Locals in seaside towns living next to Britain’s worst hotel chain with ‘disgusting’ rooms that have blood on the walls and poo on the toilets say it should be SHUT DOWN

When pondering of conventional British seaside holidays, photos of 99 Flakes, piping sizzling parts of chips, bustling arcades and lengthy summer time walks alongside the pier come to thoughts.

However, for the tons of of 21st century holidaymakers who guide right into a Britannia Hotel every year the actuality is considerably much less nostalgic.

Urine stained sheets, crumbs and mud crammed rooms, damaged door handles, dodgy meals, suspicious moist patches on beds and blood on the walls are all accusations that have been made by friends staying in the chain’s resorts throughout the nation in resorts like Scarborough, Eastbourne and Blackpool. 

Last yr, Britannia was named the UK’s worst giant hotel chain by Which? for the 11th yr in a row.

Despite having a mean room worth of £82, it scored a dismal one-star ranking for its bedrooms, bogs and the high quality of the Wi-Fi, and scores no increased than two stars in any of the remaining classes – together with cleanliness. 

The chain is run by tycoon Alex Langsam – who has constructed up an estimated £248m fortune by way of the firm, which rakes in practically £100,000 revenue every single day regardless of being ranked the worst in the UK for a decade. 

The octogenarian hotel boss, who lives in a £3.4million Cheshire mansion, was final yr dubbed the ‘Asylum King’ over the variety of profitable taxpayer-funded contracts to home migrants throughout its websites. 

Britannia has over 60 resorts throughout the UK and a lot of its properties truly have illustrious histories – the 19th-century Adelphi in Liverpool, for instance, counts Prime Minister Winston Churchill amongst its former patrons, as does the well-known Grand Hotel Scarborough.

Which? stated that many Britannia resorts now provide ‘however a faint glimpse of what one visitor described as their ‘pale class”.

Another lamented their keep was ‘like one thing out of the sixties’, whereas one other visitor concluded they’d ‘by no means keep in a Britannia once more’, the watchdog reveals.

Overall, the hotel chain scores an ‘abysmal’ total buyer satisfaction rating of simply 48 per cent, Which? famous.

Ahead of the summer time holidays, MailOnline visited 5 coastal Britannia resorts to see what residents living in the shadow of the chain’s spectacular property portfolio considered their stewardship. 

Scarborough 

The Grand Scarborough Hotel

4188 ‘Terrible’ TripAdvisor critiques 

In the North Yorkshire seaside resort of Scarborough, residents are divided over the plans a North Yorkshire mayoral candidate to purchase and restore Scarborough’s Grand Hotel if he’s elected.

The Conservative candidate, Keane Duncan, pledged to make the landmark Victorian hotel ‘grand once more’ throughout a mayoral debate final Wednesday.

Once the jewel in Scarborough’s crown, the hotel’s fortunes have been in freefall after a long time in the stewardship of Butlins and extra lately the funds hotel group Britannia.

Past years noticed quite a few outbreaks of a vomiting and illness bug which compelled non permanent closure in 2002, 2004, and 2007. There was one other outbreak in 2011 as properly.

Last yr it was evacuated and the city centre closed off due to a bomb scare linked to its use to home refugees.

The hotel was the run down setting for the 2018 British drama film Scarborough involving two related tales of a male and feminine instructor who use the hotel for sordid affairs with college students.

Everyone agrees the hotel is in critical want to renovation – however they’re involved about the use of public cash and really feel the funding should come from the personal sector, together with Britannia Hotels have owned the hotel since shopping for it off Butlins.

The hotel was as soon as the grandest in Scarborough with its 4 domes reflecting the seasons of the yr.

Guests included the likes of Scarborough-born Hollywood Great Charles Laughton.

But when Butlins purchased the hotel in the 1970s costs and requirements dropped as they positioned the hotel firmly into its current market of coach events and bargain holidays.

Dung the years of decline from the 1980s a visitor was crushed to demise in his room by a falling wardrobe and there have been quite a few outbreaks of illness.

Bev Husband, 62, visiting from Heckmondwyke in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, with canine Ralph and Boney, hoped contemporary funding may flip again the clock.

