Coventry Hotels

Hi all However accommodation prices appear, at the end of the day, it has to be a commercially viable rate that pays for the owners bills. Loss making deals will only work if there are sufficient funds elsewhere. CCC must share some of the blame, as they bury their heads with business rates that many traders just cannot afford & so move to the suburbs, as they are doing in their droves at present. It is those big name traders who would otherwise be trading in the city centre, spreading the cost of the general rates.

I went to the Leofric on business when I worked at Marconi, about 13 years ago, and it was pretty rank then. It looks ghastly now, both internally and externally - like a prison block.

After a previous post of mine about my first ever job at the Leofric, I am not sad to see this place go under. Sorry that good people have lost their jobs, but not about the place at all.

I worked here for two years in the early 1980's. Loved the place. In fact, I can still probably name every chef, waiter, management, bar staff from the place from my time there. Looking back, it was probably the best job I ever had in terms of atmosphere, work, benefits and satisfaction.

That's great Ace! You obviously remember your time there with a lot of happiness. My sister in law's late dad used to go to the 'Buffs' meal there every year - I understand why it was held there, now I know it had masonic links!

I think it is fair to say that the Allesley Hotel's heyday is well and truly in the past. It seems to have fallen upon hard times and the current punters are rather less than impressed. A quick look on 'Trip Advisor' shows it to be one of the lowest rated hotels in the Coventry area with over 50% of the reviewers rating it 'Terrible'. For the record, the worst rated hotel in Coventry is the Hylands. The reviews are actually worth a look for entertainment value. I wonder how anyone can let a business run down into a state like that!

Hi Mr.D-Di, How times have changed, hey. The Hylands opposite the school was the place to stay then. The Allesley Hotel too. I attended a Christmas party at the Allesley this last December & no one will be in a hurry to go back again. It was colder inside than out!

In fact, the Hylands had an annex near to the station

Yes, the Hylands is a dire place! I think Securicor part-owned it in the mid-80s as it was a training and conference centre for their new recruits. Mind you, the worse place I EVER visited was the Merrick Lodge in Sandy Lane, Radford. Absolutely dreadful place.

Hi Ace, That is another hotel, Merrick Lodge in Sandy Lane which has seen better days. I have stayed there with clients from time to time. I had a Sunday lunch there a while ago which was quite good.

I believe that Fred Kilpatrick started his working life as an apprentice electrician at Courtaulds Main Works. Couple of months ago relations of mine who live in Norfolk asked me to book accommodation for them near where I live. I couldn't accommodate all seven of them so I booked them into the Allesley Hotel.They were not over impressed, neither was I. Les

Hi to you both Sadly, it is so often the case that the theme of one name seems to bring doom wherever they venture. I think that you have summed that up LesMac.

The problem is that the thrust of the hotel business in Coventry was business. Accommodation used to be booked months in advance for delegations & the like. Coventry having lost so much of its business infrastructure, delegates from elsewhere nowadays go to the county clubs, golf hotels & so on. The hotels in Coventry now have to fight for whatever business is going, by cutting costs & or going out of business.

Hi Les and Philip I have just read reviews from customers which I advise anyone to do prior to booking anywhere, yes Philip you are right about the Merrick Lodge says full of homeless people which the council has put in there by the review, not sure what date and stated one had bed bugs Les by looking at the photos of the Allesley Hotel would put me off, seems dated too, I feel in my head I could do it out better not expensive either, if fact my daughter of 25 could design and dress it better and probably cheaper than they have. Pehaps they need help from the Hotel Inspector tv program Philip

Blimey, memories! Back in the 80s I used to play cricket with the son of the owners of Merrick Lodge - it wasn't a doss hole in those days I worked at the Royal Court in the late 70s/early 80s whilst doing my A levels. At that time it was in its heyday - smart dress required & the only carvery in Coventry (Fred Kilpatrick apparently introduced the idea into the area). I worked 3 nights a week as a wine waiter in the ballroom & thoroughly enjoyed it - certainly far easier than serving the food & better tips! The manager at the time was Neil Girling who ended up running a pub in Devon & Kilpatrick was very much in evidence there every night I also had a very short spell at the Allesley helping at a wedding - unfortunately I tipped a tray of liqueurs down someone's back at the end of the meal & after that never returned! Happy days! John