The Black Lion Royal Hotel
The Black Lion Royal Hotel descritpion
Set within a former coaching inn, dating back to the 1800s, this popular bar and restaurant now offers 18 comfortable bedrooms with private bathrooms in the heart of Lampeter, Mid-Wales.
Just a short walk away from the University of Wales, the Black Lion Royal Hotel also provides the ideal base for those wanting to explore the Ceredigion region, home to Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. The surroundings also offer an idyllic setting for peaceful country walks, fishing and golfing.
Each evening you can enjoy a freshly prepared meal in the Black Lion’s restaurant, serving an extensive bar menu accompanied by a variety of soft and alcoholic drinks.
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Facilities of The Black Lion Royal Hotel
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Meeting/Banquet Facilities
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for The Black Lion Royal Hotel
Review 1：Ate in the restaurant and was not overly keen on the meal as food very dry. As it was straight after Christmas there were a lot of things off the menu. Also there is a surcharge so the prices on the menu are not what you will end up paying. Bit steep. Probably will not eat in there again.
Review 2：Rooms have now been decorated, so are a lot cleaner and more comfortable but they have increase the cost of the stay. Would still stay here though.
Review 3：The bed was old, and very lumpy. The shower almost nonexistent, just a tiny dribble of warm water that took 15 minutes to warm up.
Review 4：good location in town centre; good pub and menu in the restaurant.
Review 5：Bad point is that my wife had a bad rib eye steak. There was no flavour and the pepper sauce was not up to much. That was only the bad point. We will come again but most probably go somewhere else for a evening meal.
Review 6：Stayed at room 205. Got to say very good for the price. We had a good room with a lot of space. The heating and hot water is very hot which is a very good point. Very friendly staff. Breakfast is very good as well.
Review 7：I must start by saying I did not have a bad experience. the cost was reflective of the overall experience. The hotel is looking a little tired, both inside and outside and would certainly benefit from having a overhaul.
Review 8：Staff were friendly and the cost per night is reflective of the condition of the hotel. I would pay more if it was in better condition throughout...
Review 9：room rather hot and a little noisy with some air conditioning/ extractor from nearby kitchens.
Review 10：excellent location for university visit. Friendly staff, good food, lovely big comfortable room.
Review 11：Having stayed previously and been satisfied was very disappointed this time at the lack of cleanliness. There was thick dust on top of the wardrobe had been there for several months. Was told by the cleaner she didn't have time to clean every room properly. At the time I had a chest infection. Breakfast was poor, badly cooked and service slow. Rooms are in desperate need of a makeover and good clean.
Review 12：Ideal location
Review 13：I believe one of my colleagues has already complained about the state of his room. My room was not very clean and the carpet was filthy after my day out and felt dirt on my feet. the shower did not work properly. I was kept awake most of the night by traffic and loud voices also woken very early by traffic and loud voices. I would not recommend this place again.
Review 14：the staff were not to bad, but being a hotel I expected the bar to stay open until I was ready to finish drinking.
Review 15：The room decor is very tired and needs updating badly. The staff closed the bar early on 2 of our 3 night stay because they were meeting friends at a local pub which i found particularly strange. Overall i felt as though the staff changed the rules to suit their own social lives with total disregard to the customers. I have booked another visit but i hasten to add not at this hotel.
Review 16：Cheap
Review 17：Not the hotels fault, but I choose to stay on a dead night in the town, but my friends whom I was visiting explained it is not uncommon. As a result, the restaurant closed early and after we 3 tried elsewhere, we made a visit to the award winning chippy - and that made up for the quietness!
Review 18：Convenience in town centre. On site parking behind. Not busy after 5.30pm
Review 19：The property is a bit tired and needs doing up, there was a peculiar smell in the bar area which was very noticeable.
Review 20：Good location in centre of town, room very clean. Good food served in bar. Staff were very good.
Review 21：The staff were great but totally over worked and a bit stressed because of this. I think Brains needs to get it's act together and give the hotel the staffing it needs. It took us 15 mins to order our evening meal and a further 45 mins before it was served. It came luke warm and whilst one dish had eight pieces of chicken, the other only had four! We sent it back and went out for our meal. I think the menu was all singing all dancing and the facilities and staff couldn't cope!!
Review 22：Comfortable room and warm! Plenty of hot water for bath after long day cycling. The breakfast was delicious and fuelled us up for the cycling day ahead!
