The Handforth Lodge

We only needed a room for the night before our flight, and this worked out perfectly. I’d been a little wary after reading some reviews, but our room was clean and easy to find, with tea and coffee too. The shared bathroom was spotless and hardly seemed to be in use. The receptionist was quiet, though she smiled and got us checked in quickly. Good value for a cheap stay, and I’d recommend it.

We lasted about 20 minutes before deciding to find another hotel. The place looked run down from outside, and inside there was a really unpleasant smell and everything seemed filthy. We were given a private bathroom room, though it was tiny and dirty, the TV didn’t work, and the walls were peeling. It was also overpriced. At reception, the woman said we’d booked a shared bathroom room, despite our confirmation. When we mentioned asking booking.com for a refund for the second night, she said it was non-refundable and “it’s not my problem it’s booking.com.” She was unhelpful and unprofessional. Don’t book here if you want comfort.

I booked two nights but left after the first. I was nauseous all night from the strong smell as soon as you entered the property, and the cooking smell made me vomit at 6am after a restless night. The kitchen downstairs was being used to cook at midnight. I contacted the manager, who said she’d told them to stop, but there were also loud, uncomfortable noises all night that kept me from sleeping. When I spoke to her again, she was dismissive, offered no apology, and said I wouldn’t get a refund. I asked booking.com for one and was told I couldn’t get it. Appalling service. I would never recommend this place. Please do not stay here.

The clean, crisp sheets and towels, plus the friendly, helpful young couple running the place, made the low price feel fair. The rooms are basic and tired, a bit grubby, and some of the electrics seemed dubious, as others have said. I can understand staying here for the airport, though I wouldn’t picture it as a wedding or honeymoon spot. I had an early funeral to attend the next morning, so it worked out fine for me.