Undercover at Britain’s worst hotel chain - Which? investigates

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  • Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
  • Britannia hotels has been named the UK's worst chain in an annual survey by Which? Travel. Which? presenter Reya El-Salahi goes undercover at the chain’s Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton.
    Avoid surprises when you travel. See the full results of our 2018 best and worst hotel chain survey at www.which.co.u....
    Which?: www.which.co.uk
    Twitter: / whichuk
    Facebook: / whichuk

Комментарии • 429

  • @TheBoy-Number
    @TheBoy-Number 4 года назад +133

    It's mad. Britannia often has beautiful buildings in great locations BUT everything else about them is complete and utter shite.

  • @chelseapoet3664
    @chelseapoet3664 3 года назад +96

    The Grand Hotel in Scarborough in 2021 makes this place look like heaven!!

    • @deanferguson9008
      @deanferguson9008 3 года назад +9

      I agree, I recently stayed there. Truly shocking, dirty apathetic staff and poor facilities,.

    • @david-lt9wj
      @david-lt9wj 3 года назад +3

      I walked past the grand in Scarborough this year 2021 ,it is the most imposing Hotel I have ever seen, I'd love to stay there....with a sea view...

    • @peterfenwick7573
      @peterfenwick7573 3 года назад +11

      I booked a single room there and I've been in bigger phone booths. I walked straight down to reception checked out and got my money back

    • @david-lt9wj
      @david-lt9wj 3 года назад +3

      @@peterfenwick7573 well that's top marks to customer relations...most hotels would dispute your checkout procedure and retain their charge..

    • @millsy1861
      @millsy1861 3 года назад +13

      I hear this place is now full of our friends arriving by dinghy, at the tax payers expense of course.

  • @marktaylor2087
    @marktaylor2087 3 года назад +40

    Lived in Brighton for 3 years and walk past this place a lot, always assumed it was nice inside. Didn't realise it was a Britannia hotel though; booked a room at one in Birmingham once and checked back out within 2 minutes. No idea how this chain is still going!

    • @SuperTed19021
      @SuperTed19021 Год назад +1

      *Sounds like that chain needs to go!*

  • @hullygully1135
    @hullygully1135 3 года назад +91

    Used to go on National holidays coach trips and was usually put up in Britannia owned hotels so did not expect 5 star accommodation however because of cutbacks we had to start taking our own cockroaches

    • @rjjcms1
      @rjjcms1 2 года назад +1

      🤣

    • @uktv05
      @uktv05 2 года назад

      National Holidays is crap.

  • @Wherecharliegoes
    @Wherecharliegoes 6 лет назад +99

    Such a shame because that’s such a lovely building in a great spot! Britannia earn enough money so there’s no excuse for it to be like that.

    • @ollie-jkiubn
      @ollie-jkiubn 5 лет назад +2

      The bar is amazing but Mate the other stuff is weird

    • @crrnq94.
      @crrnq94. 2 года назад +9

      because its what the owner does. buys grand buildings and runs them to the ground without actually renovating nor paying for anything over the minimum national living wage.
      I've even seen one of their hotels in Coventry burned down, and they where still selling the rooms. utterly disgusting

    • @streamsofconsciousness8651
      @streamsofconsciousness8651 2 года назад +7

      @@crrnq94. Exactly right! They bought some of the most magnificent old hotel buildings in the country and ran them into the crap heap. They don't seem to care. In fact, that seems to be their business model.

    • @rjjcms1
      @rjjcms1 2 года назад +3

      Shame on that company. The place needs sympathetic owners and a root-and-branch clean-out and refurbsihment to bring it back to its former glory.

    • @crrnq94.
      @crrnq94. 2 года назад +4

      @@rjjcms1 unfortunately. This is what Britannia does as a Company. Buys buildings and then run the to the ground. Then buys another building and also run it to the ground.
      0 money spent on refurbishing or fixing problems.
      All staff get minimum wage, and even managers only get 50pence above minimum wage.
      Having had worked for the company for over 6 years I can see why no one even bothers to do a good job. It’s not worth the hassle from their point of view.
      Mr.Langston the owner of the company would rather sit there counting money and pay someone else to just listen to complaints, but not do anything about the issues and carry on taking your money.
      In Britannia’s Eyes, if there’s a problem they are better off ignoring it or giving customers a complimentary bottle of wine worth 90pence. If the customer still isn’t happy, we’ll it it what it is and they are invited to leave. Someone else will come and spend money there instead.
      If you are looking for somewhere cheap to stay out with your friends and don’t care for quality and just want a filthy bed to crash on, go for it. But I would definitely not even bother to think about bringing my family to any Britannia hotel. It is Shameful.

  • @johnhealy8513
    @johnhealy8513 4 года назад +25

    Brilliant video. So sad to see such a wonderful building neglected like this. It is the same story with the chain's hotel in Nottingham which once used to be lovely.

