Southern Cross


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Southern Cross descritpion


Ideally located close to Watford Town Centre, and with easy access to the M25 and M1 motorways, the Southern Cross is a friendly local pub with a lively atmosphere. It offers free onsite parking and free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Situated above the pub, each room offers a flat-screen digital TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The rooms have access to shared bathroom facilities.
Traditional hearty pub meals are served in the Southern Cross daily, with a range of great special deals which vary throughout the week. The bar serves a range of beers, wines, and soft drinks.
The Southern Cross is an ideal base for exploring London. Watford Junction Tube Station and Watford Junction Railway Station are both just 5 minutes’ walk away.

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Facilities of Southern Cross

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).

General :Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reviews for Southern Cross

Review 1:My room had a massive damp patch by the sink and the room therefore smelled so bad.

Review 2:Close to Watford town centre and Watford Junction station. A lot cheaper than other hotels I the area. My room had a shower, which I wasn't expecting.

Review 3:hotel room was tiny and had a lot of annoying problems attention to detail was awful even had to buy my own toilet rolls. however it was cheap so you have to take that into account l suppose. room was clean.

Review 4:downstairs bar and eating area very nice and good value

Review 5:Staff could have been more attentive as no check back on meals were done, the cleaner left the dirty spoon and glass in the room all week and there was mould in corners on the shower

Review 6:It was close to the training centre I was visiting staff were friendly enough

Review 7:Breakfast advertised but nothing

Review 8:No toilet in the rooms,shower not cleen,no soap. Was told no break fast on arrival when i was asked time of preference to have breakfast when booking. Very disappointed

Review 9:I was surprised not to find soap in the room, although even the unused towels were changed daily! I was amazed that breakfast was not available. The two reported failed light bulbs were not replaced during my stay.

Review 10:n/a - no problems at all

Review 11:The linen, room and toilet/shower were once again immaculately clean. The staff are friendly, helpful and professional. I find it very comfortable.

Review 12:Checking out at 10:30, bit early!

Review 13:The fact that our kettle wanst working but the person in charge at the time came straight to our room amd offered us her own kettle

Review 14:Advertised WI-FI does not reach upstairs to the rooms. In our shared bathroom, the toilet basin was not clean, and the bathroom door could not be shut. In the other toilets, there was No soap, and the toilet would not flush. Our hair yet station was literally hanging off the wall, hanging by just the wire.

Review 15:Staff were nice and friendly.

Review 16:I think the boy was running colidor at night and it sounds really..oh my. People walk colidor must be carefully because it's little bit old colidor.

Review 17:They serve tea and coffee enough. Not far from Watford Junction station and just go strait that's it!!

Review 18:There was no soap in the bathroom (the dispenser was broken). The room was cramped. It was dirty and smelt of cigarette smoke. Only had a shared bathroom which was a long distance away. The shower kept going hot and cold. It was noisy outside and the outside light was bright. They charged us an extra £42 for a separate room even though I booked a twin!

Review 19:The fact that it was above a restaurant

Review 20:It was dirty. The windowledge on the inside of the room had built up dirt on it. Poor facilities.No pillowslips on the pillows!!

Review 21:It was available at short notice. I found it easily.

Review 22:Shower in room 3 faulty and water dangerously hot PARTICULARLY when the cold was not working.

Review 23:Your staff are fantastic. Food very good and plentiful. Housekeeping/cleaning very effective and attentive.

Review 24:Many things didn't work. The windows were very old and covered with mould and didn't shut properly. The toilet was difficult to flush in one of the rooms and the toilet paper, tea making items etc were not renewed for our second night. The light didn't work in one of the bathrooms. There was no breakfast available.

Review 25:For Watford prices it was quite inexpensive. The Wifi was included and worked well.

Review 26:Good location, easy access to Watford and the surrounding area. Just inside the M25 so didn't have as much traffic to fight through as with areas further into London. Excellent quality room, comfortable bed, and at just £42 for the night it was exceptional value for London.

Review 27:The pictures are nothing like the actual place. Me and my sister were in room 7. Upon arrival the bedroom window was wide open there fore it was freezing. It had a strong pungent smell of fish. Thw room hair dryer was hanging off the wall and was unclean. My sisters bed was clean but mine was filthy resulting in me sleeping in jeans as i had jama shorts on previously and the bedding was itching my legs. Thw bathroom next door to room 7 was absolutely disgusting public toilets are cleaner. The toilet bowl was black with dirt. The walls needed decorating and there was also a left over poo in the toilet as the toilet didn't flush. The showrr in the bedroom was rotten. It was covered in mould in and around the shower and walls. We requested air freshner and bleach. Also check was not until 12 and they came and tried to make us checj out an hour early.