She stated: ‘If they carry it again to its former glory it would be good. We have not stayed there since 1999. It was like Butlins.

‘We solely stayed for the weekend. It was not nice then. The meals was nothing nice. After we stayed there there was an outbreak of food-poisoning.

‘If they put cash into it and individuals have been ready to pay cash to keep it may work. Scarborough is wanting fairly tatty.

‘So it may do with a little bit of a lift. Whitby is way nicer by comparability. It would be disgrace if a constructing like this had to go.

‘It is simply so good. If they will preserve it and make it pay it would be going however it goes to take a little bit of doing.’

Geoffrey and Christine Fletcher, aged 65 and 64, have a vacation residence and go to all the time. She stated: It used to be the lap of luxurious.

‘Now it is a sorry website to see. I do know it suffers from the components being so shut to the sea besides.’

Nodding in settlement, Mr Fletcher stated: ‘It is wanting unhappy and dilapidated.’

Tourist Reidumm Glans, 77, from Norway, got here to the hotel particularly to go searching as a result of there may be nothing like it in her residence nation.

She stated: ‘I’m interested in magnificent hotel resorts and that is why I got here right here from Norway. We are staying in York and acquired a bus to Scarborough to see it.

‘I can see it wants a whole lot of inside work. It will be an enormous job to renovate it. But it is a powerful constructing.

‘We do not have resorts as magnificent in Norway the place the resorts are smaller. I noticed this enormous constructing and determined to head off there.’

Nigel Blakeley, 68, was already conscious of the plans – and not a fan. He stated: ‘If the Tory potential needs to purchase it.

The former scholar of the previous North Riding Teacher Training College in Scarborough now lives in Thirsk and fears hard-pressed native cost payers would find yourself footing the invoice for the deal.

Britannia are not looking for to promote it. Why when there may be a lot homelessness and different issues in North Yorkshire why would you need to purchase a hotel?

‘It worries me what kind of insurance policies he has in thoughts if he thinks that is the form of factor that will impress the voters.

‘This is symptomatic of the approach hostels and resorts are being run into the floor.’ Gesturing throughout the street, he added: ‘That used to be the St Nicholas Hotel.

‘It was a stunning hotel. Now it is Travelodge and it doesn’t look good. When you go searching all you see if pale glory.

‘I do not suppose they should knock it down. I feel it nonetheless has loads of potential. I simply don’t suppose it provides up to good use of taxpayers’ cash.

‘Surely taxpayers’ cash should not be concerned in the renovation as a result of what would occur then. Would taxpayers be liable for the upkeep and maintenance?

‘It has acquired to be a viable proposition for somebody ready to make investments.’

Local pensioner Richard Hartnell, 78, stated : ‘I learn all about the plans. `I’m not going so far as to say eliminate it.

‘Let’s face it, is a function of Scarborough. It has a historical past. Recently, it had a tragic historical past. It doesn’t have a very good fame.

‘So it would be brilliants to be introduced up for requirements, But it is slightly debatable whether or not a mayoral candidate should be providing to purchase the place.

‘It is our cash in the end. There is funding in the city. Why doesn’t Britannia make investments? They are in all probability making a mint on it.

‘It is properly used and they’ll be making a revenue margin on it. They have additionally had refugees staying and numerous incapacity teams.’

Folkestone 

The Grand Burstin Hotel

1523 ‘Terrible’ TripAdvisor critiques 

The Grand Burstin hotel stands on the Folkestone seafront and has 550-rooms for these visiting the east Kent vacationer hotspot.

But locals have taken purpose at the constructing which dominates skyline beside the 200-year-old Folkestone Harbour – wanting like a moored up cruise ship.

The hotel at present has a considerable amount of scaffolding on its jap aspect – after the garish aspect bearing the identify of the lodging collapsed.

The Grand Burstin was erected in 1984 on the former website of the Royal Pavilion, a redbrick 19th century seaside retreat frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens.

Originally referred to as the Bustin Motel, the rooms have been designed to appear to be the bridge of a ship as a nod to Folkestone’s maritime historical past.

It was bought by Britannia in 2004.

Offering rooms from as little £38-a-night, the block stands amid an enormous multi-millionaire regeneration of the Folkestone seafront by billionaire Sir Roger De Haan.

