The location, the decor,

It was a bit tired, needed refreshing in some areas, especially paint ! Breakfast was lacking……. Self service toast, hot drinks, multiple journeys needed for tea pots, cups, saucers, milk, juice, etc. even 3 star hotels provide fresh tea and coffee and toast . Also the urn of “hot” water was warm, after being decanted into a teapot, then a cup, then milk added……. Was cold ! Very disappointing, not what was expected from a 4 star establishment. Continental breakfast was disappointing also ! No granola, compote, cheese, meats…..

Fantastic Art Deco building, excellent refurbishment. Our room was spacious and well fitted out. Very comfy bed. Cooked breakfast was made to order, perfectly cooked and presented.

Dirty outside walls ruin the building’s appearance. Red carpeting to the signature staircase is starting to fail, with sticky tape applied to one of the joins that are coming apart. There was no warning that building work was in progress, adjacent to the dining area, the main effect being a howling gale across dining tables, residents had to dress for cold. Dining was limited to a pub grub style menu, no ‘fine’ dining option. Our bathroom looked to have been designed by a man, it looked fantastic and was clever, but nowhere to put one’s washbag, the shower was drench head only, no hand-held shower, water pressure was weak. No complimentary bottles of mineral water.

This was our second visit, first since Inn Collection took it over. It's hard not to compare the two visits as, as far as I can tell, there was no sign of improvement from the new owners. Our sea view room with balcony was spotless, comfortable and spacious, with good bathroom accessories. The dining room was disappointing, having preferred the experience of white tablecloths and silver service, but it was not unpleasant and the staff were attentive, friendly and efficient. However, the food prompts a mixed response. Breakfast was nowhere near as good as previously. In fact, my partner sent his full English breakfast back uneaten as it was cold, the black pudding solid and the egg hard. He wasn't the only person to do so. He refused a replacement, as he had gone off the whole idea by then. One evening we both ordered the mussels, which were absolutely delicious and the chips with them were just like Mum used to make. It was a dish we couldn't fault. But somehow, with the ambience of a classy 4 star hotel, queuing and ordering food and drinks at the bar is very out of place and quite annoying. I know the clue is in the name of the new owners - The Inn Collection - but it's a huge mistake to try and treat The Midland as just another inn and you have to wonder why they took over a hotel with such a striking difference in service provision. However, we love The Midland and it's unique location and will probably stay again in the future.

The dining room. Ordering at the bar. Quality of the menu and food at breakfast.

Decent hotel,food overpriced but nice clean hotel

Overpriced average food,no entertainment

Loved everything about the Midland Hotel. Only comment I would make is maybe a board stating how to use the Dining room would be helpful. You have to select a table. Then go to bar and order food and drink. Half the tables were reserved. I was told I needed to go to another part of the room. Breakfast however is different. Apart from that, I loved the Art Deco and elegance of a past era.

Stated above.

Breakfast was very good and food delivered very quickly. The location is amazing. How wonderful to wake up to the sound of the water in the bay lapping the rocks beneath the window.

I was used to the Midland being renowned for fine dining and that art deco vibe. It is a shame this hasn't been retained. It is now just a nice hotel as opposed to being a high class, different hotel.

exceptional location right on the promenade. Amazing views of the bay. Hotel in full of original Art Deco features.

in the restaurant you have to go up to the bar to order your food. Which isn't really in keeping with the general quality and style of the hotel.

Clean spacious food was really good

Only complaint was on our second morning I had mentioned to the lady that was serving there was no plates in the Marion room I was very polite about this and after that the server never came over to order our breakfast even though she looked over to us twice after half an hour waiting I ended up having to go to the desk and ask and then it took another 20 minutes to serve it made me uncomfortable waiting so long when other people got served after us and it wasn’t even busy food was hot that was the only bad experience I used to work here over 37 years ago with my Nan who was head housekeeper and always wanted to stay here and visit family which was the reason for my visit

The hotel is stunning. Bedroom was comfortable with a grand view. The cocktail bar is fabulous. Wet did find the dining. experience less than great however.

The dinner.

This elegant hotel with its amazing architecture and wonderful location is still worth coming to simply for the period ambience. In addition, the room was spacious, the bathroom wonderfully creative, the view superb and the staff friendly and helpful.

However, some things had clearly changed for the worse since our last visit a year ago: there were signs of a lack of maintenance in some areas, the dining experience no longer made you feel special, while checking in at the bar ( they were removing the elegant check in desk while we were there) is not what you expect in this kind of hotel. Time to stop penny pinching on both staff and upkeep before it is too late.