Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings
136 Boxley Road, Penenden Heath, Maidstone, ME14 2AE Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone
The Russell Hotel: Accommodation, Conference facilities and Wedding venue in Kent's County Town of Maidstone. Our hotel is situated at the heart of the 'Garden ... more
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| Hotel Details | Hotel Reviews | How to Book & Cancel |
7/10 Overall rating
| Category | Average Rating |
|---|---|
| 8/10 | Check-in process |
| 7/10 | Your room |
| 7/10 | Working order of facilities / equipment |
| 8/10 | Order and cleanliness of the hotel |
| 7/10 | Performance of staff |
| 7/10 | Overall experience |
| 8/10 | Overall value for money |
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on September 23, 2008
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Anne ( Young couple)
from Bristol , GB on June 24, 2008
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"excellent" (99890267)
the hotel overall was excellent
there was only one bad point and that does not count as bad. the double bed was a very small double bed.
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Bradley ( Young couple)
from Essex , GB on January 15, 2008
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Hotel, staff, room and food were all excellent. We recently stayed in a 5* Hotel in London's West End, and I could quite easily say that your hotel was a lot better all round." (97052083)
The room was well decorated, and very comfortable.
The pillows(!) Our only dislike.
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Peter ( Mature couple)
from Kettering , GB on December 11, 2007
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The hotel was well appointed and ideal for our stay, the staff were very good and the food excellent. The room was a little dissapointing." (97921314)
Clean and tidy
Room ans bed very small
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Stuart ( Mature couple)
from Liverpool , GB on August 2, 2007
price and comfort
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Arie ( Other)
from Ede , NL on July 22, 2007
no elevator / charging for a paper, which was free / limited choice in the restaurant
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on June 27, 2007
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Service was very good and the staff were very helpful. We spent more time in the hotel than we'd normally and thoroughly enjoyed it." (99022591)
Well-equipped, comfortable and well-presented
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Anonymous ( Solo business traveller)
on June 9, 2007
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The hotel was very welcoming and the staff were pleasant. The hotel was easy to locate and was in easy reach of Maidstone town centre. The food was good and the cost of drinks were in line with hotel prices. Facilities were minimal on site and you had to travel to take advantage of any leisure facilities. Overall I would give this hotel a *** rating." (99331750)
Easy access to Maidstone town centre
The shower was of poor quality
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Robert ( Young couple)
from Hawkhurst , GB on May 30, 2007
Clean, welcoming, comfortable.
Thought the rate was fairly steep for the standard of accomodation.
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Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues)
on March 1, 2007
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Staff covering bar and dining room in the evening seemed very unorganised, very inexperienced, lacked knowledge of English language and rude. Staff at breakfast very friendly, efficient and attentive." (99309479)
Very comfortable room
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T j ( Other)
from Ashbourne , Ireland;IE on January 17, 2007
It was close to our friends. Quite central to the town.
I found the room a bit too hot.
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Alan ( Young couple)
from Bristol , United Kingdom;GB on November 18, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The receptionist was excellent (she even came and sorted the problem with the door lock).The room was well appointed but very warm (had trouble sleeping).The breakfast buffet whilst well laid out quite tasty was not very warm." (99474687)
Position
Lack of lift .Rooms very hot even when heating has been turned off all night.
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on October 27, 2006
Very nice and clean, helpful staff, would recommend.
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on October 25, 2006
The room was extremely spacious, the bathroom was of a very good size and the staff were very welcoming.
There was no lift to the first floor. I have limited mobility and found the stairs took me a while to climb and left me out of breath.
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on October 25, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"the general service from the restaurant and staff did not warrant such high prices and overall I could not see how the your hotel could charge such high prices for the quality I received. Your hotel was nice but I would not come again for such high price and would find somewhere where I would get more for my money. Also if I had known there was a wedding reception on I would not have booked either as this was very inconvenient for having a quiet relaxing time." (99397440)
The good use of space and actually having a parking space.
The size of the room for such expense, the lack of power from shower,
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on August 31, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The hotel was nice, the staff were friendly and helpful, The room was small but was ok. The bathroom/wc/toilet could have been cleaned to a better standard. On the whole I would recommend friends to stay there. The Garden was lovely and it's a good place to stay if you're on a shopping or Stag/Hen weekend as you are a 5 minute drive away from the town." (3305218479)
We found the hotel nice, the staff were friendly and helpful when around.
