put things right. In the end, the coincidence of Shrewsbury at Wembley and a muggy bank holiday was an exception and can't really be put down to the hotel. Better policing of Shrewsbury's night time economy could yield significant improvements to most visitors' enjoyment of what remains an historic and handsome town. Fans of Housman or Cadfael should not hesitate to start their pilgrimage here. Conclusion? A clean, very well managed functional hotel, well located next to the Severn and with staff who go that extra mile to help. Just one last note: parking in the car park is limited and hotel guests only. If you are only popping in for lunch be aware that you can easily get a ticket. The hotel is expanding, with the new annex having air conditioning and double glazing - not possible in the old building as it is listed. I and my wife would be very happy to return.