Norfolk

The worst part was finding bed bugs. The carpet was sticky, the duvet was thin, and an old rug had been cut up as a bed warmer and looked unwashed. The TV and lift weren’t working either. I don’t mind dated furniture or decor at this price, but the room still needs to be clean and free of bed bugs.

Breakfast was the highlight, with plenty to choose from at a fair price. The staff were polite and helpful, and the room had everything listed. Still, the hotel needs a lot of redecorating, and the carpets should be replaced. I was also uneasy about the door: it had apparently been forced before, and the damaged frame hadn’t been replaced. We were disappointed that wedding reception guests got the front parking spaces ahead of hotel residents when we arrived. Overall, a letdown.

I’d give this no stars if I could. The place is vile and depressing, and I don’t think it deserves to be called a hotel. I stayed once seven years ago and it was bad then, too. This time my room was sort of decent, with a nice marble bathroom that looked like it belonged somewhere else. For this price, you’d be much better off at a Travelodge or Premier Inn. There was drilling all morning, and the whole place feels like it needs knocking down. I feel for the families, especially the children, staying here. I suspect many are placed here by the council, or have been misled by the clean-looking photos.

The reception gives a misleadingly welcoming first impression, but the rooms are filthy and awful. Mine was a tiny box with a rotten bed, terrible linen and a dirty shower. On a hot night like the one I had, the room gets so warm you won’t sleep. There’s only a kettle, and you can’t fill it at the sink because a ledge blocks you from angling it underneath. I know it’s cheap, but I wouldn’t stay again even if I were paid. It seems likely the council uses it for homeless people and emergency housing because it’s cheap and gross.