The room we stayed in was small but adequate, however the bathroom was small, the shower needed a kick-boost as it was by far a power-shower. The thing we weren't satisfied with was that the bathroom/wc/toilet were not best cleaned, this put us off eating at the hotel. We feel that the facilities in your room and around the hotel should always be perfectly clean as it's a major bug-bare for anyone staying in a hotel. We would have eaten at the hotel but when viewing the room deceided we'd not.
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Warwick ( Young couple)
from Southampton , United Kingdom;GB on August 31, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"On arriving we were given a room so small, you couldn't walk past the bed without leaning on the wall, a sheet of plastic had been placed there to protect the wall. On complaning we were immediately and without question given another room. Good. Unfortunately there was a wedding reception, that night, below the room, and the next night, AND the last night. the noise made sleeping very difficult and completely ruined the weekend for us. The receptions also spilled over into the rest of the hotel, bar etc, so there was no chance to have a quite drink before retiring. Had I been informed of the receptions I would have booked elsewhere? I assume this is a regular problem every weekend as the receptionist gave me one night's refund without hesitation when I complained upon booking out. I got the impression she give refunds every weekend." (3305265011)
Room was spacious and reasonably clean
Poor fittings in bathroom
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Carole ( Mature couple)
from Huddersfield , United Kingdom;GB on August 27, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"I really enjoyed my stay at the Best Western Russell Hotel at Maidstone. I did have one complaint and one which I informed the staff of and filled in an incident report. Initially it was my fault as I let the bath overflow slightly onto the floor of the bathroom, when I went to turn the tap off I was thrown across the room from a very violent electric shock. I realised that I was actually stood in some water and was therefore creating a circuit so I put on some shoes and wrapped a towel around my hand a tried again to turn the tap off I was then thrown again. To ensure that I did not flood the bathroom completely I then had to try again and pull out the plug. Same effect. These three kicks of electricity were pretty strong and caused me to bite my tongue. As I say I realise that the initial fault was mine for letting the bath overflow but surely this should never have happened. The following morning I informed the staff of what had happened and they were excellent and got me to fill in the report for them and they agreed this was a fault that would have to be rectified and they then cordoned off the room. Unfortunately this put a bit of a dampener on my otherwise lovely stay at the hotel. I would stay again but must admit that I would be very wary. This is such a shame as I say because I really enjoyed the hotel and it's friendliness." (3305222047)
Clean and in pleasant surroundings. Friendly staff, excellent food
Dangerous bathroom
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on July 17, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Excellent will stay again." (3304224829)
Excellent standard, welcoming, cosy.
Nothing
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Thomas ( Mature couple)
from Farnham , United Kingdom;GB on July 16, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"I stay regularly in hotels all over Europe. I had no great expectations but for " (3304970469)
Nothing.
Everything.
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Marianne ( Mature couple)
from Croydon , United Kingdom;GB on July 6, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"room was quite shabby and under the standard we expect for " (3304879621)
it was clean breakfast was good
too stuffy even with windows open
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Paul ( Young couple)
from Reigate , United Kingdom;GB on June 28, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"This hotel need a major renovation, decor is very depressing, plastic flowers on tables etc. It seems generally very uncared for. Unfriendly night porter wouldn't open the door until we had identified ourselves by shouting our names through the the glass doors, very odd indeed" (3304519895)
Airy rooom, a window that could be opened fully.
Very drab hotel generally, poor water pressure, loud radio in breakfast room.
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Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues)
on June 27, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Excellent." (3304875251)
Only issue was that particular room was very hot for some reason. I aired off the room in the evening to a cool temperature by openinbg the window although closed it during the night and awoke at 2am very hot once again. I am not sure if it was above the kitchens or heating was on or that the sun heated it up too much during the day.
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on May 25, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The breakfast was very nice. The attitude of the reception staff over night was rude they talked the whole night and as we were in what appered to be a make shift room we were behind the reception area and could hear them we had to twice go and ask them to be quiet. Also there was a door which banged constantly and when we asked if they could closed it they said no" (3304598469)
our room was not adequate as it was a make shift room with a put me up bed no bath
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Peter ( Young couple)
from Thamesmead , United Kingdom;GB on May 10, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Overall Hotel was ok. Lovely grounds and very clean. Buy the time we found hotel we was ready sleep and buy the time we got up it was kicking out time. Would stay again." (3304644163)
The gardens!!!!!!They looked well looked after.
