The Old Palace
The Old Palace descritpion
Built on the foundations of a medieval palace, The Old Palace sits in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral. It blends traditional features with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs.
Rooms at The Old Palace have modern décor, but still retain old features like open fireplaces. Each has views of the garden or the city, and all rooms also feature facilities for making tea and coffee.
There is a terrace to relax on, a peaceful garden, and The Old Palace also has its own vineyard. You can sit in the charming drawing room, with its antique furniture and beautiful views of the garden from its high windows.
The Old Palace is a 5-minute walk from Bailgate, where guests will find a plethora of restaurant and bars. Lincoln Castle, which houses one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta, is a 4-minute walk from The Old Palace.
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The staff speaks English——The Old Palace's staff speaks:Russian,Polish,Latvian,English
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Facilities of The Old Palace
Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Internet ：No internet access available.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：24-Hour Front Desk | Baggage Storage | Laundry | Dry Cleaning | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Newspapers | Chapel/Shrine | Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Languages Spoken ：Russian | Polish | Latvian | English
Reviews for The Old Palace
Review 1：The setting is very picturesque surrounded by the former Palace ruins. The view was incredible from either side of the hotel (Cathedral one side, and the view over the city on the other). Staff were very helpful and friendly. The breakfast selection was vast, and delicious, and just a stones throw from the Castle and Cathedral. Within walking distance of shops, cinema and restaurants. Perfect weekend stop-over.
Review 2：Lovely breakfast in a room with amazing views. Our room was luxurious, tastefully decorated and very quiet. The bed was large and very comfortable. Staff were extremely warm and accommodating. Could not fault it!
Review 3：The quiet central location couldn't be bettered. The bedroom was nicely furnished. The breakfast was excellent. The staff were all very polite and pleasant. We would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel.
Review 4：Wifi connection was weak in our area and kept dropping out.
Review 5：Very friendly staff. Great location. Good breakfast. Lovely views. Very quiet area. Free parking
Review 6：Very hard bed very uncomfortable! Noise from woman talking in room above as old windows were adjoining over two floors so could hear everything as though in same room!
Review 7：staff very friendly
Review 8：Not the most spacious room we've stayed in!
Review 9：Beautifully modernised historic property in fabulous location next to Cathedral and old town. Great views from our room which was old fashioned, comfortable and nicely decorated. Very peaceful. Generous inclusive breakfast.
Review 10：I didn't like a review that was posted during our stay, it didn't reflect the experience we were having and witnessing
Review 11：Everything about this hotel was better than expected. Staff are so professional, attentive friendly, nothing was any trouble. It was that good we and family have booked next new year again. Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Review 12：shower curtain on a free-standing roll-top bath doesn't work - floor gets wet and there isn't room to move inside it.
Review 13：The suite is a fabulous quirky room
Review 14：The room was shabby the bathroom smellt around the toilet. Very noisy with the cathedral bells. On pass experience we have stopped in the lodge which is much better.
Review 15：Very good location plenty of parking spaces freindly staff.
Review 16：Loved every minute of our stay. Staff very helpful on Reception. The two ladies couldn't do enough for us. Kate and the lady with dark hair, so pleasant. We have already booked to go back this New Years Eve.
Review 17：THE BATHROOM NEEDED A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION, THE RUNNERS FOR THE SHOWER DOOR AND BLACK MARKS AT THE BACK OF THE TOILET BUT IT DIDN'T SPOIL OUR STAY
Review 18：THE STAFF AND LOCATION WERE BRILLIANT
Review 19：The breakfast took a very long time. There was no system in place for the staff to know what orders belonged to who- it took a long time for coffee and hot breakfast to come.
Review 20：Location
Review 21：Room was not in main hotel - short walk away. Room not very spacious (bathroom was though). Heating stuck on. Had to leave window open and then was woken up at 6am by staff parking right outside room. Breakfast was a shambles - nearly 15 mins. to get a glass to help myself to some very cheap juice. Ignored by staff until we complained about the service.
Review 22：Impressive location in the grounds of the cathedral.
Review 23：The breakfast organisation was awful. They really need to appoint a Manager, no body seemed to know what they were doing. We had a couple sat with us and their children were sat further down in the breakfast room?. I saw another table send there breakfast back. It all just seemed very disorganised
Review 24：The location is excellent, right next to the Bail Gate area of City, walking distance to bars and restaurants
Review 25：The stairs but hey ho i was just unfortunate To get a room on the second floor. Also £30.00 a night for my dog was steep.
Review 26：Comfy bed. Nice staff. Lovely breakfast. Area where it was.They accepted dogs.
Review 27：Postcode for SAT NAV misleading on website, no signs for hotel and their phone was not working ! Very very noisy / unbelievably noisy water macerator - we thought the room would take off!
Review 28：Location amazing Friendly staff Delicious b/fast
Review 29：Our room was in the Lodge which was well refurbished but a small room that was extreamly hot we were too hot to have a good nights sleep. Too hot for comfort. Did not like the walk outdoors to get to the main part of the Hotel particulary as we had bad weather. These rooms are no good if you can't manage steps and are a trek from the car park.
Review 30：A lovely hotel with lots of charater bit like being in a stately home or castle. Lovelt views of the Cathedral and town from both sides of the breakfast room. Breakfast was lovely a great assortment and lovely cooked food.
Review 31：We were disappointed with the after service as our car was damaged in the car park. They promised to look at the C C T V to see if they could find out who did it, but it took almost 2 weeks to be told there was nothing seen, and that was only after several phone calls from us .
Review 32：The location was excellent to see the cathedral and the castle as long as you have no mobility issues. The room we had in the old chapel was really excellent . It had the most spectacular window I have ever encountered in an hotel room
Review 33：Average breakfast, really not great quality in any way. Cobwebs in room and bathroom a bit grim. TV didn't work we had to retune twice. Worst of all though, impossible to find. Post code on website is incorrect and sends you to the back of the hotel and in Lincoln this is a disaster as its a horrible place to drive in. Couldn't find the front entrance as there are no signs whatsoever. Took an extra hour on top of the journey to just find the front of the place.
Review 34：Nice building near the cathedral. Pleasant staff who were helpful
Review 35：The Palace is also still used as the Cathedral offices and so you do feel a little like you should not be there. I went down the wrong corridor, looking for breakfast and ended up bumping into the Bishop. That would explain why there is almost no signs or anything to help you find the place. Because of this there is also not residents bar or evening restaurant.
Review 36：Great Location, Right in the middle of the cathedral area. Lovely rooms and finished to an excellent standard.
Review 37：What we recognise the hotel is an old and beautiful building the rattling of the sash windows in the wind made sleep very difficult !
Review 38：Great location and lovely room
Review 39：Breakfast was poor- no soecial request provided for soya milk, cold breakfast with very little on the breakfast and tasteless coffee that was cold. No replacement provided on request.
Review 40：Liked the location. Staff were welcoming.
Review 41：Room and bathroom a little small but not a real concern
Review 42：Location with parking,the feel of the very special location the staff were 1st class and a great breakfast
Review 43：Only a good experience!
Review 44：The close proximity to the area we needed to be in.(Business at Harding House Gallery) & the Cathedral for daily worship Car Parking - excellent Excellent buffet breakfast - we don't eat cooked breakfasts, but maybe if we had stayed longer we would have indulged.
Review 45：The location to the places we wanted to visit, was excellent. The breakfasts were good with plenty of choice. Anthony (reception) was very good nothing was too much trouble.
Review 46：When we asked for milk and brown sauce we didn't receive it. Also kept waiting at breakfast with latecomers being served before us. There seemed to be quite a bit of confusion.
Review 47：Location and friendly staff
Review 48：Very very hard to find despite sat nav!! Room over warm and bed not the most comfortable.
Review 49：The spectacular setting and amazing views in every direction! The staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was excellent,beautifully presented and served.
Review 50：Bed was too hard Difficult to obtain a drink without asking staff first.
Review 51：The location and the accessibility to the castle and the city Excellent rooms and the breakfast was fabulous. Staff were attentive, polite and nothing was too much trouble
Review 52：We felt the welcome tray needed more milk. And behind the reception desk an open door revealed a rather untidy room with boxes scattered round. Not a good first impression.
Review 53：The view from our room and the good bathroom facility. The quality of most of the cooked breakfast was good especially the coffee.
Review 54：Although the room was lovely, I had no idea that we would be put in the lodge. It was a very wet windy weekend and walking between was not nice. when we checked in we asked to book a table for the evening. We were told that it wasn't possible as there was a 50th party on that night. I wasn't informed of this before our arrival as we intended to eat in As I have back problems and knew by the evening I wouldn't be walking very well and in pain. Had we known this, we would have bought something to eat whilst we were out. We asked if we could order in ie pizza and told it would be OK. Once in the room we read that there is room service so we asked for a sandwich each. This was a no, again because of the function. My partner explained my situation but it still wasn't possible. We rang a few local restaurants for delivery but because it was a busy Saturday night, they would only do collection. So, my partner ended up going out in the bad weather to fetch us pizza from pizza express as they were the nearest. This was a birthday weekend for him and we didn't expect him to have to do this but to be having s meal in house. I think it is very bad that paying guests are put aside for a function. I was genuinely in an uncomfortable way and I don't think a sandwich was too much to ask. Nowhere does it say that meals and room service are not available if a function is on. And if this is the case then guests should be informed surely? The welcome pack states that everything will be done to make the stay enjoyable and to ask if anything is needed. Didn't quite keep their word there!!
Review 55：The room 30 was lovely. The proximity to the cathedral etc. The history of the building
Review 56：Nothing
Review 57：We liked the atmosphere of staying in a Bishop's Palace; the proximity to the sights of Lincoln, easy to reach on foot; we could forget about the car; staff were very friendly and helpful; breakfast excellent.
Review 58：Very tired and old fashioned carpets and furnishings. Impossible to get consistent hot water from the bathroom tap. Mix-up with breakfast order.
Review 59：Outstanding location. Very helpful front desk. Tasty breakfast.
Review 60：The door handles were hard to use for those with a problem with hand gripping. The shower doors didn't close. The hotel is looking tired
Review 61：The Location and the ambience of the hotel is Grand.
Review 62：Our originally allotted bedroom had an ensuite bathroom that permeated the aroma of raw sewage when either the loo was flushed or water was run into the basin. This must have been obvious to the housekeeping staff prior to our arrival.
Review 63：Being moved to the Lodge which had modern facilities in a lovely old building. This was delightful and very comfortable. The administrative and waitressing staff were very helpful and their level.of customer service very good.
Review 64：I don't think all parts of the hotel have had as much spent on them as the room I was in. The wi-fi was not working in the room while I was there
Review 65：I had asked for a room with a view of the cathedral and was very pleased with view from the one I was given. (I'm not sure that would always be possible if the hotel were full). My room was large, well appointed and had a very modern en suite bathroom.
Review 66：Due to scheduling mix up, had to use alternate room first night, however staff was very healthful and efficient.
Review 67：Very unique and lovely place. Great town and food, all in walking distance.
Review 68：The room was a single which was cramped and dark. This was mainly because the window was about 2-3m from a sheer stone wall. The TV screen was small and badly focused.
Review 69：The peace and quiet which was due to the age and location of the building. Staff were inobtrusive but friendly. The room was very clean. Breakfast was spoilt the first morning being cold and the sausage was very undercooked. The waitress was excellent and put this right ensuring breakfast the second morning was delicious.
Review 70：Did not find the directions post code until we were lost using the location post code No bar to get a drink after we had walked up steep hill
Review 71：The food was good and how close to the centre
Review 72：Signposting for the hotel is very poor and therefore difficult to find. Parking is very tight as the hotel is busy throughout the day and parking is limited. The wall mounted tv could not be viewed well from the bed. The bathroom overlooked the carpark and their is no window blind
Review 73：Location to the Cathedral and Castle are excellent. Views are excellent. Breakfast was a great inclusion
Review 74：Fantastic view of Cathedral. Lovely old building with quirky shaped rooms. Lovely breakfast. Ideal place to stay for visiting / performing at Cathedral. Convenient parking.
Review 75：House keeping staff came in to our room twice without knocking and we wanted to book into restaurant for our evening meal but was told when we we checking in that there was a wedding so restaurant closed so we had to find some were to eat .
Review 76：The location was very good
Review 77：Fantastic location in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral and next door to the castle. Free parking in this area of Lincoln was an advantage. Loads of places to eat.
Review 78：Although advertised as wi-fi in all areas, it was not available in our 2nd floor room, was intermittant in the 2nd floor corridor and I had to go to the 1st floor corridor before I could get a reliable signal.
Review 79：Quirky, well placed location, good breakfast, friendly staff
Review 80：Had to go out of main building to the old church accommodation with steps down to bedroom which was lovely but had asked to be in main house. The First Lady on reception was not obliging or helpful with this matter.
Review 81：Location. Lovely old building & ambience.
Review 82：the public area carpets are disgustingly dirty however i was told that some of these areas are closing making the hotel smaller |||||?????
Review 83：the historic building and location staff not in your face excellent breakfast best views in lincoln
Review 84：Very hard to find and sat nav didn't help. Couldn't get anything to eat in the evening and had to go out in the rain to another hotel. Shower dripped all night so little sleep
Review 85：Nice staff good breakfast
Review 86：Difficult to find as no signs are allowed in the cathedral precincts.
Review 87：A wonderful location alongside the magnificent cathedral and in the Bailgate area with it's small shops, cafés and pubs.
Review 88：Delay in being served the courses at dinner
Review 89：Comfort of the rooms and the location, good choice for breakfast, ideal for someone to soak up the historic atmosphere
Review 90：The person on reception when we arrived was extremely unfriendly which was disappointing
Review 91：The location was absolutely perfect. Breakfast was delicious with friendly efficient staff
Review 92：Receptionist having a bad day? Not the reasonable welcome that one would expect. Remaining staff excellent. We arrived at 13.30 hrs
Review 93：Good facilities. Close proximity to the cathedral & historic part of the city. Excellent local restaurant.
Review 94：Booked the suite which was very much in keeping with the style of the building. Hearing the cathedral chime added to the experience Lovely breakfast too
Review 95：Location was perfect for our visits to the cathedral and castle. Great view from the bedrooms. Staff were all polite and helpful. Breakfast was very good. Did not use the restaurant so can't comment. Will certainly use again if in that area.
Review 96：interior needs love and attention. room 9 not a true double. shower not very hot. staff not explain we could use a side door to access rear car park rather than walking a long route round with our luggage. breakfast not great quality.
Review 97：location. building exterior.
Review 98：Car park was full when we arrived, but the manager did her best to accommodate us.
Review 99：Excellent location, beautiful quirky rooms, great breakfast with table service.
Review 100：My one and only criticism was the difficulty in finding The Old Palace. When we pointed this out on arrival we were advised that they are not allowed to put signage up. This is fair enough but more comprehensive directions on the website would be beneficial.
Review 101：Very comfortable and well appointed hotel in picturesque setting. Staff were extremely friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. Plenty of choice for breakfast with hot options being cooked to order.
Review 102：the noisy water pumps that came on whenever anyone used the bathrooms nearby. Tepid shower even after 20 minutes with just hot water turned on.
Review 103：Wonderful views out over the city from my room, closeness to the restaurants, shops and sights of Lincoln. The gardens, vineyard and ruins created a wonderful atmosphere
Review 104：The beds don't fit anyone above 6ft in them. I was hoping for a more decorated room as it is a beautiful building. The bathroom had a waste water pump which was very noisy. Every time any water was running it made a loud noise which made me self-conscious of using it as it would disturb the neighbouring rooms guests while in the bathroom later in the evening.
Review 105：beautiful building and wonderful location and ideal for access to the shops / tourist locations. Quiet and beautiful views from the window over Lincoln.
Review 106：Bed too hard
Review 107：We enjoyed the history of the city, the visit to the Cathedral, to Evensong - well done the girls! and the castle. Room clean, good breakfast and relaxing in the lounge after our evening meal.
Review 108：The shower and breakfast very good. The palace grounds, the history and the view from the front door of the cathedral was amazing. We stayed in the adjacent chapel to the palace. Would stay again.
Review 109：- noisy plumbing, in the room we rented.
Review 110：- Smiling and welcoming staff. - Cleanliness - View and location - Old and impressive premises - Nice breakfast - Free parking
Review 111：Our room in a converted Church ...could not see out of window ..long walk to room ... noisy shower dripping all night .... left after one night had to pay for two ....
Review 112：Nice old building by the Cathedral
Review 113：All the staff were very friendly and more than happy to help. Both ladies on reception on our day of departure were extremely helpful in directing us to a car park for the university open day, the manager even offered for us to call the reception and for her to guide us if we got lost.
Review 114：The rooms could have done with a bit of redecoration. There was damp on the walls. Restaurant not open on first night.
Review 115：Fantastic location. Lots to see and do in the immediate area - cathedral, castle, Bushops' Palace. Great views.
Review 116：We were awakened in the early hours of Sunday with a couple arguing in the grounds of the hotel.
