Grandeur Thermal Spa Resort

I was worried after reading some of the reviews, but the stay turned out fine. There was a mouldy smell when we entered, and a urine smell appeared a couple of hours later. The AC had been running the whole time, and the smell seemed to come from it. Once we turned it off, the smell went away. No mould or urine smell after that, so try switching it off if you have the same issue. On arrival the hotel seemed deserted, but you can call the number and follow the instructions. The rooms are behind the front area, and although we thought we were alone, there were other guests. It was clean and comfortable and good value. Maybe the rooms aren’t all the same.

The rooms are outstanding value, though you have to go 1.7 km to pick up the key from a lockbox and return it by 10 am. The view from the 12th floor is excellent, but traffic noise is noticeable. The car park is great, though quite small, so a wide car might not fit.

The location is the main thing going for this place. It’s pretty run down, with too few power points, no bedside lights, and no extraction fan in the bathroom. The old timber shacks give it a little ghost town feel, which might not be everyone’s thing, but does make for a good photo.

The Booking.com pictures had me expecting something quite different. When I arrived, the place looked abandoned, with a falling sign and a building that seemed boarded up. I wondered if I’d booked a haunted set for a low budget slasher film. Inside, there was mould on the walls, ceilings, and in the corners. The carpets were damp and had that unmistakable smell of long neglect. Every surface looked as if cleaning products and hope had both lost a long fight. This goes well beyond being a bit tired or needing TLC. Maintenance seems optional here, and hygiene theoretical. The gap between the online listing and what I found on arrival was staggering. There are so many similar reviews that it doesn’t seem like a one off; it looks like the way the business operates. If you like misleading listings, abandoned building looks, and wondering whether to sleep fully clothed, this might suit you. Everyone else should save themselves the trauma and book anywhere else. Avoid.