Review 23：Poor state of room, bare light bulb, no lampshade, stains on carpet, radiator took us an hour to turn off while we sweltered, the TV did not work, furniture very marked, bathroom had mould on ceiling and cracked tiles, curtain hanging off. Car park had cigarette butts and flattened cans lying about.
Review 24：Central location. Food available on site. Staff pleasant. Room clean.
Review 25：Room and hotel in general looked like it could use a good spring cleaning.. Bedroom windows dirty and frames dirty
Review 26：Bed clean and comfortable, bathroom clean breakfast v. Good
Review 27：I was paying for another guest who was served an evening meal containing a cockroach. When he complained they offered him a free dessert. When I mentioned this to the duty manager and a member of the kitchen staff, the duty manager said he hadn't heard of it and the member of kitchen staff said it had been served in some fish and chips. Both seemed unconcerned and neither offered an apology. In addition there were dirty glasses left in my room by the previous occupant which had not been cleared up. I stay in the Black Lion quite regularly (the staff are friendly and it is very good value) and put up other University guests there, but they cannot afford lapses like this. In addition one of the bookings I had made for a guest via booking.com did not appear on the Black Lion's system. Luckily they had space. This may be booking.com's fault
Review 28：Staff very attentive to your needs. Room was excellent. Love this old coaching Inn. Quirky in some parts, which add to it's charm. Marvelous value for money.
Review 29：Furniture in the room a bit worn but low price of b and b compensated.
Review 30：Really good food, very good beer (Brains) and friendly reception (unlike Brighton!!)
Review 31：The kitchen closed early which could not be helped but no alternative was offered till I made a point of asking, although this could not be helped the staff should have even made the token gesture of laying out a few nibbles for travellers as many people book to stay as food is availbale also !! no hair dryer in room stayed there before many times and was previously , the shower was cold , just felt the overall atmosphere was not as amiable , and as said have stayed there about 6 times previous as my son is at University there.
Review 32：The lady on reception did attempt to make us feel more welcome
Review 33：2 single rooms booked, showers need bleaching due to mildew. Bed needs replacing in one, daughter could feel springs after she'd stoppped sinking! Not very impressed with breakfast, tomato not cooked just flashed grilled, mushrooms were slimy, clearly tinned version, bacon not cooked properly and should of asked how we'd like it cooked and my daughter is allergic to orange juice, she asked if their was an alternative, waitress just bluntly said no, didn't even offer something from the bar, squash or even water (which should of been on offer anyhow) my daughter has an hospitality background and she was shocked at the lack of customer service
Review 34：Rooms were clean
Review 35：Breakfast did not start until 8.30. So impossible to get your day started early.it was 7.30 on my earlier stays. Why the change?I may not return because of this.
Review 36：Very helpful and friendly staff
Review 37：There was not enough staff on to take orders and serve at the bar.
Review 38：Very reasonable price and included a very good choice of cooked and non cooked breakfast. For the price there was nothing to complain about at all.
Review 39：Excellent Hotel. The rooms were very comfortable and clean. The staff were always cheerful and very helpful. I would and have recommend this hotel to friends for a stay there.
Review 40：The shower was lukewarm in room 206 and there was dust under the dressing table near the skirting where it hadn't been hoovered for a while.
Review 41：Mina was extremely helpful and welcoming.
Review 42：During the night my sleep was disturbed several times by what sounded like a mouse gnawing! There were cracks in the walls, and general state of the room was tired. The maintenance and cleanliness of the shower cubicle, particularly the shower head left a lot to be desired, therefore I chose not to use the shower. The television had no remote control and was therefore unusable.
Review 43：The hotel had real old charm character. Staff were friendly and food cooked and presented well.
Review 44：The floor, walls and some furniture in our room were really dirty, with stains all over them. The bed was squeaky every time you moved. The staff that work there, while great; seem overworked - it was the same staff for breakfast as for dinner the night before and they seemed tired.
Review 45：The staff were really friendly, and the pub downstairs seems to be the best place in town to eat. The food was great and lots to choose from.
Review 46：Could have done with 2 bedside lamps, quality of t.v. Signal was poor. shower head was very small.
Review 47：friendly staff, clean towels every day, tea and coffee replenished everyday.good breakfast
Review 48：not serving food after 8pm, not told when we booked table that the 2 for £12 not available. Many people came in and were turned away. Food was good but at breakfast waiter was not welcoming and we felt we were in the way. Coffee ran out, reluctantly got pot out of the machine. Outside tables had dirty glasses and cups on, looked like they had been there days.
