25 October 2023 , 09:36
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A couple who stayed at a widely-panned hotel found only one thing they liked about it.
The Grand in Llandudno regularly ranks at the bottom of TripAdvisor's list, despite its prime location overlooking the historic pier. While it suffers from poor reviews online, people continue to visit The Grand. Some may see an old-school charm that others miss, or remain hopeful that things will improve. Others, like Dr Anna Billings and her partner Stephen Hardy, may simply not have checked the reviews before booking.
Their high hopes of a pleasant seaside stay during a visit to see an elderly aunt were dashed by the low standards of a hotel in desperate need of TLC. In the end the pair were thankful they had only booked in for one night and left feeling sorry for those on coach trips who were staying longer, the Daily Post reports.
The only saving grace was the staff who they praised for working hard for guests in an "impossible situation".
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The couple were not impressed with the time they spent at the hotel (Azz Lennox/North Wales Live)Anna said that their "spirits were high" when they first headed to Llandudno to visit her 85-year-old aunt, who had recently undergone a knee replacement. After their long journey and a six mile walk, the pair were intrigued to check out their lodgings for the night.
Anna continued: "Our room was basic but clean and we had a good view of the bay. The wind was whistling in through the doors onto the balcony and we began to feel chilly as we cooled off after our walk. We attempted to turn the radiators on with no success and as we became even colder my husband went down to reception to ask for assistance. He was informed that the central heating would not be switched on until 7.30pm but was offered a stand alone heater, which he accepted.
"Some considerable time later the heater had not arrived so we chased it up and it was brought to our room. With the high ceilings and draughty windows it fought to heat some air around our two chairs. There was no way we were going to change for the evening meal - it was simply too cold. I was still wearing a jumper and trousers, padded gilet and scarf and decided to shed the scarf but keep everything else on for the meal."
When the duo went downstairs to find a drink, they discovered the bar unattended and could not track down anyone to make them a drink. Anna and Stephen then realised that the music playing in the bar was far too loud for them - but staff refused to turn it down at their request.
The couple tried to escape to the dining room only to find a "chilly room with Formica tables" and a "self-serve counter with a choice of pork chops slopping in greasy water or broccoli pasta bake for the main course". Anna described the dinner options as "meagre" and "unappetising". She said that everyone else in the room looked "cold and depressed".
Anna said she watched "forlorn-looking guests" help themselves to tea from an urn at the end of the meal and stopped for a chat, talking about how cold they were and how there was no shower gel in their rooms. Many complained that the meal had been "shocking."
She added: "Thankfully, we only had to survive one night in the dismal accommodation that went by the name of The Grand Hotel but these holidaymakers had saved up for a treat and were stuck with a gross misrepresentation of the on-line description of a 'Premier dining room (with) a delicious carvery' (Closed) and the 'main restaurant ....with a more informal dining atmosphere' - you're telling me. School dinners in the 1950s spring to mind."
The duo "retreated upstairs" where they crawled into bed, "leaving the pathetically inadequate oil-filled radiator to do battle with the sea breeze from the ill-fitting fitting balcony doors." When they trooped down for breakfast in the morning, they discovered a gas fault meant there would be no cooked full English.
Anna concluded: "The only thing that saves the Grand Hotel from a riot of pensioners is the helpful stoicism of the staff. From the general manager to the maintenance engineer and the canteen staff they really did the best to handle, if not solve, the flood of complaints that deluged them from all quarters. Britannia Hotels, that run this decrepit relic of better times would do well to give them all a pay rise. They deserve it."
Britannia Hotels have been asked comment.
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