Ibis Budget Newcastle

Everything was very clean, with no sign of carelessness, bedbugs or other guests' bogies. The beds were amazing and gave all four of us a great night's sleep. The fridge worked perfectly, and although the showers and toilets were a bit small, they were comfortable. The receptionist was sweet and lovely to talk to. There's an outdoor spot around the corner where we were allowed to borrow two chairs and a table, handy for a quick dinner cooked on a gas stove. There's also an indoor dining area if you don't want food smells in your room. The location was great, a short drive from some great holiday places, and there's a brother hotel 10-15 minutes away. Discounts for booking multiple rooms helped, and the price was great for the decent surroundings. Nothing displeased me. It feels like customers come first, with lovely service and 100% quality. 100% recommend, we had a great holiday.

The bed was comfortable and the sheets crisp. The air conditioner worked well, and there are vending machines, a payphone and guest laundry. The breakfast area was quite clean, with a TV, a few books and comfy seats. Breakfast costs $15 and is basic: yoghurt, croissants, two juices, tea, coffee, about three kinds of bread, and make-your-own pancakes. Still, you get what you pay for. We'd stayed at ibis budget a few years ago and were more than happy then, but this stay was rough. It's at the intersection of two busy roads, with ambos and local revheads active most of the night. The window did little to block the noise, and the blind let in light. We had a disabled room, but there was no way to get a wheelchair past the bed to reach the room or bathroom. There was a sewerage smell from the shower drain. I mentioned it to the receptionist and cleaner, who seemed interested, but I don't know if anything was done. The basin tap wouldn't turn off and the shower mixer was loose. A couple of coathangers on a rail kept getting bumped as we walked past the bed. The pillows were almost nonexistent, super thin. No bedside tables, and very unusual lighting. I tried to call at least three times to book and got voicemail each time. I overheard another guest saying the same later. The guy at reception on arrival seemed quite disinterested, though the morning lady was bright and friendly.

It felt less like checking in and more like being sentenced. Bare walls, harsh interrogation-style lighting and a mattress that seemed to come with good behaviour conditions gave the room prison-cell vibes. A set of prison greens on the bed would've completed the look. ⭐️

The only clean thing was the bed sheets. There was thick dust on the bed head, a dirty bench around the kettle, tea and coffee, a sink left dirty by the previous guest that I had to clean, and a floor that hadn't been swept or mopped. The air conditioning wouldn't work properly and stayed at one temperature because it was set in Fahrenheit and couldn't be changed. I couldn't open the window for fresh air because I was on the ground floor, and the room was very noisy by the traffic lights. The small bar fridge froze drinks and food, with no temperature control. People were inconsiderate and noisy at all hours. I also had to pay an extra $5.00 per day for parking on the grounds. The corridors smelled damp as soon as you entered. Water sprayed everywhere from the shower, so I had to use my own towels as a floor mat, even with the shower head facing away from the bathroom door. There was a large rust spot at the bottom corner of the bathroom wall, and mould in the shower covered with silicon. Absolutely disgusting.