The Alb

If you like hotels, don't stay here. The extra star is purely for the pleasant staff who saw to us. Unclean rooms.

I was told to email the hotel with the following information. I had no response.

Initially, we were shown to Room 2, downstairs, the window looks out over the outdoor seating area of The Albert (we were not told about this). Becky showed us to the room and was very friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, on entering the room, I looked around the room and noticed the following:

· Dirty marks/splashes across the back of the main door and walls – I imagine from worker’s boots, or possibly a hot drink had been split and splashed

· Light brown fingerprints and marks across all the walls and along the edge of the desk

· Old water in the kettle and dirty brown marks all over the kettle

· A broken radiator cover

· One working lamp (out of the two attached to the bed head)

· Dust, grime and marks across the sink and back of the toilet

· Skid marks in and down the toilet, also small hairs on the toilet

· Only half a loo roll, no new or spares

· Loose bits of carpet across the floor

· Dust and hair on the bedside tables

· TV needing a pin to use smart facilities and remote almost out battery

The most basic necessity of any hotel room is that it should be clean. This room clearly hadn’t been cleaned, or if it had, it had been done by someone who doesn't know how to clean.

I found Becky and I told her in private area away from anyone that I was not happy with the cleanliness of the room. She offered us another room and went ahead of us to double check the room was better. She also told me that they are in between cleaners, whilst I appreciate that, it’s not a good enough excuse – I know she wasn’t giving me that as an excuse but still, the cleanliness of a hotel room is the most important thing. Especially after the past 2 years dealing with COVID 19.

We were shown upstairs and the initial feel of the room was that it was cleaner than the other. This whole experience so far was very upsetting and the opposite of a relaxing and indulgent weekend away. The following is a rundown about the second room, Room 5 (Katherine):

· Marks on the walls, again most likely workers/builders

· Streaks and Polyfilla marks down the walls in the bathroom

· Hair on the wall in the shower and a hair bobble hooked on top of the shower screen

· Mud or mascara, (brown mark) on yellow scatter cushion

· Dust and bits on mini shelf under toilet roll holder

· Motion sensor light in hall by the only mirror in the room constantly goes off as you’re stood getting ready

· Shower constantly hot and cold when top dial pointing to left to the 2 red lines

· Streaks and water marks on shower glass

· Blind pulley too high to reach (& I’m tall!)

· Window doesn't stay open on it's own

· Marks and scrapes across all walls and doors

· Handmarks on walls

· Loose bits of carpet across the floor

Whilst this second room was cleaner, the finish of both rooms are poor, as if they have been rushed to be finished. Considering the fact I could have paid the same or possibly less and stayed at the Premier Inn across the road makes me really sad, I like to support independent businesses where I can but this whole experience has left me incredibly disappointed.

Harry who served us at breakfast was very nice, he told me to email this, which I did. The impression your hotel gives is that the bar and restaurant is more important. If the business is ‘between cleaners’, you make it a PRIORITY and train your staff up to create an excellent standard for your hotel guests! Running a bar and restaurant requires excellent cleanliness, the hotel should be no different.

I hope this is a wake up call for this excuse for a hotel.