I thought the Adelphi was a luxury hotel, so I took my girlfriend there for a romantic weekend break. I have never been more wrong in my life.

We waited for 30 mins to check-in as there was only one person on the desk (at 8 o'clock on a friday night). As we went up to the room, the carpet was ratty and there were cigarette butts on the floor, which we thought was odd.

In the room we were stunned and I didn't know whether to laugh or get annoyed. The bed-spread was singed and dirty, the radiator (that looked like it had been salvaged from the Ark) was rusty and had sharp edges and the television was propped up at one corner with a folded piece of paper! That is not to mention the peeling wallpaper and threadbare carpet.

Obviously disgusted, I marched down to reception and asked for the Duty Manager. A snotty woman told us he was busy, so I explained to her my problem. She seemed unsuprised and said I could have another room or my money back. I said I wanted an apology because it had ruined our night-out. She said she couldn't apologise, so I demanded the Duty Manager.

When he came out of his office he as good as said he didn't believe me and said he wanted to see it for himself. We went to the room and I pointed out what I thought shouldn't be wrong with a £25 a night B&B, never mind a £90 a night hotel. He agreed and then started to tell me about his budget restraints (like I cared). He did apologise (eventually), but again, I had to press the issue.

When I got back to the car-park (a lock-up type thing), the car-park attendant tried to charge me £5 to release the car. I didn't hit him, but it was a close thing, especially when he grabbed my arm and told me to shusshhh! I raved at him a bit and then I complained, again, at reception. When they told him to waive the charge, I thought he was going to cry.

All in all, not a great experience. It's such a shame that such a ma
gnificent building (and it is from the outside), with such a long and colourful history, has been allowed to deteriorate to the disgrace I encountered. I wouldn't ever stay at the Adelphi or any other hotel in the same chain again.