The Bank Hotel & Bistro

The hotel's unique character as a former bank building, with quirky decor and original features like bank vault bathrooms, makes it a memorable stay. Guests consistently highlight its seafront location, great value, cleanliness, and comfortable rooms as top features. It is an ideal choice for couples seeking a distinctive getaway, sightseers exploring the local area, and those attending nearby events due to its central position. Families can also find suitable accommodations, though some room types may vary. To ensure a smooth experience, guests should be mindful of the strict check-in times and plan their arrival accordingly. It is also advisable to consider the parking situation in advance, as it can be challenging. For those with mobility concerns, requesting a lower-floor room is recommended due to the absence of a lift.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel, housed in a historic building, features unique design elements, including some bathrooms creatively repurposed from bank vaults. Guests appreciate the provision of tea and coffee making facilities and a mini fridge in their rooms, adding to convenience. A notable amenity is the complimentary earplugs, thoughtfully provided to mitigate potential noise from the main road. While the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, some guests reported issues with its reliability. It's important to note the absence of a lift, which means guests staying on upper floors will need to use the stairs. Some rooms are noted for lacking adequate wardrobe or storage space, requiring guests to live out of their suitcases. The hotel also has a bistro area, though it is not consistently open in the evenings.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness is generally positive, with many describing rooms as spotless, very clean, and well-maintained. However, some guests noted areas needing attention, such as stained carpets, dirty windows, or mouldy bathrooms. Room comfort receives mixed reviews; while many found the beds comfortable and appreciated the spacious and well-decorated rooms, others reported issues with lumpy mattresses, noisy springs, or beds being too soft. Noise levels are a significant recurring theme, with many rooms facing a busy main road, leading to considerable traffic noise and sounds from dustbin collections; the hotel proactively provides earplugs to help. Bathroom facilities are often described as good, with some unique features like bank vault bathrooms and large baths, though some guests experienced issues with water pressure, drain smells, or a lack of storage for toiletries.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast service garners varied opinions. Many guests praise it as excellent, delicious, and fresh, highlighting the quality ingredients and good value. However, a notable number of reviews describe the breakfast as disappointing, citing issues such as cold food, overcooked items, or the use of cheap ingredients. Some guests also found the coffee to be of poor quality or overpriced. The on-site bistro receives mixed feedback; while some enjoyed the atmosphere and food, others reported negative experiences, including unwelcoming service, sticky tables, and issues with food quality, such as cold dishes or even finding hair in food. It's important to note that the bistro is not consistently open for evening meals, which some guests found inconvenient. Despite these inconsistencies, many guests found the breakfast to be a worthwhile addition to their stay.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent seafront location, placing guests directly opposite the beach and within easy walking distance of many local attractions. It is conveniently situated near Warrior Square and popular eateries like the Goat Ledge cafe. Guests appreciate its proximity to the Hastings main town, typically a 15-25 minute walk, and its accessibility to various shops, cafes, and restaurants. For those relying on public transport, the hotel is a short walk from Warrior Square Station and has a bus stop right outside. However, parking is a significant and frequently mentioned challenge; there is no dedicated hotel parking, and street parking often has a two-hour limit, making it difficult to find convenient and long-term spots. Some guests resorted to paid underground parking or found unrestricted parking further away.

Staff & Service
Feedback on staff and service is highly polarized. Many guests experienced friendly and helpful staff, praising their attentiveness, quick check-in process, and willingness to accommodate requests, such as flexible check-out times or even posting forgotten items. Some guests specifically highlighted the welcoming nature of the owner and the pleasant interactions with the housekeeping team, who even left thoughtful surprises. Conversely, a significant number of reviews describe staff as unwelcoming, rude, abrupt, and unaccommodating. Recurring complaints include staff being unwilling to store luggage, a perceived lack of empathy regarding guest issues, and a general sense of being an inconvenience. The strict and limited check-in times are a frequent point of frustration, with guests feeling pressured to arrive within a narrow window, and some reporting being locked out or facing difficulties if they arrived outside these hours.

Additional Information
The hotel is housed in a historic bank building, offering a unique and quirky ambiance with original features, including some bathrooms creatively repurposed from bank vaults. A crucial point for guests to note is the absence of a lift, meaning access to upper floors involves navigating numerous stairs, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage. The hotel enforces a very strict check-in window, typically between 2 PM and 5:30 PM, with no staff on-site afterward, which has caused significant inconvenience for some arrivals. While the hotel generally offers good value for money, some guests found certain aspects, like the breakfast, to be overpriced given the quality. Guests should also be aware that some rooms may lack sufficient storage space or have minor issues such as drafty windows or inconsistent heating.