Innocence Rooms East

My son is at university at the moment, and the configuration of I.R.E. reminded me of that - everyone has their own rooms, but the eating and sofa areas are communal. But this is like no uni dorm in existence. It's astonishingly good value for money, thoughtfully equipped and extremely comfortable. I notice they let the rooms facing away from the main road first, and indeed they are really very quiet. The conservatory lets out onto a small but private garden which makes you forget you're within 50 yards of a roundabout. All the decor, in my room and elsewhere was quality stuff, some a bit unusual, but clean and newish. I noticed from the many stickers detailing standards achieved and awards won that it's been in operation since at least 2013. You'd think from a quick glance that the decorators had just moved out. Amazingly generous and diverse goodies available for breakfast, and everything you'd expect to find in a well equipped kitchen. Being thrown together won't be to everyone's taste; a couple of my fellow guests made quick coffees and scuttled back to their rooms, but at least one couple were happy to exchange suggestions about local sights, which I rather liked, as I was there on my own. It seems a bit petty to nitpick when you get all this for £66 pn (Friday and Saturday nights in my case), but... Could we have a loaf of bread? I'd have liked toast to go with the Marmite, honey and peanut butter provided. Put at least two more switches in the kitchen. There are 19 lights on one switch - seven normal overhead lights, eight downlighters and four under unit lights. A choice of a little bit more subtle lighting late at night might not be a bad idea. But I'm just being petty. Hats off to Sue and Steve. Everyone should open places like this!