Shite hotels

[steveo]

I've always fancied a pint - but didn't dare - in the Hour Glass Hotel in Walworth. It has plenty of positive reviews on Trip Advisor but some of the negative ones are corkers:

'Located in a scene from crimewatch'

'On arrival to the hotel i was asked to leave my room for 30mins so they could unblock the sink'

'this hotel is the worst experience of my entire life'

'What a craphole'

[peckham_ryu]

Peckham Lodge seems to attract its fair share of reviews from visitors who regret their decision to take a dirt cheap bargain in London. The lodging itself is much criticised on TripAdvisor and Booking.Com but the real bile is reserved for the cardinal sin of being located in Peckham ("too far from city").

"Mature Couple" said

The worst thing was Peckham it's self it is bogging disgustingly dirty we wont be back to either hotel nor peckham

After a lot of budget lodging and sleepless nights in rubbish guest houses, my rule of thumb is that anything with a review score of 7.5 or less on Booking.Com is to be avoided at all costs.

[Jeremy]

I really like living in Peckham - but to be fair, it would probably come as a bit of a rude awakening to your average tourist.

[miga]

I've just come back from spending some weeks in a pretty backwards part of Europe...I never thought the less salubrious SE postcodes would give off the appearance of such well organised cleanliness. It's all relative.

[Hawley]

My wife and I stayed in a very strange place in Cambodia a few years ago. We were checked in by the glassy-eyed, vacant owner who was friendly enough but couldn't stand still and had terrible shakes. Then, when we reached our room, we found the chambermaid sprawled out on our bed watching telly. When I invited her to leave she got a bit stroppy and didn't make a huge effort to get going - kind of backed out of the room with one eye still on the soap opera she'd been absorbed in. Weirdly, though the room was spattered with dead mosquitos and the bogpan looked like something out of Trainspotting, the thing that most annoyed me was the lack of a waste paper basket. I actually went down to reception to request one - no idea why that bothered me so much. Oddly the reason why it bothered me bothers me to this day.

Anyway, when I got to the reception desk I was told they didn't have any bins. Rather than question why not, I just shrugged and went to go upstairs again, whereupon the owner asked if I needed a taxi. When I said no I was offered a moped, "a whore" and then "two whores!" when I refused, hash, coke and finally heroin. All very hospitable but all declined.

Later that evening we saw him and a gang of his mates boozing it in the pool. When he clocked us, he got out of the water and ran towards us screaming, "My sex! My sex!" and using one of those noodle-floatation-thingies as an approximation of an erect donger.

Breakfast was a boiled egg and a can of 7-Up. No other choices. No coffee, no bread.

Sorry, rambling on. Slow day at work etc.

[Jeremy]

I think I could live with all of that except the breakfast.

[Pickle]

Hawley, that's a brilliant story :)

[LadyNorwood]

I booked a last minute, single, holiday to Los Cristianos in Tenerife many years ago... Flight was, of course, delayed and so I pitched up at 3am, tired, hungry, irritable and a bit tearful... Receptionist threw the key at me, opened the door to the room which was grubby at best; couldn't be bothered to unpack so just threw back the covers and was about to get some shut eye when I saw a pizza box in the bed, complete with half-eaten pizza which had been used as an ashtray.... Receptionist said "we're full, no more rooms" - I yelled "get me another room NOW" - to her credit she did....

[Sue]

Toss-up between a place I once stayed in Brighton which had a used tampon in the drawer and a B&B in Manchester where breakfast was almost raw boiled eggs and a glass of fizzy lemonade.

[rodneybewes]

Not exactly a hotel but a friend of mine suggested we go for a pint at the William IV in Elmers End based on this review: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtml/23675/.

Just as a flavour here is a quick point and counterpoint:

"Those Of You That Live In The Beckenham Area, avoid this Dump of a Pub as Its full of wrong urns and they are that desperate. Hopefully Its the Next one thats gonna be closed Down, they stick their signs on the pavement cos they cant drag you In there cos Its always empty, every day and every night... Always the same Pissheads and lowlife and apart from that always empty. Dont Take My word for it, Just drive past and Observe... also The Beer and Food Is expensive and they think they can con you into Lousy Karaoke and entertainment, so they Lie, the toilets are fuilthy and the bar staff are Rude.... Avoid this Pub at all costs..." foxmulder757 - 9 Jan 2014 22:33

and here is the reply from the landlords:

"To "foxmulder757" well we all know you as David Marks don't we?

The facts are as follows.

1. You were barred from the William in August 2010 for threats to burn the pub down and harassment to two members of our staff.

2. There is currently a court order in place preventing you from entering the pub.

3. To our knowledge, to date, you have an injunction and currently four convictions in a criminal court for harassment against the aforementioned members of staff - Aren't you due to stand trial again in a few weeks at Croydon Crown Court?

4. Aren't you breaking bail conditions for using facebook? I'm sure the police would love to hear about this. Do you really want to go back to prison? How was your month in Highdown btw?

5. Yes, I agree that the pub is in need of redecoration but you're not likely to see it when it's done are you.

6. We are actually the cheapest public house in the area with Fosters at ?3.20 a pint and Premium Lager at ?3.70.

7. Judging by most of the other reviews, they are happy with the pub "Friendly and Welcoming" seems to be the trend. You wouldn't know how friendly the pub is though as you can ONLY drive past because you're barred remember?

8. As for the "next pub to be closed", sorry to break your bubble, but we are here to stay

As a footnote, enjoy your sad lonely life."

Top notch reviewing but we decided not to go in the end.

[Sue]

:)) :)) :))

[KidKruger]

I'd get straight down there, sounds wicked.

My missus said we're in Beckenham (wherever the hell that is) on Sunday, so if I can get in there I will (and review).

[Jeremy]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Beckenham (wherever the hell that is)

I think it's down near the south coast?

[JohnL]

Beerintheevening just isn't as good as it once was :)

[smith 41]

I was once stranded in Dover and needed a hotel the manager took me to the room which he told me in reception is the best room in hotel,the bed sheets were covered in stains and the carpet was made of around 15 different cuts of carpet so I thought it's one night I will suffer,later that night I went to use the shared bathroom to find instead of toilet roll there were cut up newspaper in the size and shape of a toilet tissue I left ASAP

One night I was watching Britains worst hotel on itv and it won it

[smith 41]

smith 41 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I was once stranded in Dover and needed a hotel

> the manager took me to the room which he told me

> in reception is the best room in hotel,the bed

> sheets were covered in stains and the carpet was

> made of around 15 different cuts of carpet so I

> thought it's one night I will suffer it,later that

> night I went to use the shared bathroom to find

> instead of toilet roll there were cut up newspaper

> in the size and shape of a toilet tissue I left

> ASAP

> One night I was watching Britains worst hotel on

> itv and it won it

[stephen509]

Oops egg on face moment.

It went under a ?300k refurb earlier this year & is now called the Elm Tree with great food and a lovely big beer garden.

Also has great live music by a blues band on Saturday evenings.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2549055-d8454955-Reviews-The_Elm_Tree-Beckenham_Greater_London_England.html

rodneybewes Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Not exactly a hotel but a friend of mine suggested

> we go for a pint at the William IV in Elmers End

> based on this review:

> http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtm

> l/23675/.

>

> Just as a flavour here is a quick point and

> counterpoint:

>

> "Those Of You That Live In The Beckenham Area,

> avoid this Dump of a Pub as Its full of wrong urns

> and they are that desperate. Hopefully Its the

> Next one thats gonna be closed Down, they stick

> their signs on the pavement cos they cant drag you

> In there cos Its always empty, every day and every

> night... Always the same Pissheads and lowlife and

> apart from that always empty. Dont Take My word

> for it, Just drive past and Observe... also The

> Beer and Food Is expensive and they think they can

> con you into Lousy Karaoke and entertainment, so

> they Lie, the toilets are fuilthy and the bar

> staff are Rude.... Avoid this Pub at all costs..."

> foxmulder757 - 9 Jan 2014 22:33

>

> and here is the reply from the landlords:

>

> "To "foxmulder757" well we all know you as David

> Marks don't we?

> The facts are as follows.

>

> 1. You were barred from the William in August 2010

> for threats to burn the pub down and harassment to

> two members of our staff.

>

> 2. There is currently a court order in place

> preventing you from entering the pub.

>

> 3. To our knowledge, to date, you have an

> injunction and currently four convictions in a

> criminal court for harassment against the

> aforementioned members of staff - Aren't you due

> to stand trial again in a few weeks at Croydon

> Crown Court?

>

> 4. Aren't you breaking bail conditions for using

> facebook? I'm sure the police would love to hear

> about this. Do you really want to go back to

> prison? How was your month in Highdown btw?

>

> 5. Yes, I agree that the pub is in need of

> redecoration but you're not likely to see it when

> it's done are you.

>

> 6. We are actually the cheapest public house in

> the area with Fosters at ?3.20 a pint and Premium

> Lager at ?3.70.

>

> 7. Judging by most of the other reviews, they are

> happy with the pub "Friendly and Welcoming" seems

> to be the trend. You wouldn't know how friendly

> the pub is though as you can ONLY drive past

> because you're barred remember?

>

> 8. As for the "next pub to be closed", sorry to

> break your bubble, but we are here to stay

>

> As a footnote, enjoy your sad lonely life."

>

> Top notch reviewing but we decided not to go in

> the end.

[rodneybewes]

stephen509 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Oops egg on face moment.

>

> It went under a ?300k refurb earlier this year &

> is now called the Elm Tree with great food and a

> lovely big beer garden.

>

> Also has great live music by a blues band on

> Saturday evenings.

>

> http://www.innovateidentity.com/news-blog/

>

> rodneybewes Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Not exactly a hotel but a friend of mine

> suggested

> > we go for a pint at the William IV in Elmers

> End

> > based on this review:

> >

> http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtm

>

> > l/23675/.

> >

> > Just as a flavour here is a quick point and

> > counterpoint:

> >

> > "Those Of You That Live In The Beckenham Area,

> > avoid this Dump of a Pub as Its full of wrong

> urns

> > and they are that desperate. Hopefully Its the

> > Next one thats gonna be closed Down, they stick

> > their signs on the pavement cos they cant drag

> you

> > In there cos Its always empty, every day and

> every

> > night... Always the same Pissheads and lowlife

> and

> > apart from that always empty. Dont Take My word

> > for it, Just drive past and Observe... also The

> > Beer and Food Is expensive and they think they

> can

> > con you into Lousy Karaoke and entertainment,

> so

> > they Lie, the toilets are fuilthy and the bar

> > staff are Rude.... Avoid this Pub at all

> costs..."

> > foxmulder757 - 9 Jan 2014 22:33

> >

> > and here is the reply from the landlords:

> >

> > "To "foxmulder757" well we all know you as

> David

> > Marks don't we?

> > The facts are as follows.

> >

> > 1. You were barred from the William in August

> 2010

> > for threats to burn the pub down and harassment

> to

> > two members of our staff.

> >

> > 2. There is currently a court order in place

> > preventing you from entering the pub.

> >

> > 3. To our knowledge, to date, you have an

> > injunction and currently four convictions in a

> > criminal court for harassment against the

> > aforementioned members of staff - Aren't you

> due

> > to stand trial again in a few weeks at Croydon

> > Crown Court?

> >

> > 4. Aren't you breaking bail conditions for

> using

> > facebook? I'm sure the police would love to

> hear

> > about this. Do you really want to go back to

> > prison? How was your month in Highdown btw?

> >

> > 5. Yes, I agree that the pub is in need of

> > redecoration but you're not likely to see it

> when

> > it's done are you.

> >

> > 6. We are actually the cheapest public house in

> > the area with Fosters at ?3.20 a pint and

> Premium

> > Lager at ?3.70.

> >

> > 7. Judging by most of the other reviews, they

> are

> > happy with the pub "Friendly and Welcoming"

> seems

> > to be the trend. You wouldn't know how friendly

> > the pub is though as you can ONLY drive past

> > because you're barred remember?

> >

> > 8. As for the "next pub to be closed", sorry to

> > break your bubble, but we are here to stay

> >

> > As a footnote, enjoy your sad lonely life."

> >

> > Top notch reviewing but we decided not to go in

> > the end.

I'll probably give it a go now, although part of me is sad - it sounds like it's lost its old-school authentic charm...

[stephen509]

Here is a link to a few reviews...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2549055-d8454955-Reviews-The_Elm_Tree-Beckenham_Greater_London_England.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Elm-Tree/566762983427213?sk=reviews

Yes definately lost it's 'charm' but then you needed a bullet proof vest before!

[uncleglen]

Stayed in a B and B near Bury St Edmunds. Every morning the breakfast was fried and there were black dots of burnt food over everything (ironically there was a French woman staying there during the week as well as us). On the last morning whilst packing I found a bed bug on my leg. Did not feel bad about the partner leaving the shower door open and soaking the carpet after that!

[Sue]

Are you sure the black dots weren't bed bugs?!

[DaisyP]

Some years ago (when I was much younger and a lot more naive) I arrived in Cairo in the dead of night, with the streets flooded to knees depth. Desperate for somewhere to stay i went with one of the hawkers at the bus station who promised me luxury at a bargain rate...... On arrival, things didn't look to bad, a reasonably smart reception, a lift up to the fifth floor and a large room, a functional shower and a mini bar! In the morning, we went to get the lift but as it was in use decided to use the stairs. But.... there were no stairs!! In fact there was nothing between the ground floor and the fifth floor apart from the lift shaft. It seems there had been some kind of catastrophic collapse a number of years ago and they hadn't got past re doing the reception. So yes, a shite hotel but hell, it did have a mini bar!

[apbremer]

Re. William 1V, I wouldn't wash my boots in Fosters~do you not sell proper beer?

[sjw]

William IV has undergone a refurb is now THE ELMTREE only been at lunch time--- not terrible!

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Gastropub is pushing it somewhat though. (As per the reviews)

sjw Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> William IV has undergone a refurb is now THE

> ELMTREE only been at lunch time--- not terrible!