To think hotels are awful

[Hooploop]

Me and DP are coming to the end of a two week holiday in Cornwall. We wanted to avoid Airbnbs because of all the housing controversy, and treated ourselves to some 4-5 star hotels that were recommended to us and have great reviews - premium rooms too. But we've been really disappointed by everywhere we've stayed. We always seem to end up getting a dud room witha broken bed, or broken windows, or the one room in the entire hotel next to the busy main road, or above the bar (when the hotel was marketed as being a 'relaxing' retreat!)

Thinking about it, I've never had a positive experience of staying in any hotel. They're always a bit weird and shabby, even the really posh ones. And people coming and going all night is annoying. What do you all think of hotels?

I hate them. I've stayed in some really really plush ones but I hate that you have to sit in your bedroom (unless you can afford a suite) whenever you want a private space. Plugs are always in the wrong places, towels usually too small, rarely can you open a window, aircon is noisy and difficult to get to the right temperature, air fresheners are horrible but you can't get away from them, never enough coathangers in the wardrobe and then there's the noise of housekeeping trolleys, outside deliveries, lifts, doors slamming, people playing football with a bottle in the corridor at 2am, other people snoring, other peoples' alarm clocks, TVs going on at 5am, late bars 3 floors down... the list goes on. I would never ever spend my own money on a hotel room.

If we going away in this country we tend to stick to a Premier Inn or Travelodge as you know what you're getting. That said we've got a favourite family run hotel in Southampton where we always stay the night before we cruise. Yes, it could do with a refresh (which I gather the owners are in the process of at the moment) but it is clean and comfortable, in a good position for the docks and a walk into Southampton, and does a good breakfast!

Don't really like them so bought a motorhome for touring and have a caravan if we want to stay somewhere a bit longer.

Not stayed in many. I usually camp, glamp or go for a SC cottage. I don't think I've stayed in a hotel for about 12 years!

They don't appeal to me, although the idea of having a pool and gym would be nice.

I think the issue is large chains buying up the larger hotels and trying to offer a luxury service on a small budget (one of the 5* hotels in my area was bought by Britania hotels and they have run it into the ground, probably through greed). The smaller ones i think is due to not having the money to invest and having weird expectations from guests, so they dont feel comfortable. You see this a lot with air b&b where the landlords expect the place to be spotless when you leave. They forget you are there for a holiday. Sadly I think it is just greed and over valuing their service a lot of the time, but I do also think it has been hard for them to compete with what is offered abroad too.

Im cabin crew & have stayed all over the world in hotels.
In the UK hotes are generally shit. A few notable exceptions unless paying absolutely top dollar for 5*

In general we are just not that good at hospitality/service industry in the uk.

I put it down to the archaic class system & snobbishness. Its all a bit odd.

I love hotels - but I always book with a chain like Marriott or Hilton or LUX. A 4 or even 5 star that's independent I wouldn't touch.

I love hotels! That being said, the quality, even between hotels in the same chain, varies massively.

I think the key to success is seeing the town or city you're in as the destination, rather than the hotel.

Honestly - unless you want a real pamper - then you can't beat a Premier Inn with a good night guarantee. The couple of times we've ended up with a dud room n a Premier Inn they've sorted us or given us our money back. They are generally quiet if utterly characterless.

I have stayed in lovely B&Bs for a really good stay. Not cheap mind.

But yes, stayed in my fair share of supposedly lovely 5 hotels - and not really up to scratch. Hotels in France that were 3 family hotels have been better.

Apart from the Corinthian in london - which was just so lovely.

I love hotels too and I really want to know which hotel in Cornwall now! I like the look of Driftwood although I've only eaten there and I loved Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes, gorgeous place. I mostly go for for 5 star hotels though and I've mostly been happy.

I love the valet parking, friendly service, good food, comfortable beds, a mini bar, a glamourous restaurant, I could go on! I try to book suites mostly so we have a sitting area as well.

The best I've stayed in in the UK are Barnsley House in Gloucestershire, although I have a feeling it's only 4 star, it didn't feel like it though. Also like The Soho and The Haymarket in London, although I've gone off Kit Kemp hotels in the past couple of years.

The hotels I really want to try are Claridges, The Savoy and Gleneagles.

Stupid post of the week award contender here…

There are some lovely hotels in the UK but also many, many poor quality ones. I think the Hilton chain must be far and away the worst chain of all.

Most are shite but I’ve stayed in some beautiful ones.

The Shard in London
Atlantis in Dubai
Bellagio in Las Vegas
A number of hotels in Thailand

You get what you pay for normally

Having worked in the hospitality industry for a while in my youth I'm a bit wary of hotels and always do the dust test thing on top of mirrors etc. Also the idea of lying in a bed that lots of other people have slept (and more....ew) in makes me feel a bit icky. Mattress protectors and pillow protectors aren't changed regularly, only if necessary (not envy)

Agree with all of that@DahliaDreamer Never again!

Same as this poster. I've worked in travel for ever and I LOVE hotels. I watch all the luxury hotel shows on C5 and BBC. DH calls them my porn

I'm fastidious in my research though, and not snobby about star rating (one of my favourites in Majorca is a 3*) so long as they're clean, have some character, and the service / location is good.