Broadway Hotel

Our Members Say

 There is only one hotel in Letchworth itself, and it's the Broadway.

It is situated in the town centre, a minute's walk from the railway station and shops/eateries and so on, so is extremely convenient.

Letchworth was purpose-built in the early part of the twentieth century as a 'dry' town. That is, no alcohol was allowed to be sold within the town limits. This ruling was finally overturned in 1957, when the first license to sell alcohol on the premises was allowed and permission to build the hotel was granted.

The actual building started in 1961, the hotel being designed by architect Sydney Clark and modelled on Georgian architecture with two storeys (a third was added in the 1980s).

You have to pay on arrival. I don't much like that, and it is not common in the UK.

Rooms are typical UK business hotel (I suspect most of their custom comes from business travellers, and from people attended local weddings etc). My single had a comfortable-enough single bed (although I would have appreciate a spare blanket as the night was chilly and the radiator tucked under he dressing table), a squeaky-clean en-suite, television and tea/coffeemaking facilities (plus teabags, biscuits, sugar etc....instant coffee, of course). Nothing special (and with no enclosed wardrobe, only hanging space) but adequate, although the view was not particularly entrancing.

Given that the restarant seemed to be popular (good prices for satisfactory food, mostly based around a 'carvery') breakfast was a disappointment. It was all self-service (which is ok), with the usual cereals, yoghurt and so on..even some processed cheese slices. Juice was pleasant, coffeee was acceptable.....but tea had to be made with hot water from a thermos jug. This is not the way to make drinkable tea. It requires water at boiling point.

The cooked breakfast (bacon, mushrooms, scrambled egg, hash browns (factory-produced), baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sausage) was kept 'hot' under lights. I arrived 30 minutes after breakfast started and the food was barely lukewarm (and the hash browns barely brown). This is not acceptable.

Toast was available (white and brown sliced bread), but one has to toast one's own.One pass through the toaster produced barely-brown toast, two passes and it started to burn. Again, not good enough.

Did I complain? No. Couldn't be bothered, and it's not in my character.

The young staff (from many countries) were very pleasant. There is a lift. You keep the rather large key with you, as the hotel is locked after 11pm (entrance is by coded keypad).

This hotel has a monopoly in central Letchworth, and I think it shows. It could be a much better place.As it is, it is adequate and no more. No complaints about cleanliness, facilities were satisfactory..but that breakfast is simply not what one expects for the price.

Perhaps I visited on a bad day? 

20 members live in Letchworth