From the outset, it was a rather disappointing experience. I arrived quite early in the morning from a long flight and I was hoping to check in a bit earlier, even if it meant I had to pay for their early check-in fee. However, I wasn’t given this option even though they state on the website check-in from 8am is available for a fee. I was told that housekeeping hadn’t started yet so no rooms would be ready. If housekeeping doesn’t start until later, why would you advertise that you can check in early for a fee?
With nothing to do until later in the day and severely jet lagged, I spent money in their cafe/bar for 3 hours trying to pass some time until check-in. After going to ask reception a few more times about early check-in, they eventually checked me in around midday.
The room was sterile in the worst way possible. It’s white, cold and old. Lots of white plastic surfaces, white walls, and steel appliances. The bathroom felt like a public bathroom. The bed was hard as nails and gave me a bad back. The balcony was filthy. But the worst thing in my opinion was how many labels, stickers and warning signs were plastered all over the room. I get that it’s important to list safety features etc but I don’t need to be reminded that I can’t smoke in this room, can’t cook heavily on the stove etc. Every wall had something on it with applicable fines attached.
Lastly, it took 3 weeks, several emails and a phone call to my bank to get my deposit back.