Hotel Jesmond — Hotel in Newcastle-Maitland

I’m not usually one to complain, but this experience was beyond unacceptable. I strongly recommend never staying at this place for accommodation.

Upon arrival, I was told that my payment hadn’t been received. I explained that I had already paid online, but the staff member claimed the payment was declined. While I tried to provide deviance for my payment, she then admitted it was her colleague's mistake—they had entered the details incorrectly. This initial mix-up was frustrating, but I let it slide.

The situation worsened at the moment I entered the room, a cockroach scurried across the door. The smell in the room was unbearable, making me want to leave immediately. I found bloodstains on the blanket, and when I opened the fridge, several cockroaches were crawling inside. I understand the room was inexpensive (just over $80), so I wasn’t expecting luxury, but basic cleanliness should never be compromised!!!

I left my belongings in the room and immediately reported the issues to the manager. She seemed impatient, likely because her shift was ending soon. When I asked to switch rooms, she said no other rooms were available. She did offer a refund, but given that it was already midnight, finding alternative accommodation at this time would be extremely difficult. Her solution was to "spray the room," and although hesitant, I agreed.

As we walked toward the stairs (the room was upstairs), she diverted to the Bistro kitchen, so I waited outside for her to return. After waiting for about five minutes, I became frustrated and went to look for her. When she reappeared, she casually told me the room had already been sprayed. This was shocking—she had entered my room alone. If I hadn’t been present, she could do this with my permission, but I was waiting right outside the kitchen for us to go together. She should have entered the room with me!!!

I confronted her about this, explaining how inappropriate and unacceptable it was to enter a guest’s room in a non-emergency situations. Instead of addressing my concerns, she argued with me, escalating the situation. Eventually, she walked away, ignoring my complaints entirely.

I informed her that I had left money in my bag and that entering the room without my accompany could be considered a violation of privacy or even trespassing. Only when I mentioned reporting the incident—and possibly involving the police—did she seem concerned, so she walked towards me, and attempted to calm me down.

I couldn’t sleep properly that night. The bed made me feel itchy, adding to an already terrible experience.

This place is not only poorly maintained but also has terrible customer service. I will never...

Worst experience ever

I've been stopping by this pub once a week or so for a while, maybe a month or two.. usually just for a quick beer on the way home.

Dropped in tonight on the way home from work, dressed in full work gear and carrying a laptop, looking to have a quick beer or two while finishing off a few emails. While one guy was pouring my beer, I even asked one of the other bar staff where I could get some quiet so I could do some work (as it was student night and pounding).

Beer comes back to me, I tell the guy I'm going to pay by card, he says "Well where's your card?" I'm holding my phone (with NFC, so this is my card) and I say "This is my card." He snatches the phone from my hand and takes it to the machine, I shout at him "The screen's got to be on!" as he walks away to the EFTPOS machine ~10ft away.

It's worth noting that I'm pretty sure it's illegal to process an EFTPOS transaction without showing the customer the screen beforehand.

He taps the phone with the screen off and predictably, it doesn't work. He comes back and I say "Just bring the machine over mate," he instead gets me to come around to the machine. I tap the phone and it all works, and I say "Mate it would have been easier to bring the machine over in the first place right?" This is where it goes pear shaped.

The bartender then says "Fk you mate, I'm just trying to fking help you out, fk off and don't come back to the fking bar c*nt!" I'm taken aback, what the hell? I ask him for his manager, he claims he's the manager, I ask for the next manager up.

A guy comes over (I'm later told that this guy is the licensee, named Dan), I explain the situation, his response is "Oh he would never do that" and I said "Well he did," and he calls security over and out I go. I literally got one sip from my first beer.

Have a good chat with the security guard and one of the bar supervisors out the front, but obviously the dkheads behind the bar have already made the call to kick me out so I paid $7.90 to take one sip of a beer and be called a ct.

You couldn't pay me enough to go back to...

I was booked to stay at this accomodation with the boyfriend and it was paid for prior to arrival. We checked in at approximately 5:30pm and were allocated to room 6.

I am absolutely appalled at the state of this establishment. After booking online and seeing what appeared to be decent photos, my partner and I were horrified when we entered our room. The reality was nothing short of disgusting: stains everywhere, a strong stench of mold, writing on the walls, stained bedding and a dirty, neglected ceiling. It was beyond unacceptable.

Prior to leaving the room, my partner and I attended Big W to purchase a sheet to place over the bed due to the state. This was our attempt to make the accomodation more appealing and appropriate, however even after this action, we could not sleep in that room.

We had already spent $100 at the pub downstairs, expecting at least a basic, clean room to rest in for the night. Instead, we were so disgusted by the state of the room that we couldn’t bear to stay. We were forced to spend the night in our car instead.

Charging $80 for such a filthy and uninhabitable space is an absolute disgrace. This experience completely ruined our night, and I cannot believe the level of neglect at this establishment. I have requested a full refund for this devastating experience, however the venue refuse to respond to me. I strongly urge others to avoid this...