The Grotto

Location was superb

The staff was lovely and also them food was beautiful

Very relaxing, spacious and clean rooms with lovely food options available. Staff were lovely - very friendly and couldn't do enough for you

Room has amazing views Comfortable bed Friendly staff Amazing seafood platter.

Restricted in and out times, but this was understandable based on the property location and access

Location

Room was very small and bed was like sleeping on stone

The location is amazing and the staff were friendly and helpful. The bedroom was clean and well equipped with tea, coffee and relevant toiletries. We liked the sea view Immensely.

The room we stayed in, room 9, was next to the extraction fan for the kitchen which was very noisy. Fortunately soon after 9pm this was turned off. The bed was not very comfortable, I think it would better with new mattress maybe as the springs were quite prominent. The shower would not get hot it was just tepid.

We were in the honeymoon suite. I was delighted. The bath was superb. The room has sea views and we could hear the waves crashing all night. We had dinner on site. It was expensive, but nice. As our last night treat.

Once I had run the bath, there was no hot water for the shower for my partner. We could hear doors banging at 10:30pm and 6am. Probably staff using the fire door. The blind was a bit dodgy and bed creaky. Breakfast was adequate and tasty- fruit and pastries. But there was no plates or cutlery. No staff either.

The location and food.

The cold shower.

The view from room 6 was exceptional. The bed was extremely comfortable. The location was superb. The staff were extremely pleasant polite and very helpful.

It was disappointing that the room was not 'serviced' daily, fresh towels would have been appreciated.

Sea

The place is really unsettling... the hill is covered in death memorials, and it’s very dirty.

The room was lovely and the staff were friendly

Shower door tight fit to enter shower. As we left earlier and noone was about so couldn't get out main way had to walk down the beach to stairs up than walk back to car. Lucky tide was just coming in.

My husband and I spent 4 glorious sunny days on our honeymoon and honestly it was magical. From the outstanding seafood and staff who couldn't do enough for you, to the stunning location and cave quirkiness. The rooms, bar and restaurant are beautifully decorated and steeped in history and happy memories. We are absolutely in love with the place and will definitely be back.

That we had to leave. We would have stayed longer if we could.

Staff were fantastic,vews were beautiful

Only fault was the showers,not sure if they have trouble with water pressure.

The view from the room

Window and seals were very dirty , don't know when last time they were cleaned . Mattress was stained and very uncomfortable. Breakfast not good and whole experience not great value for money .

This is a hotel in a cave ! We loved every minute of our stay, the food was fantastic the staff were really helpful so relaxed atmosphere so quirky brilliant.

The shower was a bit temperamental, not warm enough maybe need sorting hence the 9/10

The staff were exceptional, so friendly and helpful, we stayed in room one which had doors which opened to hear the waves.

I loved it I’m scared of the lift but actually it was fine.

Nothing

My stay wasn’t long enough

Such a unique location / amazing beach

The public stairs not available Garden needed a good scrub

Incredible location - incredible room and view

Breakfast was the only disappointment (stale croissants/ pain au chocolats).

Quirky hotel in fantastic location, food stunning!

Poor continental breakfast, cereal & toast couple of pastries available.

The uniqueness of the building, the tranquility of the surroundings. Literally right on the beech.

The main gate is shut at 10pm and therefore you cant use the lift down to the hotel. We had to walk approx 30 mins in the pitch black to the steps that lead down to the beach and then walk back 30 mins to the hotel along the beach.

Great location.

Breakfast is very limited

The unique quirkiness of the hotel and the staff were nice and friendly.

The entrance via the lift requires attention to freshen it up, the room also needs attention, unclean skirting boards, dirty radiator, rusty bathroom utensils, shower head needs replacing as it flows out in all the wrong direction and water was just warm and no more, Mattress was very firm. Given that the lift closes at 10pm and the stairwell at the hotel is not operational the walk along the dark beach was an adventure, was so glad I was visiting with my husband. Obviously we paid a premium for this visit as prices were raised due to a concert nearby but unfortunately it wasn’t justified but with all that said it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Very unusual staying in a cave. Great experience. The hotel is great. Staff very friendly and helpful

Breakfast was ok but feel it could be much better

Location

Location

No access after 2200

Most beautiful location and view !! Super friendly staffs Thanks Blake and Steve !! You have been brilliant 🫶

Poor internet signal

Everything. The unusual setting, the weird and wonderful underground bar and restaurant the magnificent view. The crashing sound of the waves on the beach. The staff come up to the car to greet you take you to read the rules and regulations of being underground. The history and then the room. We decided against the bedroom in the cavern. Too haunted and scary for me, so chose a lovely bright room further up the cliff. The staff were all young and exceptionally nice. Particularly Anna. The whole experience was unforgettable and the food outstanding.

