As a regular (if reluctant) visitor to Coventry I have sampled one or two of the local hotels with mixed results. I had been putting off writing this review because I don’t really like running down a place on the basis of a one-off visit. However, in checking out the Corus chain's web for current prices etc, I find that I’m not the only one to be disappointed. Confirmation is out there, for those who may need it.

From the outside, The Chace is a picture. It looks the part. As you enter, the mood, the theme, is continued. The aforementioned bar is situated in the grand entrance hall. Oak timbered and very atmospheric. Squirreling the reception away into a corner is almost a good idea, because it maintains the atmosphere of this public space ~ and keeps all the modern electronics and harsh lighting away from the public area. It would work better if it didn’t leave people entering the building quite so bemused. Yes, it’s only a half-second hesitation…but just how many cool points do you lose in those few seconds, if it’s a business meeting and you’re out to impress? It was, and I wasn’t, so it didn’t matter ~ but it might have. A little better signage please. (Yes, I know it has to be obvious and unobtrusive at the same time ~ that’s what you pay professional designers for!)

I dined in a party of seven. The restaurant is pleasant enough ~ though a little too brightly lit for my taste in the evening. (The meal tariff was on a general invoice which I’ve not had sight off, but memory serves that price-wise a la carte options were, again, unremarkable. Neither great value, nor extortionately expensive.) The menu selection was broad enough to suit all tastes. Around the table: steak, chicken and fish were sampled in various guises and all pronounced themselves well-pleased. With no vegetarians amongst us, I cannot comment on that aspect. The service was attentive but not intrusive...delivery of the courses themselves was somewhat slow. The latest information on the Hotel’s own website suggests that they are currently having kitchen difficulties with no dining facilities available for many Friday nights & Saturday nights during November/December. Or are they perhaps cashing in on the seasonal ‘event’ trade at the expense of their guests?

Where this hotel completely lost my support, and my future custom, was in the room. I am not the fussiest of customers when it comes to such things. My starting point is always: the bed is clean, the door locks, the plumbing works. On that level, fine. No complaints. Sadly, this allegedly three-star hotel barely reached that level on one count, and certainly didn’t strive above it.

That the room was on the ground floor, and the door frame suggested that at some time in the recent past it had been jemmied open was, frankly, unnerving. It did seem secure enough ~ and it may be simply that the lock had been, shall we say, inexpertly, renewed. Not a good impression though.

Location: about three miles from the centre of Coventry and within easy reach of the M6/M69 interchange.