I find Norwich a bit of a strange place. There doesn’t seem to be very much to it; however every major insurance and finance company seems to have a regional office here.
I flew to Norwich from Edinburgh and was pleasantly surprised to land a few minutes early. I was then a little disappointed to wait almost 45 minutes for a taxi to town! Once the taxi eventually appeared the journey to the hotel took about 20 minutes.
The Stracey hotel is situated just up the hill from the train station which is a 10 minute walk away at most. I was slightly dubious about the hotel as I had been informed that it was a B & B and may not have the facilities I would expect.
I was pleasantly surprised. Check in was fast and efficient; no pre auth was required and I had my room key in a flash. The room itself was as large as I needed (double bed, drawers with TV on which doubled up as desk) with the bathroom being fairly spacious (although shower only, no bath). Complimentary toiletries in bathroom were more than adequate. Come bed time the room was silent, however the bed was very hard indeed which may be of concern to some.
Breakfast was OK although slightly strange. Orders were taken for cooked breakfast along with toast; however I had to make my own cup of tea in a tiny cup. I would rather have had someone bring me a pot of nice tea and make my own toast (in my own time). Petty perhaps but these things are important. I didn’t try anything cooked but the toast was fine!
The hotel had a small bar / lounge area which was OK for a drink but lacked any real atmosphere. There were a few seats outside on decking so I imagine in the sun this would have been a nice pace to have a beer. No food was available (other than at breakfast) but the hotel were happy to provide a plate and cutlery to go with my takeaway curry from across the street (very good, try it).
I paid £60 for the night which included breakfast, this is perhaps a little more than I would have liked to pay (it is Norwich after all!) however the hotel had everything I needed and I would return.
There is also a nice pub just across the street from the hotel which has a nice selection of lagers and beers and offer some nice pub food too.
Stracey Hotel, 2 Stracey Road, Norwich, NR1 1EZ, Website
