I was recently required to stay in Brighton for several nights for work purposes. My agency saw this hotel on the internet and advised me to book it through lastminuterooms.com. The website looked fine but I was later to discover that it hadn't been updated since the hotel changed hands.
I arrived to a fairly cool and very unhelpful welcome. I needed advice on nearby parking as the hotel garage was full, the woman who was dealing with me seemed very unwilling to sell me an overnight parking permit as it "was her last one and she would have to go into town to buy more...". She did, however, eventually sell me the permit.
I was then told I would have to pay for all 3 nights of my stay now, before I had been shown the room. I had arrived tired after a long journey and didn't have the energy to ask to see the room first, although I will never make that mistake again! I made my payment and was given directions to the room.
The room was an acceptable size with a double bed, shower and sink in the room and an en-suite toilet. However, the en-suite was carpeted and smelled strongly of stale urine. On settling in for the night it soon became obvious it wasn't going to be cosiest of stays. Although I had turned the heater up it was very windy and there was a significant draught coming through the window with curtains wafting and all! Bedding was clean but the sheet and blanket were not enough to keep the chill out and the pillows were solid.
The following day I got word that I would have to travel home due to changes in work commitments. On explaining this to the woman who had dealt with me previously I was met with no understanding. They would only refund me one nights accomodation no matter how much I explained that the circumstances were unavoidable. My chilly welcome and chilly nights sleep were topped off with an even chillier farewell and it all set me back over 100 pounds.
I would not advise it!