Nothing....well maybe being so far underground !

Super friendly staffs !

Bit cold in the night and heater is not strong enough

The most amazing location for those who want a beautiful but natural coast right outside the accommodation. Stayed one night but wished I could have stayed longer. The location was outstanding, the beach (very clean and unspolit with rock pools, sea birds, caves sand and rocks), local industrial history and coastal walks, the accommodation was comfortable, clean and super interesting. The pub/resturant was lovely and we ate our dinner in a cave. The staff were lovely and the parking was £3 a night. .

Nothing, it was great

The location and sea view from our room

All good

The whole place is unique and full of character - falling asleep to the sound of the sea was beautiful. Lovely dinner in the restaurant, beers were grand and bed was comfy.

Breakfast was fine but needed a proper coffee and a bit more variety to really hit the spot.

The location by the sea is incredible. Beautiful scenery and lots of birds. Room was very nice.

Only minor thing was we couldn't find a remote control for the TV but it was probably stolen and the staff would have got a replacement if we'd have been desperate but didn't need the TV with the stunning sea views.

Very little

Room was tiny bed was as hard as a rock

Lovely location and staff were really friendly and couldn’t do enough for you .

Cleaning could have been better. The main attraction was the windows and glass balcony overlooking the beach but both were dirty.

Friendly, helpful staff, view from terrace lovely

Kerb appeal disappointing. Tired and drab. Lift access closed 10pm , steps to hotel out of action, if you wanted to come back late you had to walk 1/2 mile to the other steps then access hotel by the beach, in the dark tide permitting. So had to be back in hotel before 10pm. Shower cold slow and water kept stopping, restaurant closed to to private function, so could only eat in the bar, the restaurant was to be part of the experience.

Loved the view, staff were great

The Grotto did not disappoint! I booked this for my partner’s birthday. We booked the deluxe room with the bath. It was absolutely wonderful with a sea view! The shower was also massive! Blake, behind the bar, was exceptional! He even offered us a look at the cave room with an option to switch. We didn’t want to miss the sea view so opted to stay with our booked room but next time we have said we’d like to try the cave room as it is so unique! Yes, there are cobwebs! Yes, it can give off moisture being half cave! What do you expect?! It is combining the natural with the synthetic. It all adds character to the property and stay! Steve, the chef was also incredibly helpful! He let us in via the lift just past 10 which was much appreciated! The food is also gorgeous! Highly recommend the seafood chowder! It is on the pricey side, however, the portions are massive and the food is of good quality and taste. You pay for the experience. There’s no other in the north east quite like it! We even ended up booking an extra night because we loved it that much! We definitely will be staying again! My partner could not get over the view! We had a nice stroll along the beach and explored the caves too during the day. On the evening, we went to seaburn to the Stack and the next night, we enjoyed a comedian, Stuart Mitchell, at the Tyne opera house. He was also extraordinary! The Grotto is a true hidden gem!

I would have loved if the sea view room had a more nautical theme to the decor but you can see they have tried to go with a glam theme.

THE BATH! THE ROOM! THE VIEWS! My fav place I've ever stayed and can't stop thinking about it 😍 I'll defo be back. Will be hard to find a place that tops this one. I loved it so much 😁 the staff lovely too. Decent breakfast

That I was only there for one night 😭

This place is lovely. Right on the pebbly beach, access is mainly by a lift. Rooms spacious and we had a fantastic view of the sea and beach. Staff were all friendly and professional. Food was amazing.

There is nothing to not like

The complete stay as a whole. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The cod was cooked to perfection

In room 5 - The shower unit was small and the water was not very powerful. The tv was very frustrating as the ariel strength/wifi was weak causing the channels to crash. Having to keep switching wifi to retain stronger coverage within the building was frustrating

The whole experience was amazing 👏

Nothing everything was exceptional

Great location, nice friendly staff.. Food fairly decent, room lovely and clean.

Wasn't to blown Away by my starter, No reception to check in..

Location Location Location superb. Helpful staff went above and beyond expectations

Room was a cold so had a heater given to us

The private beach

I paid for room 6 and they moved us to room 9 which was tiny compared to what we paid for, we had to take all of our stuff out of room 9 because they double booked not happy at all then we got locked in the handle came off the exit door.. nightmare

Lovely place to stay. Great experience. The staff were really friendly and welcoming. Food in the restaurant was lovely. Definitely be back very soon.

