Gullivers Hotel - B&B

The noise kept us from getting much sleep. Around 9pm, very loud music started up, apparently from a shop owner playing a speaker at the entrance, and it went on for hours. The area is close to things, but felt a bit dodgy, with people slumped in corners or using drugs in the green square in front of the hotel. I felt unsafe, and worried about my mum, who was in a separate room on the top floor. Inside, our room was dirty and didn’t look cleaned. A mosquito was squashed on the wall, towels had been left on the bathroom floor, and one was covered in dirty marks, so we couldn’t use it. There was nobody around to report it to or ask for a replacement. The entrance and shared area were also strewn with alcohol cans, and my 18-month-old daughter picked up a beer can. There was no staff member or receptionist in sight. Around 10pm, we heard another couple complain about a dirty room. They said they wouldn’t stay and wanted their money back. A worker refused a refund or to get a manager, and tried to move them to another room. Their complaints continued, then got louder until the police were called; the manager was eventually contacted later. It sounded like other rooms were in poor condition too. We paid far too much for a place that looked nothing like the online pictures. I wouldn’t return or recommend it.

The staff were friendly enough when I managed to find them, and breakfast was good. But this didn’t feel like four-star accommodation. I’d paid extra for a deluxe double because I wanted a much-needed two-night break, and the room was very average and tired. It badly needs paint and refurbishment, and, as others have mentioned, the toilet smelled. Maybe the building’s sewage system needs attention. One lamp didn’t work, I had to phone to find out the kettle was in the bottom drawer, and the chair by the table under the window was quite wobbly. Check-in took ages because staff were down the road at the sister hotel. I called twice, went out for coffee, then came back. I was disappointed, especially given its four-star rating.

The bed was comfortable and the sheets were clean, despite several cleanliness problems elsewhere. The toilet needs a better clean, the blinds were very dusty, and one room still had used plastic nails from a previous guest. The toilet had only dim lighting, and there was no light in the shower. There was no one at reception and the main door had no lock. The location is near Brighton Pier.

The staff were friendly and I enjoyed breakfast. For a short stay, given the price, it wasn’t too bad, but next time I’d spend a little more on a nicer hotel. I’d paid extra for a room with its own bathroom, only to be given one with a shared toilet and bathroom. When I pointed it out, there didn’t seem to be much interest in finding me another room. That was disappointing. The towels also weren’t changed daily, and I could feel every spring in the mattress, so it wasn’t very comfortable.