Review 28:The staff. And close to watford junction.

Review 29:They do a mean burger. Great location for train to London. Fabulous Thai restaurant just around the corner. Also cafe around the block. But no breakfast at hotel.

Review 30:The room was freezing cold with no heating working. In the morning the inside of windows were covered in condensation.

Review 31:The friendly manner of the manager

Review 32:Toilet didn't flush properly and got told this whilst leaving. Bathroom window didn't close making the room cold. The door lock was a pain to open and close.

Review 33:The price of the room for 1 night was fair

Review 34:Dust dull lamp bulbs Water left in room kettle from previous guest WiFi connections from room non existent No splash back tiles to wall behind taps in room sink. Sink oversized and too close to bed head and pillows Room Shower stained and old hair in drainer Shelf in shower painted MDF loose and holds no weight ( i.e. shampoo or shaving foam can) Room wall paper or lining paper requiring pasting back to walls in several areas within room Shared corridor toilet ( out of date approach to privacy and personal hygiene) Any movement in bed , bed tended to move on floor along with you. ....décor dated and not appealing

Review 35:Friendly helpful staff Bar meals and service to tables excellent Bed and linen clean and presented well Towels clean and fresh Good and secure parking Great location for town or travel

Review 36:Soap was 2 dirty leftover fragments. Not very nice to use. Shared toilet not very clean. Lighting in room very low or dark. Mirror light not working.

Review 37:The staff were very friendly and helpful. It was handy to eat in the pub. Handy smoking area outside. Pub was still open when I got in late and served me a drink. Nice clean soft towels.

Review 38:Room was tired. Thick dust on skirting boards. Mould above shower. Cracked tiles in shower. Bathroom next to room door wouldn't shut and leaking pipework. The whole accommodation area could do with redecoration and a good clean.

Review 39:Staff were friendly and helpful.location was very close to Harry Potter World. sheets were clean.

Review 40:Truly awful! Dirty rooms. Stained bedding (blood and god knows whatelse) doors that wouldn't close offering no privacy or security.Toilets that wouldn't flush. Windows that had never been cleaned,were cracked and wouldn't shut meaning we could hear every noiseoutside. Do not stay here or waste your money. I complained so intenselyI got a full refund. Without an argument....me thinks I am not the firstto complain!!!!

Review 41:Nothing! It was utterly dreadful. In absolutely every way!

Review 42:Not told there was no breakfast, and no bath gel after travelling 12+ hrs by air It should b provided even at a price or told during booking.

Review 43:Staff, space n location

Review 44:For the price they didn't supply breakfast.

Review 45:The staff were very nice but the bedroom was very tired looking which I do believe they will be updating soon. They had an on-suite without the toilet.

Review 46:The serve no breakfast, but there is a restaurant the servers full English next to Watford junction. The shower en toilets are out dated. Late at night loud noise of people leaving the bar.

Review 47:Great location only 5 min to Watford junction from where the pendle bus to Harry potter leaves an from where you get in in the hart of londen in 30 min. The beds where clean.

Review 48:Shared toilet not very close to the room. Lots of limescale in the kettle. Wifi didn't work in the room.

Review 49:Good value in a good location, booked only a few days before. Bed and room generally fine and did the job as a place to sleep. Although above a pub it was quiet and not open very late.

Review 50:Kettles need de-scaling

Review 51:Basic accommodation and good value for money. It was what I expected. Basically a step or two above a hostel. Comfy bed and private shower. Toilet down the hall. Basically clean but could use a thorough scrubbing to hit the corners.

Review 52:Felt as basic as a university room with extras: wall mounted TV and shower(if they are extras now). Searched under B and Bs to find it and didn't spot lack of breakfast until was there. Should it have come up in a search for such accommodation?

Review 53:Proximity to eventt I attended. Clean and quiet.

Review 54:The WIFI wasn't strong enough to reach our room, and didn't pop up by itself. Not for Apple products.

Review 55:Nice room, quiet even with the pub-guests downstairs.

Review 56:Online, I requested to check in early but when I got there, no one was there to check me in.

Review 57:It had everything I needed at the right cost. I was only in Watford for the Harry Potter studio tour and it was close to the train station and the shuttle for the tour.