  • @jakubvint91
    @jakubvint91 4 года назад +24

    Thank you!!! I almost booked a room but luckily found your movie.

  • @cfhutgfre
    @cfhutgfre 3 года назад +18

    What sort of reporter has never seen fried bread before. And actually thought it was bad french toast. LMFAO

    • @h7283
      @h7283 3 года назад +2

      A Muslim reporter

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      Coming from the U.S. I had never seen fried bread and also thought it was French toast the first time I saw it.

  • @williamphillips9349
    @williamphillips9349 4 года назад +61

    I was surprised to see this video. I worked at the hotel in 1969 while I was on a gap year from Canada. It was quite nice back then but I might have had a hand in it's decline. I was hired as a waiter and I had no experience in silver service. The first meal I served was spaghetti to the son of a very forgiving lady. It did not go well as more of the pasta ended up on the table than on the plate. I got a little better after some training but I doubt if I ever attained a realistic level of proficiency. My apologies to Mr. Lamb the maitre d and all the other staff. We had some pretty high profile guests back then to. Among them were Graham Green and the old time actress Hermione Gingold. She was pushing 70 and was wearing a mini skirt and looked quite good. My apologies to a fine old hotel if I had any hand in it's downfall.

    • @Rache28
      @Rache28 3 года назад +11

      I’m certain you didn’t, but it’s very sweet that you care enough to apologise. 🥰🥰

    • @misspollysdolly
      @misspollysdolly 3 года назад +8

      Employees mess up in literally any job don't worry! you aren't responsible for the problems the business has

    • @paulaharrisbaca4851
      @paulaharrisbaca4851 3 года назад +2

      Hermione Gingold was pushing 70 in the 1950's, I thought. Most people know her from Gigi, with Leslie Caron. (or maybe Audrey Hepburn...? No, pretty sure it was Caron....and Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jordan, I believe)
      I love Graham Green's narration of his most famous work, "The Third Man"
      ruclips.net/video/NSAsJ-_tKdg/видео.html This is Graham reading his intro, but the version most people know has Joseph Cotton reading the intro.

    • @Daisy-tl2lh
      @Daisy-tl2lh 3 года назад +1

      not your fault if they didn't want you to spread spag bol everywhere they should have given you training would have loved to be a fly on the wall tho.

    • @mrjagriff
      @mrjagriff 3 года назад

      @Nichen Fauster very sad world you live in ! Hopefully you’ll grow up one day

  • @dospalmascb
    @dospalmascb 3 года назад +14

    Somethings never change. I worked for Britannia for a couple of years as a manager from 1996, even back then the group were notorious for their shoddy rooms and DILLIGAF attitude.

  • @annestill9721
    @annestill9721 Год назад +1

    Went there once on a Majestic coach holiday. Was so disgusted with the state of the place we stayed one night, certainly didn't eat there, checked out next morning and caught the train home. That was in 2007 !

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      And you've been staying at home ever since then?

  • @buzx1313
    @buzx1313 3 года назад +30

    Those round pin sockets are 5amp which the table lamps would plug into, these were then probably switched by the door when working correctly. I think the French toast was fried bread 😉

    • @themadplotter
      @themadplotter 2 года назад +5

      yep, she's a dafty.

    • @jennifersivewright3117
      @jennifersivewright3117 2 года назад

      Not 5 amp. They are 2 amp. 5 amp is for TVs.

    • @buzx1313
      @buzx1313 2 года назад +1

      @@jennifersivewright3117 sorry to disagree they are 5 amp.. those are to big to be 2amp

  • @christophertwomey5882
    @christophertwomey5882 3 года назад +12

    Britannia have iconic buildings all over the country , they simply don't invest anything on them...shame on them.

  • @franmellor9843
    @franmellor9843 4 года назад +12

    You were brave getting in that lift!! ...hope it's oiled and serviced regularly

  • @ExhaustedCoot
    @ExhaustedCoot 6 лет назад +22

    They also took over pontins and have invested no money trying to correct what was an already extremely run down set of holiday camps, they've somehow gotten even worse which honestly I didn't think was even possible. Shocking company. They have zero regard for hygiene, safety, even basic levels of maintenance or their customers.

    • @lorddarlo6194
      @lorddarlo6194 4 года назад +2

      I stayed at a Pontins might have been 2008 or 2010 as a lad in Wales I think we had to move rooms as people were idiots in our block remember kids club and riding some late night rides and being in a pub during an England Game

  • @popkinson
    @popkinson 4 года назад +42

    I had the misfortune of staying in the Britannia hotel in Birmingahm in about 2006. Awful place, full of asylum seekers that hung about around the reception area. The fire alarms were all hanging off, apparently being upgraded but nobody was working on them. The beds were uncomfortable and the room itself grubby. Breakfast was served by rude staff and was cooked until any taste had gone. I would have asked for my money back but the company I worked for paid the bill. It doesn't seem like the chain has improved.

