Can't understand the negative reviews, but I was lucky to stay in an executive room with spectacular sea view- lovely to wake up to this in the morning.Room was very spacious, comfortable, nicely done out and clean.Italian restaurant, with all its incredible entertainment memorabilia filling the walls, was great- good value, nice food, attentive waiters.Hotel bar was busy, noisy, but I expected this.Not just residents in the bar.Brilliant sporting memorabilia in the bar.Worth travelling here to see this lot.Breakfast was ample and fine.

Were do i start?

After reading a few of the reviews prior to booking the hotel i was unsure about the Hotel. I decided to ignore the reviews and find out for myself as the location was perfect. I travelled up form Portsmouth for the Sunderland game and this hotel was a number of hotels/b&bs near the Stadium Of Light.

On arrival all looked good apart from the place could do with a bit updating outside. (i got talking to a lad from behind the bar later that day who had told me they had just painted the front and added new signs!! money wasted in my opinion.) i went to check in but there didnt appear to be anyone on the desk so i rang the bell. There apperared to be a room to the back of the reception desk were there was alot of lauging and carrying on. an older lady came out who i can only describe as very rude and obnoxious came out to check me in but was more interested in finishing the food she was eating and giggling with colleagues.

The standard of the room was fine apart from a stale smell and dirty carpet and a view of the back road and a window full of birds...........!!!!

After checking in i went to the R-Bar for some food. i stood at the bar for 10 minuted before eventually getting served. whilst waiting to be served 2 customers were waiting behind me who were unhappy at waiting and decided to leave. If i wasnt staying at the hotel i would of left to. When i eventually got served i wish i had left with the other customers. i had a hot beef sandwich with chips. The beef was tough and tasted like it had been reheated more than once. The side salad looked like it had just come out of the saudi desert and i must of had the bin end of the chips. I complained to the same lady who checked me in who was at this point eating a bag of crisps behind the bar who told me there was nothing wrong with the food.

I spoke to a gentleman who was stood at the bar and said to me people are always complaining in here and the staff are always rude. I asked him why he kept coming in and he said it was because one of the bar staff give him free drinks!!!

I could go one forever - I will not be staying here again. If you read the reviews before you book, please take note and do not try it yourself.

One night business trip - it was okay but I would not stay there again - female alone - I was made to park in the overflow down the back street in the dark - there was a function going on which I was not told about. The room was tastefully decorated but it was ridiculously hot in the middle of November! There was no heating on and I had to open the windows all night only to put up with the noisy kitchen and extractor fans. The door had a 3 inch gap and I could hear every footstep in the corridor. Breakfast was a poor standard. On a positive note, the views from the front of the building are excellent and there appeared to be plenty going on at night - a choice of restaurants plus the pub. A good place to stay if you want a lively weekend! The staff seemed pleasant enough.

i stayed in the hotel for 2 nights as i was going to watch sunderland play portsmouth. i enjoy my stay in the hotel. i got to the hotel before the check in time and i was able to check a couple of hours early. i found the staff very helpful. there was noise from the disco but it did not brother me but it stoped at 1 o clock. the room of good standard the lock of the bathroom door was broken but i as i was by myself i did not need a lock.
the only real dispointment was sunderland geting beat but there is nothing the hotel can do about that.
the next time i go to sunderland, the hotel will be my frist choice of hotels.