The Kamo Hotel

The hotel's most distinctive feature is its rich historical character, with many guests appreciating its old-world charm and the stories embedded within its walls, including its past use during WW2. It offers spacious common areas that include a bar and pool table, fostering a lively social atmosphere. This makes it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers and those seeking a quick, no-frills stopover, particularly if they enjoy a vibrant pub environment. However, its current condition suggests it is less suited for families or solo female travelers looking for modern amenities, privacy, or quiet. To enhance your stay, it is highly recommended to bring earplugs due to significant street noise and to confirm hot water availability upon check-in, as this has been a recurring issue for some guests. Be prepared for the hotel entrance to be through the public bar.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers Wi-Fi which is generally available and appreciated by guests for staying connected. However, the in-room televisions frequently receive negative feedback, with many guests reporting issues with functionality, signal, or remote controls, making them largely unusable. The communal kitchen facilities are consistently described as very basic, often lacking essential items like coffee cups and frequently found to be unclean, with some guests encountering expired food items in the shared refrigerator. While off-road parking is available, often with security cameras, some guests express concerns about its overall security. A significant drawback for many is the absence of an elevator, requiring guests to carry luggage up multiple flights of stairs. The hotel's bar is a central feature, providing a social hub, and while the advertised restaurant is currently closed, a new on-site restaurant has received positive remarks for its food quality.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently report significant issues with cleanliness and room comfort. Many reviews highlight the pervasive presence of mould around windows and in bathrooms, often accompanied by strong musty or smoky smells, making rooms feel damp and unhealthy. The overall bathroom condition is a major concern, described as filthy, with stained fixtures, poor drainage, and a frequent lack of hot water or proper shower functionality. While most guests find the beds comfortable, ensuring a decent night's sleep in that regard, the experience is often marred by considerable street noise, particularly from traffic, which can be disruptive throughout the night. Some rooms are noted as being cramped, especially when configured with larger beds, and basic amenities like clean towels are sometimes lacking or stained. Furthermore, heating and cooling are often inadequate, and some rooms have limited functional power points.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel does not offer a complimentary breakfast, with guests typically needing to seek options elsewhere, though its location provides easy access to local cafes for morning coffee. While an advertised restaurant on site was previously closed, recent reviews indicate a new establishment, the Stagecoach Restaurant, has opened and is receiving high praise for its food quality, with specific mentions of excellent seafood chowder and BLT sandwiches. This suggests a positive development in the hotel's dining offerings. However, a recurring issue noted by guests pertains to the communal kitchen's shared milk supply, which is frequently found to be expired or curdled, indicating a lack of regular monitoring and replenishment for shared amenities.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is generally considered a significant advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of various shops, restaurants, and takeaway options, making it convenient for daily needs and dining. While situated about six kilometers from the central city, it is well-regarded as a practical stopover point for those traveling north or south. Off-road parking is available on site, with some areas monitored by security cameras, which is a positive for guests with vehicles. However, some guests, particularly solo female travelers, have expressed concerns about feeling unsafe due to the hotel's layout, including the need to access reception through a public bar and the perceived lack of secure room locks, suggesting a mixed experience regarding personal safety and security.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise from guests, with many highlighting their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and willingness to assist, often going beyond expectations. Guests appreciate the attentive service provided, particularly in accommodating requests and offering assistance with luggage due to the lack of an elevator. However, the check-in process is a recurring point of confusion and dissatisfaction, as guests are required to enter through the public bar to reach reception, which can be an uncomfortable experience, especially when the bar is busy. While staff are generally pleasant, their responsiveness to significant issues such as a lack of hot water or requests for refunds has been inconsistent, leading to frustration for some guests. Despite these challenges, the daily housekeeping is noted by some, contributing to a sense of basic maintenance.

Additional Information
A notable aspect of the hotel is its profound historical significance, with many guests appreciating the opportunity to stay in a building with such a rich past, including its connection to WW2. This unique character is a key draw for those interested in heritage properties. However, some guests have raised concerns regarding the absence of clear fire safety guidance in rooms, which is a critical safety oversight. The hotel enforces a non-smoking policy within rooms, though some guests have reported strong smoke odors upon entry, indicating potential issues with compliance or previous guests. While not universally available, some specific rooms, such as Room 9, feature a balcony, offering an additional amenity. Furthermore, the hotel provides CCTV cameras in the parking area, adding a layer of security for parked vehicles.