Union Hotel

Hotels
6.6 (1419 reviews)
Union Hotel, Chapel Street, Penzance , Penzance , GB

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Bar
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good location
Clean and tidy common areas
Cons:
Unclean rooms
Dated and uncomfortable furniture
Overpriced

Categories

Cleanliness
5.24
Multiple mentions of unclean rooms and issues with cleanliness.
Service
8.21
Staff were friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the experience.
Location
8.25
Many reviews noted the great location in the town center.
Room Quality
5.7
Reports of dated rooms and uncomfortable beds detracted from the quality.
Amenities
6.23
Some amenities were acceptable, but issues were raised about the state of facilities.
Value for Money
5.69
General sentiment indicated that the hotel was considered overpriced.
Food and Beverage
7.24
Breakfast received positive feedback, though some mentioned inconsistencies.
Overall Experience
6.21
Overall sentiment reflects mixed feelings about the stay, with both positives and negatives.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 13:15

Property Description

Historic 17th-Century Building

Located in the heart of Penzance, The Union Hotel offers a unique stay in a historic 17th-century building. Enjoy traditional style rooms with excellent sea views of Mount's Bay, centrally heated with modern amenities like TV, radio, and tea/coffee facilities.

Dining at Hamilton’s Restaurant and Nelson’s Bar

Indulge in a full English breakfast at the theatre bar, a favorite spot of Charles Dickens. Hamilton’s Restaurant serves homemade dishes with local produce, while Nelson’s Bar offers free WiFi and live music on weekends for a vibrant atmosphere.

Explore Penzance’s Vibrant Scene

Immerse yourself in Penzance's vibrant scene with a variety of restaurants, cinemas, and theatres just minutes away. Experience Cornish cuisine and global menus, all within walking distance from the hotel.

Book your stay at The Union Hotel for a historic and lively Penzance experience.

Important information:

Live music is played until midnight in the on-site bar every weekend, and occasionally on week days. Guests in the standard rooms or located on the first floor may experience disturbances. All guests are welcome to attend for free.
If you have any questions regarding this, please use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details provided in your confirmation.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:30 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

6.6
Based on 1419 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.24
Service: 8.21
Location: 8.25
Room Quality: 5.7
Amenities: 6.23
Value for Money: 5.69
Food and Beverage: 7.24
Overall Experience: 6.21
W
Warren • solo_traveller • gb
7
Union Hotel, Penzance
Pros:

A lovely period building, ideally situated in Chapel St with it's varied shops. Also, only 5 minutes walk from the quay where the Scillonian sails to Scilly. Staff were friendly.

Cons:

The building badly needs a decorative update, particularly in the public areas. Carpets are stained, the walls need a paint and the artwork is faded. This needn't be expensive, even a paint would help.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
5
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
C
christine • solo_traveller • gb
6
Pros:

Loved where it was situated and staff were lovely

Cons:

On arrival I would have expected the young guy to help me upstairs with my suitcase and bags as it was on top floor I really struggled. Last morning my breakfast was cold as he had forgotten about me so must have been lying in the kitchen, hence I couldn't eat it all.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
M
Margarida • solo_traveller • pt
6
Nao recomendo
Pros:

Hotel antigo a precisar de remodelações.
O quarto no 3°andar sem elevador.
Sem ar condicionado e janela que só abria 20cm.
Cama de roupa branca e muito limpa e confortável mas colchão de molas duras.
A mini TV  sem controlo remoto, não funcionou e mais parecia um monitor de PC.
O banheiro era razoável, mas não havia um único gancho ou suporte para pendurar toalhas.
Os espelhos — tanto no banheiro quanto no quarto — estavam mal posicionados, ficavam altos ou baixos demais.
Não tinha ar condicionado e a janela só abria 20cm. Havia sim uma ventoinha escondida num armário que só vimos no seguinte dia.
A internet não funcionava de todo....não existia mesmo!
Os cafés da manhã eram muito bons. Entre os funcionários, destaca-se o Sr. Laurent — sempre atencioso, discreto e educado.

Cons:

Hotel antigo a precisar de remodelações.
O quarto no 3°andar sem elevador.
Sem ar condicionado e janela que só abria 20cm.
Cama de roupa branca e muito limpa e confortável mas colchão de molas duras.
A mini TV  sem controlo remoto, não funcionou e mais parecia um monitor de PC.

