Can't fault the location, cleanliness, the hard working and patient staff however, despite the room being very clean and well equipped it was impossible to get a good night's sleep without ear plugs. The room was at the front of the pub and from early hours the noise of traffic and refuse collection was an unwanted early morning wake up. This is not the fault of the Pied Bull and a fact of city life. The room itself was obviously next door to another but sound proofing was virtually non existent with pretty much every sound coming through the walls. With the hotel being old, the floor boards did creak but these were very loud and travelled between rooms. The owners had tried to mitigate this with new deep pile carpet. All in all and decent hotel but spoiled by unavoidable noise.
We spent one night in the Pied Bull, it was recommended by a friend.
We booked a double room which showed a picture of a room which was spacious with a chair near the bed and a vanity unit with stool. When we reached our room (8) it was absolutely tiny. The bedside table blocked the chair in front of the vanity unit, there was nowhere to put our 'things', and our room looked straight into the bar across the lane next door. We had to keep the curtains closed at all times so there was no natural light.
The ensuite bathroom was nice but there was no extraction fan. We were asked to keep the bathroom door closed in case it set off the smoke alarm in the bedroom.
Plug sockets were lacking, it was very sparsely furnished.
We were very disappointed with the whole experience.
While checking out it would've been nice to speak to someone but when we stood by the desk, the barman shouted over that we could just leave the key on the desk. Impossible to have any communication.
Sadly we wouldn't stay again even though the location is fantastic. Very central to all we wanted to do in Chester.
Loved this little place. Charming old authentic pub with comfortable modernized rooms overhead. Right by the old town and city walls, friendly staff, good food and drink. Perfect.
Enjoyed a lunch at the Pied Bull on a recent day trip. A former coaching inn (and the oldest in Chester), its bar and dining areas are just what you'd expect in a pub with such a long history: dark wood panelling, oak beams, an original sandstone fireplace, and lots of atmosphere. There's a nice outside terrace at the back. Toilets are downstairs, accessible and clean. I found a table in the cosy dining area close to the bar. The staff were courteous and efficient, and I was served quickly. Beer is brewed on site, and there was also a good choice of wine, gin and other drinks. Had a glass of Merlot with my meal, and it was very good. They serve not only classic British pub food, such as steaks, burgers, and fish and chips, but also dishes with a more modern twist, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and lighter meals too. I opted for the traditional homemade steak and ale pie, served on a bed of kale, with hand-cut chips and beef dripping gravy. The pie was hot and well cooked, with big lean chunks of beef and no gristle. Lovely chips, not greasy at all! Treated myself to an Eton Mess with morello cherries and chocolate sauce for afters, and it was scrumptious! The latte came with a little biscuit. The lunch wasn't cheap, but it was what you would expect to pay given the high quality of the food and the location right in the centre of Chester, conveniently close to the cathedral, city walls, and shops. Would definitely recommend!
We spent our first night in the UK here, and it was great. Our room was tiny, but quaint and comfortable. Local beer is what we wanted and that's what we got. Dinner was a steak pie for me and a sausage dish for my husband. Both were delicious. Breakfast the next morning was a full English, and we didn't need to eat again until dinner time. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.