The Savoy, Blackpool

I’d been worried after reading some reviews, but the stay was a pleasant surprise. The staff were welcoming and polite. Our refurbished room had some areas that weren’t great, but it was clean and comfortable. It’s a bit far out, though the tram stop is right outside and the service was reliable. I enjoyed the stay and would return.

The rooms and meal were awful. In the dining room, our table was dirty and the buffet plates were dirty too, so we decided not to eat. We’d paid for the evening meal, but after queuing we weren’t even sure which room number to give to show we were entitled to it. We ended up sleeping on top of the duvets after reading some reviews. I wish I’d read them before booking. Who wants to spend a night away like that? The hotel is a health hazard and should be avoided, not even as a last resort. I also read the responses to these reviews, and they come across as childish, rude and dismissive. We arrived early and asked reception if we could leave our bags, which was no problem. When we returned around 2:30pm, the room wasn’t ready, but check in was at 3pm, so that was okay. The receptionist gave us a key for room 129 around 2:50pm. Its walls and ceiling had wallpaper falling off, the room smelt horribly fishy, and the mattress was broken, with springs sticking through. We went back downstairs and were moved to room 228. That room was worse: the walls were soaking wet and the damp, mould and fungus were shocking. It was dirty and dank, with stains everywhere and plug sockets hanging off. We took photos and showed the reception staff, who were horrified, then were given room 229. We had to go up the stairs with our bags because the lift doors opened with two people inside, who said it hadn’t moved. We didn’t want to get stuck in it. Room 229 looked cleaner, but smelt like a public toilet. The windows wouldn’t open properly and it was unbearably hot. We left our luggage there and went out for fresh air so as not to ruin the evening. We came back for dinner at 6pm.

There was a damp, musty smell as soon as we walked in. I know it’s an old building, but you can plainly see there’s no upkeep or repair work being done. The room cleaning was appalling: hairs on the bathroom tiles, dirt in every corner, dusty window sills and filthy net curtains. Worst of all, the damp ceiling in one corner of our bedroom was hanging down.

I’ve stayed here before. It’s a grand but very dated building, much like the Imperial Hotel, and it’s the sort of large Victorian hotel that must be difficult to maintain these days, with minimum wage and all. Sadly, this hotel and brand have been using the hotel as an asylum hotel. That means there’s another dog-friendly hotel we now have to avoid. Thanks, Britannia, for making it impossible for us to stay at your hotels and feel comfortable.