Cornmill Hotel

I chose this place for its location near family and friends, handy bus links into Hull city centre, and quick access to the A63. There are lots of shops, supermarkets, places to eat and takeaways nearby. The hotel also has a popular Italian restaurant, though I only stayed one night and didn’t get to try it. Online photos made the hotel look inviting, and the price seemed similar to other local options. Check-in was friendly and informative. The room was a real letdown. It was small, with a jumble of mismatched furniture that didn’t resemble the pictures. One bedside pedestal was taller than the bed, and another worn cabinet had a marked top, a tiny shelf and an empty square compartment. The wardrobe only had two floppy plastic hangers, and my clothes kept slipping off. Both the bedroom and bathroom curtains were stained, one with paint. The bedroom window had no handle, and the floor felt sticky, with raised repaired-looking patches near the bathroom. The old sprung mattress squeaked whenever I moved and was visibly stained, with no proper fitted sheet or mattress protector over it. The quilt was too small for an adult. I slept badly, and was later told I should have gone down to reception during the night to ask for a larger one. I asked the receptionist to see the problems; she was sorry, but the hotel was full and couldn’t move me. She suggested I return the next day to discuss another room. Breakfast was a bright spot: the small dining room had only a few tables, but the continental food was very good and the staff member on duty was welcoming. At reception the next morning, the housekeeper said it was a budget hotel being refurbished and that I couldn’t expect every room to be perfect. That response shocked me. The receptionist did apologise and helped when I left. I took photos of the problems, and the night receptionist confirmed them. I was given breakfast free, and Expedia refunded me before I had even checked out. It’s a shame, because this hotel could be much better.