The Riviera Hotel & Holiday Apartments — Hotel in Great Britain

We loved it here last year but if this had been the first time we had visited, I don't think we would come back. Only good thing was the reception staff were lovely.

The room (116) was far too warm, even with the window open and the fan on. It was also far too small to be a twin. You couldn't open a wardrobe door fully due to the bed, you couldn't use the desk (put your legs under it) because of the other bed. If one person wanted to get ready the other had to sit on the bed so the person getting ready could move around the room. The bed by the window was extremely soft and moved about a lot (good job I don't get sea sick). The toilet often took 3 attempts to flush (even a "wee" took the same amount of flushes as the more solid toilet needs).

So onto the food - well what can I say about it? It was a HUGE disappoint compared to last year. On Tuesday I was the first in the dining room and heard a member of staff ask the people who came in after me if they would like a drink - they politely declined and off the staff member went, didn't even ask me if I wanted one DESPITE the fact that he passed the table I was seated at on his way wherever he was going. Wednesday we were given the wrong starters - how I have no idea as we filled in the "menu choices" earlier that morning and only one diner at our table got her starter right. The ones that had fish told me it was tasteless but they managed to eat some of theirs. I had the BEEF - it was "cooked" on the top but RED on the bottom. I could hardly cut it yet alone chew it. I decided to leave it rather than ask for it to be recooked. HOWEVER when SERENA STEVENS came to take our plates, her look of disgust at the amount I left was HORRIFYING. I felt like saying "I've paid, so if I want to leave it all I can do". We had to ask for tea and coffee that night too, although the other diners had had theirs. The coffee for myself came out in a communal flask NOT in a coffee pot unlike the tea which came in a pot (although did have the knob on top missing). At Thursday breakfast the mushrooms were actually stone cold - considering I was near the front of the queue they shouldn't have been that cold at all. When we had our evening meal, we found that the Cottage Pie (slapped on the plate) was rather dry so asked for some gravy. Apparently the member of staff didn't like that, and said "You want some GRAVY?????" as if we'd asked for a baby elephant to ride home on the...

A really refreshing hotel experience, parked straight out front in an available disabled bay, hotel staff are absolutely brilliant, nothing is too much, really attentive and polite. Allowed our dog to stay for £10. We had a double room with balcony and sea view which was worth the small extra charge as we could sit in the sun and watch the sunrise/sunset on the balcony. The bar food was amazing and reasonable, I had the haddock, chips and peas and it was a decent portion and well presented and well cooked with all the extras and very crispy batter which can be a rare thing. The room was slightly dated and in slight need of tlc/decoration, new lampshade, few repairs, however, it was exceptionally clean and perfectly acceptable size. TV is not a smart TV but this is not an issue really as we never watch it anyway, but would be good to cast to it from your phone maybe? The bed was super comfy and the bathroom, although small, was perfect for our needs, lovely toiletries provided. Exceptional facilities in the hotel, games room in the bar, I wasn't able to use the pool and gym as I am recovering from surgery, but wish I could have. I was on crutches and the hotel was easy to navigate and they gave us a room near to the lift for ease for me. Very quiet hotel, no noise through the night. It's a very nostalgic hotel experience and reminds me of British beach holidays growing up in the 1980's/1990's. Loved it as a little break away and found it easy with my limitations on crutches. 5 stars to the lovely staff. I'd certainly come back. I very rarely leave reviews, but credit where it is due. I am usually hugely disappointed by hotels having worked in them for many years, however, this place surprised me with a quirky nostalgic charm and I could not help but be pleasantly surprised and left with a big grin on my face. Thank you to the hotel staff for making our brief stay so lovely. Very reasonable rates too. Bonus of free WiFi and the beach is a very short walk away. What is not to like! Just to add, breakfast was exceptional for a hotel buffet breakfast, really good quality food provided and really well cooked! Makes all the difference! I would say the hotel must have really wonderful management as the staff all seem very happy and the quality of food is really...

This is not a dog friendly hotel!

As a dog owner, my perception may differ from a non dog owner stay.

To start with you didn't get the full page of rules on your dog until you get to the hotel, had we have seen this list we never would have booked. For example dogs are only allowed to eat out side or in the bathroom. If your dog barks and its the manger thinks it scaring guests they can ask you to leave, even if its a friendly playful bark. Every thing at the manager discretion, made our 1 night stay very stressful in fear of being kicked out.

On arrival there was a wedding reception, which was located in the only part I could go get a drink in with my dog so had to leave the hotel for the night. The room was very dated and dusty. The water pressure in the shower was very low and after 10 mins of running, the water was luke warm at best.

On arriving back at the hotel at 11pm trying to be quiet and to settle in for the night, people were running up and down the corridors until 2am, naturally unsettling our dog sleep and occasional barking. Our dog is very chilled and relaxed but to be kept awake by noise and light im not suprised she barked. Which made it again a stressful night of not getting kicked out. No answer down to reception on calling to try ask the people to be quiet.

In the morning, dog and there owner are asked to sit in a separate dinning area. Which is totally fine. However the game room is within the same open space and not a quiet spot for a dog to settle while eating your breakfast.We went and got our breakfast amd came back. Breakfast itself was good, full English and a range of pastries and drinks options. However this was quickly followed by rude food and beverage manger who told us off for sitting down and just taking food. Apprantly your ment to check in to breakfast, no where does this day it in the room book or anyone mention this when checking in. So spoilt our breakfast.

The hotel does have parking and is 5-10 minutes walk down to the beach

To conclude we cut our 2 night stay into 1 and went else where. No staff seemed happy to see dogs in the hotel. It just didn't feel welcoming for me my partner or our dog. The room are hot and not air conditioned. They only provide a small thin dog blanket, no dog bowls. Will not...