Review of The Grapevine Hotel 2*

Avoid like the plague. Didnt want to put a star but had to so I could post, NO STAR RATING, outside looked ok, reception area nice (although it was actually the hotel next door) got keys to our room and man was pleasant enough. Went round the corner to the actual hotel entrance to find a rather delapadated and old looking building. The main door was not fitted correctly and the lock was a little dodgy. The door through to our room was ill fitted and the lock needed some attention. Once in the room there was no space to move. There was about one foot of space around the bed and nowhere to put luggage. There was a small alcove with a metal bar which we assumed was the wardrobe area and a portable heater in the bottom of the space taking up any chance of storage. There was a shelf at one side of the bed which had a kettle, 2 mugs and 2 glasses on but if you were both having a drink then the person nearest the shelf had to keep passing the hot drinks over (health and safety issue). The on-suite was a complete disaster in the sense that you had to get through a very narrow opening (half the width of a normal door) and step up an 7/8 inch step (not good for elderly or people with knee problems). Once inside there was a sink with a very loose tap (only one tap) wnth a mirror that was out so far that when you brushed our teeth you could not bend over to spit into the sink without hitting your head or dribbling down yourself. The toilet was too close to the sink so when you sat on it you where leaning against the sink. The shower (although powerful and easy to use) was very small and in need of a good face-lift. On arrival we were provided with 2 small towels, 4 sachets of shampoo and 2 round soaps (no shower gel) we used these on the first day but they were not replaced for the second day. Television did not have good reception and general decor was extremely poor (radiator being held on by nails) The floors creaked every time the other residents moved and the pipes made a noise every time somebody flushed the toilet. Extractor fan so noisy the telly (when it worked) had to turned up extremely loud. Breakfast was hard boiled eggs, cereal which you had to try to get out of a sweet machine) stale bread rolls and danish pastries that had seen better days (if you didn't get there quick enough they had all gone and didn't get replaced), coffee wad hot. We sis not go down the next day knowing how appalling it was going. These people clearly do not understand about the hospitality trade and just think about the money. Nobody said good morning or made you feel welcome. Although I have described the faults with this accommodation I really believe it is much worse once you are in the room. My husband felt depressed when he woke up and said he would rather be sleeping rough rather than have to stay there again. We deliberately stayed out as late as possible so as not to spend as long in the room. Please please please avoid this appalling place and check carefully before booking in London. The photos are nothing like what you get.