Sounds like they finally got it right!

The River facing rooms were always nice and big.
They were just tired and in need of a refurb, or at least a deep clean.

Interested in the “people dressed for dinner “, That’s how the lounge should be.
Just appetisers, rather than an alternative to the/ a restaurant.

if it’s full tomorrow, there’s always the Doubletree at the airport, or break up the journey in York or Harrogate.