But regardless of new house blocks being constructed in an identical model to the Grand Burstin, locals have stated they need to see the landmark pulled down.

Retired insurance coverage advisor Simon Wilkinson, 68, lives close to Folkestone with his spouse and was scathing about the constructing.

He moved to Lyminge, round 5 miles from Folkestone, after years living in south London three years in the past – and comes to the seaside regularly to get pleasure from his retirement.

Simon stated: ‘It’s an eyesore. It’s actually not a really enticing constructing.

‘It should be torn down and levelled as a result of it’s a blot on the panorama.

‘It simply blocks the pretty view. It’s horrible.

‘The previous constructing that used to be there was meant to be rather a lot higher however I do not even need them to exchange it. Just depart it and let individuals round the harbour get pleasure from the entire view!’

Care employee David Slade, 32, and his waitress spouse Sunita, 31, have been on an prolonged journey residence to Folkestone, their residence city, once they spoke about the Grand Burstin.

The couple have been returning to residence after three years living in New South Wales, Australia – and stated the hotel has all the time had a fame in the city.

David stated: ‘It’s a blight on the panorama. I’ve lived right here for over 20 years and it’s acquired such a foul fame.

‘I would not advocate anybody to keep there – it’s acquired a little bit of the Fawlty Towers about it.

‘It’s only a relic of the previous days of British seaside tourism.’

Of the 40-year-old hotel’s brutalist design, David added: ‘It seems to be like the Titanic! It’s very humorous wanting.

‘I’ve been there a couple of occasions for a drink – it’s so rundown and chaotic however I suppose it serves a goal.’

Sunita added: ‘There’s in all probability a necessity for it as a result of it’s an inexpensive hotel and there is a marketplace for that.

‘But they might construct one thing higher and there’d be much more of a marketplace for low cost hotel rooms.

‘They want to do one thing to revamp it.’

The hotel’s fame in the city is one which is twinned with its location close to the website of a former nightclub.

Lively seafront venue La Parisienne (later often called Onyx) stood a brief stroll away from the Grand Burstin till 2016 – with some locals speaking about its fame of a spot the place loved-up revellers would go for one-night stands.

Jeanette Di Vito, 65, stated: ‘There used to be nightclubs on the scene.’

She joked: ‘So we used to keep in there and I acquired a few one-night stands!’

‘Some individuals would name it an eyesore however I feel serves a goal.’

The retired trend enterprise proprietor added: ‘In a great world we would have it torn down and was a greater hotel and even residences.’

Her finest good friend Sharon Boorman, 64, stated: ‘It would not be so dangerous if it was simply lowered down. It dominates the skyline.

‘I’d like it to keep a hotel however simply wants to be upgraded. Maybe put the costs up from £40 to £60 to make it a bit extra upmarket.

‘They used to do exhibits and occasions and that – it would be good if they might be doing one thing like that.’

Retired civil servant Dawn Bohan, 62, moved to the coastal hub only one month in the past – however has already been postpone the Grand Burstin.

Grandmother Dawn stated: ‘It seems to be like it’s about to fall down. It doesn’t come off very properly in any respect.

‘I’ve solely simply moved right here from Tottenham to be there for my son and grandchildren – and I would not keep there.

‘I additionally suppose I’d inform another person to go someplace a bit nicer in the event that they have been visiting.’

But Maria Hart, 52, proprietor of the harbour’s seafood shack Chummy’s proper next to the Grand Burstin, says the hotel nonetheless serves a goal for Folkestone locals.

Maria stated: ‘We’ve by no means had a foul night time in there.

‘Locals love it and it’s nice for us as it’s low cost and cheerful and we will pay for a room slightly than getting a cab residence if we have an excessive amount of to drink.’

Jokingly, Maria stated: ‘It’s the form of place the place you are taking your bit on the aspect!

‘The crowd is sweet. It’s massive, it’s good for locals and it’s all the time busy with them.

‘We additionally get lots of people coming by way of right here due to it as a result of it’s good for enterprise.’

Eastbourne

The Cavendish Hotel

539 ‘Terrible TripAdvisor critiques 

On the Sussex coast, The Britannia hotel in Eastbourne divides opinion between locals and guests.