Review 117：When we arrived we could not believe how close we where to the minister.very comfortable,decor excellent done so in keeping with surroundings.will definitely be staying again. Wanted to stay for Xmas market but booked up
Review 118：Mayb helpful to include detail of exact location of hotel. Even when arrived in Minster Yard it was not easy to find.
Review 119：Fabulous friendly staff and superb location.
Review 120：Check in was a bit busy, there was a wedding party leaving as we came to check in, only one member of staff and she had difficulty coping with all the people.
Review 121：Room was excellent, asked for the feature room that is shown on the website, really nice views over Lincolnshire
Review 122：Slight disturbance below window in car park from wedding guests in the early hours
Review 123：Everything one could expect from a luxury, well appointed hotel in the heart of a beautiful city
Review 124：Not being able to access my building without walking through the main hotel building. Having to drag my suitcases up and down through two buildings, across a courtyard with stairs - nobody there to help.
Review 125：I stayed in the annex which was originally a church. I loved the huge ceiling and the mullioned church windows. The room was spacious and very well appointed. It was a very quiet room.
Review 126：Room was small and ensuite bijou to say the least. No wifi . I was awoken at 05.30 to the sound of the laundry van arriving and reversing (beep.beep). Then the wheeling of trolleys and the tail lift being operated. I mentioned this to reception, they barely apologised.
Review 127：Fabulous location. I attended a function which was superb. Very grand building and fantastic views across the city. Lovely gardens, it was good weather so we were able to sit in the gardens.
Review 128：Reception area not so welcoming - more like walking into a bland office - felt we were interrupting the slightly aloof morning receptionist rather than being welcomed as paying guests. The night receptionist was friendlier.
Review 129：Location - character of building - good breakfast
Review 130：Decor and carpets a bit tired, could do with a refresh.
Review 131：Its a wonderful piece of history sitting in the precinct of the cathedral with the old town with its shops, antiques and restaurants on your doorstep. The central location with parking is excellent and cannot be bettered. Superb breakfasts and helpful junior staff.
Review 132：Badly let down by breakfast! The buffet breakfast was actually very good indeed, but the cooked breakfast was very disappointing. The black pudding was chewy (should be firm but with crumbly texture), the bacon was chewy and under-cooked, the sausage was the smallest I have ever seen (shorter than my little finger - I checked), and all served on an ice-cold plate, which meant the food was cold. The people on the next table didn't finish theirs, because it was so cold. Lots of pretty young waiters/waitresses, with apparently no training - they were constantly bringing food to the wrong tables, confused about table numbers, and some orders were repeatedly forgotten. The breakfast service needs a sharp improvement.
Review 133：Lovely location, and a really beautiful building. I've stayed previously (before it was a hotel, in fact!) and love it. Perfect location for the cathedral. Bishop King's Chapel is a huge bonus, and a highly historic asset. A real connection with history, and in the heart of an ancient and wonderful city and cathedral.
Review 134：Far too much to write.
Review 135：The setting is splendid but the way this hotel is operated is awful, owned by the Diocese and they don't know or care how to run a customer orientated business.
Review 136：hard to find hotel not any signs or even when there just a small sign on the porch.
Review 137：was easy to walk not too many inclines to reach castle prison and cathedral, bus service good to high street and back.
Review 138：Requested ground floor room, no ground floor rooms.bedroom floor 2 next to lift shaft,disco in basement next to lift shaft!!! TEN MIN WAIT FOR LIFT SUNDAY AS STAFF HAD LIFT DOOR JAMMED TO SERVICE BEDROOMS. NO MEALS SAT NIGHT AS FUNCTION ON_no advanced warning. WE HAD USED THAT HOTEL SO WE DID NOT NEED TO LEAVE THE HOTEL AS WE KNOW LINCOLN IS HILLY(wife has difficulty walking on cobbles).. FRONT OFFICE DOOR OPEN TO RECEPTION VERY UNTIDY DOES THAT GIVE A CLUE.BOOKED A TAXI Sat NIGHT TO EAT WAS TAKEN TO THE WROING PLACE , FANTASTIC POTENTIAL BUT NEEDS A SPRING CLEAN IN ALL AREAS.OUR HOSTS INVESTED GREAT EFFORT TO ENSURE ALL WENT WELL, THE HOTEL COULD SO NEAR HAVE SPOILT IT.
Review 139：Beautiful surroundings but under utilized Good breakfast and 'event' , immense difference between magnificent annex rooms and general hotel rooms, that are very tired.
The Fine Print
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