    • @joannesaltfleet2071
      @joannesaltfleet2071 3 года назад +1

      I stayed there as well back in 2006 overnight after we had gone to Walsall illuminations which was a load of rubbish and the place was horrible and the staff were rude and the food and the rooms weren't very nice either!

    • @littlemy1773
      @littlemy1773 2 года назад

      Just seen a video from someone called Yorkshire rose. She went to the Britannia country house in Manchester, that too was full of migrants. Not sure if that’s still the case

    • @teddy8094
      @teddy8094 2 года назад

      Charming, brittania hotels are the kind of hotels made especially for small minded Englanders. You got what you deserved. Have a go at asylum seekers - typical

  • @faithlesshound5621
    @faithlesshound5621 3 года назад +13

    Britannia's owners/shareholders must be glad, just like Santander's, that no money is being wasted on the customers that could go into their dividend instead.

    • @faithlesshound5621
      @faithlesshound5621 2 года назад

      @@NA-gf1zy The problem with these grand Victorian hotels is that the "carriage trade" no longer goes to British seaside resorts. Their modern equivalents are on luxury yachts or stopping off at Monaco and the like. Those are the people whose ancestors turned up in Rolls-Royces and had several servants accompanying by train. Now they go a lot further away by private jet and helicopter.
      If Britannia spent millions restoring the buildings, they would never be able to get enough high payers to recoup the investment. Instead they are "sweating their assets:" in other words running them into the ground.
      A few more decades of allowing water to get through the roof and their hotels will have to be demolished, whether or not there are any "historic building" considerations. Then the land will be sold off for development.

    • @faithlesshound5621
      @faithlesshound5621 2 года назад

      @@NA-gf1zy Britannia are firmly at the bottom of the market, having won "worst hotel chain" from Which? magazine seven years in a row. At that end of the market, customers may be suspicious of quality if what they want is "cheapest possible." They may be looking to rent rooms out by the hour, like the late lamented Jonathan's Hotel in Birmingham or St Enoch's in Glasgow.
      As regards demolishing a listed building once they have milked it as much as they can, what an absentee landlord does is to leave it empty and unmaintained for a few years (ignoring demands from the council for repairs) until it becomes dangerous. They may also cut back on security to encourage break-ins, casual sleepers, drug users and (ideally) fire-setters.

  • @kevanhubbard9673
    @kevanhubbard9673 4 года назад +15

    I think that Britannia just hang on to these hotels due to the land value.their worst,well one I've been in,is the central Birmingham one.... interesting to say the least!

    • @billthomason6707
      @billthomason6707 3 года назад +6

      I know it`s a year ago since this post, but do NOT book the Britannia Hotel in Edinburgh,one star for it would be one too many,a pit full of crap,The Metropole/Savoy/Grand hotels in Blackpool are Stunning buildings BUT All owned by Britannia,also the Prince of wales/Scaresbrick hotels in Southport......AVOID AT ALL COSTS, I know from experience !

    • @joannesaltfleet2071
      @joannesaltfleet2071 3 года назад +3

      You have to be sick to book the Birmingham Britannia hotel voluntarily!

    • @billthomason6707
      @billthomason6707 3 года назад

      @@joannesaltfleet2071 Or really sick coming out of the Edinburgh one, terrible place, Southport "Prince of Wales" & "Scarisbrick" hotels are below 1* rating. I can't think of anything nice to say, in September this year we had a toilet that didn't flush, swapped rooms, at least it was a bit better.

  • @shroomyesc
    @shroomyesc 6 лет назад +12

    3:21 Well that's one feature worth a lot for me, a cute birb to greet you in the morning!

    • @avaskye7961
      @avaskye7961 5 лет назад

      Nopainnogain Hurts loll

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      I thought you were talking about 'birds' in the 1960s sense of the word.

  • @computerbob06
    @computerbob06 5 лет назад +9

    My worst holiday experience ever was in a Britannia hotel in Southport, UK. We were given a room in a converted elevator shaft, directly opposite the main ballroom which first had a wedding reception in it, till 9pm and then came the Stag-do! Think I got to sleep about 3 am! We thought we had a skylight above us as there were no windows, until we turned the main light on and discovered this was the it! And then, the realisation that we must have a room above us...... poor buggers!
    The 'room' was dirty and had holes in the wall, which themselves had childrens' drawings all over! I'll never stop in a Britannia hotel again!

    • @ivahadenuff9080
      @ivahadenuff9080 2 года назад +1

      The Scarisbrick ? Another fine place ruined

  • @evalorimer8774
    @evalorimer8774 5 лет назад +22

    I work on reception in a Britannia hotel in Scotland. It’s a real shame we do not get the funding to re do the hotels as there is so much potential but not enough money to fulfill it:( it leaves a few unhappy guests and frustrated staff as we can’t help as much as we wish we could!

