The Bodmin Jail Hotel Reviews Summary

Hotel Atmosphere and Design

Pros:

• "The drive up the driveway to the prison is really good."
• "The prison had been converted into a stunning hotel, the rooms being made up of three 'old cells' so bigger than other similar hotels we have stayed in."
• "A wonderfully restored building - from jail cells to sumptuous hotel accommodation."
• "The Bodmin Jail is the most incredible night's stay away we've ever had. You can see the effort gone into the renovations, yet they haven't lost the original structure or foundations."
• "The building is imposing and very smart from the outside."
• "The rooms are made up of 3 cell blocks, so are spacious, clean, modern and comfortable."
• "This is easily one of the best restored buildings turn hotel I've ever seen."
• "The hotel itself is BEYOND beautiful."

Cons:

• "Major investment in a town that really needed it. Refurbishment and repurposing is amazing in many respects but you can’t get away from tiny windows, thick walls and the history of the place."
• "This old building has been sympathetically converted into a super hotel. The staff are friendly and courteous always helpful (even when you get locked out of your cell) Visitor attraction well worth a visit also."
• "The building and its history is truly amazing. For this reason I would stay again."
• "The only downsides to the hotel were that the prices were on the expensive side."
• "Unfortunately given the room rate, the level of service and amenities just doesn't make sense."
• "It's a reasonable location and a nice idea, but the price doesn't line up with what was delivered."
• "The hotel is taking coach trips and this was very disruptive to their dining as was the first thing staff mentioned when we enquired about dinner, despite the Hotel calling days before check in regatding dining and stating eating in the Tarven was no issue."
• "The signage in this building is lacking and doesn’t make sense."

Room Quality and Comfort

Pros:

• "The rooms are luxurious and quiet."
• "Now to the room, with it's much needed aircon, comfy bed, soft welcoming duvet and pillows and fabulous bathroom, all in what would have been 3 of the jail cells."
• "The room quality was high, lovely sheets, shower and bath."
• "The rooms are really well put together (considering what they once were)."
• "The rooms are amazing, spacious, comfortable."
• "Each room is 3 cells knocked through. The room was superb!"
• "Room converted from 2 cells to give well designed and finished accommodation."
• "Closeish to Bodmin parkway station. Beautiful food. Great cocktails. Fascinating building. Really elegant rooms."

Cons:

• "The windows are small but the rooms are well lit and put together."
• "The rooms are made up of 3 cell blocks, so are spacious, clean, modern and comfortable. The unreachable windows still make you feel as though you're confined to a cell!"
• "The rooms are outstanding especially how they have been designed to keep the features of the jail cells (Three to each suite)."
• "The room was big, well finished and cosy. Service throughout was v. Good with plenty of staff on hand. However, the bistro restaurant service was slow and not very attentive."
• "The bed is very comfortable, but the pillows (feather) were far too soft for me."
• "We arrived late after finishing work for the day and had room service which again was delicious."
• "The room is very comfortable and has all the extra things you could need, including a coffee machine and hotel slippers!"
• "If you're thinking about staying here you should at least once."

Staff Service and Hospitality

Pros:

• "The staff was very friendly and helpful."
• "Great staff, all very polite and attentive."
• "The staff are really friendly and will go out of their way to help you."
• "The staff were friendly, helpful and very attentive."
• "Every single member of staff we spoke or had questions for were SO sweet and SO accommodating."
• "The hotel staff are great."
• "The staff are very professional, attentive, and made our stay very engaging with a mini tour and historic run down of the prison."
• "Fantastic staff -no really! Lovely real people working behind the counters."

Cons:

• "A separate section on the food and beverage. Poor. It felt as though it was a separate catering company who were responsible for the bars and restaurants."
• "Service could have been better though very slow and not very attentive."
• "One thing I will say - we got into a conversation with a member of staff who shared their concerns about both the Chapel and the Courtyard restaurants being 'up market' and there isn't anywhere for folk to just get a basic drink and Sandwich or cake."
• "The only way to really see what is available is to ask for the allergies printout as the key itself is not shown against the menu items."
• "Appalling service from this hotel today. I purchased a Wowcher as a birthday present for my mum, booked it online via the Wowcher app and received a confirmation email."
• "I was absolutely disgusted, I had major trauma, my dog was with me through every procedure and operations I had for the last 3 years, I found out today my dog had cancer and had to have her put down, I emailed the hotel and they said sorry we are not coming they said sorry we are still going to charge you."
• "The Bodmin Jail Attraction and tour is definitely worth doing. Plenty of parking and about a 10 minute walk into Bodmin. Ideally placed for the Camel Trail."
• "The staff absolutely make this place. From the moment you arrive. I can honestly say I've never met nore welcoming team anywhere."

Food and Dining Experience

Pros:

• "Stunning food served in the Chapel."
• "The food was delicious and there was plenty of choice for breakfast."
• "Very nice food on offer. Set menu @£50 a head excl wine."
• "We had one meal here and loved it, we loved the library room, comfy and enjoyed the free tea and coffee and looking through the books."
• "Food in the hotel restaurant was also amazing and the staff were so welcoming."
• "The Courtyard was nice for lunch, the Chapel was lovely for dinner and the champagne bar was stylish and cosy."
• "The food was exceptional. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable regarding the history of the jail."
• "The food in the Chapel restaurant was very good."

Cons:

• "The food and beverage. Poor. It felt as though it was a separate catering company who were responsible for the bars and restaurants, and one who had been given a tight budget and high profit expectations."
• "Great place lovely set up with what I saw. We had afternoon tea with friends, sandwiches cake and cream and jam scones with a glass of bubbles very nice."
• "However, the experience is spoilt by the dining facilities which leave you feeling that something is missing from the package."
• "Our food had been left on the pass too long and was artificially overheated and a bit dry."
• "The wine we chose was bordering on undrinkable."
• "The "Chapel restaurant" was closed for the season, which left no higher-end choice."
• "The Courtyard bistro is great for food and drink and the staff were very attentive and helpful of my needs."
• "However, if you want a decent light near a mirror to put any make up on you might need your phone torch!"