I’ve stayed at the Breadsall at least 15 times over the last 3-4 years. I conduct business in Derby and originally stayed at this hotel on the recommendation of my boss, a native Brit. I’m a creature of habit so I just automatically went back to this property every time I had to go to Derby.

The hotel is charming because it was originally built in the 1200s. Some of the original structure is still intact. The grounds are manicured very nicely (including the pet cemetery). It has 2 golf courses which attract a lot of business during the day. It has several conference rooms which are usually occupied during the week. Some wedding receptions are held there also. There is a wonderful handyman named Trevor that works there. He is the only thing I miss, because I refuse to stay at the Breadsall anymore.

I'm a Marriott Rewards Gold member and usually go out of my way to stay at Marriott properties, but refuse to stay here another night.

The hotel is hard to find if you are driving on your own. It’s easy for me now, but I struggled the first couple of times. It’s out in the middle of the countryside. I understand this may appeal to some. The closest airport is East Midlands, but not many major airlines fly there anymore. Your next closest airports are Birmingham and Manchester.

The lane you need to drive down to reach the hotel is VERY narrow. In some sections you need to stop and let opposing traffic (including golf carts) come through.

Parking can be difficult when there is a conference and a golf tournament at the same time. Sometimes I have to park on the grass on the edge of the golf course.

The beds are absolutely terrible. They are just bags of lumps.

If you stay more than 2 nights your room key-card will wear out and you need to go back to the front to have a new one coded.

The bedroom doors have no “slow closing” mechanism so you are constantly hearing doors slam in the middle of the night.

The hotel has 3 levels, but no elevator. To get to your room you will likely have to go up, down, up, and down again before arriving at your door. The place is like a maze.

The property has no air conditioning. You normally won’t need it, but I have been there one more than one occasion when it was actually hot. There are fans in the closet if you need them. If you open the windows there are no screens so the bugs come in.

90% of the time my incoming faxes are not delivered to my room and I am not notified either.

Fire alarms go off in the middle of the night. The bells are very loud and are located inside the rooms. You are more likely to die from a heart attack than a fire.

I ate dinner at the hotel restaurant once…once.

Breakfast is the same as all other UK Marriotts.

There is no high speed internet inside the rooms. You have to use WiFi and go down near reception and pay £15/day (if it happens to be working)

The bar near reception (there is a second near the 1st hole) is good and will stay open as long as there are customers.

I now stay at Morley Hayes. It is another golf course with 2 good restaurants and only about 1-2 miles away from the Breadsall. They just built a small hotel on the property this year and the rates are better than at the Breadsall. AC and high speed wired internet access for £10/day.

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