The mk 3 coaches certainly show up how the refurbished HST▸ mk 3s were downgraded. I had forgotten the open ambience of the old layout where you can see down the coach and easily look out the window - wonderful.
You have to remember that the Mk3 seated coaches on the Night Riviera are just the old 1st class day coach layout with refreshed textiles and a lick of paint.
Personal preference is the old style seats over the leather ones in 1st class. Apart from those pesky fixed armrests though!