Review 49：The place was dated, peeling wallpaper, ceilings yellowed with smoke downstairs and generally run down. Cleanliness was not brilliant here and there. Our shower did not work at all
Review 50：The staff the bed and the food. Breakfast brilliant and they have a two meals for £12 which was excellent value and terrific.
Review 51：The room (201) - decor dated badly, window single glazed and looked out onto the main road - noise from traffic was almost constant. No light shade over the main light. One of the wall lights was partially missing. Ensuite - the shower was over the bath, the sealant around the bath and sink was black and coming away from the wall, there was mould/black areas on the ceiling above the shower, the extractor fan hardly worked and made a noise when the light was on. Communal areas - the corridors and stairs leading to the bedrooms need redecorating, the pub area was in need of redecoration, could also do with better and comfier seating. Also worth noting is the town clock opposite chimes every 15 minutes!
Review 52：Staff were friendly, great parking area around the back of the pub. Good pint of beer. Good central location for the town. Clean.
Review 53：The person waiting at breakfast was rather grumpy both mornings and made an issue about the fact that I wanted to join a table with four friends. He said I should have asked the night before. It only involved moving some cutlery as there were already five chairs around the table.
Review 54：Location in the centre of Lampeter was good, the breakfast was also well cooked both mornings
Review 55：Room was OK-ish, but I couldn't tell the difference between mine and the so-called basic rooms, which were much cheaper
Review 56：Good feel in the place, and friendly staff
Review 57：Sorry room needs a good clean,dust and freshen up.
Review 58：Staff very friendly, Evening meal very nice breakfast very good. Good location to where we needed to go.
Review 59：Friendly welcome, all necessary information given on arrival. We used the hotel as a base to explore the local area, breakfast was more than we would normally eat and kept us full until a light lunch. Enjoyed the stay and would use the hotel again.
Review 60：The room wasn't really that clean, the windows didn't close properly (some you couldn't access) the noise from the street was awful, between the boy racers and the town clock chiming hourly from 6am till 11pm, not sure if it was just my room, because the rest of the rooms looked ok
Review 61：Not much, staff were pleasant,and it was value for money glad I didn't pay to much
Review 62：The bed was very comfortable but very squeaky every time you moved. The meals in the evening were very limited as they had very little choice due running out of stock.
Review 63：The staff were very pleasant and helpful.
Review 64：The shower was broken and the lack of information/ communication between staff and guests. I think if we got a guide about our stay it would of been a lot easier because we wouldn't have to ask staff all the time as all our answers would be written down.
Review 65：The room was very spacious
Review 66：Some lights in room not working, particularly shaver light. Car park on an apparent thoroughfare - worries re vandalism (broken glass - this was reported, no action taken).
Review 67：Good location, good food, easy access, comfortable, extremely good value for money.
Review 68：Room was too warm. Hence window had to be left open and our room was facing the high street. So we had the noise of early morning traffic and the town hall clock. Room information should give times of breakfast and checkout.
Review 69：Super breakfast. Convenient and ample parking.
Review 70：Musty smelling room. Bathroom fan not working. Mildew on ceiling. One wall light missing, the other not working. No shade on main light. Road noise and chimes of town clock. Décor drab. A little TLC to the room would have improved our stay significantly.
Review 71：Excellent breakfast
Review 72：The only down fall was the mattress wasn't great may just be my personal preference but didn't sleep much due to it!
Review 73：We turned up to a town centre took us some time to find the parking! It was behind the pub which was massive,I checked in and asked if they could get us a travel cot and they said we can't find on but will ensure you get one so I went to car to unpack when got to the room the staff member was there with the travel cot which was fast service! Our family room was massive lots of space had a lovely shower too! We had a drink while we was there the beer was amazing lovely ales too luckily we asked about evening meal and got told we had to book so that's my advise to those going its best to book if you want to eat there! The food price was ok but did have offers not a lot on the menu but there was only one chef they cooked your food fresh and you can actually see the chef making the food which is nice it was served fast and hot, all the staff were friendly and helpful made sure we had a highchair set up for little one speaking to him and also getting him some squash so going above and beyond to help us then at breakfast we had the same table as the night before you help your self to cereal and juice but order your cooked breakfast free in the room rate! Big portion like the night time meal one chef cooking it fresh can see him doing it but fast at getting it to the table sasuages are lovely and the toast was nice wasn't normal white bread a bonus!
