Booked this hotel to utilise the pool for my 6 yr old son. When went to use the pool at 10am, was told by the staff that children are not allowed until after 1pm. My son was upset, he started crying. I asked staff if they could make any acception due to us checking out at 12pm. The response was no. I would not have booked this hotel if we couldn't use the pool. The staff was very unhelpful. Also, there was construction going on so it was quite noisy. I will never stay here again.

The staff where amazing… the bed, however this was so soft and uneven, with a massive gap I kept falling down in the middle. The pillows where thin and soft too. I booked for two nights of rest but didn’t sleep well at all.

Excellent hotel on the edge of Durham with a Bannatyne Health & Fitness club next door & a retail park & bus stop just down the road. Also near the A1M.

Great hotel, staff on reception very friendly and helpful

Wery nice …………………………………..

Cons: My room was a good size and adequate. The shower had someone else's hair in it, it was long black hair, I have short grey hair. The buildup of dust around the bottom of the wardrobe was very noticeable and just needed a good clean. Out of the control of the hotel, but people arguing on the footpath under my window at 10.30pm as a pain. I'd say the general appearance of the stairs and corridors leading to the rooms was tired. My sons room was smaller and looking a little tired. The security lock has been ripped away from the door and his door key didn't work and was replaced at reception but even then we had to stand for a while until we got exactly the correct angle and distance for the lock to work. Maybe I expect too much for £100 per night ? Pros: The young lady on reception is a credit to the company, didn't get her name but very welcoming on arrival and happy to have a chat.

Really friendly and helpful staff. Room was clean and comfortable.

It was convenient for business. Good pub down the road showing sport

Room was clean and fresh, shower was superb, ours was a twin room, the beds were comfortable, staff were friendly and helpful and breakfast at the health club was very good, overall our stay was great.

Simple proposition - bedroom no breakfast though you can get a drink from reception and breakfast in the cafe at the gym across the car park. Simply fabulous and friendly people on reception - a return to Durham Uni after many years and I’d forgotten how friendly locals are and especially the Ballantyne staff - a tribe of warm and helpful people and a clean room - who needs much else

Room was lovely and clean on the whole. Having dinner over in the gym café was not really a nice experience, although food was OK. Didn't bother with breakfast because I didn't want to sit in gym café. Although room was good I wouldn't stay again in this hotel.

Very dated hotel room. Flush on toilet was broken. Whole place feels unloved and more like a hostel than a hotel.

Hotel staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly but having stayed in bannatyne hotels previously, this one is extremely disappointing. No breakfast was included nor was the gym so all additional extras and to be told if I booked direct the gym would have been included is very unhelpful. The one morning I went over to the health club for breakfast I was greeted by a very unhappy woman behind the till in the cafe who complained she had too much going on by herself. This might have had something to do with 5 members of staff stood at reception talking! Definitely won’t be staying here again, utterly ridiculous!

Recommended :) Clean, as described

Staff n room

We've stayed at this hotel in the past, always a great experience. This time round it was that much better because of the staff. The lady working on reception when we checked in, was friendly and efficient. Accommodating to our request on check in for a fan, and for a later check out. It was hugely appreciated. Will definitely be back!

Stayed here expecting high end, unfortunately I felt disappointed. Hotel seemed somewhat dated and in need of an uplift. The Bannatyne club was completely separate from the hotel and was the other side of the carpark. If booked directly with hotel I think the club is complementary, unfortunately if not it incurs a £15 supplement per day. Hotel only offers a small selection of bottled drinks, crisps and chocolate. All other food is in the separate club building. Staff were un-engaging and checking took longer than it should have. Double bed was 2 single beds pushed together and could feel the join, toilet flush wasn’t the best and the room/toilet looked a little tired. Could hear the road noise but not too bad with window closed.

We stayed one night. The hotel was very clean. The staff were very helpful. Only a short ride by taxi or bus into the town centre. Would stay here again.

Lovely staff, thank you gfo

Didn’t use the spa for anything other than breakfast but the service and food were good