    • @philipgallivan7681
      @philipgallivan7681 3 года назад +1

      I feel for you working on the front desk somewhere like a Britannia hotel, something amazing will come up for you soon I’m sure :)

    • @evalorimer8774
      @evalorimer8774 3 года назад +7

      @@philipgallivan7681 yeah I left the place about a year ago now, not long after I commented. Now work in my own family run property company. Good things come to those who wait🤣

    • @robtyman4281
      @robtyman4281 3 года назад

      The problem with larger hotels is that they lack the personal touch - and if they do have this, is then they are likely to be VERY expensive.
      Hotels like the Britannia are rapidly falling out of favour now, as people prefer air b n b, small 'boutique' hotels, or self catering. Even traditional B & B's (which are gaining in popularity again) are more preferential to most people. I don't see this situation changing anytime soon. It's likely to get even worse in future.
      Unless they're posh, then large hotels, rather like old style department stores are not really in fashion anymore. Changing times.
      No one wants to stay in a hotel that is reminiscent of 'Fawlty Towers' or one that looks like it houses asylum seekers.....even if it doesn't. People are much more demanding now than than they were 20 or 30 years ago. And they can post ferocious comments on sites like TripAdvisor.
      If a hotel can't get even the basics right (clean bedsheets, clean bathroom, clean looking curtains with no holes or rips in them, and a stain free carpet) then you have to ask what's the point?

    • @seltaeb3302
      @seltaeb3302 2 года назад

      It's not the staffs fault but clean rooms can still be done on a worn out room. I personally wouldn't stay in a Asylum Migrant dumping ground, but the idea of staying in a mothballed army camp in the countryside got stuffed by NGO idiots taking govt to Court. As an ex soldier I know in their circumstances that would be a great idea for me than bedsit land.

  • @DizzyKizzy64
    @DizzyKizzy64 2 года назад +1

    I worked as a chambermaid at The Royal Albion back in 1981 as a 17 year old. It looked a lot better inside back then, sad it's been let go like that.

  • @mattheweagles5123
    @mattheweagles5123 3 года назад +2

    I stayed in their Manchester city centre hotel a few years ago. It was a great building but dirty and unmaintained. The lift would deliver you to a randomly chosen floor, not the one you pushed the button for.

  • @MsBananasmel
    @MsBananasmel 5 лет назад +9

    I stayed in The Albion LOL but we were on a drunken weekend so didn't care. But such a shame that such a lovely building has been ruined. They also have the ex 5 Star Royal Bath in Bournemouth which they are slowly killing.

  • @JonathanH658
    @JonathanH658 2 года назад +1

    My son spent last winter on maintenance in a Britannia and what you see as a guest is nothing compared to what you don’t see . It has to be falling down before they do anything

  • @Sherwalivlogs
    @Sherwalivlogs 3 года назад +1

    Am in Clifton hotel right now in Scarborough it’s awesome all facilities plus staff cooperation

  • @Windows-bq8xd
    @Windows-bq8xd 5 лет назад +10

    well, it wasn't as bad as my hotel room, it had random doors boarded up everywhere and a fire exit sign over one blocked door even smelled of smoke in a non-smoking ro We even had to get switched room about 3 times!

  • @ianeveritt3326
    @ianeveritt3326 2 года назад +4

    The water damage is probably left over from a major fire that happened back around 2008-ish which took out half the building. The rest was clearly water logged by the fire brigade. For a long time there was doubt the owners would rebuild but an outcry sort of made them do it. Clearly, it was done on the cheap!

    • @ChrisLangmaid
      @ChrisLangmaid Год назад

      Burt down for good now, totally gutted and nothing left but a shell that has to be demolished 😢

  • @ropa2142
    @ropa2142 2 года назад +1

    Basically these hotels in large part cater to cut price coach package trips from the midlands/north of UK.
    You pay cheap, you get cheap!

  • @Forgan_Mreeman
    @Forgan_Mreeman 5 лет назад +4

    i happen to find this video 1 day after booking a room at a Britannia hotel for a week. great.

    • @which
      @which  5 лет назад

      We're so sorry to hear this. If you opted in for something like a 'refundable booking' or 'flexible booking', you could cancel for a refund and book another hotel? If not, you are in a tricky spot unfortunately. We have lots of advice on our website for your rights when it comes to cancelling trips & package holidays, so we'd always recommend taking a quick look to see if we can help: www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/travel Really hope it all works out for you.

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      So what happened?

  • @chrisblay
    @chrisblay 3 года назад +1

    Oh dear, I’ve always thought that Hotel looks upmarket from the outside. Seems not so on though. Suppose they might have improved things now, as this was three years ago.

