The Red Lion Hotel in Salisbury proudly boasts being Europe’s oldest purpose-built hotel, celebrating its 800th birthday in 2020. Adding to the appeal of staying in a historical setting, our choice to request a haunted room brought us to Room 93, known for reported incidents of disembodied babies crying.
As we entered the hotel, the juxtaposition of its location on a main road faded away upon passing through the gates into a picturesque courtyard adorned with a fountain. The ambiance was truly beautiful and adding to the charm was Leoni, the resident cat, whose presence was being enjoyed by many guests.
The hotel’s entrance hall radiated a sense of age with its skeleton clock and assorted historical artifacts and led us straight to the lounge, where we enjoyed a drink in front of an ornate carved fireplace. Although the hotel offers afternoon tea, we opted for a simple choice of diet coke, yet the ambiance made it a delightful moment.
Our Superior King Room was very spacious, featuring a colossal bed and a colour scheme of grey and white, a bit ‘Live laugh love’ but the black and white photographs showcasing close-ups of the cathedral were a great choice. While the window offered a view of the car park, the curtain’s slight shortfall detracted minimally from the overall experience. The bathroom, adorned with a beautiful roll-top bath, also housed a separate shower cubicle that could benefit from some regrouting. An unexpected nocturnal issue arose with persistent scratching and hooting from pigeons outside our window.
The morning greeted us with a delectable breakfast, featuring a buffet with a delightful array of traditional English and continental options. The high-quality sausage and smoked bacon, albeit a tad too smoked for my personal taste, showcased the hotel’s commitment to providing top-notch cuisine.
In conclusion, The Red Lion Hotel Salisbury successfully blends its rich history with contemporary comfort, offering a unique stay in the heart of Wiltshire. While minor issues like the pigeon noise and a need for regrouting in the shower were noted, they did little to overshadow the overall enchantment of this historic gem.