Me and my other half fancied a drink after 11pm, at the bar was a few drunk fellas who wasnt being served, ended up buying some drinks for them(which i didnt mind as they reinbersed me) on my white card as they wasnt guests at the hotel. We had to go back to room to drink are drinks. We was running late for breakfast, receptionist said we had time to have wots left of brekkies, on arriving in to dining room we was quickly told that we was to late. Was a bit confused so we settled are bill and ate else where.
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on April 27, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"The hotel was very well presented and the room was clean and tidy. The staff were also very welcoming and professionl. Overall I was very impressed and would certainly return to the hotel and recommend it to family and friends." (3304582701)
The hotel was very well presented and the room was clean and tidy. The staff were also very welcoming and professional.
Unfortunately the breakfast was not very well presented. Although a signficant amount of food was provided, the menu did not state two items of bacon, sausage, hash brown etc, if this was the case we could have asked for smaller portions. The small plate meant the breakfast was piled up and was therefore unpresentable and off putting. The eggs also could have done with being cooked more.
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on April 26, 2006
The bed was very comfortable. The breakfast was great, & the hotel & gardens in general were very nice.
Room too hot. Decor a bit shabby in the room. Staff playing very loud techno music in their cars in the car park below - hardly relaxing - it wound me up & I'm only 33! Girl in reception texting on her phone whilst I was standing at the reception waiting to ask her a question. Girl who checked us in was fantastically helpful on the Saturday afternoon.
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Stephen ( Young couple)
from Newcastle , United Kingdom;GB on April 22, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"As mentioned above, putting non-smokers on the top floor in a biulding with no lifts, which would, in the majority of cases be a problem for pregnant ladies, not to mention those with chest problems, is a big black mark against this hotel and would stop me going there again. We were offered accomodation on the ground floor, but would you take it?? We didn't. Minor niggle was the wholly inadequate shower. Plus points would be that the staff were ace, especially regarding the incident of the rabbit picture - they know of what I speak! The breakfasts were plentiful and good, and the hotel was clean and quiet, and in a very convenient location for our needs." (3304486785)
The staff were very friendly, and the hotel was in an ideal location for our requirements, and nice and quiet. The breakfast was good too.
Why do the smokers have the benefit of lower level accomodation, when my 7 month pregnant partner had to clamber up 2 floors of very steep stairs, there being no lift in the building.
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Patrick ( Mature couple)
from Northolt , United Kingdom;GB on April 19, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"We were unfortunate to have very noisy neighbours. The duty manager came up at approx.2.15am to request quiet.There was also a mess with our dinner order and delivery.I should have checked the bill closer." (3304517100)
general value for money
inexperience of dining room staff
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Ulrik ( Solo business traveller)
from Rosmalen , Netherlands;NL on April 13, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Generally I was quite satisfied with this hotel. There are a few remaks though: Due to the thinness of the dividing walls between the rooms one can be easily disturbed. The dinner I ordered from room service was not of the best quality. The Indian meal was too greasy. But in general this hotel is good value for money." (3304393909)
Same facilities as a more expensive hotel, so very good vaule for money.
My sleep was disturbed by the sound volume of the TV in the next room. The dividing walls between the individual rooms are too thin.
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Patricia ( Solo leisure traveller)
from Leighton buzzard , United Kingdom;GB on April 13, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Would have liked to have known if there was a bath and a shower,there was a shower. Staff very helpful booking me a taxi to my venue" (3304407174)
Not too far from the town
Room rather noisy - doors banging in the morning
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Anonymous ( Young couple)
on April 12, 2006
Nice size room. Some of the staff were very friendly. Breakfast on the 1st morning was very good.
The hairdryer didn't work & I think it may have fused the lights in the room, they didn't work on our 2nd night. We only discovered this when we returned home after the wedding reception in the early hours of the morning. We were offered another room but we didn't take it as couldn't see any of our luggage to pack it!!!! Also the 2nd morning breakfast was very busy, I had the option of a veggi breakfast on the 1st day but not the 2nd.
