North Ocean Hotel

The advertised pictures gave us a very different impression. The entrance hall and carpets were shabby and dirty, and there was a mismatched square of wallpaper over a hole or something. In our room, curtains were coming off the windows, the heater was broken and dirty, and the small TV was mounted sideways. The skirting boards had stains of who knows what. The bathroom was filthy and neglected. The toilet handle and shower head were coming away from the wall and tiles, the taps weren't even attached to the bath, and the light above the mirror didn't work. The kettle was so dirty we couldn't make coffee. It was an unpleasant stay and a complete waste of money. I wouldn't come back.

The staff were genuinely friendly and went above and beyond within the limits they had from the landowner. The location is quiet, away from the main strip, though the town centre and nightlife are only a 15-minute walk away. At £20 a night, it's a basic place to drop your bags and sleep for a night or two. I've found myself in dosshouses that felt more luxurious. The bar was closed and there was no food or drink service because it was out of season, even though the hotel seemed full. They were still taking online bookings and using two other out-of-season guest houses as overflow, and I slept in one of those the previous night. I can't believe the hotel was close to a 10 rating on Booking.com in 2015. The owner should either pass the lease to someone ready to realize the hotel's potential or bring back the care and hospitality it needs, along with renovation and proper attention for paying guests. Disgruntled, but otherwise content.

For a work trip, £27 for a Saturday night was alright. The bed was okay and the sheets were super clean, almost like new. Staff were friendly enough. The room's very basic and could do with one or two upgrades or replacements. I wouldn't stay again because there's no hotel bar or restaurant, but if you just need somewhere to sleep for work, it's fine.

The staff were friendly, but the room was dusty and the floor filthy. The chair by the window was covered in stains, and the bathroom was disgusting, with clumps of dust, hair and who knows what else. The corners of the floor were damp, and the sides hadn't been wiped either. The windows were draughty, and the kettle was filthy too.