  • @andyrob3259
    @andyrob3259 2 года назад +2

    Surely a Premier Inn would be a better choice?

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      Premier Inns are pretty soulless places. Give me a grand old hotel any day, even if it's not perfect.

  • @davidterry2038
    @davidterry2038 Год назад +2

    Well you won't get the chance to visit this one again!

  • @webartist69
    @webartist69 3 года назад +10

    The Grand Hotel, Scarborough has a cracking new class of legal/illegal immigrants that use that hotel for 'asylum'. FYI some mold makes the human immune system healthier, the rest 99% will mess you up. The days of pride in service are long gone.

  • @arnelavila1973
    @arnelavila1973 2 года назад +1

    Looks posh outside, but gosh, its filthy and needs a lot of maintenance

  • @syedadeelhussain2691
    @syedadeelhussain2691 2 года назад

    Remember listening to Late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore who had visited Egypt after King Farouk was booted out by Nasser.
    What the PM had noticed was that the flush system was clogged, because what had to go down was coming up.
    Lee, later in a tv interview, said that the best way of judging how a country is doing is by staying at its hotels. It gives you a good picture of how the state of affairs is being managed.
    No wonder Singapore is such a lovely, neat and clean place, with such high living standards.

  • @patcarson7332
    @patcarson7332 3 года назад +1

    What about the Royal Hotel in Scarborough?

  • @david-lt9wj
    @david-lt9wj 3 года назад +2

    70 quid in central Brighton with dinner and breakfast ! That is fantastic value..this should be 300£

  • @markmitchell450
    @markmitchell450 3 года назад +25

    Apparently even the Afghanis are complaining about it and its all free for them

    • @barbaratg5230
      @barbaratg5230 3 года назад +2

      And it's still more than the afghanis deserve. Go home.

    • @childofgod8607
      @childofgod8607 3 года назад +1

      Mark Mitchell 👏👏👏👏👏👏👌💯💯👌😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

    • @scudger99
      @scudger99 3 года назад

      @@barbaratg5230 Why is it more than they deserve ?

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      If they don't like being put up in beautiful Victorian buildings with free dinner and breakfast, maybe they'd prefer a free trip to Afghanistan?

  • @DAPAR26
    @DAPAR26 3 года назад +9

    Britannia Hotels really are rubbish!
    They have some of the most historic and nicest buildings in the country, and this is pretty much want you end up with in every single one. Mouldy smelling, worn carpets and shabby doors and 30 year old decor. They must be the only chain in the world, who just don’t give a a Crap about the upkeep of their properties!

  • @paulmckenzie6039
    @paulmckenzie6039 Год назад +1

    Coincidentally the hotel burnt down in July 2023.

  • @yyyyyyyyyyxxxxxxxxxxwwwwww9249
    @yyyyyyyyyyxxxxxxxxxxwwwwww9249 2 года назад +1

    I tell you what’s worse than this is THE FULWICH HOTEL in DARTFORD, KENT!

  • @PeterTrainIntu
    @PeterTrainIntu 5 лет назад +2

    Went there last week 15th -18th feb its really nice it has changed a lot its lovely

  • @frdavid755
    @frdavid755 Год назад +1

    Come July 2023 and the place is a burned-out ruin, and being demolished.

  • @briangoulden6687
    @briangoulden6687 3 года назад +8

    Britannia Hotels are a shambles - a pity because they have some great buildings in great locations. I suspect they are quite content to house asylum seekers and others needing temporary accommodation and paid for from public funds. It's a pity that there isn't a hospitality company with deep enough pockets to buy and refurbish the whole Britannia group.

  • @peterpiper7441
    @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

    I've stayed at the Britannia hotel in Folkestone a number of times and found it to be not as bad as people claimed. They've put down new carpeting and spent a lot of money repainting the facade of the hotel. It's full of coach tourists but is in a fantastic location right on the harbour.

  • @philippabrealey1310
    @philippabrealey1310 2 года назад +1

    I love the Palace Hotel in Buxton where I go to meet up with family. The room is cheap but wifi, parking and food all cost a fortune. It's clean enough for me, but I've never been fussy, but I will look very hard later this month when I go! It's a few minutes walk down a very steep hill to the high street where there are several places for breakfast. I love the grand building and the fabulous staircase. We had an excellent pre-Christmas cream tea one year in their enormous lounge; plenty of space for the then tiny children to run about. The only other occupants of the normally rarely used lounge were enchanted by the 18-month-olds' antics with the Xmas paper. And their (well-supervised) efforts to conquer that astonishing staircase!

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      You can park a few streets away for free if you don't mind walking.

  • @davidlloyd937
    @davidlloyd937 6 лет назад +8

    At £72 for dinner, bed and breakfast...I'm not sure one should expect more in Brighton..

