Review by Stephen on 8th June, 2007

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I originally booked a room at a hotel which was very near the station, but came across Laburnum House on a web site and thought it's location to be much better so on the basis of a photograph of the double room on the web site I went ahead and booked the room. I was surprised to see that the full amount (£100) had to be paid immediately, oh well I thought if we are unable to make it I can still get a full refund if due notice is given. We are a gay couple and on arrival the owner seemed a bit surprised to see two men and he said was it a double or a twin? This was the only time we used the front door of the establishment. We were shown to a very small room which was reached through the kitchen area, it is called the annexe. We weren't very happy with this and asked if there was an alternative but was told there wasn't. I should have mentioned to the owner that the room was nothing like the photo on the web site but I didn't. This caused a bit of a problem between my partner and myself which slightly spoiled our first few hours in Chester. We were told the door to the kitchen would be locked and that the exit (to the yard at the rear) would also be kept locked. The en suite was in the area between our room, the kitchen door and the door to the rear yard. True to their word these doors were kept locked but we still felt a slight lack of privacy. We knocked on the kitchen door in the morning and were let through to the breakfast room. Before talking about breakfast a few words about the room and facilities. First of all the bed was comfortable with good linen etc but the 4 pillows provided were not, they were very flat. It wouldn't take much to get some new ones. On the day or our departure I found a couple more pillows in the storage space, wish I had looked on the first night. The tv was almost a waste of time, picture and sound was only tolerable on BBC1, what's the point of a tv if it doesn't work properly. Coffee and tea making facilities were provided. The toilet didn't flush properly. On investigation I found a nut for the handle inside the cistern was very loose so I did it up and the flush was fine. Once I realised I had to pull a cord outside the cubicle to turn the shower on it was excellent. Handwash and shower gel was provided. The ensuite area was very clean. There were three radiators, one larger one in the room, two in the ensuite area and all worked fine. Breakfast was excellent and the service was very friendly. This guest house has two double rooms, although on the website there is only a photo of one and booking space for only one as well. I think we were put into the annexe room because we are a gay couple. I have written by email twice to Russell Lyons (who is the owner) about the room we were given being completely different from the photo on the web site but after one week he hasn't replied. The location of Laburnum House is very good, but I think we would look elsewhere if we visited Chester again. I say that but if we had been put into the room which I saw a photo of on the web site, my views may have been entirely different.

Date visited: 29th May to 31 May 2007