Review 58:quality of tapwater (always a problem in Hertfordshire) - I recommend buying water from supermarket for making coffee/tea

Review 59:Rooms, bed, etc very clean Staff friendly and professional - felt safe and welcome good food available in bar in evening/lunchtime rooms surprisingly quiet (even over bar) decent coffee and tea in room with kettle

Review 60:Wifi signal was non existent in my room at end of building i had to go up and stand in the hall to get it

Review 61:Staff mostly helpful and can always get a reasonably price meal at the bar

Review 62:Décor rather tired and carpets worn. Bedroom doors provide little sound insulation from corridor noise.

Review 63:Room adequate for one night. Excellent, good value steak and real ale in the pub restaurant. Breakfast not available on site but a reasonable café open from 8am is 5 minute's walk down the road.

Review 64:I was on my way from Luton Airport in the evening and missed my bus to Watford, so I called the property up to warn them. Although check in had closed at 10.30, they agreed to let me in after 12 midnight, therefore saving me from being homeless!

Review 65:Standard and need for decoration. Shared toilet this time. No toiletries..my last two stays there has been.

Review 66:The bed Windows in this room were better

Review 67:We wanted to have chicken wings off the menu downstairs in the pub but on both nights were told that they had none and were awaiting delivery... Pretty poor considering they had food challenges on and on was with chicken wings

Review 68:good location in Watford plenty to do Hotel clean was surprised we had a bath shower and toilet in our room as we were told it would be a shared toilet and just a shower Great pub down stairs and staff friendly

Review 69:A shower in the room was not working. The bathtub in the bathroom on the landing was not much better. The non-detachable shower head would not be an issue really if it worked. It didn't.

Review 70:Helpful and polite staff, really clean room, crisp clean bead sheets, tea and coffee facilities, very comfortable and quiet place.

Review 71:Once we had checked in we took our bags upstairs. We came down around 15 - 20 minutes later and our check in form was left on the desk unattended with our details on. Also the hotel wasn't very clean.

Review 72:The restaurant was lovely, staff were friendly and food was faultless.

Review 73:The toilet was shared and as a result was a bit smelly at times. The shower had been taped up and the water pressure wasn't great - it kept running hot and cold.The window wouldn't shut properly which made me feel unsafe. The hairdryer made the lights flicker when I used it which was worrying

Review 74:The staff were amazingly helpful and friendly, the bed was very comfortable. Food and service in the bar was amazing. The staff were in the restaurant late enough for me to grab an extra coffee. The location was perfect, not near a motorway so was quiet but still within reach of shops (10 mins).

Review 75:I was on roadside which was the first problem, no double glazing and could here every car passing along with anyone coming and going via the pubs front door. The southern cross building is a very old one and not much work has been done on sound proofing, could here the gentlemen in next room snoring throughout the night, on a thursday night there is a pub quiz which i could have contended in from my first floor room as could here every word so in summary - Not good for a light sleeper !

Review 76:The staff were friendly and the convenience of having food and drink just downstairs was nice as opposed to a travel lodge where you have to wander around at night looking for an inn!

Review 77:TV channels and control not very responsive, shower head did not stay in fixed position, shower needed a good clean around the tile grouting, obviously shower fittings were quite old

Review 78:Clean beds and towels, plenty of tea bags, lots of hot water

Review 79:Room was filthy, curtains didn't hang properly due to broken clips. Window latch was broken, you couldn't close the window. Shared toilet was filthy and in poor state. Toilet would flush once and then take an age before it could be flushed again.

Review 80:duvet.

Review 81:If you are a good sleeper fine but a lot of background noise if you arn't.Floor boards creek,because of communal facilities, washing machine or similar noise in the early hours.Would have slept better with a couple of beers but early start,couldn't oversleep.Dirty shower, No soap,no warning to bring your own

Review 82:close to station.No noise coming from bar,and there was ample of on site parking(not used came by train)

Review 83:when I looked online the southern cross was given a two star, however as came down for a couple days only wanted a room to sleep in. However the whole stay was brilliant. Staff were amazing, the room was brilliant, and its only a short walk to the station and to town.

Review 84:No breakfast because the bar is open. The shared loo was dirty but that is also due to other guests.

Review 85:Excellent food and parking. The room was comfortable.

Review 86:The hotel was in a pub that served food which was great but they didnt do breakfast. The building was old and so the rooms were a little tired.

