We've just returned from a last minute 3 night family break at Caley Hall. We were attracted by the apparent "bargain" price of £109 a night mid-week rate (£159 on Friday) reduced from £300. That appeared to be a considerable saving and we had high hopes for a hotel where guests would be prepared to pay the higher rate. We are a well travelled family and know what a £300 a night hotel should offer - especially in a bucket and spade resort like Hunstanton. However, another reviewer summed it up well with the headline "executive prices, budget facilities". Had we paid £300 a night, I would now be seeking the advice of Norfolk Trading Standards! I would be citing obvious omissions like no swimming pool, no gymnasium, no jacuzzi and certainly "no frills". Of course, I knew the hotel did not offer these facilities, but expected the hotel to compensate for this with an exceptionally high standard of decor and a classy ambience. Instead, the hotel was disappointingly in-keeping with its budget counterparts and only just scraped into its 3 star rating. Our room was clean but very basic and the bathroom was circa 1980's fitted, with its chocolate brown tiles (some cracked) and cheap wood panelling on the bath, which was black from years of water staining. As other reviewers have mentioned, the girls on reception aren't particularly friendly or helpful and we had a whirlwind escort to our room with no information offered whatsoever. I had to ask where breakfast would be served and no times were given. On the subject of breakfast, again, we were generally disappointed with the quality and selection, given our room rate was "£300". We have stayed at cheaper hotels on the south coast and breakfasts have included croissants, danish pastries, pancakes, kippers and porridge. At Caley Hall all of these are considered as premium options and charged extra for. Outrageous! We refused to do this out of protest, but did get bored with the basic supermarket bread on offer. In addition, the scrambled egg was clumpy and the baked beans very watery and clearly from the "value" range. Had the breakfasts been better, we would have booked supper, but the risk was too high and so we ate in town every night. On the plus side, the hotel is pleasantly located and has an ample car park. The standard of cleanliness is very good and they supply big, white fluffy towels on heated towel rails. We had a problem with no hot water and this was resolved within a couple of hours. There is also free wi-fi, which our sons found very useful. In conclusion, the room rate we paid of £109 a night was just about in line with the hotel's basic facilities. We would certainly return if the price was right, but the owners should definitely have a re-think on their misleading, artificially inflated headline price. If anyone has paid £300 a night to stay here, I will happily point them in the direction of the nearest psychiatric ward!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC