I agree about the need for more decent single rooms - I have never been given a really bad room but in Harrogate I was given a room which was classed as double because it had a double bed, but only one chair and the bed had to be right up against the wall. I complained, because the two night stay was a gift from my daughter and specified a double room. Instead of moving rooms, I accepted all my meals 'on the house' for the whole of my stay.
It is worth complaining long and loudly to get, at the least, a reduction in price.
Holidaying with a friend is a very good solution, if you know somebody who is able to travel with you. I have taken my sister on holiday almost every year for the past 30 years but it didn't save me any money as I paid for absolutely everything, which she came to expect!