Abingdon Lodge

The man who greeted us was very pleasant and attentive. He showed us to the limited parking area, then up to our top-floor room, and took time to explain how he could help if needed. CCTV throughout the building, including the stairs, was reassuring. The room was basic but clean and tidy, with an en suite shower, toilet and basin. There was a fridge, kettle with tea and coffee, a hair dryer in the drawer, and a TV. The TV needs a larger screen and the picture quality was poor. The fridge was extremely loud and kept me awake all night. The toilet leaked onto the en suite floor, which I reported, and the rusty bin should be replaced. Some of the wiring also needs attention. The door lock felt very outdated, like something from the seventies, and its opening let people in the hall see into the room. I covered it with a towel for privacy. A thumb turn on the inside would make escape easier, and the door needs a more secure lock. For the price, it wasn't too bad, and the area was pleasant.

The room and the service were absolutely disgusting, so I left and found another hotel. The reception looked like someone's junk room. Our room felt insecure: the bedroom key was like an old shed key, and the old outside door opened onto dirty steps and gravel at the back. I asked for its key and was told it was left open all the time. It wasn't even shut, you could just push it open. Inside, the walls were dirty and damp damaged. The bedding was unclean, the pillowcase was torn, and there were lots of cobwebs and long strands of dust hanging from the lights. The ground-level window faced the car park, where people were chatting and smoking at a picnic table, and the smoke came into the room. At 7 pm I called the mobile number because there were no staff on site after 6 pm. I said we were unhappy with the standard and felt unsafe. The owner was incredibly rude. He said I was safe because a police station was nearby and NHS staff stayed there all the time. He wouldn't consider a refund, saying the hotel had provided what the website promised. He also said I should have reported the cobwebs sooner so he could send the receptionist to clean, but after 6 there was nobody to come. I showered and sat on the bed, but didn't stay overnight. I offered to pay for the first night and asked for the second night to be refunded, even though I wasn't going to stay either night. He refused, saying I'd got what I paid for. He said I might get some money back, but not all, if someone else booked the room for the second night. The hotel wasn't full, so that seemed very unlikely.

The room was dusty and dirty in several places, and it seemed poorly maintained. The location may be convenient, but I wouldn't recommend staying here after the way we were treated and the lack of cleanliness. Before arriving at The Suite @ Abingdon Lodge, we got an email saying check-in was at 3:00 PM and check-out at 10:00 PM the next day. While we were out touring the island, the owner called and insisted checkout was at 10:00 AM instead. He blamed us for the mix-up rather than acknowledging the conflicting information. Without giving us a chance to sort it out, he removed our belongings from the room and left them at reception. We came back shocked and upset by this, and found his communication and refusal to take responsibility highly unprofessional.

My family and I felt so welcome here. The room was spotless, spacious and modern, and Dev was the sweetest, kindest person. Nothing was ever too much trouble. We can't thank you enough for such a lovely stay, and would highly recommend it. The Longhursts