I have just returned from a two night stay at the Nightingale in Swindon - and I can't say I was impressed.

I had read that the Nightingale is a 3 star hotel, and that it is a converted 18th century vicarage - sorry, but I really didn't see anything 18th century! The hotel looks like a purpose-built sixties motel - not very inviting, especially as the rest of the village it's set in is actually quite picturesque!

There's a pub on-site (dark, slot machines etc), half of which is supposed to be the restaurant, but it's not really working. A few tables with white tablecloths and all that in the middle of a big, noisy pub? There's also a cafe, but that's mainly used by users of the on-site leisure centre / gym, so be prepared for people in sweatpants etc.

The room was large, but worn. The carpet was stained in places and the sofa just looked dirty - think someone had spilled coffee on it... I didn't feel like sitting down on that, honestly.

The wireless wasn't working in my room -- another minus as I found it too noisy in the cafe to be able to do any serious work.

The bathroom was large enough, but not clean either - hair that belonged to god-knows-whom, soap-scum and limescale... not nice.

The bed was comforable, the mattress nice and firm, and it was very quiet so I slept well - definitely a plus.

The staff were nice as well. They definitely tried their best to make me feel welcome and comfortable. They offered me a hand with my luggage and were generally helpful.

I didn't get to use the gym that's on site, so I can't comment on that - the class programme sounded tempting, though, as did the list of massages etc. that were on offer.

I don't think I will be staying at the Nightingale again - it was ok but I am expecting more from a 3-star hotel... some Travelodges I have stayed in were a million times better!

I stayed here for two nights and that was long enough.
Positive comments first - the staff were brilliant! Really pleasant and helpful. The food was also first class. Lots on offer at breakfast time which was self-service and included a full English breakfast. I had a meal in the evening as well which was also really good and reasonably priced. The bar area is OK and has a couple of pool tables and Sky TV.
Bad points - The hotel is undergoing refurbishment which is obviously long overdue. The place is shabby. The accommodation block has a kind of 'hi-de-hi' feel about it and a horrible musty smell. The rooms were poorly fitted and grubby looking.
To be fair, the hotel has leisure and spa facilities which I didn't use. I think they probably provide the hotel with it's main source of income as there didn't appear to be anything else to do for miles around.
This will probably be a lovely hotel when they've finished the improvements.

Definitely not a hotel more like a building site! The corridors were dark and dingy and smelled of damp. Building materials were left all over the place. Our room itself was very basic and the bathroom looked like it had never been cleaned. Lots of hair in the bath and all over the floor. Staff seemed very disinterested when we arrived. Breakfast also a let down no clean tables and dirty plates. Would definitely not recommend this hotel and I have to laugh that they have a 3 star rating! One to be avoided at all costs!

Stopped at The Nightingale Hotel for one night on a bus tour.
Good facilites nice room. The pool and leisure centre are great.
Ideal for a short stay.
Not located near anything, no where to walk.