  • @SuperTed19021
    @SuperTed19021 Год назад

    This hotel has recently had a major fire and now doubtful it will ever reopen. By the looks of this, it is a *good* thing! Looked a half-a-century dated just walking past it outside in my home town.

  • @PortsladeBySea
    @PortsladeBySea 3 года назад +2

    It’s so sad because Brighton is an amazing city to visit and the location of the Royal Albion Hotel is superb. The view of the Brighton Palace Pier and seafront are superb from the main lounge but I must admit the hotel is dreadfully neglected by the current owners 😢

  • @keithwaites9991
    @keithwaites9991 3 года назад +2

    Funnily enough we stayed at this hotel about six weeks ago..it was ok for the price (we went on a coach holiday) location was excellent, we'd seen reviews so we were a bit cagey to start with but we needn't have worried. It wasn't the Ritz but it was ok. We were out most of the day, the lounge in the evening was comfortable - what really pissed us off was there was no loo on the ground floor near the bar and lounge, you either went down two floors to a basement where there was a public lav (entry code needed to open it) or you had to go to your room. Not ideal. Room was ok, food ok too, room clean enough, and if you think we're easy to please you don't know my Mrs.

  • @thegreenmanofnorwich
    @thegreenmanofnorwich 2 года назад

    How sad - it's such a pretty building on the outside. I've stayed in places like that and it's worse than just how it looks. Cracked and missing little window panes, smell etc

  • @JjustBoy
    @JjustBoy 3 года назад +4

    It amazes me how badly run these places are. If a proper cleaning program was in place the rooms would be miles better and if basic maintenance was kept on top of the hotel again would look miles better and thus inturn attract repeat custom. Instead years of neglect and not spending means they end up in a dire circle.

  • @garyfallows1123
    @garyfallows1123 2 года назад +2

    Don't know why you would stay anywhere other than a Premier Inn, stayed in loads all over the country, never had a bad night, great value for money

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      Most of the premier Inns are exactly the same. Nice and clean but completely predictable, and you just don't get the traditional hotel experience. I much prefer a place with personality.

  • @walkwithmeASMR
    @walkwithmeASMR 2 года назад

    When will something be done about Brittania

  • @krissymarklewis1793
    @krissymarklewis1793 3 года назад

    I dj'd a wedding at the one in Coventry once. We had trouble setting as the plug sockets were hanging off the walls.

  • @peterpiper7441
    @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

    Since the hotel burned down and was demolished in 2023, is there any point in keeping the video up?

  • @ianrobertson2634
    @ianrobertson2634 Год назад

    Those sockets are standard UK sockets, they are a most likely connected to a lower capacity circuit, they are designed for lamps to be plugged into which was probably why they were originally there. You could overload the circuit by plugging say a hair dryer into them, hence the different design.
    I have also stayed in this hotel but it was hit and miss. The room was OK but the rest of it was shabby, that said it was cheap.

  • @archiebald4717
    @archiebald4717 3 года назад +2

    I once stayed in the Britannia in Manchester. Absolutely terrible.

  • @stephenle-surf9893
    @stephenle-surf9893 2 года назад

    The adelphi Hotel Liverpool. Worked there one night and quit. Go in, admire the ballroom leave.

  • @kingsleyisner4498
    @kingsleyisner4498 3 года назад +10

    Britannia Hotel in Birmingham is the filthiest hotel I have ever stayed in.

    • @ferguszade5594
      @ferguszade5594 3 года назад +1

      A filthy hovel - should be closed down

    • @joannesaltfleet2071
      @joannesaltfleet2071 3 года назад

      @@ferguszade5594 I stayed there as well and hated the place!

  • @beverlyfincham5664
    @beverlyfincham5664 3 года назад

    I use to work there years ago and it wasn’t great then please does anyone know the names of the areas of the hotel, there was Adelphi- rotunda and I can’t remember the other two

  • @cymbaliv5586
    @cymbaliv5586 2 года назад

    After saying that the [5 amp] lighting sockets were not the usual sort [they are the usual sort for 5 amp lighting circuits], the next shot shows a standard three-pin socket. Anything else made up or exaggerated for the sake of a good report? (That said, the reputation of Britannia Hotels is so widely known that anyone who books into one deserves the service they'll get.)

  • @m47d48xt
    @m47d48xt 3 года назад

    I once stayed at the Adelphi in Liverpool. There were toenail clippings on the bedroom carpet. Yuck!!

  • @midnightthief7321
    @midnightthief7321 3 года назад +1

    Grade 2 listed building looks dated 🤔 hmmmm

  • @ivandickson6063
    @ivandickson6063 Год назад +1

    And now we know why it went up in flames.... plenty of disgruntled guests lol

  • @josephmiddleton4331
    @josephmiddleton4331 5 лет назад +1

    Couldn't agree more! We made such a mistake booking at their Canary Wharf location. AWFUL.

