The Penny Farthing Hotel

It’s tired, it’s very basic, clean and functional but not somewhere I would use again. It’s basically a motel, a room with a bed a shower and a kettle. TV is old and dated , decor is very worn. No bar, no breakfast just a room. It’s comparable to a Travelodge. At £75 it would be acceptable value but it’s hugely overpriced.

AWFUL! How I wished I read the Tripadvisor before I booked! The room STANK! The bathroom in particular and it was unbearable to go inside with door shut, mixture of drains and damp, just disgusting. We had an awful night sleep because of the smell and couldn’t wait to leave in the morning. We mentioned it to the lady on checking out and her response…. ‘I’m shocked, it wasn’t like that when I personally checked it yesterday’ Not a sorry insight. She just kept repeating how shocked she was. Well after checking the reviews I’m shocked she didn’t know about the previous complaints. Im shocked that they allow people to spend a lot of money on a room that is disgusting and I’m shocked they are allowed a 3 star rating. I’m also shocked at the terrible customer service. I emailed the hotel and have heard nothing back. They clearly have a problem with the drains and the damp, just fix it and don’t let people spend their money until you do - do the right thing. Anyway I’m sure they won’t be shocked at this review! Such as shame as an apology would have gone a long way. All in all a grotty, shabby and dirty hotel with appalling customer service. Please please please do not stay here!

Booked in for two nights at this hotel, only stayed one. The room was awful, smelled of damp. It was dark and gloomy, carpet was disgusting. Needs refurbished. No way a three star hotel, wouldn’t even give it a one. It’s a pity it is so run down as it is in a perfect situation and could be updated to be really nice. Would not recommend it to anyone……..

Avoid this place like the plague unless you’re an otter and used to the smell of damp. The room was so dark you almost had to get ready outside to avoid ending up looking like a drag act. Luckily we only stayed for two nights for a wedding so at the first opportunity we escaped. It isn’t clean and it isn’t worth the money! Ps. It stinks

We have just stayed as a stopover last night. Dingy and dark. Room shabby and tired. Shower broken, radiator in bathroom filthy. Air con broken. Pillows lumpy. Steer clear! £154 for room - no breakfast. Disgraceful. I certainly do not recommend

A great find. A sincere welcome (as opposed to the bored cliches favoured by many hotels) set the tone. Our room was a good size: clean and comfortable with a great shower. Private parking is a huge benefit, especially as the hotel is a short step from the town centre. We’ll definitely be back.

I stayed at the Penny Farthing Hotel from 13 to 23 August whilst visiting family in the UK. It is a great central location with onsite (gated) parking. The hotel did not have an operational restaurant during my stay, but there are plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafes within a 5 minute walk. The Grand Canal is just behind the hotel and Berkhamstead Railway Station is a short 10 minute walk away. Free Wifi is available (but it’s not a password secured network). The rooms are well appointed, clean and the beds are comfortable. The service was great and friendly,and the room was good value. Improvements I would suggest include adding a small fridge in each room and updating the room keycard access system (my access key card needed to be reprogrammed every 1 to 2 days). I would recommend The Penny Farthing Hotel and will stay there again next time I’m visiting my UK family.

Stayed at the Penny Farthing for 2 nights . Great little Hotel .Staff friendly and very helpful . Peter and Alaina ( I think ) were very helpful . Rooms very spacious clean and tidy . Great location in the high street . There is no restaurant in the hotel but The Kings Arms (sister hotel) is about 500yds up the high st . ( go out at the front of the hotel and turn left ) . The Kings arms offer a 20% discount for Penny Farthing residents . Plenty of pubs and restaurants in the high st ( including a Wetherspoons) . Good car park at the rear of the property with ample parking . Wouldn’t hesitate to stay again if we are in the area . As I said earlier staff were excellent . Giving us local information, booking taxis etc.. We were struggling with key card on one occasion , Lady seen us and let us in with her key and then told us she would reprogram the card . She back in 2 mins with the key card . Good Hotel at reasonable price .

We stayed here for one night with our dog in August 2021. It was quite a dark hotel that could do with being updated. It took us ages to find it as it's kind of in Waitrose car park. It's near the canal for walks. The receptionist was very friendly.