Review 87:I was very close to watford junction which is where we needed to be.Surprised we were given an en suite as we were only expecting a shared bathroom.

Review 88:Bars need to decide what is most important to them. Having your staff take food orders at the bar for 11 meals not only men's no one else can be served for time infinity but clearly begs the question why not employ waiting staff. Tried twice to get a drink at bar but service so slow gave up a and went to competitor down the road. Irish bar, service in seconds

Review 89:Shower hard to adjust, windows warped would not fit ok for summer suggest replacing for winter

Review 90:Beds were soft and comfortable though similar to camp beds

Review 91:The staff were super friendly. Rooms were basic - but hey we weren't moving in! Lovely and clean, fresh bedding and the room was warm. Excellent parking - freedom to come and go

Review 92:It is a shame they don't offer breakfast.

Review 93:The location is good - close to Watford Junction. The staff are extremely friendly and the food in the pub is good. They were also happy for me to staff there until midday on my last day which was very helpful.

Review 94:Lack of phone to call if in trouble room one bathroom needs a total refurbished window cracked hanging of its hinges mould on side of Bath no bed side light very noisy as above a busy pub

Review 95:Clean rooms

Review 96:I asked for food at the bar and was told by the member of staff that I had to order from the other side of the bar where the tables are. When I went over there, another staff member said that I could have ordered from the bar. So I raised this with the original staff member and he denied saying this to me. He lied.

Review 97:Beautiful and stylish bar and food area.

Review 98:The bathroom looked a wee bit shabby....make over started but not finished.

Review 99:Very central (10 minute walk) to centre of town. Room and service was excellent.

Review 100:For a longer stay a bit more space in the room would have been nice. Having no soap/shower gel/shampoo provided was unexpected.

Review 101:Convenient and clean

Review 102:The shower (seemed dirty but was just old), the toilets not in the room, the scaled kettle, no breakfast.

Review 103:The location is very good. I had dîner at the restaurant, it was very good and lively!

Review 104:very noisy thin walls you could hear everything from room next door and in bar till midnight no soap in sink or shower the waste pipe from next room come through my drain pipe

Review 105:They offer free WiFi which for my phone blackberry z10 didn't pick up much.

Review 106:We stayed here for the harry potter studios. The hotel offered free parking they give you a paper to put in the window. The staff were great and knew by the harry potter scarf that we were there for the studios. The bed was really comfy with a bathroom to ourselves. We were given a front door key which was great as we didn't know what time we were coming back. The food in the pub was amazing and we'll priced. As it is a pub the music didn't stop till about 12:00 but we were still awake at this point.

Review 107:The shared bathroom was a little mouldy and not the cleanest and the wait for food was well over an hour! There were only 2 members of (very stressed out) staff on in a very full & busy pub.

Review 108:The location, room and food were all great. The room itself was clean & comfortable & excellent value for money

Review 109:- Was told on arrival that a team leader wasn't around to check me in. Fair enough - I got a pint while I waited. After 20 minutes of waiting, I asked another guy at the bar who told me that a team leader had in fact been around the whole time. Not the best start. - No soap or handwash in the toilet. Not acceptable. Good job I brought my own. - The shared toilet has an extremely long 'recharge' time. This means that you'll frequently walk in to find stuff in the loo. Inconvenient, and a bit gross. - The wifi was terrible from room 9. Agonizing one bar connection. Gets turned off completely at 11.

Review 110:- Warm, clean room. - Good selection of TV channels. - Comfortable bed. - Quiet. I felt like the room offered a lot of privacy, which is important for me. - Friendly, accommodating staff (in spite of the early mishap). - You're given a key to the main door, so after your initial check-in, you can return at any time. Would I stay again? Yes. In spite of its shortcomings, The Southern Cross is still better value for money than the nearest Travelodge. If they sorted out the bathroom and did the place up a bit, then it'd be a real winner.

Review 111:The staff were amazing. Rick was so friendly and made me feel relaxed before my big interview. Bed was so comfortable and great value for money compared to other hotels aronud here.

Review 112:1. Radiator in room not secured to wall. Presented danger of injury. 2. Plug missing from sink in room. Ditto sink & bath in communal bathroom. 3. Unable to close window due to excessive paint layers on window. 4. Mains socket damaged & unuseable. 5. Restaurant/bar way too cold. 6. VERY POOR connectivity to WiFi. Hotel displayed that it was connected to "The Cloud". Service NOT available. 7. Constant drip from inlet pipe to cistern in communal toilet . This has stained/damaged the paint/woodwork. 8. Communal toilet cistern Interminably slow in re-filling. 20 minutes?

