The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel & Bar

Wonderful stay at this very antique clean hotel! It was so convenient as it’s just by the train station and there is a Tesco express in front of the hotel. So lovely they have complementary tea/coffee as well as some hot chocolate and small snacks too. We were able to check-in a bit earlier than the check-in time so we really appreciate the flexibility of reception stuffs. The food at downstairs bar was also lovely. We didn’t have to go outside we they had bar with selection of food. If we ever come to Barrow we will definitely stay here again!

Barrow gets a poor press but other than appearances and being deserted on a Saturday afternoon its not that much worse than any other industrial town. Labelled as ''Barrows top hotel'' you think is it just being better than the others or is it truly a 4-star hotel. With a Premier Inn & Holiday Inn in the town that doesn't attract much tourism Id guess business travellers will be its main market. On a weekend a lot of hotels fall into the trap of catering for locals out drinking whilst neglecting hotel guests. Check-in was quick and simple with separate entrance for hotel and bar. Room was on the ground floor so easy access with a key fob for doors, the room itself was large with windows that cannot be opened, but as they were near the main street probably a good thing as it was November they wouldn't need to be. Key card allowed you to use electricity so you need to put it in the slot to get light, bathroom was of decent size but with a toilet that was close to the wall, the seat was broken, shower was ok and was easy to get correct temperature, there wasn't any shelves in the shower but the hotels shampoo/shower gel bottles fitted the shower taps. The TV was angled to the table and needed to be swung into position to watch it in bed, the bedside light was near the table but there wasn't a switch for the room light so you'd have to get out too switch that off & on. Bar was stocked with Lancaster Brewery's range, who also own the hotel and is a good pint, bar was busy as It appears to be Barrows premium restaurant and so was busy and not rowdy with patrons either starting their or finishing a night out. Breakfast is served in the bar area which doesn't have many floor level tables and chairs so if it's busy you might have to use a high rise area which is ok for a night but not so comfortable for breakfast. Breakfast had a limited choice of mostly children's cereals and not much fruit, coffee wasn't very hot, the full English was good with eggs cooked as you want I think there was a choice of other styles. Service was good it appears to offer this to walk-ins yet I didn't see any. Smoking area appeared to be only at front entrances, with ashtrays out of reach due to scaffolding I don't know that time they start so you may need to keep curtains shut if staying during the week.

8 of us just had a golf trip to Cumbria and stayed at the D of E. Rooms were really comfortable, food was excellent and staff very helpful. Would definitely go back