The Charles Hotel

The common areas weren't in great condition, but the staff were kind and my room looked well kept, so I was prepared to overlook that. Then I came away with a huge number of bites, later confirmed as bedbugs. My colleague, in a room on another floor, wasn't affected, so it seems to have been confined to my room. Someone said it would be fumigated that evening and that I'd get an update. I heard nothing, and the evening receptionist didn't know what I was talking about. I don't feel confident they'll sort this before another guest arrives. I'd steer clear for now and hope the hotel can improve things in future.

I stayed overnight and parked in their questionable car park. At reception, I entered my VRN into the tablet, and I'm certain it was right because it came up on screen afterwards. Now I've received a Civil Enforcement letter saying I 'failed to obtain a valid permit covering the full duration of my stay'. Be careful if you're parking your vehicle. Absolutely ridiculous company. Scammers.

On Valentine's, the TV had no signal and didn't work at all. Nobody helped fix it for over three hours, and they didn't offer another room. There were people fighting in other rooms, too. Breakfast came on a dirty plate, and the coffee cup was dirty as well. For what I paid, I've had better nights in a prison cell. I was shocked. The metal stairs to the car park are so slippery they should be closed. I'd never return, and I'd definitely read these reviews before booking. They're true, this place isn't good.

It's a cheap, clean and safe place to rest your head after a night out, close to the town centre. You get what you pay for. The noise does travel, you can hear people walking about and the main road. Nobody was at reception when we arrived, so we waited, but it was under five minutes. Checkout was supposed to be 11am, though a man came over while we were still getting ready and asked us to leave by 10:30.