The Safron Hotel Ikeja — Hotel in Ikeja

I initially booked and paid for a three night stay, 29/10/22 - 31/10/22. On the 30/10/22 I decided to extend my stay for a further three days, checking out on 04/11/22. On the afternoon of 02/11/2021 two of my cousins came to pick me up from the hotel. I took the elevator to the ground floor and greeted them both at the reception area. As the three of us walked towards the entrance to leave, on my left I observed the Operations Manager standing by the entrance and to my right another senior staff member quickly walked towards me with a nervous look on his face. He proceeded to ask me, "Are you checking out?" I looked at him with amusement and replied "Check out without my luggage?". At the time I thought it was an odd thing to ask me, but I didn't think too much about it. .

I returned a few hours later, greeted the staff members at the reception desk and made my way upstairs to my room. The following morning 03/11/22 I called the restaurant to order some doughnuts. I had previously ordered some with tea on the morning of Mon 31st Oct, when my Auntie came to visit me. I was informed that they were not yet ready. I waited around an hour and called again. I was told they were still not ready yet. I asked how much longer they would be. The young man said he would find out. After about a minute of waiting he told me there were no doughnuts for that day.

I was disappointed because I called the restaurant to order doughnuts each morning for three consecutive days, and each day was told they didn't have any. I decided to use the hotel's official WhatsApp line to make a polite suggestion regarding availability of doughnuts/pastries. Which read as follows:

"Good morning. I had some very delicious doughnuts on Monday morning. I've called the restaurant everyday since and they are not available. For an international traveller like myself, we like cakes/pastries in the morning. Meat/chicken pies and sausage rolls are too heavy. As a polite suggestion only, you should have more availability of cakes and pastries. Thank you".

Imagine my surprise when I received the following reply back:

"OH WELDONE MA

"THANK YOU SO MUSH FOR YOUR REVIEW".

"I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO CALL YOUR ROOM MA".

"ITS CONCERNING THE ACCOMODATION PAYMENTS".

"THE MANAGEMENT IS NOT HAPPY TO SEE THE OUTSTANDING BILLS ON THE SYSTEM MA".

I replied:

"Wow, I am checking out tomorrow morning and will settle my bill in full. I've not had this issue in any other hotel I've stayed at. Is that why I was accousted in the lobby yesterday and asked if I was checking out?? Are you implying I would run away without paying my bill?".

I was in complete disbelief, and shocked that the hotel could exibit such unprofessional and offensive behaviour towards a guest. I was highly disappointed and felt insulted. I told them I would come down to reception immediately to settle my balance and also told them I would never come back to their hotel again.

If the hotel requires guests to pay upfront for extended stays, they had ample time and countless opportunities to inform me. They chose not to do this, but instead address me in such a casual and unprofessional manner.

The Safron is delightful and far exceeded my expectations for a hotel located on the Mainland. Very beautiful and classy, the decor is wonderful and it has a relaxed and inviting ambience. I stayed in the Executive Room and it was absolutely lovely. Super clean, very spacious, big wardrobe, super comfy bed, with crisp white sheets, big TV and a private balcony, which was an added bonus.

The poor customer service is truly what ruined my stay and let the hotel down. This really needs to be addressed ASAP, to avoid this type of unfortunate incident repeating itself again in future.

P.S. On two occasions I ordered food to my room and the restaurant tried to overcharge me. On the second...

The hotel is generally good hotel, absolutely wonderful staff and I would have given it 5 stars across the board. HOWEVER, firstly it stated on booking superior room are on high floor, also requested end room. This request was not listened to, not a problem here of course as I understand fully it’s a request. But the biggest issue was it was on the first floor, no windows or curtains could be open due to workmen at the same level of the window and within less than a foot away. This we were never informed about prior to booking or on arrival. Then you have the consistent noise from guest and children running up and down the corridors. Also loud music, along with the constant drilling banging from the ongoing works. On addressing this with the front desk it was just shrugged off and no help offered or compensation. Apart from one floor up but still with workmen right outside. On one occasion I came back to room and the shower room window and blind was left open by a cleaner. With workmen eye level. As I said I did email the hotel to try and resolve this major issues but a month on has been ignored by management. This is such a shame because I would have given it a five star all round but these failings and the lack of wanting to deal with the matter and still want to charge 180,000 a night with no views, not being able to open curtains or window also having banging or drilling for many hours a day is unacceptable and needs addressing properly. I would however come back and stay at the safron but not on a side that’s got major works being carried out. And a room with a view as promised when booking. I have travelled all over the world as a ex professional player now a professional football scout and coach and the hotel is good, the staff are good, but management must understand you can’t book rooms out at full price and have all these issues. Be happy for them to address my issues and my email as would like to resolve this and use them again in February when back over for 30 days but if you still feel the need to not want to address these failings then it’s important people know. The good and bad side currently at the hotel. Be very proud of your restaurant and room cleaning staff absolute wonderful welcoming members of staff. Hope to hear from you in an email to resolve...

All that glisters is not gold...

WARNING - This is an international expectation of service..but you know? I think we all deserve that in Lagos also...

So let's compare it to your probable next choices in this area - The Sheraton or The Radisson Blu. Rooms are definitely more modern. They are cleaner and the beds are just as comfortable. Drinks and food are around the same price. The staff are smiley and friendly. The room rates are more expensive... And that's about it.

The Sheraton wins it by a whisker for me. It's based on the old school ambience. Yes! The Sheraton service is slow. The smell is sometimes not what you are looking for... However, you have the space. You have the non confined area to walk around. The views from the room are better from the Radisson or the Sheraton. The public areas of the Safron are newer and cleaner and the rooms are attractively laid out. The shower and bathroom were clean, modern and worked. The hotel has security at the gate and security on each floor.

We tried to eat at the terrace bar. Food and drinks were served to our table one at a time, with some of our group getting served after others had finished theirs! We ordered 4 starters. Good portions and good flavours - but again one came out and then 45 minutes later the other three appeared. After over two hours of waiting for our mains, we paid and left without eating. The Saffron's tables at the terrace bar are the wonkiest I've seen for years. How can you have such a new hotel with such poor tables? The service staff were slower than the Sheraton - something that I didn't think was humanly possible. But they made it happen. The barman was good and attentive thankfully!

The Safron's one lift is incredibly slow and it's quicker to use the stairs. It's not a family friendly hotel - they don't have adjoining rooms. They don't have any rooms that are twin beds either.

Safron Vs Sheraton Vs Radisson - For all the glitz and glamour of the Saffron currently, it's a win for the Sheraton! I really hope that the Saffron lift their game and make it a more exciting challenge. But for now, they have...