Review 74：bedside lights would have been useful. The breakfast was very greasy and slightly extra time mininimising excessive grease would have been a much better food presentation
Review 75：Size of room and all facilities in room
Review 76：Just a little dated but it's an old pub and still pleasant. No hairdryer in the room but that's not much of a problem.
Review 77：The pub food was great.Very good value for 2 for £12. Large servings and good food. Generous cooked breakfast. Room was nice and large for a pub. The bed was comfortable. Good to have off street parking out the back.
Review 78：Very hot upstairs and very 'tired' furnishings the shelf holding kettle was screwed to the wardrobe and the kettle stand fell off the shelf when you lifted the kettle. But you get what you pay for and overall it was fine.
Review 79：Beds were clean and comfortable, plenty of hot water and the breakfast was freshly cooked and plentiful. Friendly helpful staff and very reasonably priced.
Review 80：The room was a bit rundown and the wardrobe door was broken.
Review 81：Location was good breakfast was great and they did fix my wardrobe door thank you, overall I was pleased.
Review 82：Maybe a pity the maintenance and internal decoration has such a low priority. So few staff. In spite of that Henry was always there for us so we didn't have to wait too long in reception or in the bar. No doubt about it Henry was being overworked and working excessive hours.
Review 83：Henry who seemed to do everything, from reception, to waiting on to serving behind the bar and generally running the operation was such a nice/pleasant and helpful chap. The breakfast was really good. Free to come and go to our rooms at our convenience.
Review 84：Room was very hot and with the window open quite noisy. The wifi was erratic.
Review 85：The staff were lovely and could not have been more helpful. the food was great.
Review 86：I don't think my room had been cleaned as there were bits on the floor and marks on the bedding and left over soap in the shower from previous use, the room was also uncomfortably hot but a fan was provided
Review 87：The staff were lovely and the location was ideal
Review 88：maybe fans in the bar and restaurant would be an improvement in summer
Review 89：Pleasant stay to attend a reunion at the college, parking at rear through archway from High Street, nice breakfast
Review 90：Leaving. I'll be back.
Review 91：The price was excellent. It wasn't the Savoy or The Ritz, but an honest Pub/Hotel. Breakfast good. Bed and room good. Centre of town. Staff, bless 'em. excellent. If you want The Savoy or The Ritz, go and pay their prices. I just checked the price for one night at The Ritz tonight. £3,150.00 B & B one person, one night. Go for it you complainers.
Review 92：The whole hotel was very tired as was the town, Noisy extractor fan outside the window.
Review 93：Price was a bargain, Staff were pleasant, Room was clean, food was ok
Review 94：The room was like a sauna ! even with the window open and the fan on. We faced the front so early morning visitors were the local buses, bins collecting empties and the clock every quarter hour ! Not a restful night !
Review 95：Location was good for the town and going to other places- Aberaeron and Cardigan for us.
Review 96：The barman that checked us in was dirty, it looked like he hadn't changed his shirt for over a week. his hands were dirty and his overall appearance scruffy
Review 97：The comfort of the bed
Review 98：dont like the way the locals hog the bar at night by sitting on the stools by it its intimidating when you are try to get served we felt unwelcome sorry
Review 99：i think we have stayed in most of the rooms but this was the best ...the family room at the back large quiet and clean with pristine linen and a new tv with remote in this room it wasnt too hot like the others and you cant hear the clock strike T tray ace ..dont moan if theres not enough just ask and you can have more breakfast was ace all local produce used thick bacon plump sausage Will be back old coaching inn quaint town with loads of history
Review 100：Slightly dated! Some cracked walls and the rooms and corridors were extremely hot! Didn't sleep much the first night! Made sure that i drank more the second night!
Review 101：Good value and location. Friendly staff and nice breakfast.
Review 102：Furnishings, fixtures and fittings are very tired. It's clean but the carpet in my room was badly stained and there was mould above the bath.
Review 103：Centrally located in the town. Decent breakfast.
Review 104：Corridors grubby and room needed redecorating. Bathroom functional but needs bleach around shower! The washbasin water was so hot the cold tap ran hot too.
Review 105：Great location, delicious breakfast, good value for money!
Review 106：Again the usual faults were about "Wallpaper Peeling and Paintwork" little things but very Annoying. I would like to see the Board provide a Contingency fund so the Excellent Staff could Organise Temporary Repairs, or maybe an "odd Job Man" which I think would get rid of most of the "Complaints" R Gillespie
Review 107：As usual the "Food And Staff" were Excellent. We were pleased to see "Some Improvements had been made with regard to "New Windows and New Tv's as well as new Remotes. Hope the Board keeps on with the Improvements"
Review 108：The shower was wimpy. Be sure to ask for a room at the back of the hotel because there is a bell which tolls every quarter hour across the road, very loudly.
