Blanco's Hotel

I would classify this Hotel as a two-star establishment. The rooms are showing their age and look decidedly tired. The breakfast is mediocre at best. I've had better breakfasts in a little chef. Our bedroom, on entering, appeared to need a definite refurbishment. The large bed was made from two singles joined together, but I was comfortable. The net on the window was torn and stained. We did report this, but nothing was done. There was no Mini fridge or safe, and only a small travel kettle with two tiny cups. We discovered that night that the extractor in the bathroom did not work, and the person next door smoked in theirs, which then pervaded our room through the vent. We reported this, and a repairman came, but it still did not work. Thankfully, the neighbour departed. On the plus side, the hotel is convenient if you have limited travel options and need to be near the centre of Port Talbot. The Hotel is a very short walk to the bus station ( I would not advise using it at night, especially if you're a woman, as it has two dark underpasses and the bus station is not the nicest place to visit). It is also a short distance from the railway station. The staff were attentive and nice, but the room bins were not emptied each day, and the bathroom floor was very sticky. We often noticed that the sink had not been cleaned, and the cups still had tea stains. I was also dismayed that they did not offer a veterans discount, whilst the Best Western Hotel on the seafront does. Hence, I would not recommend this hotel as there are better ones in the area.

Visited for a special occasion in the conservatory, cold carvery which cost £18.50. 1 slice of Turkey, 1 slice of beef which was very thinly sliced that you could see through it. 3 bowls of rice, 1 bowl of pasta with pesto, 1 bowl of beetroot, 1 bowl of salad leaves and 2 bowls of hard boiled potatoes with coleslaw. The standard and quantity for the price is very poor. Could have added breadsticks, tomatoes etc, or even provide a hot carvery as it was a special occasion. Very poor presentation. Visited blancos many times over the last 30 years and feel that recently it has not met previous standards. Drinks are very overpriced for the area which it is situated and with the current loss of jobs in the area. Over the past few years you can see the standard has really dropped. Needs updating, refurbing, more menu options and more vegetables and potatoes on a Sunday roast!

Bed is very comfy, room was clean and staff friendly and that got the two stars. The hotel is tired looking now and the Food here is one of the worst experiences of a hotel I have sadly experienced. Dinner I reviewed separately as was not what was advertised. Breakfast is just as bad. All the empty tables had dirty plates on them so I had to move them to sit down. Pastries and fruit have clearly been out the day before if not more, coffee that was lukewarm at best and the hot breakfast is using the cheapest ingredients I have come across in my many years of hotels. Sleep here and you will sleep well just don’t eat here!

The restaurant looking very shabby needs decorating. Men toilets are disgusting human mess around top of toilet under seat. Sunday lunch is poor only veg pea and carrots should be more of a choice waited 25 minutes for a drink worse experience

Been eating at Blancos for decades because there is little to choose from in Port Talbot but today was a never to return event for me. I paid £19 for a grilled plaice which had a very watery texture to the point of sliminess. I complained about this and was told that it’s because it’s a water based fish! I was offered a replacement and chose the roast because it could be served quickly and not hold up fellow diners. A lamentable concoction of meat and over cooked veg did nothing to improve matters. To top it all, service was slow and inattentive, cutlery and serviettes took a while to arrive after the food, dishes were cleared increasingly slowly. This is no longer value for money, food is at best very average, menu changes little, prices keep increasing and it feels like staff are in short supply! My complaint was not treated seriously - as a family we have spent a few thousand pounds in this establishment but that’s it, done!

We went for a meal tonight as it's close to home. The restaurant was fairly quiet. Was shown to a table. We were given paper menus and then asked if we wanted any drinks which we ordered. We were never told if they had any specials on. We both ordered rib eye steak. I wanted mine medium/rare and my partner wanted medium. The food arrived and both steaks were overdone. Not once did anyone come over and ask if everything was OK with our food. We were both hungry as we had had a hard day so continued to eat the chewy steak as throughout the meal no one came to ask if the food was OK. Even when our plates were taken away the waitress still didn't ask if our meal was OK. The only time we were asked about our meal was when we were paying at the bar. For £22.95 for a rib eye steak we would have expected thar it was cooked correctly. Definitely won't ge going back there.