Golden Pebble Hotel

I've stayed here about once a year without any major problems, but this longer visit was a letdown. The air conditioner blew warm air from the first night. Reception suggested switching it off and on, but that changed nothing, and it was never fixed. The room got so hot that we slept with the balcony door open every night, with traffic and neighbouring room noise making it hard to rest. The room had poorly patched wall holes, a cracked bathroom sink and a broken cold tap. The sinks drained very slowly, the bathroom fan didn't work and the whole room fogged up after showers. Smoke smells drifted in from other rooms, and the TV didn't work properly either. On our third night I returned to reception, but the staff member abruptly ended the conversation to help someone else. This used to be our go-to hotel, but after this experience we won't return. Very disappointing.

After two nights, I couldn't wait to get out. In my experience, the place felt dark and unsettling, like being shut in a damp dungeon somewhere in Romania. Staff seemed hostile and rude to me, and entered my room without knocking, including just after I'd stepped out of the shower. I didn't feel my privacy or safety was respected. There wasn't a friendly face or anyone who seemed to care about treating guests decently. If you need to leave after 11pm, apparently the lifts stop operating, and everyone has to take the stairs, whether injured, elderly or exhausted. The aircon smelled so bad that I kept the window open throughout my stay to avoid the rotten chemical stench. I also dealt with what felt like constant accusations over nonsense and a general lack of respect. In my experience, they refused to return my deposit, gave vague excuses and made me feel like the problem for asking. That was the final slap in the face. If you've had anything similar happen, please share your story too. Honest reviews can warn others.

After a weekend playing in the Mountain Districts squash championship, our group went to dinner on Saturday. The on-site Chinese restaurant was outstanding, possibly the best Chinese meal I can remember. I stayed overnight too, and the accommodation was just as good.

I stayed a while ago and waited until my deposit had cleared before posting this. The place was filthy, smelled of cigarettes, and a sewage pipe was leaking in the car park. Never again.