Review 109：Good location, plenty of parking behind the hotel, good value evening meal.
Review 110：It was very warm in the room & the chimney from the kitchen made a noise until late evening
Review 111：The breakfast was good & set us up for a strenous cycling day ahead
Review 112：The shower was either scorching hot or freezing cold, with very low pressure
Review 113：The full English breakfast was amazing, staff very friendly, good value for money considering that breakfast was included
Review 114：Bed was very uncomfortable. Bathroom walls were covered in mildew. Whole room felt very tired. I couldn't get any food when I arrived as they had closed for a private party. I paid twice as much for the room as a friend who booked an hour after me, and who was given a far nicer room.
Review 115：Stayed in Family Room 101. Shame that the wallpaperhad not been repaired or stuck back on. Need for lights by the bed - either or both sides - save having to get out and use the main light switch.
Review 116：Breakfast
Review 117：In need of refurbishment - my room was comfy but both it and the en-suite were a bit tired and there were no plug sockets available anywhere near the bed.
Review 118：Great Breakfast! I can recommend the kippers.
Review 119：Nothing to mention, it was a perfect Inn type of Bed & Breakfast
Review 120：Everything: location, price, very friendly staff, parking at the back yard, breakfast, room with a nice double bed and a bath tub. We didn't try any drinks or dinner at the B&B's pub area due to heading to the coast promptly and returning too late, but as we took a takeaway dinner on our return we asked for utensils and they were kindly provided.
Review 121：The room wasn't great, had a huge boiler in a cupboard which made the room unbearable with the window closed, but with the window open we had the very noisy high street preventing us from getting to sleep, the bathroom in particular was like a sauna at all times with hot pipes running underneath the floor, the hotel was quite dirty and really needed renovating
Review 122：Staff were very helpful and friendly, breakfast was great and the free wifi was reliable, also for the price it was great value for money
Review 123：The tv was an old set, no free view. Only two channels available. Not the best. Had to listen to music and catch up tv on our tabs.
Review 124：Stayed in several places, but have to say the bed and pillows provided here were the best we've had so far.
Review 125：I had read some negative comments about The Black Lion, but given the cost decided to chance it. Really pleased that I did, comfortable rooms, good evening meal and breakfast included in the room price. Best value for money I've found in a long time.
Review 126：Room decor is definitely looking a little tired
Review 127：The Black is finally getting a much needed facelift, inside and out, every time I stay there something more has been done. Last visit there was a new menu, this time the exterior has been painted, new fascias and gutters, new windows, the decoration has started on the shared areas of the hotel and the rooms are clean as a whistle. As long as they keep up the improvements then you won't be able to find much fault with any aspect of your stay. Make sure you try the restaurant and wash it down with a pint of Brains Dark
Review 128：Light bulbs missing from lamps. Situated in the front of hotel - very noisy at night with traffic and people.
Review 129：The bedlinnen and towels were spotless. The room was comfortable.
Review 130：TV always a problem in this hotel Only has one Channel and TV is out of the Ark Not even a scart lead socket. Bathroom needed a bit of a spruce up
Review 131：Covered all my needs for two night stay
Review 132：lack of working tv in rooms (203 & 204) and when reported to management they said that they had recivied a lot of complants about the tvs not working but still the problem is still there so unless you only like a tv with only 2 stations ch4 and sky sports then you might as well for get watching tv
Review 133：the day we left to come home
Review 134：The TV only showed sport or the CBS channel even when the remote or TV buttons were used.
Review 135：The room was bigger than expected and provided toiletries and decent towels.
Review 136：needed more staff one member trying to do book in book out and sort out breakfast no remote control in room
Review 137：breakfast was very nice good beer and food rooms were very good too
Review 138：the condition of the décor in the room.
Review 139：the food was lovely. The beer well kept, room clean and tidy. Staff helpful,polite and friendly. Good size free carpark.
Review 140：The TV only had two channels and the remote didn't work.
Review 141：The very friendly staff and atmosphere was good in the pub.All the bedding was very clean white and crisp. Beds were comfortable.
Review 142：Used online booking to get room bad mistake, should have phoned first, would have got room I wanted not room booking.com wanted to sell me.
Review 143：Good location as I was visiting son at university,
The Fine Print
Please note that the hotel does not accept American Express card as a guarantee or payment for the booking.