Advantages: Very reasonable price, well located for town centre
Disadvantages: Only the odd little thing that didn't quite match the image they want to present

...This is a 60 room hotel close to Darlington Town Centre and owned by Duncan Bannatyne - one of the Dragons from the "Dragon's Den" TV Show. It is based on a 1820's house with recent, tasteful extensions. On arrival my first impression was a bit of a thumbs down as car parking was congested but I managed after a couple of minutes. Things improved from there; you ring the front door bell in a gracious period entrance and a person comes and opens it (as opposed to a squawking voice saying "push the door"!). Reception is in a room off the hall and is a desk on the corner of a room with soft chairs and newspaper. The staff have clearly been given all the right sort of training to make the right noises and stay calm when services required are rattled off - ironing board, paper, internet connections (yes to all). I was slightly surprised... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Large Rooms, Power Showers, Free Wifi...etc
Disadvantages: None!

...Before I start this review I would like to point out that this hotel is no longer called ‘The Sleep Inn’. It has (I’m assuming) changed hands and is now called ‘The Aston Hotel’. I have stayed at this hotel on many occasions, my most recent trip there was at the beginning of May 2007, where I stayed for 4 nights. Every time I return to this hotel the standard never slips. I searched for a long time trying to find a cheaper hotel/deal in the same area, and this was consistently the cheapest for what you get. The Location: “The hotel is two minutes drive from the A1(M), ten minutes from Darlington Station on the East Coast main line and 15 minutes from Durham Tees Valley International airport. Middlesbrough, Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle and Gateshead are within 40 minutes by road, and York within an hour” The hotel is right... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A great story, very well told
Disadvantages: It ended!

...This is the tale of Jim, who is a whippet. And his two companions (the humans who mistakenly believe that they own him) Terry and Monica Darlington. And their "brave" decision, on retiring, to take a canal narrowboat the Phyllis May, all the way from Staffordshire to Carcassonne in Southern France. Everyone told them that they were mad, or brave, or stupid or brave in a madly, stupid way. The upshot of this advice was that they were more intent on making the trip. Jim has bad habits. The kind of bad habits that endear dogs to people who are not their owners. His habit of begging in pubs is told by Terry in a fashion that is both highly amusing and original in tone. Terry's sense of humour that shines through the telling of this tale has brought a unique voice to the fore of British writing and it is to be hoped that Terry... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great for all the family
Disadvantages: non

...I live in Darlington so i thought i would write a review about this town for anyone planning a visit here. I hope this helps you make up your mind. Firstly Darlington is mainly fa