GO2 Gloucester Hotel by OYO

I’ve stayed in rural areas of developing countries after a lot of travel, and this was the worst hotel room and most uncomfortable bed I’ve ever experienced. My partner and I have sore backs today and barely slept. Lying flat made me feel sea sick: my shoulders dipped to the right, hips to the left, feet felt raised, and the whole mattress seemed to slope left. I would have preferred the floor, if I could have trusted it was clean. The room’s window was buckled and squint, so it wouldn’t close, and there was what looked like blood splatter on the curtains. The room seemed to have been recently painted. I can’t make my mind up about the padded red leather furniture, and at least the bathroom was ok and the sheets were clean. Before we left reception, the gentleman serving us realised there was a maintenance issue and swapped the room key he’d given us. The whole experience felt odd from the start. The hotel isn’t a 10 minute walk from where Google and Apple Maps take you. The building has a different name outside than on the website and email confirmation. The hotel phone is permanently ‘busy’, so you can’t call. When we finally found the building and reception, nobody was there, just a piece of paper with a number to call.

I was greeted by Blessen, who was wonderful and helpful. My room was clean and comfortable enough, with what I needed, a bed and bathroom. It looks like mine has been refurbished, going by other reviews. I think people sometimes forget that if you pay cheap, you get cheap. For a cheap hotel, I have absolutely no complaints.

Housekeeping kept my room neat and refreshed throughout my visit, and I had a convenient coffee brewing kit that made mornings easier. The room was clean and well appointed, with a very comfortable bed and fresh, luxurious-feeling linens. From arrival, the staff made me feel welcome. Check-in was quick and smooth, and every team member I met, including the manager, was friendly and professional. They went out of their way to make my stay feel perfect. I left refreshed and well cared for, already looking forward to coming back. I can’t recommend this hotel enough for comfort, convenience and top-notch hospitality.

I wish I’d read the reviews first. The carpets were filthy in the passages and my room, and there was no toilet roll or even a holder. Unforgivable. After a year travelling around Africa in budget hotels, I can say those were 10 times better than this. The furniture was damaged, the mirror dusty and the remote didn’t work. I planned to stay for 3 weeks because of the price, but I’m out of here.