Disappointing Experience at The Lagos Continental Hotel
Unfortunately, this was the worst holiday stay my family and I have ever experienced. While we consider ourselves forgiving travelers, the repeated disappointments throughout our stay left us feeling that this hotel was far from worth its cost.
Room Booking Issues The challenges began in October 2024, months before our stay. We booked a king-size bed via Expedia and were contacted by the hotel, which suggested we switch to a twin room to accommodate our family of three better. We promptly made the change and responded to the Hotel. However, despite our requests for confirmation, we didn't receive a response.
In December, we followed up multiple times via Expedia and attempted to call the hotel directly, but the phone lines were unavailable. Ultimately, we received a response by contacting the hotel through Instagram and email, at which point we learned they had failed to process the room change and were sold out of twin rooms for our stay.
Upon arrival, we appreciated the effort of a gentleman at the front desk who went above and beyond to secure a twin room for us after consulting with his manager. This, however, did little to offset the frustration of the booking process.
Concierge Service Challenges
2.1. Airport Pick-Up We arranged for the hotel's airport pick-up service, including customs assistance. While we successfully met the pick-up agent after customs, we were informed that the driver had left and no replacement car was available. After waiting nearly an hour with no resolution, we resorted to arranging and paying for our transport.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the staff apologized and offered to cover our airport drop-off at the end of our stay and a complimentary one-way trip within Victoria Island.
2.2. Intercity Transportation We used the hotel's car service for errands on our first day. While my husband was dropped off at his destination without issue, the car broke down when it was time to return. The driver admitted this was a known issue with the vehicle, forcing my husband to pay for an Uber back to the hotel.
2.3. Airport Drop-Off There were more issues despite confirming our airport drop-off date and time with the hotel. A day before our departure, my husband went down to the Concierge to triple-check the booking, only to be told they had no record of the booking. After showing an email trail, the booking was eventually confirmed. On the day of departure, the driver arrived three hours earlier than scheduled, causing unnecessary confusion.
Room Service Failures The room service experience was riddled with issues: Failure 1: We ordered meals and cold bottles of water. The meals arrived without the water. Failure 2: We ordered swallow and soup, but the soup arrived without the swallow. It took 30 minutes and two follow-up calls for the swallow to be delivered. Failure 3: We ordered a pepperoni pizza but received a margarita pizza instead. While the staff offered to bring a new pizza, we declined and requested a credit for a future meal. The next day, when attempting to use the credit for a different dish, we were told it only applied to the same pizza, which was not communicated earlier. After further discussions, the Room Service manager apologized and delivered the correct meal.
Noise Levels and Sleep Quality We understand that the Christmas period can be busy, but the noise levels at the hotel were unacceptable. Loud guests in adjacent rooms prevented us from having a restful night. On one occasion, I knocked on the door of a neighboring room at 1 a.m. to ask them to keep the noise down.
Overall Impression While there were moments of effort from individual staff members, the persistent operational issues and lack of communication at The Lagos Continental Hotel left us deeply disappointed. For the price and reputation of the establishment, the experience fell significantly short of expectations. We would not recommend this...
Read moreExcellent Stay with One Notable Hiccup
Overall: 4 out of 5 Stars. Lagos Continental is a truly excellent hotel with fantastic food and standout service, but the check-in process needs urgent attention, especiall
Food & Dining: Absolutely Excellent.The culinary experience was a major highlight of my week-long stay. Quality, variety, and presentation were consistently top-notch across the restaurants I tried. A real treat! Service: Superb & Genuine. This is where the hotel truly excels. The porters, waiters, and supervisors were exceptional. They were attentive, friendly, professional, and went out of their way to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Their warmth and efficiency significantly enhanced the experience. "Super service" is an accurate description. Ambiance & Facilities:The hotel maintains a high standard of cleanliness and comfort. It feels like a premium, sophisticated place to stay. The facilities I used (restaurants, lobby, room) were well-maintained and pleasant. Great People": Spot on. The staff interactions were consistently positive and contributed greatly to the welcoming atmosphere.
The Significant Downside:
Check-in Process: A Real Hustle & Inefficient. Unfortunately, this was a major frustration, particularly given the otherwise high standards. Despite having pre-paid my stay, checking in was unexpectedly slow and cumbersome. The core issue seemed to be chronic understaffing at the front desk. Only 2 Staff: Having only two staff members handling check-in for a hotel of this size, especially during peak times like evening arrivals, is simply inadequate. Long Queues at Night: This understaffing resulted in significant queues, particularly noticeable when arriving tired after travel later in the evening. Waiting in line after a long journey, despite having pre-paid, was disappointing and felt inefficient. Pre-Paid Hassle: The fact that being pre-paid didn't streamline the process was surprising and added to the frustration. The procedure seemed unnecessarily lengthy.
Verdict:
Lagos Continental is undeniably a "super place to stay."The food is outstanding, the core service from porters, waiters, and supervisors is genuinely exceptional and warm, and the environment is first-class. You'll be well looked after once you're settled in.
However, the check-in experience, especially for pre-paid guests arriving at night, is a significant drawback. The bottleneck caused by having only two staff members leads to unacceptable queues and tarnishes the otherwise excellent first impression. Management urgently needs to address front desk staffing levels, particularly during evening peak hours. Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely, based on the overall quality of the stay, the fantastic food, and the wonderful staff. **But be prepared for potential delays at check-in, especially if arriving later in the day, and hope for improvements on that front soon. If they fix the check-in process, this would easily be a...
Read moreI had the pleasure of staying at The Continental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, and I can confidently say it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was blown away by the impeccable service and the overall ambiance of the hotel.
The hotel is not only beautifully designed, but it also boasts a level of comfort and luxury that truly stands out in Lagos. The rooms are spacious, modern, and spotlessly clean, with every amenity you could possibly need. Whether you're here for business or leisure, you'll find that every detail has been thoughtfully catered to.
What truly sets The Continental apart, however, is the incredible management and staff. I was particularly impressed by Clayton, the hotel manager. His professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail made my stay feel like a home away from home. From offering insightful recommendations about the local area to ensuring that every aspect of my stay was flawless, Clayton went above and beyond to make my visit truly exceptional. It’s clear that he leads by example, creating a welcoming and efficient environment for both guests and staff.
The dining experience was another highlight – the restaurant offered a wide variety of delicious dishes, and the service was outstanding. Additionally, the hotel’s amenities, including the pool and fitness center, were top-notch.
In short, if you’re visiting Lagos and looking for a luxurious and memorable stay, The Continental is the place to be. Thanks to Clayton and the entire team, I’ll certainly be returning in the future. Highly...
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