Review 113:1. Prompt (temporary) repair to radiator. 2. Plug in sink in room promptly provided. 3. Prompt repair to electrical socket.

Review 114:Bed uncomfortable, food disgusting was dry and would not feed my cat it was like a dead rat, shared toilet disgusting, no fan working place needs refurb. Ensuite shower rubbish hose head only goes one way in ur face would not move and try find light switch good luck walls as thin a paper would never stay her again

Review 115:Pool table and location of my site

Review 116:Only 1 niggle is that they didn't serve breakfast. After eating a gorgeous meal in evening and then waking up to the menu on the bedside table I was dying for breakfast! Lol but they recommended a gorgeous cafe just 5 minutes walk away and was well worth it

Review 117:Great location for harry potter tour. Absolutely gorgeous food and atmosphere is brilliant. Even with my 5 year old we found a comfy spot after dinner and stayed down for a good few hours in evening such a warm welcome. Nice rooms comfy beds and great friendly staff. The manager plus the barman Phil great service

Review 118:Damp smell. No light working in bathroom. Lack of toilet paper.Shower mouldy. Could hear next door. Plug in the room sink did not fit the plug hole.

Review 119:Friendly staff.

Review 120:The food in the pub wasnt up to much. Service was slow. Room was verybasic, kettle didnt match the stand, taps didnt turn on properly andtoilet didmt flush right. Pillows gave both of us conjunctivitis.Obviously when rooms are as cheap as they were you dont expect much, butthis was below or low expections. Wouldnt stay here again.

Review 121:Very convienent location, 7 minute walk from train station. We choose tostay here as we were visiting the Harry Potter studios and it was easyto get the bus from here plus we were on a budget.

Review 122:my only issue was there was no bedside lighting. overhead full lighting or nothing. Also the shower head kept dropping to point at the wall when i was trying to shower, had to hold it in the end while showering, but they are due to be upgraded with a revamp in January so will be much improved and will starting to do breakfasts too so will be visiting again.

Review 123:i cant fault the helpfulness of the staff, going out of their way for us. the location was perfect for the trips we had planned and the price was excellent. the food was good prices and good choice.

Review 124:No soap, even when asked for it. No chair in room. Toilet was shared and not monitored by hotel for cleanliness. The 'hotel' area was bereft of staff and little interest in guests shown. Concentration was on pub downstairs.

Review 125:Clean room. Free parking.

Review 126:It's pokiness; lack of personal toilet; primitive door locking; the darkness and lack of active street lighting at 05:00; I couldn't find any soap

Review 127:It was the cheapest hotel in Watford; but I want a £20 room

Review 128:No soap or shower gel in the room on arrival. Surprise was expressed when I asked for some and I was told that "We don't normally provide this." No breakfast provided. No toliet in my room. Slow service for my evening meal.

Review 129:Location

Review 130:Room wasn't cleaned after 1st night stay,was there for x3 nights,no fresh towels,couldn't close window,constant draft,hence poor nights sleep,mould on internal window&shower area,tea coffee not replenished!

Review 131:The bar area was quite pleasant!

Review 132:There were a few issues like the toilet in the shared bathroom took ages to flush (once it was flushed). The sink in the twin room 7 blocked easily. We should have told the staff at the time but didn't so might be worth noting.

Review 133:It was very reasonably priced; clean comfortable and warm

Review 134:This would infer that the toilet would be shared by maybe - 2 or even 3 rooms. No, I was in room 11 opposite the toilet and it sounded as though almost the whole clientelle of the Pub were using it, up and down the stairs all the time even after I had put my light out. Plus of course that there wasn't any toilet paper either. I also had reason to believe that while I was out of the room with my sister, someone had used the shower IN my room using masculine shower gel....

Review 135:Nothing

Review 136:There wasn't enough lighting. And you had to go to them door to turn their ones main light off before you foundation your way backdrop to the bed.

Review 137:Bed was rock hard, room was tatty and dirty, no remote for the telly, someone upstairs in the private area was banging about for one of the nights

Review 138:I liked the area and sadly that was about it

Review 139:Really small rooms, without internet and you can hear your neighbors snoring. Most of the rooms don't have a toilet inside.

Review 140:Great location. 10 minutes walking to Watford Junction