Description: I stayed at the Portland in Hull on the night before a job interview. The fact that my potential employer chose to put me there really did make me think twice about whether I REALLY wanted to work for them. The Portland is dull, dreary, run down and dated; in short, it's a lot like Hull itself. If you want to be in the centre of the city (and sadly these days, not many people DO want to be in Hull full stop) it's not a bad location. It's surrounded by shops and close to the City Hall and the station but Hull's not a city that's easy to love.
First thing worth knowing is that Hull is the victim of a vicious one-way system that will fox all but the most impressive satellite navigation systems. I drove round and round for 10 minutes just trying to find the hotel. Then I had to find the railway station because at that time (I think it was only a temporary arrangement but it's worth checking) the hotel had no parking and was using the car parks at the station instead. Not good if you have luggage.
The Portland claims to be the 'first and only AA 4-star' in Hull. If this is a four-star then I'm a banana. I would say it's a poor 2-3 star standard at best. The décor is awful with lots of old cheap dark wood, unpleasant carpets and poor lighting. My room filled me with a sense of depression by it's sheer blandness. There were all the usual facilities like television, wi-fi, desk, phone, trouser press, hair-dryer etc. but there was just nothing about this place to make you feel at home or to make me want to go back.
Breakfast was busy and served in a large room on the first floor. The normal range of hot and cold food was available but nothing very memorable. My check out was quick because the people I was visiting had pre-paid it but I really didn't feel that they were trying to impress me as a potential employee by putting me in this nasty dreary hotel. Perhaps it IS the best Hull has to offer but it's still pretty drab.
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