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Colleen ( Family with older children)
from Victory heights western australia , AU on October 5, 2007
Clean rooms, excellent breakfast, friendly helpful staff.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful:
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John ( Group of work colleagues)
from Aldershot , United Kingdom;GB on March 29, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Found the hotel very difficult to find." (3304425621)
value for money
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Sean ( Solo business traveller)
from Scunthorpe , United Kingdom;GB on March 27, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Nice hotel good value for money excellent food friendly staff" (3304409554)
Nice and clean - friendly staff - great food
Better tv's and more choice of satellite channels
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Jane ( Family with young children)
from Gravesend , United Kingdom;GB on March 23, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"A few points to note: I was keen to book a hotel with Satellite TV as we were only staying for a weekend break and would spend a bit of time in the room. I was very disappointed to find that this only relates to 3 channels - 2 sports and sky news. This was a big disappointment for all of us - fortunately we had taken our laptop and DVDs. Contrary to other peoples experiences, I found the room to be quite dusty - especially the cupboard - when I pulled out a pair of trousers hung in there they were covered in dust on both sides. We had a twin room for our family, I found the beds to be too soft which sink in the centre (I'm used to a hard mattress). The rooms are quite small especially if you have little ones - the room can get very untidy very quickly. On Saturday night there was a function in the hotel using a live band and mikes. At 12.08 I had to go downstairs with my 1 1/2 yr to complain about the noise and we were on the top floor. This was quickly rectified and a small offer was made to compensate me. I understand that this is a popular venue for functions and especially weddings. We ate out all the time, apart from breakfast which I didn't really enjoy. The yoghurts are a value brand, and the food is pretty much deep fried and kept warm. The hot chocolate in the room wasnt great either - but we always take our own drinks and snacks in. And lastly, if you are not moderately fit, do not get a room on the top floor, there is no lift and it is a mission to get down and up for breakfast and then out during the day. Other guests also commented on the exhausting task of going up and down the stairs every day. In addition, the doors of the rooms are very close to each other and they are weighted, so when they open and slam everyone can hear it. We did request a non-smoking room and were not given one which I was disappointed with. Maidstone is a interesting place to explore, and this hotel is close to town so was quite convenient. Overall, considering the price the hotel experience was average but you should set your expectations to a 1/2 star hotel with no frills." (3304378755)
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Anonymous ( Solo business traveller)
on March 23, 2006
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"This hotel was just fine. Bed was a good size, everything looked new and the staff were friendly." (3304401636)
This was everything I needed from a hotel on a short business trip.
The water flow from the shower could have been stronger.
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on December 16, 2005
Choice on menu
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Sue ( Young couple)
from Walthamstow,london. , United Kingdom;GB on December 7, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Overall though our stay was very pleasant and comfortable. The staff were helpfull and polite. It was also good that the bar was open quite late on the saturday night, very convenient. Would have no hesitation in booking this hotel again." (3013123)
The room had a lovely large bathroom and all the facilities that we needed.
The only 2 regrets were that there was no lift and we found it rather tiring to take our bags up the steep stairs. Also, the room was quite narrow and there was not much room between the bed and the wardrobe, making it awkward to ove about sometimes.
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Adrian ( Group of work colleagues)
from Bath , United Kingdom;GB on November 30, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"good" (2992533)
well presented, quality of breakfast was excellent
higher rating breakers for room power sockets, whilst using the iron and tv at the saME TIME THE CIRCUIT TRIPPED OUT
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James ( Solo business traveller)
from Paisley , United Kingdom;GB on October 8, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Seemed a bit quiet therefore dining service a bit slow, but the menu and food were good and the staff very hospitable. I'd certainly book again, although it's unlikely that my business would take me this way and there are other hotels closer to the proximity of where I was conducting my business." (2821824)
Homely, creaky kind of a place, particulalry on ascending the stairs, but a nice change from the large corporates. I'd give it an 8/10.
I thought the hotel was fine, although I'd be reluctant to pay rack rate.
