The George

The hotel’s location was the only good part of our stay. It was supposed to be a special anniversary night, but there were problems from arrival onwards. We were put in a room with a disabled bathroom without being told or asked if that worked for us. It should have been made clear when booking or checking in. The bathroom in the screenshot we were shown was nothing like the one we got. We were also told at reception that the doors would close at 8pm and we’d be unable to get back in without a keycard. In fact, they close at 12AM, so that was very misleading. The room had chocolate on a chair, which got all over my pants when I sat down to do my makeup, and cotton ear buds on the floor. The vanity was tiny with nowhere for toiletries, and black marks all over the bathroom floor made it look unclean. We were overcharged too, which added stress. When we raised the issues, most of the reception staff were rude and dismissive instead of helpful or apologetic. One lady did show compassion. The poor communication, charges, and service left a bad impression. We expected much better and wouldn’t stay again.

Our corner room had a fantastic ocean view, and there was plenty of space, including a sitting area. The bed was very comfortable. Rooms are serviced on request, and there are lots of TV channels. The bathroom’s open design is the main downside. It’s fine for couples, but perhaps not ideal for friends sharing. Reception is open from 8:00 to 20:00, just so you know. It didn’t affect us, and staff even called when we hadn’t checked in by 18:00 to make sure we were getting in okay. Great location.

The room was new and nice, with a comfy bed, a shower I loved, and a welcome gift. The open bathroom could be awkward if you’re staying with a friend rather than your partner. On Saturday night, noise from The Colley hotel kept us awake until about 1am. The hotel was full, so we couldn’t request a quieter room, and the windows need better soundproofing. We did have a nice breakfast at Fourth cafe and got a 20 percent discount because of our stay.

For me, this felt more like a serviced apartment than a luxury hotel. There’s no breakfast, coffee, room service, movies on the TV, phone to reach reception, or overnight staff, so it lacks the usual hotel conveniences. The bed was comfortable, but my room and the rest of the hotel smelled of smoke. Smoke alarms on the balconies might help with that. The cups and glasses weren’t clean, there was no toilet roll when I arrived, and the pod machine couldn’t make a hot coffee. A bright balcony spotlight stayed on all night and shone into my room, so I barely slept. It wasn’t the restful night away I’d hoped for. The Grand Hotel is more dated, but I find it far superior to The George.