    • @chrisfbklhhjc
      @chrisfbklhhjc 4 года назад

      Some folk are never satisfied. Always want 5 star but won't pay for it

  • @merson812
    @merson812 6 лет назад +12

    What a disgusting hotel! Thank you for the heads up.

  • @dougjordan1544
    @dougjordan1544 3 года назад

    Thank you. I was looking at booking this hotel but not after your experience

  • @Concerncitizenoftheworld
    @Concerncitizenoftheworld 6 лет назад +11

    How the heck they stay in business? Some good investors should buy it and completely renovate it.

    • @chrisfbklhhjc
      @chrisfbklhhjc 4 года назад +1

      Because they offer excellent value for money. So cheap

    • @zpaztrik1418
      @zpaztrik1418 4 года назад +2

      Prostitution and illegals ... It's true you simply need ask staff and security and notice the people going in, puts you off staying there altogether

  • @evanmclafferty3020
    @evanmclafferty3020 2 года назад

    The socket is ment to be that way, it's a 5amp lamp socket,only to be used for lamps

  • @WelshMichigander.
    @WelshMichigander. 3 года назад +1

    I have stayed at their hotels in Manchester many times over the years, I'd tell myself, for the price, set your expectations low and you won't be disappointed.

  • @simongee8928
    @simongee8928 3 года назад +2

    The Royal Albion is another example of a hotel that was built to high standards orignially intended to cater for a 'discerning clientele'. Much has changed in it's lifetime and the owners can't afford to fund a major refurbishment. And then, who would stay there at the prices that would have to be charged to recoupe the investment - ? Same as the Grand in Scarborough.
    Sad, but that's reality.

  • @FjIrwin
    @FjIrwin 2 года назад

    Same with the Manchester location too

  • @Bobbyr0cc0
    @Bobbyr0cc0 Год назад +2

    This hotel is now just on fire

  • @TheDarkhorse1947
    @TheDarkhorse1947 3 года назад

    They must have gone down hill over the years. I stay in one in St Leonards 10-12 years ago and it was lovely. Slept in like a mini suite. Receptionist was really helpful and breakfast was fresh cooked of a menu.

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад

      I think the one in St. Leornards is the Royal Victoria. It became a Best Western and then sometime in the past few years it became independent. We stayed there in about 2014 for £40 with breakfast.

  • @sheisveryfamous
    @sheisveryfamous 2 года назад

    I stayed there in 2020. I loved how old fashioned it was ❤️

  • @jeffm1971
    @jeffm1971 6 лет назад +4

    The Britannia Coventry Hill Hotel is by far the worst hotel I've ever been in. They have some great buildings but its a shame they let them get so run down.

    • @joannesaltfleet2071
      @joannesaltfleet2071 5 лет назад

      I went there once and it was more like a prison than a hotel

    • @wetlettuce4768
      @wetlettuce4768 5 лет назад +1

      I used to live in Coventry and that hotel had some what of a reputation for being a prostitute/drug den, best avoided lol.

  • @virginiafry9854
    @virginiafry9854 3 года назад +1

    I have stayed at the Britannia, Birmingham on 2 occasions - 2001 and 2004.
    While not luxurious, it was adequate!

  • @cashino
    @cashino 6 лет назад +5

    Shocking.....

  • @geoffreygoodyear3746
    @geoffreygoodyear3746 5 лет назад +3

    Why does the price go up three fold when there is an event in the city ? We the innocent are fed up with RIP off chains..

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад +1

      This practice should be illegal.

  • @adamlea7471
    @adamlea7471 2 года назад

    £72 for dinner bed and breakfast? If they are charging so little, it is not surprising they can't afford to keep up the maintenance or serve decent food.

  • @ReveiwReveiw-sh8vj
    @ReveiwReveiw-sh8vj 8 месяцев назад +1

    Travelodge is the worst hotel chain in the UK . There staff are disgusting . Twice the staff closed the staff doors and began to talk about me . Everytime I come down to collect food from Uber The Travelodge staff at Woolwich snigger and laugh whilst I go back up to my room . Don't work at travelodge if you can't hold your stomach .

  • @brickie59
    @brickie59 Год назад +1

    The clientele that used it were mainly piss heads wanting cheap accommodation, so this was ideal for them. Unfortunately it has now caught fire and is in the process of being completely demolished.

  • @michaelsalt4565
    @michaelsalt4565 6 лет назад +4

    Do they do gluten free?

  • @TakeoverPodcast1
    @TakeoverPodcast1 6 лет назад +1

    Do the grand hotel Scarborough by britania

    • @Pablo-tw7tt
      @Pablo-tw7tt 5 лет назад

      Total dump & appalling management. Such a shame, for a once great building that should be a Scarborough landmark.