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Anonymous ( Other)
on August 16, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"the staff are very hepfull and friendly and the food is fantastic well worth the money and i will stay thier again." (2257559)
the size and cleaness of the place,the staff work all very hard and deserve a lot of praise.
adding more flowers to the entrance of the reception and blocking out the view of the car park from rooms 200 to 206
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Matthew ( Young couple)
from London , United Kingdom;GB on August 10, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Check-in times need to be slightly more flexible considering that checking-out isn't - it needs to work BOTH ways & your Housekeeping team needs to respond more effectively to peak periods such as Saturday mid-day. The bathroom door in our room had no lock or catch so the door could not be closed properly. The shower in the bathroom must surely be the weakest shower in Christendom; very, very weak jet with very little water coming out, almost impossible to rinse the shampoo out of your hair unless you spend 10 minutes doing so. In the end I put my head under the tap as it was quicker ! Your staff were charming & very helpful once we had broken the ice with regards the early check-in." (2545045)
Rooms were fine though a little on the small size for the price. The Hotel is a lovely old building though could do with some work on the original features & newer additions to make them harmonise a bit better as there is some serious 1880's & 1980's clash going on.
Check-in is SLOW & your 2.pm check-in policy is very late. The hotel was full of people going to weddings on the Saturday, many who had requested an earlier (1.pm check-in) as the weddings were starting 1.30 - 2.oo.pm. Clearly a lot of your summer weekend business is people attending weddings & Housekeeping just needs to pull itself up a gear on those days. I was one of many people who had requested an early check-in time, was told I COULD have when I phoned to confirm (no one emailed me back in the first instance as I had requested), only to arrive & find that the rooms weren't yet made-up & to be told that they didn't PROMISE to have them ready. The person I spoke to before arriving assured me that it would be ready & I made the booking based on this understanding. A 2.pm check-in is useless if the wedding starts at 2.pm as well. After a small amount of polite yet firm posturing your team did find me another room which was ready so great.
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on July 12, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"We wish we had remembered that there was a swimming pool in the complex as we would then have brought swimwear with us. Also, two nights would have been better than the one night but we were limited with time." (2464495)
The room was very comfortable with all amentities provided. The breakfast was absolutely delicious, the best we have tasted in ages at a hotel.
None
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Owen ( Young couple)
from Leicester , United Kingdom on June 11, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Excellent service and food. The rooms are rather small, but the hotel interior is very pleasant." (2373824)
Excellent bed.
The electronic door locks were faulty, but this was really no problem.
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Richard ( Solo business traveller)
from Dunfermline , United Kingdom;GB on June 7, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Apart from the beer price, which is really out of order, I had a nice stay. The room was very comfortable. The staff, when they were in the bar or restaurant, were very cheery and helpful. Just that beer price, extortionate I tell you! :-) Regards, Richard." (2251791)
A very comfortable room and a decent menu
Beer extremely expensive. £3 is well over the odds. Mind you I did have to spend time trying to find a bar person on a number of occasions.
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Anonymous ( Solo business traveller)
on May 15, 2005
The bar shut at 23.30
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John ( Solo leisure traveller)
from Preston , United Kingdom;GB on April 8, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"A high standard of accomodation close to the M20 and easy to find. Not terribly convenient for the centre of Maidstone (where the parking was unbeleivably difficult) but excellent in all other respects." (2102493)
The room was clean, at the correct temperature on arrival and all the facilities worked. In addition room service was excellent.
I wanted a shower at 6am in order to make an early start on the day but hot water was not available until about 6.30 am. Otherwise everything was fine.
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James ( Mature couple)
from Harwich , United Kingdom on March 17, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"I was attending a conference at the hotel so it was the obvious place to stay. The facilities were adequate and the room was clean and well prepared. The restaurant was very pleasant but somewhat understaffed in the evening. Breakfast was very pleasant but did not start until a few minutes after it should have and we were kept waiting. All that being said none of the minus points were enough to make me feel bad about staying there and if the conference is in the same location next year I will book again." (1898764)
Hotel was clean and service was generally efficient
Hot water was a bit hit and miss, TC was very poorly tuned and there was no lift
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Anonymous ( Mature couple)
on February 17, 2005
Best Western Russell Hotel, Maidstone - Reviews & Ratings"Our room was small. one bedside lamp not working. shower in need of repair. on checkout my AMEX details were placed on the counter for all to read before my arrival. this is a breach of security and i commend you attend to this aspect with urgency. I would suspect I am not the only person that this happened to. In fairness the receptionist was most courteous and agreed a reduction of my bill." (1928954)
The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).






"Very comfortable stay and very well organised would stay at the hotel again." (107283339)
As we only attended a wedding, I can just comment on that, which I as a guest could not fault, the whole package was excellent.