Neil Kirby, who owns Langham Hotel in Eastbourne described Britannia resorts as a shame.

He stated: ‘Britannia resorts are a shame.

‘It’s a disgrace, individuals do not deserve to be handled like that.

‘They will not be in hospitality or customer support.

‘I used to be actually disillusioned once they got here to Eastbourne.

‘The rooms are filthy, I would not keep there in the event that they gave me a free room for a yr.

‘The place is filthy and everyone is aware of it.

‘I would not be shocked in the event that they have mattress bugs as properly.

‘Customers do not deserve that type of therapy.

‘They do not care if individuals come again or not.’

An extension on the aspect of the Cavendish was construct to restore struggle harm after the hotel was bombed.

‘It’s a stunning constructing however it is admittedly run down,’ Mr Kirby stated.

‘Everybody in Eastbourne is aware of it’s horrible.

‘Their different hotel in Brighton burnt down and you can see how dangerous it was.

‘Their resorts are so badly run and they appear to be happy with it.

‘They win worst hotel chain of the years yearly and are happy with it.’

Retired Bill Hurell, from Bognor Regis, is visiting Eastbourne for a few days and had nothing however good issues to say about his keep at the Cavendish.

‘I’ve been fortunate sufficient to journey the world in my time and I’ve seen loads worse.

‘It relies upon on what your stage of expectation is.

‘The room is clear and the workers are pleasant, nothing was an excessive amount of bother.

‘The room is properly appointed and clear.

‘Staff are pleasant.

‘Britannia actually does not deserve its fame.’

On TripAdvisor nonetheless, friends paint a unique story. 

One holidaymaker, who titled their overview ‘Never once more’ writes: ‘Rooms are completely disgusting.

‘I booked two separate rooms for a household of 4. They have been very soiled. 

‘Dirty bathroom, tub soiled with cleaning soap and dried pores and skin. Glasses in toilet not cleaned. Coffee station stained with milk. Chairs simply soiled and stained.

‘When I open connecting door to one other room it was stuffed with empty tea and milk baggage. Rooms have not been hoovered for weeks.’

Another overview titled ‘RANKEST HOTEL I’VE EVER STAYED IN’ makes related factors.

Blackpool

The Norbreck Castle

4015 ‘Terrible’ TripAdvisor critiques  

In Blackpool, squatting excessive atop a cliff dealing with the Irish Sea, Britannia’s Norbreck Castle hotel looms over all. 

The colossal 480 bed room hotel dates again to 1869 and is certainly one of 4 spots operated by Britannia in Blackpool alone. 

Sadly, it’s fame can also be the grimmest with a staggering 4015 ‘Terrible’ TripAdvisor critiques. 

One disgruntled visitor writes of their latest keep: ‘This place is the pits! They are solely in taking cash from you. 

‘Staff appear completely uninterested in something about you. We waited patiently in line…checked in…then we acquired our door playing cards….which did not work. Room was freezing at night time…beds have been threadbare…. ceiling appeared like it had had critical leak from above. 

‘It actually is a run down place…it’s low cost for a purpose, all the time bear in mind. We truly thought we have been getting on a flight, they wanted photograph id…tackle proof…good god, who’s been staying right here?’ 

Another stated: ‘AVOID. This has to be the worst hotel we have ever stayed at. It took an hour an a half to test in, being herded like cattle in the most disorganised method I’ve ever seen. 

‘The room was filthy and like a jail cell, with no window and overly sizzling. The bathroom had the earlier visitor’s faeces on the seat, no tub mat and pubic hairs in the bathe. 

Local response to the as soon as stunning bustling spot, the place one visitor as soon as claimed to have discovered ‘blood on the walls’, is way from impartial both. 

Pam and Steven stay in close by Norbreck and typically stroll alongside the coastal path that the huge hotel completely casts in shadow.  

Pam revealed: ‘I used to work there, it was disgusting then. People solely keep there as a result of it’s low cost. 

Steven added: ‘It drastically wants modernising. You stroll in and there’s divots throughout the flooring. 

‘The dirty home windows do not lock, you may push them open with your finger. 

