"The room was a good size, the bed was comfortable and the bathroom was nice with a good shower.
The housekeeping staff were lovely to me and very friendly.
I was grateful for the fridge and kettle in the room. Really helpful.
I was sadly unable to have time to enjoy the terrace due to my working hours but it was nice knowing it was there and i can imagine a peaceful breakfast or evening relaxing in different circumstances.
The gardens and flowers are very pretty to look at.
Unfortunately the first experience of the hotel was marred by a disappointing situation at check in due to a very chaotic and disorganised system whereby the solo staff member was overwhelmed by some Italians.
A pair who had been queueing in front then disappeared from the queue - presumably to join another group of Italians who had checked out, - and when it was my turn they then suddenly appeared and started shouting at me, so then the staff menber served them first and she was quite hostile to me during the check in process. I did not feel welcomed at all. Nothing was explained.
When I went to go to my room, suddenly the staff member also came to the lift with a friend /or possible colleague of hers who was dressed in casual clothes and they were speaking in a Ukrainian/Russian type language. This friend had been at the check in process waiting for all the guests and it had seemed like they were getting a discounted / free room Ince we were all dealt with. So the atmosphere in the lift was already tense due to the hostile treatment at check in.
Secondly, upon entering the room my bathroom sink was broken and that was flooding so that was another disappointment added to the first impression. I called down (to the same girl) and explained and was told nothing could be done and I couldn't have a different room (even though I hadnt asked for a different room) but that the problem would be dealt with the next day. Which it was and I was grateful. But I was unable to wash my hands and clean my teeth in the sink and after an 18 hour day it just felt extra difficult.
I explained to the girl I wanted to make a general complaint about the first impression being poor and feeling uncomfortable and unwelcomed there which given.the cost was disappointing.
Thirdly- not the hotel's fault - the noise of the guests late at night was quite loud and disruptive especially after 11pm through to 2am when they were up and down in the lift and corridor passing. Was surprised that the rooms allowed so much noise to be honest but given I was working at the film festival and long erratic hours I really needed to sleep
Eventually due to the noise I decided to leave the hotel and cut my stay short. When I checked out - despite it being earlier than the specific end date and what i had paid for, not one of the 3 daytime staff asked me why I was leaving early. Nor did they ask how my stay was, which I found surprising and lazy on their part. It was a further and final disappointing end to my stay that confirmed my first impression. I was so tired that I just left and found somewhere else at additional cost."
