Mercure St Albans Noke Hotel Watford Road, St. Albans AL2 3DS

"I had only been at this hotel for a few minutes when it became obvious my stay was not going to be pleasant. I stayed here as part of the U.K. government’s compulsory quarantine for people coming from ‘high risk’ countries. The manager of the facility was particularly very unhelpful. The rooms were dark and dinghy, with musty and old brown carpets. The furniture was old and in bad shape. The room was dusty and didn’t look like it had been cleaned properly. I’m claustrophobic and struggled to adapt to the lack of natural light and I was given a West facing room, despite my specific request prior to arrival and at check in for an East facing room. The hotel was generally old and decrepit. The bathroom was not very clean and there were spiders in the bathroom. Paint was chapping off window sills and walls all around the hotel. The food was also not great, at times it smelled like it had started to go bad or had been frozen for too long before it was thrown into a microwave. I cant believe I paid £2235 for this place, it was definitely a ripoff."

"Don’t waste your time attempting to book this hotel, the disgraceful owners have filled it with, well, you can guess. It’s no longer a hotel for all intents and purposes. Chances are when it eventually reopens you won’t want to stay here, although it’ll need a good refurbishment anyway."

"It was totally bad experience of quarantine at Mercure St Albans in last September. I compared to other hotels which my friends got during quarantine, this hotel did not serve at its best. Purchasing the same price with others, but I got the worst quality service ever start from the meals to the facilities. First of all, the meals were so bad either the menu options or the taste itself, it was very bad. They have no fridge and air conditioner. Their response towards everything we request was very slow. They did not give their best when we request something in terms of quantity and quality. There are a some insects/flies when I came and stayed there for ten nights."

"My experience of the Noke hotel is limited to attending a Wake there so I can only speak to what I found on that occasion. The building is well maintained outside, white and immaculate. The car parking is good and the parking area is also maintained well. Inside the hotel is clean, warm and very comfortable. The staff were polite and efficient. Our party had a pleasant room provided for our exclusive use. The buffet lunch was excellent; everything was beautifully fresh and appetising. The sandwiches and snacks were nicely presented, imaginative and catered for both meat eaters and vegetarians. There were plenty of signs to help you navigate from place to place. I really have no fault to find."

"Went here after the Harry Potter tour, for a night stay arranged by my parents for a birthday surprise. The reception staff were really friendly and helpful from the get go. The room was amazing, plenty of space and well looked after and clean. I used the pool while I was there really well kept and clean again with friendly staff on hand to help out. The meal we had that night was good and the staff even sorted out a birthday cake for me which was a lovely surprise. In all the hotel was top quality and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Will defferntly be recommending to friends and family who go to Watford."