It’s been a busy year on TripAdvisor

I don’t really know why I bother but I’m pretty diligent in reporting restaurants I’ve visited and hotels I’ve stayed at on TripAdvisor. In 2022 I rated 9 hotels and 36 restaurants. For some reason I did not rate our replacement hotel, The Gran Hotel le Pace in Sant’Angelo, which wasn’t really that bad but it’s picked up a few harsh reviews of late. It was a replacement hotel used by Voyage Jules Verne during our recent holiday in Sorrento. I also did not review the Castle in Spofforth. I engaged with both VJV and the Castle after these experiences and credit to both operations that they responded positively to my complaints.

Amongst the hotels three stood out. The Trewythen in Llanidloes and the Maesmawr in Caersws (photo) are both small but expertly managed operations. I’d recommend them. The Crown in Harrogate is bigger and I’ve stayed before but it ticked all the boxes you’d expect of a well run large hotel including a very responsive breakfast operation.

The Caerwylan in Criccieth is almost as good and shows how a traditional family seaside hotel can move with the times without losing its essential character

I make no apologies for naming and shaming the Albion Hotel in Brighton. It’s run by Britannia Hotels which consistently rates bottom of the pile in Which surveys. For me it’s just cynical exploitation of what should be valuable assets simply to maximise returns to shareholders.

The Celtic Royal in Caernarfon is not that bad but still show how running hotels to minimise costs to attract group bookings results in a poor experience for guests.

I enjoyed meals at a remarkable 5 star rated restaurants starting with la Vita in Chur, Switzerland, Ramon in Sanpedor, Spain and the Vesuvio (photo), l’Abate and le Grazie in/near Sorrento. Closer to home I enjoyed the Drum & Money in Harrogate, la Pergola just outside Cambridge, Haughmond near Shrewsbury, Number 10 in Lavenham, the Coal Shed in Brighton, Fancett’s in Cambridge and Squires at the Bedford Lodge in Newmarket. Several establishments scored 4 and I have my fingers crossed that a visit to Market House in Cambridge will see it bumped up to a 5.

All in all a pretty good year. With a little good fortune 2023 will be even better.