On South Marine Drive and opposite the Spa, this is a 2* hotel within easy walking distance of all the attractions.
Alfa Travel recently took over the hotel and have begun a major refurbishment. The reception, dining room and most of the bedrooms have been done but not the corridors. These are showing their age with worn carpets, marked and scuffed walls. There is just one small lift, which may be a concern for anyone with mobility issues.
Many of the bedrooms have sea views and, if you are lucky (I wasn’t), you may even have a balcony. The sunrises were spectacular.
I had a small single room at the back of the hotel with a view across to the harbour. It was spotlessly clean.The bed was comfortable and the room warm. There were no net curtains and with curtains open and lights on, it did feel a bit exposed to view, even though it was on the fifth floor. It had recently been decorated with muted colours of off white and pale beige. Furniture was pale MFD and functional. There was a small bedside table with drawers and a desk with tea tray and more drawers. The wardrobe was just inside the door in a dark corner and was a bit difficult to use. A small wall mounted TV was the only ‘decoration’.
The bathroom was almost as large as the bedroom and had a big and very good walk in shower. Towels were large and dried well, although did get wet after one use.
Because of Covid-19 restriction, rooms were not serviced during a stay, unless a request was left at reception. Requests for clean towels had to be made to reception. Supplies of tea and coffee and toiletries were also available on request from from reception. There were plenty of hand gel dispensers around the hotel.
The restaurant and bar area were on the first floor overlooking the bay. Tables were well spaced and allocated on arrival. Family groups sat together, singles were given a socially distanced table. Bar service was to the table. Staff were excellent and couldn’t do enough for you.
All Alfa hotels seem to have the same weekly menu. This can best be described as school dinner style rather than exciting. There was always a choice of meat or fish along with vegetarian or vegan as well as the chef’s special of the day. (Cottage pie, sausage and mash, korma….) Meals were delivered quickly and were hot. Portion sizes were good.
Breakfast was served to the table and was the usual choice of fruit juice, cereals, grapefruit segments or prunes, along with toast and preserves. Hot breakfast was either a full English or smoked fish with poached eggs. (The smoked fish being a smoked mackerel fillet…) The fried bread and hash browns were excellent. The bacon tasted as if it had been kept hot for too long and the sausages were disappointing. Orders for dinner were placed at breakfast time.
Entertainment was provided, but I didn’t bother.
This hotel could best be summed up as spartan but adequate. I felt it was working down to a price. It has now shut for the winter and hopefully the redecoration of the stairs and corridors will be completed ready for next year.
“Website”:http://monarch-hotel.bridlington.top-hotels-uk.com/en/#main