An old hotel in need of renovation.
The room was on the 3rd floor with no elevator.
No air conditioning, and the window only opens 20 cm.
The bed linen was white, very clean, and comfortable, but the mattress had hard springs.
The tiny TV, without control, didn't work and looked more like a PC monitor.
The bathroom was decent, but there wasn't a single hook or rack to hang towels.
The mirrors—both in the bathroom and the bedroom—were positioned awkwardly; they were either too high or too low
The breakfasts were very good.
Among the staff, Mr. Laurent stands out—always attentive, discreet, and polite.

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
N
Nick • couple • gb
10
2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Food was good, the bed was comfortable. The staff were helpful. The location is 5 minutes from the ferry terminal which was ideal. The history of the building is interesting,

Cons:

Car parking is first come first served, we were fortunate to get a space. The bedroom was small but had the basics. The building and decor is a little run down in places, but being old it must take some maintenace.

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
K
Katherine • couple • gb
4
Won’t use this hotel again.
Pros:

Bar staff very friendly good atmosphere in pub.

Cons:

Very outdated shabby door lock very loose. Waited very long time for breakfast, server was busy clearing but meant by the time she served breakfast eggs hot but rest was cold! No toast no beans as requested but could not eat it so left! Obviously been cooked and left just us to serve. Other guest arriving after us not pre booked got served before us seemed there’s was served hot.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jenny • solo_traveller • gb
3
Pros:

Close to the train station and shops

Cons:

The room had a musty smell, there was also a strong smell of detergent or cleaning products which didn't help. The building has a lot of history it is just such a shame the hotel is in such a state of disrepair. It needs some major investment- new carpets, beds, furnishings, paints etc. The breakfast room was small and there was not enough tables for eveyone. The breakfast was small and average at best. I stayed in the family room, I would not bring my child here again

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
N
Nafiz Hussan • couple • gb
6
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
N
NIANDONG • extended_group • cn
10
Pros:

好👌

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
K
KANWAR MUDDASSAR • couple • gb
1
Not Clean and v old rooms smells bad
Pros:

It was so dirty rooms carpet wasn’t clean
they showing options of sea view room so there is none lime this its in back of street shower room was broken mattress was uncomfortable this place needs lots of work owner should take action

Cons:

its not clean

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
L
Lillie • solo_traveller • gb
6
2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
A
Aqueel • extended_group • gb
9
Pros:

Good location and our room had a lovely view of the sea. Staff was very friendly and helpful

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
B
Bryan • couple • gb
5
Staff good facilities poor.
Pros:

The staff were all good.

Cons:

Our room (10) was not good, the window was broken and could not be closed which we reported but nothing was done about it. The bed was far too low and was difficult to get in and out of. The bathroom was nice and clean but did not have any towel rails or toilet roll holders and there was no mirror.
The cooked breakfast was awful so we only had cereal each morning and there was never enough tables in the dining area

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
V
Vanessa • couple • gb
5
Convenient for the ferry to the Scillies. Nice bar downstairs
Pros:

Breakfast
Staff
Slept well

Cons:

Needs a refurbishment and tv in room didn’t work

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • solo_traveller • gb
6
Acceptable
Pros:

Breakfast was delicious

Cons:

Looked like it needed decorating

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
10
Went for family funeral and was made to feel very welcome. Would definitely go back.
Pros:

Lovely location a stones throw from the harbour with sea views on the top floor and very helpful, pleasant staff and serve a top notch breakfast

Cons:

Nothing really

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
M
Myers • extended_group • be
10
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
H
Hilary • solo_traveller • gb
5
Disappointing
Pros:

The one young lad on duty who told me there was just him due to a family crisis, did his utmost best, and carried my suitcase for me up at least two flights of stairs to my room.
The breakfast was available from 7:30am and was set out very nicely. This enabled me to have some toast and a nice cup of tea before my taxi came to take me to the train station.
I quite liked the view from my room.

Cons:

Quite a lot...

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
I
Ibrahim • extended_group • gb
6
Good location, but as a hotel guest I was not valued.
Cons:

Electricity failed one niight and next mornng lights went out and were restored inetrmittently.
My room was not checked, nor bed made up without my asking someone in the bar to alert staff

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee