Filthy and disgusting! (TraveLodge)

Member Name: Rockmaiden

Product:	TraveLodge
Date:	19/01/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap rooms

Disadvantages: Filthy, smelly rooms. Broken equipment. Poor service

I had never stayed in a hotel before my stay in Travelodge mainly due to the fact that I havn't really travelled but a few weeks ago I recieved an invatation for a family party in Widness. Normally I would have tried to find a relatives house to stay at or not drink and make my way home the same night. After being told there was a Travelodge near by I thought I may as well book in and stay over the night.

I went onto the website and found it very easy to navigate and booked a room. At only £29 a night I was amazed.

The night of the party came and off I went. I decided to go to the hotel early and get ready there. On first walking into the hotel I was a little dissapointed that it was in the middle of no-where. There were no restaurants nearby and as the hotel do not have any eating facilities I was a little worried about where I was going to have tea and breakfast. The reception was very basic and drab but I did notice a couple of vending machines so at least I could get a snack if I needed.

I was given the key for my room and off I went to get ready. Upon walking in I noticed there was a strong smell of ciggerette smoke that was very unpleasant and when entering the bedroom area I saw a thick layer of dust covering every surface. As a severe asthmatic I knew there was no way I could stay in this room so I went straight to reception and they moved me to another room.

The second room was in the other part of the building and also stunk of ciggerette smoke but at least in appeared cleaner. I was rushing to meet family at this point so I quickly got ready, which was difficult as there was only a tiny mirror above the sink and off I went.

Later when returning to the room to prepare for the party I had a good look around. The rooms are very basic containing a double bed, sofa bed, television, bathroom and tea making facilities.

The bathroom was particulary disgusting which the sink being stained with god knows what and the shower head, bath and tiles being covered in mildew. The toilet bowl had faeces smeared down the side and the towels provided were torn and stained.

Again I went to reception and asked to moved to another room.
Third time lucky I thought. The third room was cleaner then the previous two but still had it's problems. Again there was only the one mirror and the towels were torn but I figured this was the best I was going to get.

It wasn't until I returned to the room that night ready to go sleep that I realised how bad it was. I got into bed and it shock violently. Under further inspection I noticed there was a leg missing from underneath, I couldn't believe it. The bed felt as though it could collapse at any moment. I got out of bed and went to go sleep on the sofa bed but found that the cushions were wet and stunk of urine.

Yet again I went to reception and found the member of staff working asleep at her desk!! Fair enough it was 2am but if your being paid to do a job you should do it. After waking the receptionist I once again explained that I wanted to move room and was told the room I was currently in was last occupied by a family with children and they must of wet the bed and that the only room available was the one I had previously moved from with the filthy bathroom. As at this point I had been showered etc. I said that would be ok as I just wanted somewhere to sleep.

Back to the filthy room I went and got into bed. The bed smelt of stale sweat but I was so tired at this point I just fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning and went to use the toilet. Upon opening the bathroom door the handle fell off in my hand!!
I went to make a cup of tea and found that the coffee and milk provided was out of date. Black tea it is then I decided if that wasn't bad enough the kettle provided had water left in it and so was full of mould and mildew.

Giving up I went down to the vending machine to get a soft drink and surprise, surprise ... it didn't work!!

Fuming at this point I gathered my things and checked out. I told the receptionist how dissapointed I was and asked to make a complaint. She ripped a piece of paper from her notebook and said write it down. She did not ask me about the complaint, give me an official complaint form or even explain the procedures involved in complaining. I wrote everything down and handed it back, she then shoved it into a drawer without reading it and said goodbye.

Having gathered that I would get no-where making a complaint at the hotel I went home feeling tired and dirty and got straight into the shower.

I called the Travelodge main switchboard and explained the problems I faced. The person I spoke to then was much more polite and actually listened to what I had to say. They apologised and offered me a free night's stay in a Travelodge hotel, like I would actually stay in one of their hotels again!!

I told him that I would have to refuse as I have no intention of stepping foot near a Travelodge again and he simply replied fair enough and hung up.

I have never known poor service like I recieved from Travelodge and as long as I live I will never use them again. I would recomend all of you reading this to avoid them at all costs, especially the Widness branch and find a decent hotel. Yes it may cost more but I'd rather pay that extra bit of money to not sleep in the grime of these rooms.

Summary: Avoid at all costs this poor quality hotel chain