The car parking was a bit expensive considering half the carpark was flooded the other half was full of potholes

Location fab

It was dirty really bad I didn’t eat because of the hygiene risk

The location

We could not see out of the glass doors in our room they were filthy and hadn’t been cleaned in a long time £220 paid for this room I’d of liked a refund tbh

No cups in room. Coffee, sugar tree empty. Dirty towels left on the back of the bathroom door full of dirt and makeup

The hotel was lovely, situated in good place

The outside area was very untidy bin overflowing tables left with empty glasses and rubbish left on them.

Visited with friends last year loved it that much we booked again this year and again next year

Simple regular choice - perfect

Windows cleaned & shiny to enjoy the view more although thousands of daily seagulls & sea winds etc

Beautiful place ideal for weekend away. Lovely views of the sea x

Location

Heating didn’t work properly, restaurant poor, staff inexperienced. No one present in the building after 10pm and before 8am.

I likes the views, food was brilliant, cocktails were exceptional. And staff were lovely.

- no reception for TV channels - hot water for the shower was not even hot. I could not have a hot shower. It was cold.

room wasnt worth the money i think the lift had more space

bed was terrible springs sticking in our back . empty pop bottles behind bedside tables

The view was lush

Room were not very clean dust every we're haven't been hoovered was stuff all over floor bed was tiny and breakfast was shite no hot water the lass didn't have the hot water tank thong plugged In for a cup tea

the location

conceivably the worse breakfast we’ve experienced ever in a hotel…. the whole place needs a deep clean the bathroom was a joke and we had to wait 15 minutes for the water to run hot in the shower , the mattress was cheap and uncomfortable as were the pillows and the duvet was too small for the bed. There was only one bedside lamp which was covered with dust. The room smelt of drains as mentioned in previous reviews we hadn’t read the reviews as we booked that morning to visit South Shilelds on a whim to see friends . the breakfast as stated in previous reviews also was appallingly bad. stale pastries , the cheapest boxed boxed juices imaginable, one tatty stale white loaf for toast the water boiler was stone cold so we couldn’t make tea and the coffee was so bad we went to the bar and asked for proper coffees for which we were charged . Our room was a £145 (superior!) last minute one so i dread to think how bad the cheaper rooms available are . Since staying we have read the other reviews which means management have been made aware and done nothing which is a shame as the location is amazing and unique and this place could be so much better with some effort a final note , the lift is shut at 10 pm you have to access the hotel down the steep steps to the beach which were poorly maintained and badly lit .

Het mooie uitzicht

Het ontbijt was wat karig, weimig keuze. Maar we waren ook buiten het seizoen, het was er erg rustig.

The room and location

Breakfast could have been better for the price

Beautiful views , really nice decor

Room 5 had loose toilet seat ,cold tap was also very loose and no hot water for shower, had to ask for plates dishes bread at breakfast , nothing was topped up , not enough milk and tea in the room

It was very unique and romantic

Place was clean but the room wasn’t

Room was lovely, but very cold unfortunately especially in the en suite

Continental breakfast was very sparce for the price , no yogart, jams , eggs only cerials, pastry pineapple and coffee

In an amazing location and lovely staff

A few things like towels not in room first night. Heating intermittent.

Quirky hotel

Slightly basic

It was on the sea front and very peaceful. Staff very friendly and happy to help. Second room was clean and fresh.

First room wasn't made up. Changed rooms so no issue. Have to also pay for parking, which I felt should be in with the price.

Lovely location and excellent staff

The staff and the beach

Lovely location nice easy drive to workplace

Still waiting for an invoice 2 months later

This hotel and setting is so special.It has breathtaking views.The hotel and takes your breath away.Inside is beautiful.Unique and mind blowing. Definately everything i hoped it would be.AND MORE.

We had room number 1 .Its absolutely beautiful inside but it wasnt really cleaned properly.A lot of dust and the bed mattress has springs sticking into you.It wasnt a comfortable sleep at all.I think a new mattress is needed (a premier inn mattress)and just really more attention to detail.Hopefully when we return it will have a new mattress.

FABULOUS LOCATION. Great staff . Great continental breakfast

Should have been warned re parking cost,/situation prior to deaperture. Shame both rooms had no hot water in the bathroom. despite mentioning to staff..

The location was very good

Gluten free breakfast very poor.Restaurant could only offer 1 choice gluten free due to lack of appropriate batter and/ or fryer. Bed was so uncomfortable, could feel springs, the shower head was filthy. Automatic bathroom light,good idea but impractical.Can be left sat in darkness! Toilet seat loose.

Location excellent and sea views exceptional

Continental breakfast poor . Bread for toast had mould on it and no staff available to inform and request more.brought. Evening meal fine though no lobster in dish ordered which was disappointing

Staff were lovely welcoming and friendly, very quirky and unique hotel Perfect location

The bar closes at 10pm

Lovely location

Cold shower. Dirty windows sensor light in bathroom

Got downgraded

The room we booked