‘It’s solely ever busy for capabilities or for New Years Eve or for lads who’ve had a drink and need a sleep.’ 

In a close-by cafe, two members of workers who most popular to keep nameless stated that regardless of it’s knackered look, the hotel nonetheless made OK commerce.    

One stated: ‘It would take some huge cash to get it up to customary however individuals appear to like it. 

‘It’s busy sufficient and individuals come again. I do know it has horrible critiques, however individuals do get what they pay for in that respect.’ 

Two different walkers, Michelle and Brian, have been much less forgiving and advised MailOnline the hotel’s issues have been reflective of a wider Blackpool malaise.  

 Michelle stated: ‘It’s completely surprising. It’s enormous and I do not know why they’ve painted it this surprising color. 

‘Blackpool is thought for hens and stags and they’re attempting to change that. But all of them keep there. Hen events and coach drivers primarily. 

Brian stated: ‘It’s all the time had a foul fame.  It’s a disgrace, it has a main location however it’s all the time been a salubrious spot. 

‘The cleanliness is appalling. Stains, crumbs, mud – the lot.’ 

In the centre of Blackpool, removed from the imposing presence of the fort, locals say the hotel is broadly detested.  

Jon Harris stated: ‘Nobody in Blackpool would keep there. It’s an enormous disgrace as it’s a stunning constructing and has a terrific location. 

‘It may be a implausible a part of Blackpool in the proper palms however the present homeowners do not appear to care. 

‘They have all these enormous buildings throughout the nation and they’re simply crumbling. 

‘It’s unhappy however there’s not loads anybody can do. Local councils cannot afford to purchase them and run them both.’  

Southport

The Scarisbrick Hotel

1041 ‘Terrible’ TripAdvisor critiques  

Residents in Southport additionally slammed bosses of  the historic hotel for permitting it to turn out to be a eyesore.

Scarisbrick Hotel – a grade II listed constructing – was as soon as a a lot sought-after place to keep, however now locals say the facility is in determined want of a face-lift.

Barrie Dickinson, 46, a automotive mechanic, stated: ‘It is such a disgrace that Britannia Hotels have let it get in to such a state.

‘It may be very spectacular and elegant-looking constructing, however nothing has been completed to it in years.

‘It was used at one level to home asylum seekers, which did not assist the hotel’s fame.

‘Everyone who lives in the city stays properly away from the place. It’s undoubtedly not a spot I’d advocate to anybody visiting Southport.’

Rachael Steele, 33, a radiographer, stated: ‘It’s acquired to be certainly one of the worst resorts in the city.

‘It’s low cost and nasty and is simply terrible.

‘Most individuals who keep there are right here on hen or stag events, so do not actually care that it is a multitude. Others guide in at the final minute, in the event that they’ve met somebody whereas out.

‘Some huge cash wants spending on it to convey it up to a good customary however I doubt that will occur.’

Holly Atkinson, 30, a dancer, stated: ‘I’d by no means keep there.

‘I do not know anybody who has phrase to say about the place. People who have stayed there say it seems to be like it hasn’t been adorned for years and all the things is outdated.

‘It is mistaken that Britannia Hotels have let it get so dangerous. I do not know why they do not simply shut it as a result of it cannot be making any cash.’

Marcus Pilsworth, 60, a communications supervisor, stated: ‘Twenty or thirty years in the past, this was a implausible hotel.

‘I’ve had many a terrific night time in there at numerous capabilities and balls. It actually was a good hotel.

‘Now it simply seems to be run down and attracts individuals who simply need some the place low cost to keep.

‘I would like it to be returned to his former glory however that would in all probability value thousands and thousands of kilos and I’m unsure the current homeowners care sufficient to spend that type of cash.’

Simon Williams, 45, who works in IT, stated: ‘Who would actually need to keep there?

‘Everyone says it’s terrible. Britannia Hotels shut down Pontins in the city earlier this yr and should like about doing the similar to this place.

‘The firm has been voted the worst hotel chain in the nation loads of occasions and by the Scarisbrick, it is just not tough to see why.

‘It is in a terrific location and may be a implausible hotel however it is just not. It wants an excessive amount of cash investing into it, so there’ll come a degree that it turns into so dangerous, it will simply shut.’