Best Western Plus Launceston — Hotel in Launceston

I should have trusted the review when it is given a 3.9 on Google.

Upon booking a few days prior to our stay , we were given a free upgrade by David due to the number of pax (2 adults & 3 children). We reached at 2.30pm to check in on 09/11/2022 and it was a breeze with Jahidal Jakir. We proceeded to our room. Our suite had 2 rooms (1 with a Mitsubishi aircon, the other with a Daikin aircon). It was a really warm day, 28degC at its peak, and 1 of the rooms had a missing remote controller to the Daikin aircon. That's when the service went downhill.

At 3.30pm, I called the reception to let them know that our suite had a missing remote controller. I was told she'll check with the colleague and get back to us. We were sweating profusely in the room even though the window was open. My spouse and I had to seek refuge in the room where our kids were going to sleep, but it had only 2 single beds and a couch.

At 6.30pm, we dropped by the reception before heading out for dinner. We spoke to Ali about the missing remote to the Daikin aircon and was told she'll personally check our room. We reiterated that our suite had 2 rooms; Mitsubishi remote is there while the missing remote is to the Daikin aircon.

We came back at 9pm, headed to the reception and was told by Ali that the missing aircon remote had been found on the wall and she had placed it on the table. We were puzzled because we definitely remembered looking at an empty remote holder to the Daikin aircon. True enough, when we returned to our suite, the remote Ali found was the Mitsubishi aircon remote. The Daikin aircon remote was still missing. I came down at 9.40pm to the reception to let her know that the Daikin aircon remote was still missing and she replied "I'm sorry, there is nothing that we can do.." I was flabbergasted by the reply because there was no good initiative on a service recovery which all hospitality staff should have in the hotel's SOP. I asked if the hotel provided fans and was told to come back at 10pm because the next staff, David, will be in. I'm more baffled that Ali was pushing my request to the next staff.

I agreed and came down at 10.20pm to meet David. It was only then, Ali told David about my situation. Finally David had the initiative to look for a spare aircon remote, although nothing works after he came to our suite to try it out.

By then, it was 10.45pm, I am all packed and requested to be given the room I have initially booked; 1 Queen + 2 Single beds room. David assisted with the request and we finally managed to sleep in an aircon room at 11.45pm.

I hope the management could send Ali to more trainings which she might need as I have seen how she gave the eye roll to another guest who had expressed their requests.

I would not have bothered about the bad service but I believe I deserve at least a room with aircon and its remote control, considering that I paid $393 for 1 night. I just needed a remote control to the room. That was all.

As a Tassie local, I am flabbergasted at the service the staff of a hotel in my state was giving. It was my first time ever staying in a hotel in Tassie and my experience with Best Western Launceston was my "make or break" decision. It was definitely a "break" experience. I'll definitely return to staying in Discovery Parks and Big4, where I've had better and excellent services from the staff...

A Nightmare Stay at Best Western Plus Launceston

To those wanting to stay at a hotel, I recommend you not to stay at the Best Western Plus in Launceston. Quite Frankly, they should consider renaming themselves to Worst Western.

Firstly, the room we had was unhygienic, absolutely disgraceful. Behind the walls, the wall was caked with a large capacity of dust clinging on for dear life, untouched for months. Every time you attempt to sit up against the wall with your pillow, you are greeted by the wheels on the bed! The bed would slide away from you. Even getting on the bed was a challenge, you would have to tiptoe on like you were defusing a bomb or the whole thing would just move out of place.

The cleaning service really is the bare minimum at best sadly. They would do a quick wipe of the floor, beds made, rubbish emptied, and then they are to the next room, repeating the same cycle. Barely untouched the room.

The food in my opinion was laughably overpriced!! You are paying restaurant prices for at least another hour of meals. I have had better meals from the frozen dinner aisle!! If you want to eat, go out as there's much better options in the area.

To make things WORSE, one night there was unfortunately a club event nearby blasting music until it had reached midnight.. The entire hotel was indeed contacting reception because no one would sleep, it was echoing through the windows. We were told that we could be promised a "late checkout" of 11:45 pm. (a whole 45 minutes extra for a sleepless night). I did tell them it was not good enough however they did not care. My brother's 8-year-old child did not sleep a wink, and they still refused to extend the checkout to at least 1pm. To be fair, on the bright side at least – Some staff were friendly and welcoming however others clearly could not care less. A few nice smiles don't make up for the lack of basic hospitality standards you expect to be given. Please, do yourself a favour and stay somewhere else. The name "Best Western Plus" is very misleading. In fact, I suggest renaming it to Barely Western or Worst Western because there is absolutely nothing...

Our room had 2 beds, one double bed (can't tell if it's king or queen), and a single bed. For 3 adults, I would say the space available is barely adequate but not squeezy like say those in Tokyo.

I knew this hotel was of some age, so I was relieved to discover that the room looked fairly good. Carpet etc were either very well maintained or had been changed. Colors were of the safe and non offensive variety which is good.

However, the hotel's age was exposed when I stepped into the bathroom. It was like time traveling back to the past. The bathroom tiles, the tap, soap holder etc etc were of a certain vintage. The shampoo and shower gels looked and smelled the same - eau de moldy. Oddly the shower stall was elevated, and not so wide I might add. Trying to maintain a stable shower water temperature was a slight challenge with the fiddly taps.

To save time and trouble, we opted for the buffet breakfast (A$23/pax, 730am-10am). The spread was quite basic, the taste was also average. So frankly if you have time, it would be better value to eat elsewhere. I think there's a cafe that's quite well reviewed just around the corner and probably won't cost a lot more.

There's open air parking but it was not complimentary (A$10/vehicle). I'm not certain if the hotel knew or kept note of the lots sold/available, but we drove into a full carpark even though we paid for parking. We did find a lot eventually though.

This wasn't the cheapest or the most expensive hotel available while we were there. We had chosen it because it offered the sleeping arrangements we wanted. If I'm freed of that group preference, I will certainly be staying...