    • @Pablo-tw7tt
      @Pablo-tw7tt 5 лет назад

      Total dump & appalling management. Such a shame, for a once great building that should be a Scarborough landmark.

    • @TakeoverPodcast1
      @TakeoverPodcast1 5 лет назад

      @@Pablo-tw7tt Yea the council should do something about it like reposess it

  • @michaelprovence
    @michaelprovence 6 лет назад +1

    How come it's still open?

    • @chrisfbklhhjc
      @chrisfbklhhjc 3 года назад

      Because its excellent value for money

  • @MrPlownds26
    @MrPlownds26 2 года назад

    Went for a cheeky wander around another Brittania hotel Namely The Grand at Scarborough and was pleased to be staying a at another hotel a.cross the road.

  • @paulscott1759
    @paulscott1759 2 года назад +1

    Why is.this hotel chain not closed down for environmental and health and safety reasons

    • @peterpiper7441
      @peterpiper7441 2 месяца назад +1

      Believe me there are much worse hotels than this. Try the OYO chain sometime.

  • @sarribel
    @sarribel 3 года назад +1

    Unloved great building, that is bad enough. But dirt, mould, those hair rising carpets and finding Someone else's hair in the bathroom is Quite another thing. Both dinner and breakfast looked vomiting. One can only imagine the cleaning standards of the kitchen. What are the local authorities doing about IT? Thank you. Great video.

  • @voh3445
    @voh3445 2 года назад

    For people that can’t afford megabucks, The Royal Albion is an excellent hotel. I’ve stayed four times. A bed, a sea view, right on the pier - what more do people want?!

  • @susieseptember
    @susieseptember 2 года назад

    What can you really expect for £70 for dinner, bed and breakfast, especially in Brighton?

  • @mossy78
    @mossy78 6 лет назад +11

    Wouldn’t stop in a Britannia hotel if you paid me

    • @stokeontrentchannel3593
      @stokeontrentchannel3593 4 года назад +1

      Lol I stay in one in Blackpool. Was fed up by second day. Afew years back. Never again

  • @patl709
    @patl709 2 года назад

    This is a bit of a hit piece or maybe it’s improved as I’ve just stayed there for a couple of nights. Granted, it’s definitely not the best hotel you will ever stay in. However, it’s in a great location and the staff were helpful. This is an old hotel and it could do with some serious investment. If you just want a base to explore Brighton it’s okay. If you want to spend quality time in your hotel pay more and find somewhere else.

  • @meterintusdad7680
    @meterintusdad7680 3 года назад

    I went here last February in 2020, it was dated and basic, but people helpful and cheerful

  • @tobeytransport2802
    @tobeytransport2802 2 года назад

    The sad thing is that Britannia hotels are often in lovely buildings and lovely locations.

    • @johnkelly1083
      @johnkelly1083 2 года назад

      People shouldn't be suprised. What do you expect if you're paying £40 a night? I'm not defending Britannia hotels at all, it's obviously their policy to fill up the rooms at the cheapest prices. That's fine for a bog standard Travelodge, however these old buildings need a lot of work and are very expensive to maintain. If (hopefully) these lovely buildings are taken over by a company willing to invest lots of money, people should expect to pay a lot more for a room.

  • @shirleyfrank6280
    @shirleyfrank6280 2 года назад +1

    I love how they have a tip jar by the food in the canteen. I’m sure people could give them plenty of tips but but of the monetary kind 🤣🤣

  • @thelionofluton4940
    @thelionofluton4940 2 года назад

    I've stayed here recently (within 2 months) and nothing has changed, I was quite disappointed in the cleanliness and checking in took approximately one and a half hours. Two star rating at the very best (closer to 1 star)

  • @Donnelly18
    @Donnelly18 6 лет назад +3

    I go to there Didsbury hotel gym. Its not been touched since the 90's. Real shame as it could be really good. 1 guy own Brittania he is a multi millionaire who just isn't bothered by the looks of it.

    • @DAPAR26
      @DAPAR26 3 года назад +1

      That’s obviously why he’s a Millionaire. He doesn’t spend ANY of it on his Hotels.

    • @joannesaltfleet2071
      @joannesaltfleet2071 3 года назад

      The didsbury hotel is one of the better ones!

  • @Murph9000
    @Murph9000 3 года назад

    The Brittania at Edinburgh's Dean Bridge (West End) is a similar disgrace of what was previously a quite nice hotel. Crumbling and grotty would be a good summary of it.
    It was originally a Stakis, then Hilton, if memory serves. Back then, it was a reasonably posh 4 star, very well maintained, popular with locals and tourists alike (the bar down by the Water of Leith was a gem).
    Brittania have the bones of an excellent hotel, but spent as little as possible on maintaining it and turned it into a dump.