As I approached the Red Lion, I was put off by the shabby state of the exterior. However, upon arrival, I was greeted by a charming Receptionist and was advised that I had been upgraded. My room, however, seemed to be the standard room for a Greene King hotel. Unfortunately, the room was roasting hot when I arrived; a small table fan was provided but it did little to cool or move the air.
The bar area was very busy with all the tables taken up by customers. After an excessive wait to buy a drink, I enquired about a table to be informed that the restaurant was reserved for the quiz! A strange decision to give priority to quizzers over diners. The rather rude Restaurant Manager and her flippant manner told me that I had to find a table in the bar and so, inconsiderately, I jumped on to a table for 6 as it became free just to have somewhere to eat!
The food was awful! The salmon fishcakes had soaked up the oil and had started to beak up. The poached egg was uncooked with runny white and the tasteless Hollandaise sauce bore no reference to the classic accompaniment!
Breakfast was well arranged and well managed by 2 older ladies.
My assessment of the Red Lion Hotel is that it could do a lot better and the Restaurant and Bar staff need training in customer service.
Unlikely to return.